In 2024, Gensler’s workplace research explored far beyond the question of office attendance or RTO to truly unpack the transformative power of workplace design. With less than a third of global workplaces redesigned post-pandemic, it’s time to rethink how and where work happens. Workplace design isn’t just about looks — it’s about creating environments that inspire and enable human potential. To supplement that work, Gensler has partnered with CoreNet Global to conduct this survey exploring the corporate real estate (CRE) landscape and the challenges faced by CRE professionals. In this research, our aim was to understand the perspectives of CRE leaders as they look ahead, focusing on the modifications they are implementing or considering in their office space portfolios and their future space allocation strategies.
This report combines survey findings, on-site polling data, and discussions with conference attendees with insights from Gensler’s latest global workplace research. Together, these elements provide a forward-thinking perspective on CRE professionals’ expectations, priorities, and planned actions as the industry adapts to evolving workforce needs.
CRE leaders rate current access to spaces for critical work activities as improving — but it falls short of top-performing companies.
Percentage of CoreNet Global CRE end-users who find it easy to access the following work activities in Spring and Fall 2024, compared to Gensler’s Global Workplace Survey 2024 high-performing workplaces benchmark.
Most CRE professionals have updated their offices, but more progress is needed to match top-performing workplaces.
CRE end-users have noted improvements in access to many spaces for critical work activities since Spring 2024, such as in-person collaboration, focused concentration, and recharging/taking a break. However, Fall 2024 respondents found it more challenging to access spaces for video conferences and conversations (both informal and confidential) compared to the CRE survey conducted in the spring. Additionally, their office environments still fall short of top-performing workplaces for every critical workspace type, particularly those dedicated to focused concentration, confidential conversations, and relax/recharge/take a break.
Larger companies expect to reduce their footprint, while smaller companies expect to increase their footprint.
Percentage of CoreNet Global end-users who think their companies will require each amount of office space within three years, segmented by smaller companies and larger companies.
The majority of CRE executives anticipate changing their overall footprint.
According to the survey, 71% of CRE professionals anticipate changes to their overall footprint within the next three years. On average, 44% expect to reduce their footprint, while 27% plan to increase it. However, company size plays a significant role in real estate strategy. CRE end-users in larger companies (with more than 10,000 employees) are more likely planning to reduce in their footprint, while those in smaller companies (with fewer than 10,000 employees) are more likely to anticipate an increase. These projected office needs underscore how real estate strategies evolve with a company’s growth stage and market goals. Larger, more established companies often have specific space type requirements, whereas smaller, newer companies focus on space flexibility and growth.
CRE leaders are implementing changes to meeting rooms, conference rooms, and private spaces within the next year.
Percentage of CoreNet Global end-users who are implementing, considering to provide/modify/upgrade, or not considering in their physical workplaces.
Team productivity is the primary focus for 2025 real estate investments. Tactical upgrades top the list of planned office modifications.
The ability to effectively work together is key to team productivity, whether employees are in-person or hybrid. While CRE professionals still recognize the importance of spaces for focus work, many of the upgrades planned for 2025 will focus on enhancing collaboration and connection. These upgrades include improvements to meeting-room technology, reservable conference rooms, social spaces, and collaboration software for hybrid work. Changes to wellness amenities, learning spaces, and outdoor workspaces are less emphasized, indicating that tactical changes to ease workflows are currently being prioritized over cultural or experiential modifications.
Download Shared Futures: Corporate Real Estate Executives’ Strategies for 2025 to learn about CRE professionals’ expectations, priorities, and planned actions.