Summit Journal

Kevin Hudak and Michael Broder of RCKRBX look at how owners can harness and grow new demand based on what occupants actually want.

RCLCO Fund Advisors suggests that the supply response taking shape for data centers calls for more measured analysis.

Francis Huang of Apers AI talks about how automated systems turn convictions into adaptive frameworks that evolve with market conditions.

Despite continued economic uncertainty and geopolitical rebalancing, the latest AFIRE International Investor Survey underscores continued confidence in US real estate . . . with some important qualifications.

Summit Journal #20 looks ahead at the top trends affecting commercial real estate and global investing in 2026 (and beyond).

AFIRE’s multiple award-winning Summit Journal begins 2026 on a high note, claiming three new awards for design, content, and thought leadership.

Climate change is reshaping real estate, making climate fluency essential for investors. Resilience and adaptability are now core competencies, guiding decisions from underwriting to operations and positioning assets for long-term value in a changing world.

Mid-cap commercial real estate, generally defined as assets in the $20–$100 million range, represents a segment of the US market that remains relatively under-explored compared to both large-cap institutional transactions and smaller private investments.

Investment managers have an excellent opportunity to re-design their investment management practices using AI to achieve investment outcomes that are often influenced by market uncertainty, data proliferation, and rapid advances in finance and technology.

For CRE professionals, AI might seem like another tool in the smart building arsenal. But the possibilities of AI go far beyond utility and will require smart management and oversight to maximize its potential (and avoid its pitfalls).

If current trends sustain, data centers may become a defining infrastructure asset of the digital economy; equally, the sector’s evolution from energy sourcing to compute architectures means that the only constant is change.

Financial headwinds and generational shifts are driving a growing cohort of “Lifestyle Renters” willing to pay premium rents for the neighborhoods and amenities they desire—here is how to identify where they live and what they look for.

An emerging story blames migrants from high-cost, regulation-heavy coastal states for “importing” anti-development politics into the Sunbelt and reducing new housing. A county-level test of that claim does not hold up.

Middle East family offices are expanding beyond legacy real estate and directing capital into next generation US sectors including data centers, logistics, and student and workforce housing, driven by energy transition strategies, demographic resilience, and long-term value creation.

While there are incremental investment risks in Mexico, Mexican and US industrial share more characteristics than might be expected and the risk premium could justifiably be narrower than called for by sovereign bond spreads. 

With strong fundamentals and tailwinds, good quality and high volume of deal flow with ample debt availability, there are many reasons to consider looking at Canada.

Summit Journal Issue #20, to be published in February 2026, is currently seeking article proposals from across the commercial real estate community. Proposal deadline: October 31, 2025.

Population size, migration patterns, aging, household composition, and the rise of remote work are reshaping demand structures, presenting both challenges and investment opportunities across the commercial real estate landscape.

Rather than reacting impulsively to short-term market fluctuations, institutional investors have the resources (and patience) to recognize the US market as a continued cornerstone of global diversification strategies focused on attractive long-term returns.

In an increasingly uncertain environment, investors should be more selective, prioritizing investments that can offer durable income and seek to perform even in flat or faltering markets.