Halfway There: What’s Shaping Commercial Real Estate at Midyear 2026

With the H1 2026 data in hand, we can see how commercial real estate is evolving in a market where AI, geopolitical events, capital discipline and a resilient economy are rewriting earlier forecasts. CBRE’s Research leaders discuss the company’s 2026 Midyear Outlook—published today—and examine what’s changed since the start of the year and the implications for occupiers, investors and the broader market.

• Commercial real estate conditions have shifted since the January outlook, with geopolitical uncertainty, capital constraints and a resilient consumer shaping the market at midyear.
• Limited new supply is becoming an increasing theme across property sectors, creating a new dynamic for occupiers and investors.
• Quality is increasingly the defining characteristic of successful real estate assets.
• AI is influencing real estate demand beyond data centers, with implications for tech markets, office footprints, infrastructure needs and future property use.
• Investors are placing greater emphasis on income returns, lease durability, tenant credit and market selection.