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A global network has highlighted the top priorities of the corporate real estate (CRE) industry and outlined key strategies agencies need to adopt in 2026.
JLL has outlined the top priorities and strategies agencies should consider in the network’s 2026 Corporate Real Estate Trends to Watch report.
The report found the main focus for CRE was reducing operating costs, with 72 per cent of teams considering it one of their top priorities.
Space utilisation and organisational efficiency rounded out the top three, with one in two teams considering them a priority, while sustainability and employee experience made up the rest of the top five.
JLL global chief executive officer (CEO), real estate management services, Neil Murray, said that businesses needed to ensure they were prepared to adjust to the rapidly changing industry.
“The pace of change in corporate real estate has never been greater, and transformation must be continuous, not a one-off initiative,” Murray said.
“In 2026, the most successful organisations will not only optimise real estate costs but also leverage high-quality data to integrate people, technology and sustainability, turning their physical footprints into a driver of competitive advantage.”
Maintain flexibility
The report found global office utilisation at 54 per cent, below the 79 per cent target, prompting JLL to urge agencies to move from static, long-term leases to dynamic, multi-asset portfolios.
With a fluctuating workforce often on the move, JLL recommended that agencies treat optimisation as a technology platform that can pivot to support new market entries and talent acquisitions.
Create an engaging workspace
JLL said that there had been an increasing focus on creating “commute-worthy” offices, as 52 per cent of organisations require employees to spend three to four days on location.
With work-life balance outranking salary as a driver of employee retention, JLL CEO, real estate management services, APAC, Susheel Koul, said there was a clear correlation between workplace quality and attendance patterns.
“The organisations achieving consistent office utilisation have moved past generic space planning to create locations that genuinely support how their specific workforce operates,” Koul said.
“Success comes from strategic alignment between space design, company culture and measurable business outcomes.”
Continue experimenting with AI
On the artificial intelligence (AI) front, JLL found that exploration of AI has been exploding in the industry, with under 5 per cent of teams planning pilots in 2023, rising to 92 per cent in 2025.
With the uptick in usage, JLL CEO, work dynamics, EMEA and head of portfolio services, Sue Asprey Price, said that the most common bottleneck when implementing new technology was its compatibility with legacy infrastructure.
“We’re seeing a fundamental shift in how organisations view AI investment in EMEA and beyond,” Asprey Price said.
“The early adopters have moved beyond pilot projects to embed AI as core business infrastructure.”
“In the year ahead, organisations that strengthen data foundations before scaling AI initiatives will achieve the essential AI shift from experimentation to enterprise infrastructure.”
Embrace sustainable offices
JLL highlighted that with 62 per cent of organisations prioritising energy performance, occupiers should focus on upgrades that boost efficiency, integrate smart technology, and enhance both performance and wellbeing.
The report said that agencies that integrate performance upgrades will capture a “twin premium”, achieving savings while creating a workplace that can attract and retain top talent.
JLL CEO, work dynamics, Americas and head of industries, Sanjay Rishi, said that the shifting trends signify that the days of treating corporate real estate as a cost centre are over.
“By aligning portfolio decisions with employee wellbeing and business agility, CRE leaders are creating workplace experiences that drive both operational efficiency and talent loyalty.”
“The result is real estate that actively contributes to business growth rather than simply supporting it,” Rishi concluded.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mathew Williams
Born in the rural town of Griffith NSW, Mathew Williams is a graduate journalist who has always had a passion for storytelling. Having graduated from the University of Canberra with a Bachelor of Sports Media in 2023, Mathew recently made the move to Sydney from Canberra to pursue a career in journalism and has joined the Momentum Media team, writing for their real estate brands. Outside of journalism, Mathew is an avid fan of all things sports and regularly attends sporting events across Sydney. Get in touch at
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