Digital disruption in commercial real estate

The way that Canadians live, work and shop is about to change profoundly

And the real estate industry is already feeling the effects, as technological advances are rapidly disrupting the conventional ways that people live, work and shop. These advances will have a profound impact on all real estate asset classes, from office buildings to shopping centres to warehouses. In an age of disruption, no real estate is immune.

Furthermore, digital disruption is a dynamic catalyst with the potential to transform operating businesses and advance productivity in Canada–and the real estate industry is uniquely positioned to capitalize on the opportunities. By influencing organizations to invest in business infrastructure, redesign spaces and transform their business models, real estate can become a catalyst for change.

• Those who occupy real estate–whether office, retail, industrial, institutional or residential–have the opportunity to use a real estate event such as a lease expiry, property acquisition, refinancing or redevelopment to drive change within their organization. This opportunity is available for both private and public sector organizations that can re-think how and where they operate their real estate and business.
• Real estate owners, investors, developers, managers, and service providers need to take notice and adapt business models and delivery systems to embrace digital disruption. This includes the myriad real estate issues, such as building construction, sustainability, site selection, financing, amenities, accessibility to infrastructure, branding, property management and a wide array of other issues specific to each real estate asset class.

The key to surviving and thriving in this age of digital disruption is to adapt to these disruptors–while maintaining a flexible approach that can withstand future volatility, drive growth and stay true to the core vision.

Read our report, "Digital disruption in commercial real estate: Catalyst for growth?" to find out more about how technological advances are influencing commercial real estate decisions.​