What Are Corporate Real Estate Executives Planning for 2025?
A look at what office space portfolio modifications and space allocation strategies CRE leaders are anticipating and planning for the year ahead.

While work has undergone massive changes in the past several years, less than a third of global workplaces have been redesigned post-pandemic — which means there’s untapped potential for increased organizational performance.
Partnering with CoreNet Global, Gensler surveyed corporate real estate (CRE) leaders to understand their real estate changes over the last year and their upcoming plans for 2025. This data was gathered through two 2024 membership surveys, live discussions, and on-site polling during the CoreNet Global Summit in November 2024, along with insights from Gensler’s latest global workplace research.
Below are key highlights on what CRE leaders are anticipating and planning for the year ahead:
Office Remodels and Relocations
CRE professionals are actively updating their office space. More than half (54%) of CRE end-users reported remodeling or updating their workplaces in the past three years. Specifically, 14% noted changes this year, and 40% within the last three years, surpassing Gensler’s Global Workplace Survey 2024 of 31%.
These updates include redesigns and relocations. Among those who relocated, about two-thirds moved within the city center or central business district (CBD). This trend reflects a desire for higher quality and better experiences. Some CRE end-users moved to higher-quality office buildings or better parts of the CBD, while others sought areas with more amenities and an enhanced neighborhood experience. Often, the drive for improved facilities and a better overall environment influenced the decision to relocate.

Amid these changes, CRE end-users have noted improvements in access to many spaces for critical work activities since the first survey in Spring 2024, such as in-person collaboration, focused concentration, and recharging/taking a break. However, in the second survey, respondents found it more challenging to access spaces for video conferences and conversations (both informal and confidential) compared to earlier in the year. 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 relaxation.
Changing Real Estate Footprints
According to the survey, 71% of CRE professionals anticipate changes to their overall footprint within the next three years. On average, 44% plan to downsize, while 27% plan to expand. But size matters — big companies (over 10,000 employees) are more likely to shrink their footprint, while smaller ones (under 10,000 employees) are more likely to grow.
These changes highlight how real estate strategies evolve with a company’s growth stage and market goals. Bigger, established companies have specific organizational needs and opportunities, while smaller, newer ones focus on flexibility and growth.

Whether they’re expanding or shrinking, there’s a clear shift towards more collaborative workspaces. Among those expanding, only 34% are adding individual work settings for headcount growth. The rest are boosting shared spaces like meeting rooms, team areas, social or learning zones, and communal amenities. For those downsizing, about two-thirds are moving to unassigned seating, and 25% are cutting individual work settings due to fewer employees in the office. This shift underscores a growing emphasis on collaboration and flexibility in today’s offices.
Team Productivity: A Top 2025 Priority
As CRE professionals set their 2025 priorities, team productivity, great work experiences, and sustainability top the list. While team productivity is the main goal for both large and small companies, other priorities vary. Smaller companies focus on work experiences, quality of work, and employee well-being, while larger ones emphasize strong team relationships and alignment with the company’s mission. Office presence isn’t a top priority for either size, but it’s 1.5 times more likely to be a focus for larger companies.

Effective teamwork is key to productivity, whether employees are in-person or hybrid. While CRE leaders still value spaces for focused work, many 2025 upgrades will enhance collaboration and connection. These include better meeting room tech, reservable conference rooms, social spaces, and collaboration software for hybrid work. Wellness amenities, learning spaces, and outdoor workspaces are less emphasized, showing a focus on practical changes to ease workflows over cultural or experiential tweaks.
Looking ahead, CRE leaders foresee a wide range of workplace changes, with change management being crucial for success. Company size influences future needs and priorities, with larger and smaller companies focusing on different outcomes. CRE leaders stress the importance of strategic decision-making rooted in organizational needs. Successful workplace strategies must align with each organization’s unique context and infrastructure while giving employees opportunities for input and choice.
The collective wisdom from CRE professionals sends a clear message: creating high-performing workplaces requires a balanced approach that considers organizational uniqueness, embraces flexibility, and prioritizes employee needs.
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