Real estate future lies in adapting to AI, data centre sustainability
QNA
DOHA
Participants in the Qatar Economic Forum 2025, powered by Bloomberg, discussed the future of the real estate sector amid global economic shifts, technological advancements, and changing patterns of investment and residential demand.
During a panel discussion titled 'Global Real Estate Horizons: Navigating Growth and Demand,' participants emphasized that real estate will remain a key pillar of global investment.
However, its success will depend on investors' ability to adapt to transformations and shift flexibly toward emerging sectors such as healthcare, data centers, and sustainable energy.
In this context, CEO of Related Companies Jeff T. Blau said that venture capital is still available but needs to be allocated more selectively. He noted that cross-border investments dropped by 57 percent in Q1 2025, reflecting global caution. However, he also pointed to signs of clear recovery in major markets.
Blau added that in the US alone, real estate transactions reached USD 93 billion in Q1 2025, a 37 percent increase compared to the same period last year. In Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), the figure reached USD 55 billion, a 41 percent increase. In Asia, it stood at USD 36 billion, up by 20 percent.
He said that investing in data centers and modern office spaces has become a priority driven by the rise of artificial intelligence, but warned that this opportunity is time-sensitive and must be seized wisely.
For his part, CapitaLand Investment Group CEO Chee Koon Lee said that regional integration among Arabian Gulf countries is a key attraction, noting that tourists often travel between Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Dubai as a single destination.
Lee also stressed that the real estate environment in the Gulf, especially in terms of safety, quality of education, and infrastructure, constitutes a long-term draw. He added that Gulf nations possess advanced digital infrastructure.
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