Foreword

Welcome to the fourth edition of (Y)OUR SPACE—Knight Frank’s global research campaign that explores the forces reshaping work, workplace, and the real estate strategies evolving in response.

In a world defined by disruption, this is the occupier voice: clear, direct, and rooted in the realities of corporate life.

This year’s campaign opens with a powerful signal. Through our survey, we’ve gathered the insights of 292 senior corporate real estate (CRE) leaders, directly responsible for more than 650 million square feet of space across the globe. Their message is unambiguous: the next three years will be decisive. Strategies are shifting. Decisions are accelerating. Real estate is no longer a backdrop—it’s becoming central to business transformation.

In our recent Changing Tact report, we identified 2025 as a defining year for corporate real estate. While the year began with clear momentum, the resurgence of tariffs and trade tensions has introduced a new brake on progress. But this isn’t a pause—it’s a pivot. CRE leaders are now doubling down on resilience, recalibrating strategies to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economic and geopolitical landscape. The real momentum—across sectors, regions, and portfolio types—will unfold over the remainder of this decade. This report outlines where that momentum is building, and why.

For the first time, and in step with today’s strategic priorities, (Y)OUR SPACE expands beyond the office to explore industrial portfolios and the consequences of global supply chain reconfiguration. We also look inward—at the composition of CRE teams and the rising role of outsourcing as businesses face mounting pressure to do more with less.

This year’s survey zeroes in on three critical challenge areas: