North American Real Estate Asset Managers Survey 2023: Business Strategies & Technology Investment Priorities

Access this research

Access all Real Estate & Built Environment content with a strategic subscription or buy this single report

Buy Subscription

Need help or have a question about this report? Contact us for assistance

Executive Summary

The North American real estate market is still reeling from shifting property demand patterns and economic headwinds following the COVID pandemic. While some stakeholders may be looking to rebalance their portfolios, many leaders in industry are focused on growing the value of their assets. Verdantix interviewed 100 senior North American real estate asset managers and discovered a solid interest in smart building technology investments to drive greater returns. Asset and portfolio managers, as well as investors, can use this report to benchmark their real estate strategic priorities and technology preferences. Smart building product and service providers can also use the report to better understand market direction and emerging areas of interest for real estate asset managers who are looking to optimize their property portfolios and business operations.

Table of contents

North American real estate asset managers are navigating an extremely challenging economic period with an eye to the future
Verdantix North American Real Estate Asset Managers Study 2023: methodology and demographics
Asset managers are targeting smart, and sustainability-minded, real estate technology investments
Investments must balance both current returns and future property value propositions
Asset managers see strong value in keeping up with technical advancements
Energy optimization and ESG are crucial asset management pursuits
Conservation of resources is a key business strategy and cost savings goal
Asset managers approach ESG as a vital investment strategy

Table of figures

Figure 1. Respondents’ roles and titles
Figure 2. Size of real estate asset portfolios under management
Figure 3. Property asset types under management
Figure 4. Respondents’ geographical location  
Figure 5. Priority initiatives for the next 12 months   
Figure 6. Factors presenting opportunities and risks for the next 12 months
Figure 7. Current and planned asset investment initiatives
Figure 8. Current and planned use of commercial software for portfolio management tasks
Figure 9. Ways that 'smart buildings' factor into strategies
Figure 10. Technologies ranked by perceived value for Grade A properties
Figure 11. Current and planned energy and decarbonization initiatives
Figure 12. Decarbonization plans
Figure 13. Current and planned ESG-related activities
Figure 14. Impetus for investment in reporting tools to aid ESG activities
Figure 15. Current and planned leasing structures for ESG-related outcomes

About the authors

Claire Stephens

Research Director, Smart Buildings
Claire Stephens is Research Director of the Smart Buildings team. With 18 years of experience in the sector, Claire is recognized as an expert in industries that make up the built environment, in particular, corporate and commercial real estate, and workplace and sustainability technologies. At Verdantix, Claire will be digging into building technology for building owners, occupiers and investors, focusing on how to support them in reaching their ESG objectives. Prior to her arrival at Verdantix, Claire launched Asia’s first corporate real estate, green building and building technology publications. She has also delivered full lifecycle real estate consultancy services covering a broad range of asset types in industries including financial services, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, technology, consumer goods, media, retail and hospitality.

Joy Trinquet

Senior Analyst
Joy is a Senior Analyst in the Verdantix Smart Buildings practice. Her current research agenda focuses on integrated workplace management systems/connected portfolio intelligence platforms (IWMS/CPIP), building systems integrators, and space and workplace management solutions. Joy joined Verdantix in 2019, having previously worked at BNP Paribas Asset Management as a business development intern. She earned a BA degree in Economics with a concentration on policy, as well as dual minors in computer science and business studies, from New York University.

Sandy Rogers

Principal Analyst
Sandy is a Principal Analyst in the Verdantix Smart Buildings practice. Her current research agenda focuses on the intersection of IT and OT digital strategies and technologies, including the IoT landscape. Sandy’s experience prior to joining Verdantix includes work as a research director and technology industry analyst in IT service technologies and operations at Forrester, and at IDC, where she covered software, vertical markets and web services. Sandy has worked in competitive research and strategy consulting at Fuld & Company and developed research for thought-leadership at Deloitte. She holds a Business Degree in Marketing and Management Science from the University of Rhode Island.

Related Reports

Not a Verdantix client yet?

Register with Verdantix for authoritative data, analysis and advice to allow your business to succeed.