Search
 

CRE Still Shaking off its Clunky Past?

SAN FRANCISCO-Some say that commercial real estate is “poorly integrated with the mainstream investment world” while others say it has broken free. Marcus & Millichap's Ben Johnson takes a deeper look.

By Ben Johnson, contributing editor to REAL ESTATE FORUM and GlobeSt.com, and marketing director at Marcus & Millichap | Updated on May 31, 2013

SAN FRANCISCO-It was the quote heard ’round the world, or at least the world of commercial real estate, that is. Roger Urwin, global head of investment content at Towers Watson, a respected global investment consultant, actually said it out loud. Speaking to a group of leading institutional investment professionals at the recent IPD Conference in Lisbon, Portugal, he said that as an asset class, commercial real estate is “still clunky and poorly integrated with the mainstream investment world.”

Now here’s the rub: I’ve been among the many in our industry who agree that commercial real estate is finally showing promising signs of breaking from its former “alternative” status into a more mainstream asset class.

Want to continue reading?
Become a Free ALM Digital Reader.

Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Unlimited access to GlobeSt and other free ALM publications
  • Access to 15 years of GlobeSt archives
  • Your choice of GlobeSt digital newsletters and over 70 others from popular sister publications
  • 1 free article* every 30 days across the ALM subscription network
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM events and publications

*May exclude premium content
Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2025 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

GlobeSt

Join GlobeSt

Don't miss crucial news and insights you need to make informed commercial real estate decisions. Join GlobeSt.com now!

  • Free unlimited access to GlobeSt.com's trusted and independent team of experts who provide commercial real estate owners, investors, developers, brokers and finance professionals with comprehensive coverage, analysis and best practices necessary to innovate and build business.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and GlobeSt events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join GlobeSt

Copyright © 2025 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.