Nearly half of CRE decision-makers said they believe commercial real estate is perceived as a cost center rather than a value driver. However, about two-thirds of global business leaders surveyed by JLL for its biennial Future of Work Survey said they expect their CRE budgets to increase between now and 2030 despite the challenging CRE landscape and a mixed economic environment.

Business leaders are primarily focused on three corporate goals over the next five years, all of which will require some thought about the use of physical office space to grow staff and optimize work output. Of the respondents, 57% said they are focused on growing revenue through expansion and M&A, 53% are focused on attracting and retaining talent, and 54% are focused on achieving organizational efficiency.

More than half of business leaders said they plan to grow their total footprint over the next five years, with 44% of organizations considered 'office advocates' who would like to see staff in the office five days a week. Of organizations, 85% have a policy of at least three days of office attendance per week, and 43% expect that number to increase by 2030.