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CBRE’s 2022-23 Global Fit-Out Cost Guide is the industry’s most comprehensive analysis of fit-out pricing globally. This year’s edition focuses on the global changes in work models and the challenges faced as a result of the pandemic, climate change and heightened economic uncertainty.

The global shift in workplace behaviors has resulted in new ways of thinking about the construction of offices. Companies have adopted hybrid work models, and people need a blend of flexible, team and event spaces. Likewise, many companies have set net-zero carbon targets, expanding real estate sustainability strategy beyond energy savings to include decarbonization and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria.

But with the changes there have been challenges. The lingering effects of COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine have led to economic and supply chain uncertainty, which affects the fit-out market by diminishing budgets amid inflation and causing long lead times in procurement.

CBRE introduced our Fit-Out Cost Guide in 2013 as a benchmarking tool to support planning and investing in capital fit-out projects. This year our cost guide leverages more quality data than ever before, with input from strategic partners.

The 2022-23 guide provides insight into global market trends, with regional data from APAC, EMEA, North America and Latin America.

This report was originally published in https://www.cbre.com/insights/books/global-office-fit-out-cost-guide-2022-2023

Although there were an estimated 150 million people living in rented accommodation in China in 2020, the country’s penetration rate of multifamily rental apartments remained very low, standing at under 2%. However, the evolution of China’s demographic structure; shift in housing consumption demand; and comprehensive government policy support are expected to drive an increase in the number of multifamily rental apartments to more than 12 million units by 2030.

CBRE believes that the sector’s strong leasing fundamentals and potential for asset liquidity and scalability will ensure multifamily emerges as one of the most attractive commercial real estate investment asset classes in China in the next ten years.

With around three-quarters of China’s target multifamily users located in Guangdong, Shanghai, Beijing, Zhejiang and Jiangsu, investors are recommended to target these core markets in the country’s three major coastal city clusters. Site selection should also consider accessibility to public transportation and commute time to workplaces. The main investment approaches to multifamily rental apartments in China include acquisition and renovation of existing assets, greenfield development, and platform collaboration.

Affordable housing possesses both policy and market-oriented characteristics. Exit channels provided by C-REITs; regulatory approval for the conversion of non-residential housing into rental housing; and favourable taxation and credit policies will provide the sector with unique investment advantages.

On the operational side, CBRE recommends investors increase their investment returns through active management measures such as bulk procurement, digitalised leasing and operations systems, floor plan reconfiguration and value-added services.

This report was originally published in https://www.cbre.com/insights/reports/investing-in-china-multifamily-real-estate

Although the pandemic has faded into the background, 2022 was still a tumultuous year highlighted by events such as the war in Ukraine, the subsequent energy crisis, and persistent inflation leading to interest rate hikes. A global recession is likely, but the Japanese economy looks to fare better due to its belated reopening. The majority of investors in Japan are still pursuing new investment opportunities, and 2023 will see more participants. The matured Japan market will welcome a more diversified pool of investors, which will give the market more liquidity and greater potential for growth.

This report was originally published in https://www.savills.co.jp/research_articles/167577/209392-0

On December 7, 2022, the Chinese government announced a 10-point plan signalling a shift away from its zero-tolerance COVID-19 policy. The measures were announced as China’s short term economic indicators continued to weaken, with local governments in particular coming under acute financial strain.

Retail and tourism are set to be the main beneficiaries of the policy easing. Given the performance of other Asia Pacific markets since their relaxation of pandemic-related policies, CBRE expects retailer expansion to pick up as early as Q2 2023, supported by rising demand for prime retail space and the bottoming out of shopping mall rents as infections gradually subside and the population adjusts to a living with COVID-19 policy.

With regard to the office market, the easing of pandemic restrictions will bring about an increase in site inspections. A rebound in office demand is likely to follow in another three to six months as occupiers’ business outlook brightens along with the economic recovery.

Improving economic fundamentals should boost commercial real estate investment volume in 2023, which will continue to be driven by domestic institutions. With the Five-Year Loan Prime Rate (LPR) standing at an historically low 4.3%, cheaper lending costs will strengthen China’s relative appeal to cross-border investors.

CBRE recommends long term core investors focus on built-to-rent multifamily, business parks and industrial parks around tier I cities, along with trophy office assets in Shanghai and Beijing. Opportunistic investors are advised to target distressed assets. Mainland China’s re-opening will eventually benefit the retail and hotel sectors in Hong Kong SAR, Japan and Thailand, as well as the student living and residential sectors in Australia.

This report was originally published in https://www.cbre.com.cn/en/insights/briefs/China-Brief--China%E2%80%99s-shift-from-zero-covid-to-reopening-seen-as-hugely-beneficial-to-real-estate