Knowledge Hub

• The novel coronavirus outbreak, first reported from Wuhan city in Hubei province, central China, represents a new downside risk for the regional economy.
• The first case of the coronavirus, now formally named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization, was reported on Dec. 31, 2019, and there have since been multiple developments with the virus and much speculation on the impacts.
• To help better understand the current and future impact on commercial real estate in key markets in Asia Pacific, Cushman & Wakefield has compiled their initial guidance and analysis in our Potential Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Commercial Real Estate in Asia Pacific report, which you click the Download button below.

In this challenging time as COVID-19 impacts workplace operations globally, we break down how occupiers can engage with flexible workspace operators, as both a near-term business continuity solution and longer-term way of working for enterprises. We also set out steps for flexible workspace operators on how to maintain operations and protect the health and wellbeing of members at this time.

We expect a global economic recession to eventuate. The key question is how quickly the economy bounces back. This mostly depends on how rapidly COVID-19 is contained. We believe that real estate in general will see strong investor support in the medium term due to the increased need for yield alternatives given record low bond yields on one hand, and, even if the equity market bounces back, a desire for stable asset classes on the other.

The first couple of months of 2020 have been dominated by fears of the novel coronavirus’s impact on global economies and property markets. Historically, investors tend to become more cautious in their investment choices during periods of heightened uncertainty, and this year has been no exception in the Asia Pacific region. However, a closer analysis of Real Capital Analytics data shows that investor risk aversion had already been growing over the prior months.