EXPO REAL 2025 offered a timely snapshot of the European real estate landscape. With a strong turnout and a packed agenda, the event provided valuable insight into investor sentiment, emerging opportunities, and the practical challenges facing the market.

Market sentiment and investment focus

Investor confidence was evident across logistics, data centres, senior living, and residential portfolios. Spain, Ireland and the Netherlands attracted particular interest, with build to rent and hotel sector repositioning gaining traction. Conversations pointed to growing demand for ESG programme rollouts and pan-European portfolio management.

Innovation and digitalisation

AI, cybersecurity, and data architecture were central themes within the broader context of building optimisation services. While there is a clear appetite for digital transformation, conversations revealed a measured and cautious stance on AI adoption—particularly in relation to regulatory compliance, insurance frameworks, and implementation challenges.

As Paula González noted, “The ‘Wild West’ era of unregulated data sharing is over. This shift will significantly influence how organisations procure data-related software and hardware. That said, the future remains full of exciting potential for the market.“

Infrastructure and collaboration

Ongoing friction was highlighted between developers and local authorities, especially in Spain and the Netherlands. Permitting delays and infrastructure gaps continue to hinder progress. There was broad consensus that more effective public-private collaboration will be essential to unlock future growth.

Service demand and strategic opportunity

Technical due diligence, project and programme management, ESG consulting, are increasingly in demand as part of robust and integrated delivery models. Defence budgets and reshoring trends are driving logistics infrastructure needs, particularly in Southern and Eastern Europe.

The sector is recalibrating rather than contracting. Nearshoring is delivering real impact, with regions like the Iberian Peninsula, Poland, and the Czech Republic emerging as logistics hotspots. The defence sector is also reshaping demand, introducing new ESG and insurance considerations. In logistics, resilience is no longer about stockpiling – it’s about strategic agility, smart forecasting, and robust data architecture.

These developments present clear opportunities for our pan-European capability and sector-specific expertise.

Sustainability and regulation

German Sustainable Building Council’s (DGNB) presence underscored the growing influence of sustainability standards across Germany. United Kingdom Budget announcements and tax implications were discussed with caution reinforcing the need for agile planning and informed decision making.

Final thoughts

EXPO REAL 2025 reflected the evolving priorities of the European real estate market. For Hollis, the event reinforced the importance of locally led delivery, cross-border collaboration, and a strategic focus on smart, sustainable solutions. The insights gathered will inform how we engage clients, shape services, and respond to market momentum in the months ahead.

To learn more or start a conversation on how we can support your next pan-European project get in touch with the team: Andy Hay, Cris Gasco, Roland Verniers, Steve Hughes, Christo Muller and Marije Vanderstraaten.