2026 Property Predictions: Part 1

Happy New Year!  To kick off 2026 we canvassed four Australian property leaders to discover where they see the best market opportunities, the potential industry game changers or challenges, the areas ripe for transformation and to find out what market trend or issue they think everyone will be talking about this year. For this same Predictions series in 2025, we zeroed in on Australia’s new property CEO’s, who’d been in the hotseat for less than 18 months.  This time around we’ve gathered perspectives from a major superannuation fund, a global investor, an Australian REIT/developer, and a fund manager with a big private wealth following. Leading us off is Mirvac Group CEO and Managing Director Campbell Hanan and Aware Super’s Senior Portfolio Manager, Property Investments, Anjana Moran. Then we’ll be back on January 29 with the co-head of Australia for Brookfield’s Real Estate Group, Ruban Kaneshamoorthy and Centuria Capital’s co-founder and joint CEO Jason Huljich. We hope you enjoy their insights. 

Happy New Year!  To kick off 2026 we canvassed four Australian property leaders to discover where they see the best market opportunities, the potential industry game changers or challenges, the areas ripe for transformation and to find out what market trend or issue they think everyone will be talking about this year. For this same Predictions series in 2025, we zeroed in on Australia’s new property CEO’s, who had been in the hotseat for less than 18 months.  This time around we’ve gathered perspectives from a major superannuation fund, a global investor, an Australian REIT/developer, and a fund manager with a big private wealth following. Leading us off is Mirvac Group CEO and Managing Director Campbell Hanan and Aware Super’s Senior Portfolio Manager, Property Investments, Anjana Moran. Then we’ll be back on January 29 with the co-head of Australia for Brookfield’s Real Estate Group, Ruban Kaneshamoorthy and Centuria Capital’s co-founder and joint CEO Jason Huljich. We hope you enjoy their insights. 

In this episode, we unpack the trends shaping Australia’s commercial property investment market.From 2025’s performance to predictions for 2026, CBRE's Flint Davidson, Andrew McCasker and Tom Broderick discuss transaction volumes, offshore investment flows, lender sentiment, and the outlook for alternative asset classes. Whether you’re an investor, lender, or industry observer, this episode offers actionable insights into what’s driving capital decisions and where opportunities lie in the year ahead.Key TakeawaysPreliminary numbers show total transaction volumes fell 10% year-on-year to $32.7 billion, with retail emerging as the standout sector,    Despite overall volume declines, offshore investment rose 12% to $9.3 billion, led by U.S. investors ($2.9 billion), followed by Japan and Singapore as currency advantages and Australia’s strong fundamentals continue to attract global capital. On the lending front, industrial remains the preferred asset class. Meanwhile, domestic banks are pushing up leverage and reducing pre-sale requirements, making it a borrower’s market. High construction costs and limited new supply are expected to create tailwinds for existing assets, particularly in the retail and office sectors. In 2026, expect steady deal activity with more structured transactions (JVs, recaps, M&A) and continued interest in alternative sectors.

In this episode we explore why Australia’s pub sector has been one of the country's most resilient property asset classes. Drawing insights from CBRE’s Raising the Bar research report, we sit down with industry leaders Danielle and Shane Richardson of Laundy Hotels and with CBRE valuer Adam Nadile to unpack the evolution of pubs from traditional watering holes to sophisticated hospitality hubs, the surge in investment activity, and the strategies shaping the future of this uniquely Australian sector.Key takeaways include:Sector Resilience: Pubs have consistently adapted to changing consumer needs—from traditional bars to family-friendly venues.Investment Trends: The second half of 2025 saw a surge in pub transactions, with the top 10 deals totaling around $580 million, driven by strong investor appetite and lender confidence. Operational Challenges & Scale Benefits: High entry costs, rising operational expenses, and increasing regulation pose challenges, but economies of scale allow large groups to maintain efficiency and profitability. Food, Beverage & Experience as Differentiators: Quality dining and curated experiences are now critical to success, with pubs competing directly with restaurants and event spaces to attract customers.Future Outlook: Despite regulatory and labour challenges, the outlook for the next 12–24 months remains optimistic, with strong demand, vibrancy reforms, and opportunities in regional markets continuing to shape the sector's performance.

In this episode of Talking Property, we delve into the Mandala Report, a pivotal study examining the impact of taxation on global investment into the Australian property market.   Joined by Torie Brown, Capital Markets Executive Director at the Property Council of Australia, and Pete Menegazzo, CEO and President of the Property Council's Capital Markets Divisional Council, the discussion highlights the significant effects of foreign investor surcharges in Victoria and Queensland.  Key takeaways include:  Foreign investment in Melbourne fell 53% after Victoria doubled its surcharge. Queensland’s investment has flatlined despite strong fundamentals. Frequent tax changes create sovereign risk, eroding investor confidence and liquidity. Removing surcharges could unlock $8.1B in new investment, $3.6B GDP growth, and 8,400 jobs nationally. Brisbane could become Australia’s second property gateway market if it reforms taxes before Victoria.  Tune in to understand the broader implications for Australia's property sector and the role of international capital in shaping the nation's economic future.  You can read more about the Mandala report here (this is available only to Property Council of Australia members until November 25 and will then be available to everyone).  

Explore the fast-expanding self storage sector with two of the top three players in Australia and New Zealand: Nikki Lawson from Abacus Storage King and Sam Kennard of Kennards Self Storage.   Discover why this asset class is attracting global attention, billions of dollars in annual revenue, and big investments from local and offshore players in our latest episode of Talking Property with CBRE. Get insider perspectives on what's driving growth and the unique challenges and opportunities ahead.Key topics up for discussion include: How the resilience of the self storage market post Covid has put Australia on the global map.The mispricing that's driving interest in self storage investment opportunities.The likely headwinds and tailwinds for the sector.Why self storage is a very human business linked to life events and the way in which this is influencing the sector's evolution.While this is one of our longer episodes, stay with us to find out some of the more unexpected uses of self storage as well as what's next for Abacus Storage King and Kennards Self Storage.             

In this latest episode of Talking Property, we dive into the evolving landscape of modern workplace design and its profound impact on employee engagement and productivity.   We're joined by Ashurst's Global Director of Workplace Michael Blitz and CBRE Director of Workplace Consulting Jenny Liu, to analyse the role innovative office spaces play in attracting and retaining top talent.  Topics on the agenda include:  The generational shifts shaping workplace expectations and experience as Gen Z overtake the Baby Boomers.  How to earn the commute (without mandates).  The importance of technology and flexibility in creating a thriving work environment.  The underestimated role that stairs can play in creating moments that matter.  Tune in to discover how leading organisations are redefining their workspaces to foster collaboration, innovation, and a sense of community. 

In this final edition of The House View for 2025, CBRE’s Australia & New Zealand CEO Phil Rowland and Head of Research Sameer Chopra examine the trajectory of the Australian property market and what to expect in the year ahead.From global market shifts to emerging opportunities, this episode dives deep into the forces shaping real estate across Australia and beyond. Topics up for discussion include: ·      Increasing global competition for capital     Debt and equity market movementsOccupier trends and the evolving role of AI in driving productivity     Residential market dynamics·      The current trends and future outlook for the office, retail and industrial sectors

Join us as we delve into the world of premium retail with Ross Siciliano, General Manager of Premium & Luxury Accounts at Vicinity Centres, and Kate Bailey, CBRE’s Australian Head of Retail Research. Discover why premium retail is outperforming, both in Australia and globally, and the way in which experience has become the new product.  In this episode of Talking Property with CBRE, we explore exciting new developments such as Sydney's Chatswood Chase, including the unprecedented addition of 12 flagship LVMH brands.  Gain insights into the management strategies behind some of the country's leading retail assets and the trends driving success, from the elevation of food and beverage to the allure of luxury, and how this is driving more shopping centre visits, longer stays, higher sales and greater retail demand.  

Dive into the booming luxury lodge sector on Talking Property with CBRE, featuring insights from Michael Crawford, CEO of Baillie Lodges, and Tom Gibson, Senior Director at CBRE Hotels. Discover how these boutique, experience-driven accommodation assets are outperforming in Australia, New Zealand, and beyond, catering to the evolving tastes of affluent travellers and a growing millennial and Gen Z demographic. From the pristine wilderness of Southern Ocean Lodge to the pioneering Capella on Lord Howe Island, learn what makes these destinations a magnet for people seeking personalised, nature-centric luxury escapes. You'll also discover why luxury lodges are being pursued by a growing number of institutional investors. And to discover more, you can read CBRE's Luxury Lodge Market report.