What’s powering project delivery in 2026?

A cautiously optimistic global outlook and plenty of local momentum.

Sheila (Global): In many regions around the world, the office market is split between high-end Class A spaces designed for hybrid work and older buildings that require upgrades to remain relevant and competitive. Modern workplaces emphasize an employee experience that includes tech integration, amenities, collaboration zones, strong food and hospitality offerings, and brand expression to boost engagement and productivity. Older assets are being repositioned through energy and system upgrades, added amenities, and reconfigured floorplates to create more flexible, market-ready layouts. Tenants are using targeted improvements, such as wellness areas, focus rooms, better acoustics, refreshed lobbies, and workplaces apps, to improve the employee experience and entice them back to the office. Overall, companies are investing where it strengthens talent attraction and workplace experience and, ultimately, business productivity. 

Arlene (CA): Absolutely. Landlords are looking at their buildings, exploring lobby retrofits, expediting vertical transportation, destination elevators, and establishing end of trip facilities to attract clients and meet expectations. Occupiers are looking at both new buildings and retrofits, aligning with their decarbonization goals and making sustainability and wellness a top priority. It’s beyond LEED now. It's really looking at a quality upgrades and how people experience space and bringing a level of hospitality that makes people feel like they truly have earned the commute into the office.

Gayatri (U.K.): European office markets are also split between high-demand, amenity-rich, low-carbon buildings and older secondary stock requiring repositioning. Technology tenants are prioritizing spaces that support collaboration, innovation, and hybrid work, with strong meeting technology, hospitality-inspired environments, team-based neighbourhoods, and WELL-focused design emphasizing air quality and biophilia. Spaces are increasingly tailored to local culture in each city. While many tech firms are encouraging a return to office, their guiding principle is that the workplace should be “magnetic, not mandatory.”

Sheila (Global): I must echo Gayatri’s points here regarding the European market. When we tour our European locations, what always amazes me is, as you expect in Europe, the experience is amazing. And especially the use of food in the office environment, providing subsidized food offerings for employees so people are connecting during their lunch or breakfast. Great coffee and a barista are table stakes! Those things matter. It means that people don't have to leave the office to meet additional needs – it’s all there. We're seeing that trend playing out for a lot of the large tech companies too, bringing the joy of food as a key piece of the office experience. And I think you'll see more of that across North America as we think about some of these new environments and creating truly amenity-rich places and spaces.

Stephen (U.S.): It’s all about value-add and creating dynamic places where people simply want to be. For employees that is offices that feel lively, welcoming and worth the trip. That means places where they can see others, feel connected, and enjoy warm, comfortable common areas instead of traditional corporate environments. Beyond office space, buildings that integrate retail, transit access and appealing amenities are drawing more people back with places that feel fit for lifestyle. Looking ahead, technology and AI will only further reshape how places like offices function, just as platforms like Teams and WebEx transformed connectivity in the workplace. The focus should be on constantly anticipating what’s next and creating places and spaces built for a rapidly changing future.