The Asia Pacific commercial real estate market is gaining momentum, driven by both cyclical improvements and long-term structural changes, alongside ongoing interest rate cuts. According to CBRE’s 2025 Asia Pacific Investment Strategies report, investment volume surged 16% quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, reaching $38.1 billion. Japan, India, and Singapore led the region’s gains.
Key Markets and Asset Classes Stand Out
CBRE highlights offices in India, Australia, and Japan as prime entry points due to improving rental growth prospects. Core properties near amenities and public transport continue to attract strong demand, with occupiers showing a clear preference for centralized over decentralized locations.
The industrial and logistics sectors are expected to outperform, particularly in markets with robust manufacturing demand like Southeast Asia and India. Korea’s dry logistics market remains a hotspot, fueled by growing e-commerce adoption across the region.
Retail demand has been cautious amid global trade uncertainty, but positive factors such as population growth, interest rate cuts in Australia, healthy tourist flows in Japan and Korea, and strong local retailer leasing in India are expected to support rent growth through 2026.
Living Sector and Data Centres Gain Traction
The living sector, while still small in Asia Pacific, is accelerating. Japan offers attractive yields and low vacancies, while build-to-rent and student housing projects in Australia and Hong Kong SAR provide promising opportunities.
Data centres are rapidly expanding, driven by demand for AI and digital infrastructure. Tier I markets including Japan, Australia, and Korea are expected to continue attracting investment, with emerging development partnerships in Southeast Asia.
Outlook
CBRE’s report concludes that a mix of strategic locations, evolving occupier needs, and sector-specific opportunities make Asia Pacific commercial real estate a compelling investment prospect over the medium term.
