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Commercial Real Estate in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Jared Ristoff Jared Ristoff New York, United States Last Updated: November 2024 NAICS OD4070

Revenue

$1.4tr

2024

$1.4tr

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XXX.Xbn

Employees

3m

Businesses

3m

Wages

$XXX.Xbn

Commercial Real Estate in the US industry analysis

The Commercial Real Estate industry comprises diverse businesses specializing in various real estate activities, including brokerage, property and facilities management, research and analytics, consulting, valuation, appraisal, construction and asset management. Changes within the commercial real estate market, including fluctuations in vacancy rates, property values and credit activity, influence demand for commercial real estate. The industry benefited from low interest rates from 2019 to 2022, bolstering investment and demand for commercial real estate. However, the industry's seen some rough patches recently, with the percentage of unoccupied offices hitting a record 20.1% in Q2 2024. A combination of rising interest rates and the continuation of remote work has hit CRE hard, causing a dip in property values. Nonetheless, industry revenue has climbed at a CAGR of 0.7% to reach $1.4 trillion through the end of 2024, despite a 1.0% dip in 2024.

Trends and Insights

  • The outlook for the office space market is bleak. With remote and hybrid work models now intertwined with work culture, office vacancy rates have spiked.
  • High interest rates can lower construction demand. Because financing new builds is more expensive, developers may pull back, decreasing demand for commercial building construction.
  • The Mid-Atlantic's bustling cities and diverse economy are a boon for commercial real estate. As home to major metro areas like NYC and Philly, plus thriving industries such as finance and healthcare, it fuels a solid market for business spaces.
  • Industry reputation is significant in establishing a successful commercial real estate business. New entrants may face initial challenges in carving out a niche because of an emphasis on referrals and a proven track record.

Access hundreds of analysis and data

  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.7 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $1.4tr in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Elevated interest rates hamper growth

  • The Federal Reserve raised interest rates 11 times between March 2022 and January 2024.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Commercial Real Estate in the US
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Sinking demand from the office market poses a threat

  • According to a report from Moody's Analytics, office rental vacancies will continue to climb until 2026, as long-term leases unwind and hybrid and remote work schedules become entrenched.

Biggest companies in the Commercial Real Estate in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($short_0)
2024
Profit ($short_0)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024

There are no companies that hold a large enough market share in the Commercial Real Estate in the US industry for IBISWorld to include in this product.

Products & Services Segmentation

Commercial Real Estate in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Construction, Residential leasing and Commercial leasing. Construction is the largest segment of the Commercial Real Estate in the US.

Trends and Insights

Elevated interest rates decelerate demand for construction

  • This segment includes building and remodeling activities of commercial properties, typically done by general contractors.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

The Commercial Real Estate industry consists of companies that construct or develop commercial, industrial and multifamily residential property or provide commercial real estate services including renting, leasing, managing, buying and selling real estate. Other related services, such as appraisals and consulting, are also included. Construction and activities related to utilities and energy, such as power plants or water treatment facilities, are excluded from the industry.

What's included in this industry?

ConstructionResidential leasingCommercial leasingSales and brokerageProperty and asset management and consulting

Companies

Purchase this report to view all major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

CLASS A BUILDINGLEADERSHIP IN ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT DESIGN (LEED)REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST (REIT)VACANCY RATE

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 531 - Commercial Real Estate in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

The outlook for the office space market is bleak. With remote and hybrid work models now intertwined with work culture, office vacancy rates have spiked.

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

High interest rates can lower construction demand. Because financing new builds is more expensive, developers may pull back, decreasing demand for commercial building constru...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

The Mid-Atlantic's bustling cities and diverse economy are a boon for commercial real estate. As home to major metro areas like NYC and Philly, plus thriving industries such ...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Industry reputation is significant in establishing a successful commercial real estate business. New entrants may face initial challenges in carving out a niche because of an...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

As a large and varied industry, there are many companies. No one company accounts for more than 2.0% of revenue.

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024

Detailed analysis

    External Environment

    Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

    Analyst insights

    A low office rental vacancy rate signals strong demand for commercial construction. Conversely, a high office vacancy can imply excess supply or a business contraction, disco...

    In this chapter

    • External Drivers
    • Regulation & Policy
    • Assistance

    Key metrics

    • Regulation & policy level and trend
    • Assistance level and trend

    Charts

    • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
    • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

    Detailed analysis

    • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
    • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
    • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

    Financial Benchmarks

    View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

    Analyst insights

    An oversupply of commercial buildings is eating into profit. Lower rental rates and increased vacancies, especially in office spaces, make for a challenging economic environm...

    In this chapter

    • Cost Structure
    • Financial Ratios
    • Key Ratios

    Key metrics

    • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
    • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
    • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
    • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

    Charts

    • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
    • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
    • Investment vs. share of economy

    Data tables

    • Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
    • Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
    • Income Statement (2017-2022)
    • Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
    • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
    • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
    • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
    • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
    • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • Average Wage (2014-2029)
    • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
    • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
    • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
    • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

    Detailed analysis

    • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

    Key Statistics

    Industry Data

    Data Tables

    Including values and annual change:

    • Revenue (2014-2029)
    • IVA (2014-2029)
    • Establishments (2014-2029)
    • Enterprises (2014-2029)
    • Employment (2014-2029)
    • Exports (2014-2029)
    • Imports (2014-2029)
    • Wages (2014-2029)

    Top Questions Answered

    Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

    What is the market size of the Commercial Real Estate in the US industry in United States in 2024?

    The market size of the Commercial Real Estate in the US industry in United States is $1.4tr in 2024.

    How many businesses are there in the Commercial Real Estate in the US industry in 2024?

    There are 3m businesses in the Commercial Real Estate in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 2.1 % between 2019 and 2024.

    Has the Commercial Real Estate in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

    The market size of the Commercial Real Estate in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 0.7 % between 2019 and 2024.

    What is the forecast growth of the Commercial Real Estate in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

    Over the next five years, the Commercial Real Estate in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.

    What does the Commercial Real Estate in the US in United States include?

    Construction and Residential leasing are part of the Commercial Real Estate in the US industry.

    How competitive is the Commercial Real Estate in the US industry in United States?

    The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Commercial Real Estate in the US industry in United States.

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    Methodology

    How are IBISWorld reports created?

    IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

    Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

    IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

    What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

    Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

    Key data sources in the US include: 

    • US Census Bureau
    • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
    • US International Trade Commission

    Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

    These sources include:

    • Industry and trade associations
    • Industry federations or regulators
    • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

    Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

    How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

    IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

    IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

    Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.