Credit: Adobe StockReset, Re-entry, and Execution: Dentons reveals real estate predictions for 2026
Industry leaders discuss capital flows, sector outlooks, and investment strategies shaping the next phase of UK and European real estate markets
March 19, 2026Real Estate
Written by:Rory Hickman
Key Takeaways
- Dentons’ 2026 real estate predictions report captures insights from leading investors and lenders on the forces shaping UK and European property markets.
- The market reset across UK and European real estate is largely complete, creating clearer entry points for investors in 2026.
- Execution, active asset management, and operational expertise are becoming decisive factors in real estate investment performance.
On 27th January 2026, Dentons hosted its annual Real Estate Market Predictions event in London, featuring a panel of leading industry experts, including GRI Institute members Federico Bianchi (Ho Bee Land), Irene Ryan (Starwood Capital Group), and Rob Thompson (Dentons), as well as David Hedalen (Aviva Investors) and James Rotchford (Blue Owl Capital).
The discussion drew on pan-European experience across investment and asset management, exploring key forces shaping real estate markets for the year ahead, incorporating perspectives from both equity and debt.
As part of our ongoing thought leadership collaboration, the GRI Institute is pleased to share the full Reset, Re-entry and Execution: Real Estate Predictions for 2026 report prepared by Dentons to share the insights and results of the panel discussion.
Drawing on these insights from leading industry players, the report examines how macroeconomic shifts, financing conditions, and sector fundamentals are reshaping investment strategies across the UK and Europe.
Key themes explored in the new Dentons report include:
Rather than signalling a broad market rebound, the insights point to a year defined by selective growth, disciplined capital deployment, and operational excellence.
For forward-thinking leaders, understanding where capital is moving and how strategies are evolving will be critical in shaping decisions across portfolios and markets.
Please note that these themes reflect the position at the end of January, and the impact of recent events in the Middle East on the UK and European economy and investment market remains unclear.
The discussion drew on pan-European experience across investment and asset management, exploring key forces shaping real estate markets for the year ahead, incorporating perspectives from both equity and debt.
As part of our ongoing thought leadership collaboration, the GRI Institute is pleased to share the full Reset, Re-entry and Execution: Real Estate Predictions for 2026 report prepared by Dentons to share the insights and results of the panel discussion.
► What’s in the report?
The discussion explored how the European real estate market is transitioning from a period of correction into a phase of disciplined re-entry, where capital deployment is becoming increasingly selective and execution capability is critical.Drawing on these insights from leading industry players, the report examines how macroeconomic shifts, financing conditions, and sector fundamentals are reshaping investment strategies across the UK and Europe.
Key themes explored in the new Dentons report include:
Post-Reset Market Environment
Following the interest-rate-driven correction of 2023-2024 and a year of recalibration in 2025, the panel discussed why many investors believe the repricing phase is largely complete and what this means for investment decisions going into 2026.Global Capital Flows
Why the UK and Europe are attracting renewed interest from global investors seeking diversification from high US exposure, and how markets such as London continue to act as gateways for international capital.The Return of Debt
As financing conditions gradually improve, the report explores how debt markets may once again support investment performance and transaction activity.Sector Perspectives
From offices and retail to living, logistics, and data centres, the panel shares how different sectors are positioned as markets move beyond stabilisation.Execution as the Differentiator
A central message from the discussion is that real estate is increasingly an operational business, where asset management, tenant engagement, and strategic repositioning will determine outcomes.Emerging Investment Themes
The report also highlights areas attracting investor attention, from prime assets and repositioning strategies to infrastructure-aligned real estate and power-enabled assets.► Why this matters for industry leaders
For investors, developers, lenders, and operators navigating the next phase of the cycle, the report offers a grounded view of how experienced market participants are approaching 2026.Rather than signalling a broad market rebound, the insights point to a year defined by selective growth, disciplined capital deployment, and operational excellence.
For forward-thinking leaders, understanding where capital is moving and how strategies are evolving will be critical in shaping decisions across portfolios and markets.
► Access the full report
Download the full Dentons Reset, Re-entry and Execution: Real Estate Predictions for 2026 report to explore the complete discussion and analysis:Please note that these themes reflect the position at the end of January, and the impact of recent events in the Middle East on the UK and European economy and investment market remains unclear.