Artificial intelligence continues to reshape the tech real estate market in the United States. According to CBRE’s Midyear Review report for 2026, data centers remain the primary growth driver in the commercial real estate sector, even as most other segments maintain a significantly slower pace of development. The consultancy believes that infrastructure expansion for AI is sustaining demand and pushing pre-leasing levels of new projects to historic highs.
The key takeaways from CBRE’s 20-second summary
- CBRE maintains a positive outlook for the U.S. data center market through 2026.
- AI-driven demand continues to accelerate new investments.
- Pre-leasing of data centers under construction could reach 80%, up from the initially projected 75%.
- The firm considers AI one of the main factors supporting the U.S. commercial real estate market.
While the report analyzes the overall U.S. real estate market, data centers take center stage. The growing need for computing capacity to train and run AI models is creating demand that far exceeds the available supply in many markets.
AI infrastructure sustains sector growth
CBRE acknowledges that 2026 has been marked by various uncertainties, including geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and rising energy prices. Nonetheless, the firm believes the U.S. economy is showing greater resilience than expected.
One of the main drivers is precisely investment in artificial intelligence.
According to the report, deploying AI infrastructure has become a “key demand pillar” within the commercial real estate market. This trend is particularly benefiting data center operators, who continue to announce new facilities and expansions to meet the needs of major cloud providers and companies developing AI models.
The US GDP growth forecast for 2026 stands at 2.1%, a figure similar to last year and partly supported by investments related to AI.
Pre-leasing reaches unprecedented levels
One of the most notable data points in the report is the upward revision in occupancy forecasts for new data centers before they even become operational.
CBRE now estimates that projects currently under construction will achieve an average pre-leasing rate of 80% this year.
This surpasses the 75% forecast made in January and is well above the levels considered typical in the sector just a few years ago, when pre-leasing ranged between 40% and 50%.
This behavior indicates a profound shift in how major operators plan their capacity.
Companies no longer wait for a data center to be completed before leasing space. Many reserve capacity years in advance to secure access to power and computing resources.
Data centers drive growth in other real estate sectors
The impact of AI isn’t limited to data centers alone.
CBRE also forecasts a record year for the U.S. logistics and industrial markets, with nearly 1 billion square feet leased during 2026.
While this growth is driven by various factors, such as reshoring of manufacturing and logistics outsourcing, the expansion of data centers is also contributing to increased demand for industrial land and new infrastructure investments.
The office market also shows signs of recovery.
According to a survey conducted by the firm, 64% of tech companies anticipate expanding their office footprints over the next three years, driven by the need to attract talent and develop AI-related projects.
Energy remains the main challenge
Despite the optimism expressed in the report, CBRE warns that sector growth will heavily depend on energy availability.
International tensions continue to generate uncertainty around energy markets and inflation trends, factors that could affect both construction costs and financing for new projects.
However, the firm believes that key structural drivers remain intact.
Besides AI, CBRE points to other factors like industrial reshoring, healthcare needs due to aging populations, and housing access difficulties as elements that will sustain real estate demand in the coming years.
For data centers, the conclusion is clear: as global investment in AI continues to grow, so will the demand for processing capacity, outpacing the available supply.
The ongoing race to build capacity
CBRE’s report aligns with other forecasts released in recent weeks that point in the same direction.
Consultancies such as JLL have noted that major European data center markets are also heading toward a record year driven by AI, with hyperscalers continuing to announce multibillion-dollar investments to expand their infrastructure.
All signs suggest that data center construction will remain one of the fastest-growing segments within international real estate in the coming years, fueled by demand that, rather than slowing down, continues to accelerate along with AI development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CBRE’s forecast for data centers in 2026?
The firm expects the U.S. market to maintain strong growth thanks to AI-driven demand, with projects under construction reaching an 80% pre-leasing rate.
Why does AI drive the data center market?
Training and deploying AI models require enormous computing capacity, which necessitates expanding data center infrastructure and energy availability.
What occupancy rate does CBRE anticipate?
The report raises the forecast to 80% pre-leasing for data centers currently under construction, up from 75% earlier this year.
Which other real estate sectors are expected to grow according to CBRE?
Besides data centers, the consultancy predicts a record year for the logistics and industrial markets and a gradual recovery in the office sector, especially driven by tech companies.
Sources:
- CBRE, U.S. Real Estate Market Outlook Midyear Review 2026.
