CBRE's Acquisition, Redfin and Zillow’s New Deal, CRE 2025 Market Outlook
Hello and welcome to the February edition of "Proptech Unveiled"! This month, we're covering:?
CBRE Acquires Industrious to Create New Business Segment?
A major move by CBRE — the company recently acquired Industrious, a leader in flexible workspaces. CBRE is moving beyond traditional property management and becoming an operator, experience provider, and competitor to WeWork-style firms.?
So, let’s take a detailed look at why this acquisition happened in the first place. Industrious has a smart, low-risk model that landlords love—no massive leases, just a profit-sharing setup that works.?
By bringing Industrious in-house, CBRE can offer turnkey co-working solutions to landlords struggling to fill space. It’s also a direct response to the changing office market—companies want scalable, service-driven workspaces, not rigid long-term leases.??
To make the most of it, CBRE is launching a new business unit called Building Operations & Experience (BOE), bringing together property management, facilities operations, and flexible workspaces under one roof.??
??Read the full story here????
Redfin Announces Zillow Partnership?
CBRE isn’t the only one making bold moves. Over in the residential space, Redfin just handed over a big chunk of its rental business to Zillow.???
As part of a $100 million deal, Zillow will now be the exclusive provider of multifamily rental listings on Redfin’s platforms, including Rent.com and ApartmentGuide.com. This move strengthens Zillow’s position in the rental market.?
Want to build a marketplace like Zillow? Learn how in our blog post?
As I see it, Zillow’s tightening its grip on the rental market. It’s a smart move for both—Redfin cuts costs, and Zillow strengthens its dominance on the market. But it also shows where the rental market is headed.??
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Salesforce to Invest $500M in Argentina?
A major AI push is coming from Salesforce to Argentina. The goal is to boost AI innovation, workforce development, and public sector digital transformation.??
Find out more about Salesforce AI solution — Agentforce?
Salesforce has already been active in the country, with companies like BBVA and Ford using its AI technology. They've also been partnering with local governments and universities to reskill the workforce and create new job opportunities in tech.?
In my view, this is a strategic move for Salesforce. By investing in Argentina’s AI ecosystem, Salesforce is helping shape a key part of a rapidly growing market. It seems as a smart play.?
??Read the full story here?????
Commercial Real Estate M&As in 2025?
Here’s the deal: it looks like CRE and acquisitions are about to pick up. After a really slow 2024, mostly due to market uncertainty and those pesky interest rate hikes, things are finally looking more stable.?
The shift in the market can largely be explained by a few key factors. First, public REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) are now trading at prices higher than their actual value, signaling that investors are more eager to strike deals. Additionally, private equity is re-entering the market, boosted by a more business-friendly government that is making things easier for investors. Buyers are also seeing strong potential in a market where most properties are nearly fully occupied and rent prices are steadily increasing, making investments more appealing.?
Personally, I’m watching the market closely. If interest rates stay steady, this could be the year we see some real action in the CRE space. It’s definitely a time for dealmakers to be on their toes.?
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?And that wraps up this week's roundup of real estate and proptech news!?
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