In this edition, we will examine the following issues:
 

  • Europe stands on the cusp of significant changes to its private real estate investment universe.

  • We expect the expansion of non-traditional or niche property types to be one of the defining features of European real estate in the next decade.

Introduction

Europe stands on the cusp of significant changes to its private real estate investment universe. DIGITAL and structural trends, catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic, are expanding and enhancing the real estate investment universe. Notably, we expect the expansion of non-traditional or niche property types to be one of the defining features of European real estate in the next decade and beyond. The DIGITAL trends that have so profoundly impacted the U.S. and listed real estate markets are starting to exert their influence on Europe and it is our expectation that non-traditional property types could constitute as much as 10% of the unlisted real estate universe in Europe by 2025.

Listed markets have led the way in non-traditional property types. In the U.S., the listed real estate market has embraced non-traditional property types which now constitute 65% of the entire index. While the scale of adoption in European listed markets is smaller, we expect it to show material expansion in years ahead as investors embrace the secular themes underpinning their growth. In the last 10 years alone, the listed real estate market in Europe for non-traditional property types has gone from an insignificant amount (under 1%) to more than 10% of market capitalisation.

EXHIBIT 1: REITs spearhead growth of non-traditional property types in Europe

Two pie charts showing REITs index composition in 2011 and 2021 to display growth of non-traditional property types in Europe.

MSCI, Principal Real Estate, September 2021. REIT index represents the FTSE EPRA Nareit Developed Europe Index.

Non-traditional sectors: Self-storage, student housing, healthcare, homebuilder, hotels, realty services, and single-family rental.

Industrial cooler

Non-traditional property types will be an integral part of real estate

Although well behind both the REIT market and the U.S. in terms of scale and adoption, we are seeing clear signs of institutional investor appetite for non-traditional property types in Europe. Property types such as data centres, cold storage, medical offices, and senior housing have gained significant traction in the past 24 months, helping broaden the size of the investment universe. In fact, we anticipate that by 2025, non-traditional property types could comprise nearly 9% of the MSCI index, a substantial increase from the current levels.

EXHIBIT 2: Forecasted increase in non-traditional property types in the MSCI Index

2020 and 2025 (Forecasted) increase in non-traditional property types in the MSCI index

MSCI, Principal Real Estate, September 2021

Non-traditional property types capture DIGITAL drivers of growth

The structural and DIGITAL drivers which we have identified for real estate demand have been given a powerful catalyst by the pandemic. While it is too early to tell if some of the changes in human behavior are structural or cyclical, we feel confident that demand for non-traditional property types will stick. In our view, non-traditional property types reflect a structural shift within the economy wherein DIGITAL drivers have become the dominant drivers of growth and demand.

Our key DIGITAL drivers of demand—demographics, infrastructure, globalisation, innovation, and technology—have a clear impact on the growth of non-traditional (and traditional) property types given their sheer scale. But diving a little deeper, there are specific sub-themes within our broader DIGITAL framework that tie directly to the rise of non-traditional property types and their increasing importance, which we spotlight in Exhibit 3.

EXHIBIT 3: DIGITAL drivers of demand

Infographic explaining DIGITAL drivers of demand

Doctors office waiting room

Data from REITs demonstrates benefits to a real estate portfolio

While non-traditional property types are still relatively young in the private markets, listed European stocks have a deeper history that can help identify the potential benefits to a portfolio of traditional real estate. Starting with performance, listed REIT data reveals that the strongest absolute returns over the past 10 years have been delivered by non-traditional property types (Exhibit 4). Self-storage and student housing are the strongest performing property types but are also compelling from a risk-adjusted basis.

EXHIBIT 4: Historical performance and volatility of select listed sectors
Average annualised performance past 10 years, percent

Bar chart showing historical performance and volatility of select listed sectors over the past 10 years

MSCI, Principal Real Estate, September 2021

For investors, enhanced risk-adjusted performance should also lead to portfolio benefits, and indeed, correlation analysis from the listed market further demonstrates the diversification benefit of adding non-traditional property types. (Exhibit 5). Perhaps also helping is that many non-traditional REITs are operating entities with a build-to-core element that add diversification to pure-play REITs.

EXHIBIT 5: Non-traditional property types are portfolio diversifiers
8/31/2001 - 8/31/2021

Table showing traditional and non-traditional property types in 10 year correlations as of September 2021

NAREIT, Principal Real Estate, September 2021

Red brick townhomes next a field and lake

Europe’s investors will stand to benefit as non-traditional properties expand the investment universe

The future of Europe’s commercial property universe is set to expand materially as non-traditional sectors make their way into the mix. In our view, this is an undeniably promising development that deepens and enhances the investment universe and creates structural growth opportunities. The listed real estate market has already demonstrated the many benefits of non-traditional real estate for investors in the form of strong risk-adjusted performance driven in part by the structural DIGITAL changes the European economy is undergoing. It is our expectation that private real estate investors will make deep inroads into these growing property types enhancing and expanding the universe and allowing the potential to generate additional alpha.

About Principal Real Estate

Principal Real Estate is the dedicated real estate investment group within Principal Global Investors. Our real estate capabilities span the spectrum of public and private equity and debt investments. Our specialised market knowledge, dedicated and experienced teams around the globe, and extensive connections across all four real estate quadrants support our efforts to maximize opportunities and find the best relative value on behalf of our clients.

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1 Managers ranked by total worldwide assets (net of leverage), as of 30 June 2020. “Largest Real Estate Managers,” Pensions & Investments, 5 October 2020.
2 As of 30 June 2021.
3 Experience includes investment activities beginning in the real estate investment area of Principal Life Insurance Company and continuing through the firm to present.

Disclosure

Risk Considerations
Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Potential investors should be aware of the risks inherent to owning and investing in real estate, including value fluctuations, capital market pricing volatility, liquidity risks, leverage, credit risk, occupancy risk and legal risk. All these risks can lead to a decline in the value of the real estate.

Important Information
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MM9914-05 | 10/2021 |1841554-102022

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