Home Insights Real estate Declining construction spending puts commercial real estate in the spotlight
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The latest construction spending report from the U.S. Census Bureau shows a continued pullback in new development activity, with total spending declining by 0.3% in May, marking the ninth consecutive monthly decrease since September 2024. On a year-over-year basis, construction put in place is down 4%, signaling a persistent softening in development appetite amid a more cautious investment environment.

While this trend may point to potential weakness in the broader commercial real estate (CRE) market, it represents a constructive development for investors and current property owners. The slowdown in construction activity helps ease future supply pressures at a critical moment—just as valuations are beginning to stabilize and a new phase of the cycle emerges.

CRE is finding its footing

Commercial real estate is emerging from a two-year correction largely shaped by capital market dynamics—namely, high inflation and elevated interest rates. During that period, property values declined by nearly 20%, driven by capital stack recalibrations and widening bid-ask spreads. However, underlying operating fundamentals have shown surprising resilience. Excluding certain overbuilt pockets in the apartment and industrial sectors, occupancy, rental growth, and net operating income (NOI) have remained broadly in line with trend, though the office and life sciences sectors remain notable exceptions.

The double edged sword of slower construction

In many ways, the drop in construction spending is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it reflects ongoing challenges for developers, who face higher interest rates, increased carry costs, and continued uncertainty around labor and materials availability. Lower property valuations have also depressed replacement costs, putting additional pressure on development pipelines. On the other hand, a slowdown in new construction supports sector-wide stabilization in property fundamentals, especially as macroeconomic headwinds mount and job growth, the primary driver of real estate demand, begins to moderate amid policy uncertainty in Washington and persistent labor shortages.

The spending decline itself is not surprising. Data on under-construction projects across key CRE sectors—particularly industrial and multifamily—began to recede shortly after the Fed began tightening monetary policy in 2022, which was also when property values began to correct.

Diverging sector dynamics

For the apartment and industrial sectors, which had seen excess development in several major markets, the slowdown has been beneficial. It has allowed the market to absorb surplus space and has supported a recovery in occupancy, even in overbuilt submarkets. The amount of new supply under construction has dropped 50–60% across major sectors, with industrial and multifamily now tracking at or near historic lows for the first time in years.

In contrast, office and retail development has remained subdued since the pandemic, trailing well below long-term historical norms. The office sector continues to face structural challenges, driven by excess supply—particularly among commodity assets in both urban and suburban markets—and persistently low workplace attendance. Retail presents a more nuanced picture: With limited development since the Global Financial Crisis, many brick-and-mortar retailers are being forced to retrofit outdated space as they search for modern configurations that meet today’s operational needs.

Implications for investors: Supply reset and opportunity ahead

While each property sector has its unique dynamics, the overall decline in construction spending sets the stage for opportunity. For investors, this slowdown represents a reset of the development cycle—one that is likely to be characterized by moderate value appreciation and income-driven growth. More measured supply additions could create upside during the early recovery stages, particularly in sectors where demand fundamentals remain strong.

Although higher interest rates and capital costs remain a constraint—especially for closed-end value-add strategies—core assets may benefit from reduced competition from new development. This may offer modest tailwinds for income-oriented investors positioning portfolios for the next phase of the cycle.

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Risk considerations
Investing involves risk, including possible loss of Principal. Past Performance does not guarantee future return. All financial investments involve an element of risk. Therefore, the value of the investment and the income from it will vary and the initial investment amount cannot be guaranteed. 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, a decline in the income produced by the real estate and declines in the value or total loss in value of securities derived from investments in real estate. Commercial real estate (CRE) investing carries several inherent risks, including those related to the economy, interest rates, market fluctuations, high upfront costs, and tenant-related issues like defaults or high turnover. Economic downturns can lead to decreased property values and increased vacancy rates, while financing costs, insurance expenses, and potential environmental or structural problems can also pose significant challenges. All these factors and risks can impact rental income and overall investment returns.

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