In mid-March, MIPIM 2026 opened in Cannes against a backdrop of geopolitical tension and ongoing uncertainty, but the conference quickly highlighted the resilience and adaptability that characterises the real estate sector. With 20,000 delegates from 90 countries in attendance, the event remains one of the most significant global gatherings in the industry.

While the initial mood was cautious, and many attendees arrived expecting muted discussions, the focus remained on core real estate fundamentals and to the strategies shaping investment decisions for 2026.

Transactional appetite has not evaporated

Many acknowledged a need to temper the usual optimism with more realism, while some attendees were more upbeat reinforcing that while uncertainty remains, there is still considerable capital seeking a home, and investment turnover is increasing. The overall industry view remains that it is simply too early to quantify the full impact of geopolitical developments on markets, but transactional appetite has by no means evaporated.

The industry continues to come together to tackle the big issues

Across the conference, discussion topics ranged from AI adoption and PropTech to life sciences. Sessions on data centres underscored the sector’s rapid rise and broad-based interest. In his keynote address, Nobel Prize winner Philippe Aghion urged leaders to embrace AI with responsibility, stating that innovation and governance must progress together. The EU has implemented the first comprehensive regulatory framework for AI with a view to protect jobs, promote innovation responsibly, and keep users safe.

Along with AI and other emerging technologies, the affordable housing crisis emerged as one of the most urgent challenges raised by city leaders and planners. The discussion of London’s requirement for an additional 88,000 homes per year, contrasted with approximately 4,000 starts last year, was a sobering reminder of the scale of the challenge facing cities globally, from increasing construction costs, planning constraints, skills shortages, and elevated land prices.

Investor sentiment remains broadly positive

Despite the mixed mood at the conference, investor sentiment remains broadly positive. Logistics and residential assets continue to see strong appetite and many investors anticipate this interest to persist. The office sector remained an area of discussion with robust appetite, particularly for core, well located assets. Retail was also part of the discussion, with core retail parks and food anchored sites seeing increased interest.

MIPIM 2026 ultimately underscored that, even in a period dominated by geopolitical risk and macroeconomic uncertainty, real estate is a sector defined by long-term structural demand. Data centres, life sciences, logistics and residential all continue to benefit from structural drivers, from digitalisation to demographic change. At the same time, the urgent pressure on housing underscored the growing divergence between need and delivery, reinforcing that policy, planning reform, and innovative delivery models will be central to future market performance.

Further information

Contact Kelcie Sellers

Savills Impacts