Developers diversify as data centers reshape CRE capital and demand
October 22, 2026
Cole and Omar just got back from the CREDA conference in Denver, and they brought Shawn Moura, Executive Director of the Commercial Real Estate Development Association (CREDA) Research Foundation, into the studio to break down what he’s seeing in the industry. With 16 years of research experience (including a PhD in history and time at Hanover Research), Shawn leads CREDA’s research efforts for the organization’s 21,000+ members across 55 chapters. CREDA represents the full spectrum of commercial real estate development, and through its Research Foundation, delivers forward-looking insights on trends and challenges shaping the industry. In this episode, we talk about why developers are spreading across more property types, how data centers became the force reshaping everything - from capital flows to electricity access to office demand - and what CREDA’s research is showing heading into 2027. Industrial is rebounding, multifamily is softening, and office keeps declining, but data centers are the story everyone needs to understand.
Resources:
Commercial Real Estate Development Association (CREDA) Research Foundation
Industrial Space Demand Forecast, Third Quarter 2026
Managing Sustainability Risk in Data Center Development
Developing, Owning and Operating Shallow Bay Industrial Buildings
Key moments
01:18 Introducing Shawn Moura
06:01 Why CREDA rebranded from NAIOP
09:17 What value CREDA research provides to members
14:29 Industrial demand forecast
19:35 How data centers are reshaping the entire industry
22:17 CREDA’s priorities heading into 2027 and beyond
Your guests and host
Cole Perry
Associate Director of Research
Altus Group
Omar Eltorai
Senior Director of Research
Altus Group
Shawn Moura
Executive Director
Commercial Real Estate Development Association (CREDA) Research Foundation
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