Shared 16 February, 2026
The Goal:
The UK commercial real estate sector is reaching a pivotal moment in its digital evolution, particularly in core business technology. In recent years, technology investment has largely focused on asset-level solutions, such as connected sensors and digital systems that capture real-time data, from footfall to power consumption, rather than on the core systems that run the business itself. These initiatives enhance asset value and tenant appeal. By contrast, the enterprise systems that support finance, operations, reporting and strategic decision-making have often received less attention.
Deloitte’s 2025 UK CRE Developer Technology Survey examined the implications of this imbalance. The research sought to understand where developers are in their technology journeys, how effectively existing systems support increasingly complex business demands, and what transformation is required to run real estate businesses more efficiently and strategically in a rapidly changing market.
What Was Achieved:
The findings reveal a sector that clearly recognises the importance of technology, yet continues to face challenges in translating ambition into execution. Insights from senior technology leaders representing more than 40% of UK CRE assets show that while many organisations believe they have a clear IT vision, delivery is often constrained by legacy systems, limited internal skills and operating models that prioritise maintenance over innovation.
The research highlights a growing gap between developers that are moving ahead and those falling behind. Data, analytics, cloud and AI feature prominently on technology agendas, but utilisation remains inconsistent. Only a small proportion of organisations report making good use of the data they generate, limiting the value of investments already made. The results also challenge the assumption that higher spending alone leads to better outcomes, pointing instead to the importance of alignment between strategy, resources and execution capability.
Looking Ahead:
Rather than encouraging developers to pursue maximum digital maturity, the research points to the value of a more measured approach. The concept of a “Goldilocks Zone” is introduced, an optimal state where technology investment, skills and business strategy are closely aligned. The aim is not to sit at the very top of the digital maturity curve, but to reach a point where systems, talent and objectives work together effectively.
For a sector navigating evolving occupier expectations, new asset classes and increasing operational complexity, core technology is no longer a back-office consideration; it is a strategic differentiator. Those who close the execution gap and align systems with strategy will be better placed to move faster, make stronger decisions and unlock value from the data they already hold.
The message is clear: the next phase of competitive advantage in UK real estate will be defined not by how much technology is deployed in assets, but by how effectively core technology powers the business itself.
About the Research:
The survey combined responses from senior technology and transformation leaders across the UK CRE market with a series of detailed one-to-one interviews. Together, these inputs provided a broad and deep view of current challenges, investment priorities and organisational constraints.
To find out more about the survey and to discuss our findings, please reach out to the contacts listed below:
Rob Stubbs
Insights Director, Financial Services
rstubbs@deloitte.co.uk
Alison Alexander-Birch
Partner, Real Estate Technology & Transformation
aalexanderbirch@deloitte.co.uk
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