Make buildings adaptable to unlock real estate’s potential

Unlocking the potential of real estate means optimising space utilisation and cutting operational costs, delegates heard at Real Asset Media’s Smart City Projects, Ecosystems and Work Solutions briefing, which took place recently in Amsterdam.

“Buildings are no longer just physical structures, but dynamic, adaptable ecosystems that connect, evolve, and respond to the needs of those who occupy them,” said Daniele di Fausto, Founder & CEO of eFM (which stands for Electronic Facility Management).

Digitisation and the intelligent management of space are among the greatest challenges the industry faces.

“The real estate industry is at a turning point,” he said. “Buildings can no longer be seen as static physical assets; they must become strategic tools for business competitiveness. However, traditional space management is failing to meet market demands: properties remain largely underutilised, leading to increased operational costs, inefficiencies, and sustainability challenges.”

According to eFM’s Observatory, more than 40% of corporate spaces in Europe are currently unused. This translates into high costs, inefficient management, and suboptimal environmental impact. But the issue goes beyond mere inefficiency: by 2030, 80% of office buildings in major Western European cities risk becoming obsolete, according to predictions by Cushman & Wakefield.

The reasons are stricter environmental regulations and a growing demand for more efficient and sustainable spaces. The European Union has set clear goals and timelines, making transformation necessary to stay competitive.

At the same time, the nature of work is changing rapidly. Hybrid and remote work are the new normal. By 2025, the number of remote workers is expected to increase by another 5%, adding 3.75 million more people to flexible working models.

“Faced with this scenario, companies must rethink their real estate portfolios,” Di Fausto said. “How can underutilised spaces be turned into assets? What if we could increase space utilisation while cutting operational costs? What if buildings could dynamically adapt to business needs while also improving their ESG ratings?”

eFM has developed solutions like Hubquarter and MySpotHub that allow real-time measurement, simulation, and optimisation of buildings, transforming them into smart ecosystems that serve both people and businesses.

“With MySpotHub, companies can reduce service costs by 30% while improving quality, cutting coordination time between service providers by 80%, and boosting operational efficiency 50x through AI-driven automation,” Di Fausto said. “This platform overcomes rigid contract structures, personalises space usage experiences, and provides instant ESG performance control.”

Real estate optimisation is no longer just about efficiency—ESG regulations demand real action to reduce environmental impact and enhance sustainability.

“A well-optimised space is not just a place where people work; it’s a place where they want to be,” he said. “First, with better occupancy rates and reduced vacancies, businesses unlock higher revenues and maximise the value of their assets. Second, digitalisation and automation allow us to cut operational costs by eliminating inefficiencies and enabling real-time resource management. Instead of buildings being cost centres, they become strategic assets that generate value. Third, ESG compliance is guaranteed.”

Buildings that meet ESG criteria score higher in financial assessments, gain better access to funding, and secure lower interest rates. This makes sustainability not only an ethical choice but also a clear economic advantage.