In 2025, J.P. Morgan reported a slowdown in speculative commercial real estate development even as build-to-suit investment surged, driven by digital transformation, onshoring and growing demand for smart manufacturing facilities. At the same time, major office users are seeking new Class A+ buildings with modern amenities to attract talent, making customized developments more appealing than aging inventory. Build-to-suit projects allow corporations to design facilities around their exact needs while preserving capital and securing long-term lease stability. In Arkansas, strong infrastructure, available land and support from groups like the Arkansas Economic Development Commission position the state to capitalize on this purposeful, economically impactful trend.
Read Mark Saviers’ guest commentary featured in Arkansas Business.