In an earlier post, I shared the ways that financial technology—or “fintech”—is shaking up the financial industry. And now, let’s examine the impact that fintech developments hold for the commercial real estate market.

Within the traditional finance industry, I see a number of potential implications for commercial real estate, such as:

The commercial real estate impacts from the fintech start-ups are somewhat different. Given that the majority of these emerging companies’ clients, mentors, investors and employees are likely concentrated within the CBD, it’s important for these companies to also be located in or near the CBD.

However, it might not be easy for small companies to access prime spaces in major finance hubs, due to high rents with long lease terms and landlords who may be hesitant to lease space to new companies. Within the Hong Kong market where I am based (and I suspect other areas of the globe as well), many emerging fintech companies are employing these two strategies:

FINTECH IS HERE TO STAY

The “Uber-ization” of the finance industry is likely to continue. There is no doubt that the commercial real estate market will see changes as a result—which may create opportunities for those working to stay ahead of the curve.

To learn more about the fintech industry’s impact on commercial real estate within the Hong Kong market, download the Fintech: Strategies for the Surge report.

Yasas Wickramasinghe is a Senior Research Analyst for Colliers International in Hong Kong, where he provides analysis and insights on Hong Kong office property market.