A few hot takes on Gensler’s big bets for 2025
As the world’s largest architecture firm by 2-3x, Gensler has an undeniable pulse on design trends. But after reviewing the firm's Design Forecast 2025, we're left wondering how many of these will be marginal/aspirational vs. systemic.
---- Gensler’s top trends for 2025 ----
1. Cities get a makeover:
Experience-driven lifestyle districts aim to breathe life into downtowns, transforming empty offices into vibrant hubs.
2. The conversion boom continues:
Deeply discounted buildings fuel a wave of adaptive reuse, expanding beyond office-to-residential into retail-to-healthcare, office-to-senior living, and more.
3. Green is gold:
Sustainable buildings are trading at premiums, and the push for low-carbon materials is accelerating.
4. Housing gets real:
Cities are making moves on attainable housing with zoning changes and new incentives.
5. The office of the future is here:
Flight to quality is in full swing. Tenants are paying premiums for Class A, amenity-rich spaces that support hybrid work and employee experience.
---- Our takes ----
Cities getting a makeover? Great idea, but fiscal constraints and municipal red tape make execution a long game.
The conversion boom? It’s happening on the margin but has yet to hit transformative scale.
Sustainability commanding premiums? Investors love the narrative, but the question remains: will they consistently pay up for it?
Housing policy changes? We’d love to see it, but history suggests cities struggle to streamline development at scale.
Office flight to quality? No debate here—Class A properties are winning, and this trend has real staying power.
At its core, Gensler’s vision is tough to argue against. Who wouldn’t want more engaging cities, a revival of underutilized buildings, stronger sustainability, and streamlined development? The challenge isn’t in the ideas—it’s in how quickly and broadly they take hold.
COMMENTS