Lauren O’Neil on AEW’s 2026 Real Estate Outlook: Strategy, Sectors & Capital Deployment, Part 1
Note sull'episodio
AEW Capital Management, COO Lauren O’Neil: How does a $85.9B global real estate investment manager think about risk, sectors, and where to deploy dry powder in 2026?
Welcome back to Bridging the Gap: Commercial Real Estate Intelligence, presented by Accrete Advisors.
This week, host Jennifer Robertson sits down with Lauren O’Neill, Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director at AEW Capital Management, to break down AEW’s strategies across the risk spectrum and what the firm is prioritizing as market conditions evolve. Together, they discuss how AEW is staying disciplined, underwriting deal-by-deal in micro-markets, and targeting opportunities tied to demographics, replacement cost, and long-term resilience.
In this episode, we cover:
- How AEW is deploying capital across the risk spectrum, from core to opportunistic strategies
- Where the firm sees opportunity today — including senior housing, industrial, and retail stabilization
- The multifamily reset and how underwriting assumptions are evolving across key markets
- AEW’s current stance on office, including allocation, pricing, and what defines “investable” assets today
- Why a micro-market, deal-by-deal approach is critical in today’s environment
If you’re thinking about where institutional capital is flowing — and how top-tier firms are underwriting risk in today’s environment — this is a conversation you’ll want to tune into!
Guest bio: Lauren O’Neil is the Chief Operating Officer of AEW Capital Management and a Managing Director of the firm. Lauren has responsibility of AEW’s day-to-day operations, including working with the firm’s Investor Relations, Finance, Human Resources and Information Technology groups. In addition, she is responsible for developing, maintaining, and expanding key relationships for the firm nationwide. As a Managing Director, Lauren plays an integral part within the firm’s Senior Leadership Team, actively contributing to AEW’s overall strategic vision and direction. Lauren is a member of AEW's Risk Management Committee.
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Join us next week for Part Two with Lauren, where we dive deeper into [insert]
Episode Breakdown
00:00 Intro and Meet Lauren O’Neil
01:51 AEW Overview
03:12 Sectors In Focus
05:41 2026 Investing Playbook
07:35 Senior Housing Tailwinds
10:56 Retail Comeback Thesis
12:57 Multifamily Reset
15:02 Office Future And Pricing
17:55 Buy Box And Returns
20:11 Micro Market Mindset