How AI Is Transforming Office Leasing and Layout Design in Commercial Real Estate

It comes as no surprise to say that the commercial real estate (CRE) sector is undergoing its biggest evolution in decades. 

According to Morgan Stanley Research, “Artificial intelligence could automate 37% of tasks across the real estate industry.” The study analyzed work performed by 162 real estate investment trusts (REIT) and CRE companies and found that AI has the potential to deliver roughly $34 billion in efficiency gains. 

But the numbers are telling us only a part of the story. The practical impact of AI goes far beyond cost savings. As landlords and brokers are “fighting” with shrinking footprints (thanks to remote work) and changing tenant expectations, the question is no longer if “AI will change leasing and space planning?”, but “How quickly will you adapt, as a real estate professional?”

So here’s a short breakdown of how this AI digitalization process changes the game real estate professionals are playing:

AI Is Shrinking Weeks of Space Planning Into Hours

In traditional office leasing, producing a test‑fit or basic 2D layout could have taken weeks. Architects and consultants would have needed to refine drawings, each iteration costing precious time and money. AI completely redefines that timeline. Morgan Stanley’s research notes that automation can eliminate more than a third of repetitive tasks. With tools like Bright Spaces Intelligent 3D Space Planning, landlords and brokers can generate multiple 2D layouts and 3D test‑fits, reducing the time by even 5x faster.

Bring Concepts to Life with 3D Virtual Tours

Prospective tenants often struggle to visualise empty floor plans, and traditional PDF plans don’t tell the whole story. At Bright Spaces, we’ve seen that once prospects can tour a space virtually, turning, zooming, exploring, and even switching furniture layouts, decision‑making speeds up dramatically. Office leasing becomes less about selling an abstract space and more about telling a story: 

• “This is where your team will collaborate.” 

• “This is the breakout area.”

• “This is the kitchen”. 

When you can deliver that experience instantly in the browser, you create an emotional connection and remove uncertainties long before a site visit.

Tenant’s Behaviour is Unlocked with Data Insights

Another great benefit of AI is its ability to show hidden data. For landlords and brokers, this analytical power can answer questions about how interested the tenants are in their space. Our Intelligent 3D Space Planning product can show:

• How many people access the space

• How much time do they spend on the space plan

• Demographics data 

• How many square meters do they walk through virtually, and many other usage metrics

As opposed to a PDF or a video, having real-time data on the usage of the 3D space gives landlords and brokers unique insights into tenant engagement and decision-making patterns, helping them refine their leasing strategy, customize follow-up conversations, and prioritize the office spaces most likely to close faster.

AI Is Empowering, Not Replacing the Leasing Team

A common concern is whether AI will steal jobs. Morgan Stanley acknowledges this debate but highlights that firms implementing AI have actually seen higher satisfaction among customers and their own teams. For brokers and landlords, AI tools don’t replace the human touch. They free you from low‑value tasks, so you can focus on high‑impact activities. AI handles the heavy lifting layouts, renderings, and data insights, while you remain the strategic partner who understands local market trends and tenant needs.

Your Roadmap to Adopt AI Technology for Leasing

1. Start with pilot projects. Identify two or three buildings where high vacancy is driving revenue loss and lowering the property’s overall performance. Use an AI‑powered tool such as Bright Spaces to create and share interactive 3D test‑fits with prospective tenants. Measure response time and engagement in real time.

2. Empower your team. With Bright Spaces, there’s no need for training or technical know-how. It’s intuitive and ready to use from day one, so you can simply plug it into your workflow.

3. Grow and scale. When you see success in the first buildings, roll it out portfolio‑wide. Use the data captured to refine your leasing strategy.

Why the Shift to AI-Powered Space Planning Can’t Wait

AI adoption is not just about staying current; it’s about gaining a competitive edge before the market catches up. When a tenant needs an office space, they need help to move fast, and if you can’t provide clarity and confidence quickly, they will look elsewhere. 

In a world where office leasing is about experience rather than square footage, AI lets you deliver that experience instantly. The question isn’t whether AI will transform office leasing and layout design, it’s whether you’ll be among the ones who lead that transformation.

That’s what we are doing at Bright Spaces. We empower landlords and brokers with an AI technology that boosts the leasing process and brings instant ROI.

If you want to take advantage of this and be among the top industry players around the world using AI, Book a Demo with us.