From existing projects to affordable housing and digital transformation: at EXPO REAL, the leading trade fair for real estate and investment, held from October 6 to 8, 2025, the real estate industry addressed its diverse and current challenges.
From “aiming” to “doing”
Above all, there was a demand for easily implementable solutions and effective best practices. Accordingly, we struck a chord with our motto "MAKE IT REAL! With our Real Estate Solutions for Today and Tomorrow." The sustainable real estate solutions and projects already realized that we presented at our booth demonstrated how "aiming" can become "doing." And in a sustainable and economical way. Steffen Szeidl, CEO of Drees & Sommer, also emphasized that the two are inextricably linked: "Despite the challenging situation, we must not forget other important issues, such as climate change and sustainability." In a time of transformation, when the market is slowly starting to move again, digital and AI solutions enable the necessary efficiency gains.
Highlights at the trade fair stand: We made it real
At the Drees & Sommer booth B2.120, "hang tags" illustrated innovative solutions and implemented projects that serve as role models. These included the development of logistics real estate as an independent asset class, the optimization of real estate portfolios, new approaches to service development, and the conversion of office space into residential space. Project stories from Berlin to Brussels told of neighborhood developments that enable affordable living, modern media technology in soccer stadiums, and a vertical city.
Our AI selfie station, developed entirely in-house, provided interaction: visitors experienced the transformation of their own into a building. From Bauhaus villas to comic-style skyscrapers, there were many opportunities to experience the theme of transformation for themselves.
Our Cradle to Cradle®-inspired exhibition stand was used again this year – for the sixth time since 2019.
Expertise on the panels
Drees & Sommer experts enriched the trade fair program with their contributions to the panels. The presentations addressed key topics in the industry, including the opportunities for sustainable urban spaces in Europe, new technology and data centers, and concepts for circular construction.
Conclusion
We are taking fresh ideas from the trade fair back to our projects and look forward to implementing them with our customers.
