As 2025 begins, it’s interesting to reflect on the trends that took over the industry in the past 12 months. 

Our blog chronicled everything from longevity-boosting vacations in exotic locales to an immersive museum about William Shakespeare, just a few pieces of the phenomena that popped up this year. But these unique stories also played into larger themes that served important roles in the commercial property design and development industries. 

Here’s a look at three essential trends that took over our world in 2024.

New Perspectives on Wellness

It wasn’t a surprise when wellness was predicted to be one of the top trends for 2024. And as we look back on the past 12 months, it’s safe to say the trend delivered. Through 2024, we saw an explosion of wellness offerings from a variety of industries. Immersive wellness, which includes everything from sound bath therapy and chakra-balancing sessions to spa-inspired wellness immersions, popped up everywhere from luxury hotels to shopping malls. For those seeking to get away, wellness travel evolved from a simple, relaxing vacation to an opportunity to invest in your livelihood through longevity-boosting treatments. Similarly, the post-COVID narrative showed just how essential in-person fitness is as a component of wellness, with people pursuing their health through personalized experiences and technology.

One of the newest frontiers of wellness that blossomed in 2024 is the proliferation of wellness communities. Eschewing the idea that wellness is something we only pursue during time off from work, wellness communities demonstrate that people are actively looking for a way to fully integrate wellness into their daily lives. Homes located in wellness communities allow residents to have a personalized experience surrounded by others who are seeking the same healthy lifestyles. As we delve in 2025, it’s likely that wellness will continue its reign. 

Rethinking the Way We Build

When it comes to how and what we build, the industry is gaining great insight from the creations of the past and the revolutionary ambitions of the future. The adaptive reuse of abandoned buildings has seen mills transform into apartment buildings, empty big box stores become thriving pickleball venues, and even an abandoned bridge become an entertainment district. Decrepit industrial buildings are now exciting new spaces that contain housing, museums, hotels, and new neighborhoods.

In a look toward the future, the understanding that all buildings, whether they’re museums, private homes, or offices, need to be designed with accessibility for all types of people is a great way perspectives have changed in recent years. Continuing to look toward the future, artificial intelligence is gaining prominence in the design and construction industries, minimizing risk through using AI as a test run or using it to optimize the design process. 

A Personalized Retail Experience

Whether it’s shopping for a new lipstick or a luxury vehicle, the retail industry in 2024 was focused on honing in on the personal experience. Small-format stores grew in prominence due to their low costs, high efficiency, and easy accessibility, no matter the items they sold. From grocery stores to high-end department stores, brands went big on thinking small. Similarly, luxury shopping clubs that provide customers with curated shopping experiences skyrocketed in popularity this year, allowing buyers to forge close, lasting relationships with retail experts. The popularity of immersive shopping experiences also popped up in the beauty industry and the automotive industry, with stores and dealerships evolving beyond the normal limitations of a brand. This is a testament to the staying power of experiential shopping. 

One of the most popular components of 2024 was the booming demand for themed retail attractions. In the retail, hospitality, and leisure industries, themed attractions, like branded restaurants, drew crowds from all directions.

As people wanted to seamlessly navigate online shopping and the in-store experience in a way that’s specialized for them, we saw the rise of online/brick-and-mortar fusions. Stores became fulfillment centers while retail employees had access to customer information just like they would while online shopping. This fusion helped forge a true connection between e-commerce and the digital shopping experience. 

2024 ushered in a significant amount of change to the commercial property design and development industries. We saw the continued rise of the wellness industry, embraced by all facets of the population. In construction and design, we discovered that everything old is new again with adaptive reuse, while also noting that the futuristic capabilities of artificial intelligence are here to stay. Finally, the ability of the retail industry to create a personalized experience that makes each shopper feel special was particularly significant this year. 

As we start 2025, these booming trends are likely to continue and grow. By grabbing hold of the possibilities now, brands can explore ways to take their work to the next level in the immediate future.