The MIT Center for Real Estate and MIT Sloan Executive Education jointly hosted a new collaborative program, Shaping the Future of Real Estate: Human, Digital, and Physical Innovation Strategy, from September 28–October 3, 2025, on the MIT campus.
The program brought together senior executives, real estate professionals, and innovators to rethink the role of real estate, not simply as an asset, but as a catalyst for performance, equity, and growth. Drawing from management, urban planning, technology, and design, the program helps leaders align their real estate strategies with the rapidly evolving needs of business and society.
Program highlights included:
- Professor Siqi Zheng, Director of MIT/CRE, taught Risk and Resilience: Value Creation through Sustainability.
- Professor Walter Torous, Director of the MSRED Program, presented AI in Real Estate Finance.
- Professor Albert Saiz led the session Commercial Real Estate Evolution: Responding to New Business Realities.
- Lecturer James Scott presented Real Estate Innovations, and Lecturer Steve Weikal delivered a session on the PropTech Landscape.
- Sloan Professor Christopher Palmer offered insights on Real Estate Finance and Innovation.
Participants also enjoyed engaging site visits to the MIT Nano Lab and the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab. Additionally, Eli Feldman, founder of Shy Bird, gave a presentation on using data insights to guide restaurant location strategy and how curated dining experiences can enhance the value of real estate destinations.
We’re grateful to all the program attendees, instructors, and organizers who brought so much value to the inaugural class. Future dates can be found in 2026. Sign up to receive updates.
