Nowhere in the world is leadership more hands-on, or crucial, than emerging markets real estate.
But that leadership is changing. Adapting in 2025 to create global opportunities that are versatile and value-added. More novel in their financing and ambition, yet mature in vision. Our Top Floor program recognizes the pioneers and financiers taking this space to new heights, even in challenged environments, bringing bold results and impressive returns this year.
We look forward to your entries!
Six Top Floor Categories
For professionals with four or more years of experience
| Developers
Leaders with the vision for elevating EM projects, from their concept to execution, across the range of residential, CRE, and industrial segments.
| Financiers
The critical global lenders and investors at the heart of sustaining EM real estate momentum, both at an individual project and asset class level.
| Sellers & Researchers
Key professionals who know the ins and outs of their markets, unique segmentation in EM, assessing feasibility and buyers' sophistication.
| Design Partners
The senior architects and planners who are increasingly interwoven in showpiece EM projects, creating not only spaces and investable properties, but identities.
Big Thinkers
Responsible leaders who combine public and private sphere priorities to deliver intelligent solutions - both in physical and investment qualities - that anticipate future real estate needs.
| Corner Suite Champions
For global chief executives and C-levels that have demonstrated extra commitment in prioritizing their firm's EM vision and growth.
Our 2026 Selection Critria
The Big Questions
| The Big Deals.
Tell us about your most significant wins - projects built, absorption and return on investment, deals transacted, pioneering new structuring or other metrics. Why did they define success and how are they especially relevant in an EM context.
| Geographies & Segments.
EM real estate is becoming more globalized every day. Tell us about this aspect of your assets and engagement activities that matured in 2025 - especially if they also represented a strategic foray into net-new geographies or segments.
| Resilience.
How did you position your business or portfolio holdings this year to face down potential headwinds effectively, both as a team and with key partners?
| Smart Design.
Preferences and risks in real estate are fast-evolving, as are public priorities like sustainability, affordability, and regeneration. Tell us about your incorporation of smart design principles in your work this year, what makes them unique and durable.
