The Spain Real Estate Summit is set to return to La Finca UZalacaín in Madrid on May 6th and 7th, 2025, bringing together over 350 global leaders and investors to discuss Spain’s position as a premier investment destination and the opportunities shaping the future of its real estate market. Organized by Iberian Property in collaboration with CBRE and JLL, the Summit is a key platform for industry stakeholders to analyze economic trends, market cycles, and the strategic priorities driving growth in this dynamic sector.
Opening the event will be James Seppala, Head of Real Estate Europe at Blackstone, with a keynote session titled “A Financier’s View of Real Estate”.
Mr. Seppala will share his perspective on the evolving global property landscape, drawing from his role leading real estate investments at Blackstone, the world’s largest real estate owner. The session will be introduced and moderated by Adolfo Ramírez-Escudero, Chairman of Capital Markets EMEA and CEO in Spain of CBRE.
James Seppala, a Harvard College graduate and a respected voice in real estate investment, joined Blackstone in 2011 after a decade at Goldman Sachs, where he focused on equity and debt opportunities in Europe and the United States. At Blackstone, he has played a pivotal role in transformative investments such as Logicor, OfficeFirst, and Mileway, and currently serves as Chairman of BEPIF. Beyond his professional achievements, he contributes to the field as a member of the Imperial College Endowment Board, a governor of the John Lyon’s Foundation, and a member of the European Advisory Board of the Zell/Lurie Real Estate Center at Wharton.
Under Mr. Seppala’s leadership, Blackstone continues to adopt a thematic investment approach, targeting sectors poised for growth due to technological and societal shifts. In recents interventions he argued the most promising opportunities over the next decade lie in logistics, driven by the expansion of e-commerce; hospitality and leisure, fueled by increasing demand for travel and experiences; data centers, essential for the exponential growth in data creation and artificial intelligence; and housing, where demographic trends and years of undersupply necessitate substantial capital deployment.
For Spain, James Seppala sees a highly attractive investment landscape, underpinned by its robust tourism sector, logistics growth, and opportunities in housing and infrastructure. Spain, as the world’s second most visited country in 2023 with over 85 million tourists, boasts unparalleled potential in hospitality. Blackstone’s Hotel Investment Partners (HIP) has become the Mediterranean’s largest resort hotel group, a testament to the country’s appeal. In logistics, Blackstone manages over 2 million square meters of assets, capitalizing on e-commerce trends. Furthermore, Spain’s renewable energy capacity and available land make it an ideal destination for developing data centers to support the growing need for digital infrastructure.
As of September 2024, Blackstone manages $325 billion in investor capital, with a $602 billion global real estate portfolio, reflecting its position as the foremost global player in the sector. Its strategy not only supports economic growth but also promotes resilience, enabling the real estate market to adapt to evolving global challenges.
The Spain Real Estate Summit 2025 will offer attendees the opportunity to engage with influential figures like James Seppala, whose expertise and strategic vision have shaped some of the most successful real estate ventures of the last decade. By fostering collaboration and innovation, the Summit aims to influence the trajectory of the Spanish property market, providing insights into its future opportunities while addressing pressing challenges.
Taking place in the heart of Madrid, the Summit will provide a space for meaningful dialogue and knowledge exchange, making it an essential event for professionals and investors in the real estate industry. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from industry leaders and be part of shaping the future of Spain’s real estate market. Learn more about the event HERE
