Corporate real estate is a dynamic profession with a broad scope; it touches a wide range of property types, and many functions and careers fall under its umbrella. Corporate real estate is the real estate necessary to conduct business - the bricks and mortar of office buildings, manufacturing plants and distribution centers, retail stores, and similar facilities. It can include owned or leased space, buildings, and infrastructure, such as power plants or even airport runways.

There is a distinct difference between corporate real estate and commercial real estate. In corporate real estate, the real estate supports the business function. In other words, corporate real estate represents the demand side or user side of real estate, while commercial real estate focuses on the supply-side to meet that need. Corporate real estate adds strategic value by contributing to workplace solutions such as space utilization and improving efficiencies to supply chain. The growth in alternative workplace strategies, such as hoteling, desk sharing and remote working options, demonstrates how corporate real estate is dynamically changing and adapting to new trends in the workplace and the economy.