Lessors of Nonresidential Buildings NAICS 531120

May 20, 2026 - Some Mall Owners Move to Ban Unaccompanied Teens

• The Wall Street Journal reports that mall owners across the US are increasingly banning unaccompanied shoppers under 18 in response to disruptive teen gatherings organized on social media. These chaperone policies, which sometimes require minors to be accompanied by someone 21 or older, have been implemented after incidents involving fights, theft, and large crowds forced stores to close and led to arrests. Landlords say the rules have reduced disorder and improved safety without hurting sales, though some teens argue the policies unfairly punish all young people and limit social interaction. Mall operators face a balancing act, as they seek to attract Gen Z shoppers while maintaining order. Some properties enforce restrictions only during peak times, and others rely on ID checks or security staff to manage behavior.
• Commercial real estate firms are grappling with how to adopt artificial intelligence while protecting proprietary data, as executives weigh competitive risks against potential gains, according to Bisnow. Industry leaders say fears over data security, confusion about tools, and lack of trust have slowed adoption, even as a First American Data & Analytics and DealGround survey showed that 66% of professionals use AI weekly. An IBM study showed that more than one-third of employees admit to sharing sensitive information without approval. Experts warn that “shadow AI,” or unauthorized employee use, increases exposure, especially with remote work. While a survey by property tech firm Keyway suggests that nearly half of firms are piloting AI and many plan to boost spending by over 20%, only 9% have implemented it at scale, and just 8% are fully data-ready. Companies are responding by building internal tools, tightening contracts, and training staff, but challenges around integration, security, and workflow transformation remain significant.

• The US office market is undergoing a sharp downturn, with some buildings selling at discounts exceeding 90% as owners and lenders accept losses after years of holding out for a post-pandemic recovery, according to The Wall Street Journal. For lessors of nonresidential buildings, the downturn is driving significant financial pressure, including rising vacancies, lower rents, and costly tenant incentives needed to fill space. Many landlords are being forced to sell at steep losses or reposition assets, while lenders push for repayments or foreclosures. Distressed sales are also accelerating conversions to residential and other uses, reducing long-term office inventory. As investors acquire properties at reduced prices, lessors must adapt by reevaluating pricing, exploring redevelopment, and managing higher operating costs in an uncertain demand environment.
• Commercial real estate M&A activity surged in the first quarter, with more than $28 billion in announced deals as institutional and private capital targeted portfolios and operating platforms amid volatile equity markets elevated interest rates, according to Bisnow. The wave of acquisitions is intensifying consolidation and competition among nonresidential landlords, as buyers seek both assets and in-place management capabilities to scale operations quickly. This trend increases pressure on smaller landlords to compete with larger, vertically integrated firms that benefit from capital access and operational efficiencies. REIT privatizations and mergers are accelerating due to discounted valuations and shareholder pressure. As capital continues to flow into large portfolios, lessors must adapt by improving performance, enhancing tenant retention, and positioning assets to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving ownership landscape.