Beńat Ortega, CEO of Gecina (EPA: GFC), sat down for a video interview at Nareit’s REITweek: 2026 Investor Conference in New York, June 1-4.
Gecina is benefiting from office market trends that increasingly favor high-quality, centrally located assets in Paris, according to Ortega. He noted that office attendance has steadily recovered since the pandemic, with employees now returning to the workplace about four days per week on average.
Ortega said Paris’ dense urban environment, highly subsidized public transportation system, and vibrant city-center culture continue to draw both employers and workers back to the office.
“People like to gather. They like to meet clients, suppliers, colleagues at lunchtime,” he said. “The liveliness of the city center makes the center locations more appealing for employees and therefore for the companies.”
That trend has reinforced Gecina’s long-term strategy of concentrating its portfolio in central Paris while disposing of assets in less desirable locations. Over the past several years, the company has sold approximately €3 billion of assets and reinvested in redevelopment projects and acquisitions that enhance portfolio quality and future growth potential.
Looking ahead, Ortega highlighted Gecina’s strong balance sheet, A- credit rating, and low leverage profile.
“We have been actively investing in the company, in our assets, so that we can grow those cash flows and those earnings over time,” he said.