Although often regarded as mere bricks and mortar, real estate often plays an important role in supporting corporate growth and even survival. Parallel to the rapid growth and evolution of (multinational) corporations, real estate portfolios expanded. In order to manage these portfolios, corporations established special staff and supporting departments in order to take care of these assets. Based on the results of case studies, this paper provides an analysis. In addition to a mere historical overview the outcomes of the study also provide lessons for corporations currently facing a similar path of growth. This article builds on a previous contribution and presents an in‐depth analysis of the evolution of (corporate) real estate departments related to changes in the corporate setting. In addition to a mere historical overview the outcomes of this contribution provide lessons as well for today’s managers facing similar paths of growth.
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