Exis Regional Spotlight: Tanner Mason, Central USA
Tanner Mason of Benchmark Commercial Real Estate, Regional Director of Exis Global Central U.S., is spotlighted in a Q&A exploring key insights into the local market.
March 30, 2026
Exis Regional Spotlight
Home
>
News & Insights
>
Exis Regional Spotlight: Tanner Mason, Central USA
An image of commercial buildings, with the article title and a headshot of Tanner Mason.
As part of our Regional Director Spotlight series, we are highlighting perspectives from Exis Global leaders across key markets. The goal is to bring forward local market insight, explore how occupiers are navigating current conditions, and reflect on the role of cross-regional collaboration in supporting decision-making across complex portfolios.
This edition features a Q&A with Tanner Mason of Benchmark Commercial Real Estate, who is the Exis Global Central USA Regional Director.
You represent the Central USA region within Exis Global. What makes this region unique from an occupier perspective?
The Central U.S.—which is an unusual ‘market’ in most respects—includes Denver, Dallas, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Detroit.
Like many cities, there are opportunities for companies right now. You get much better economics than the coasts, while still accessing strong talent pools and diverse industry bases. Each city has its own strengths, but collectively they give companies real flexibility in how and where they grow.
“In many cases, occupiers can upgrade space, improve location, and lower overall costs at the same time, which is a pretty compelling combination.”
What key trends or shifts are corporate real estate leaders in your region navigating right now?
The biggest shift is still around how space is actually being used.
Most companies are reducing footprint and rethinking how they use their space. There’s more focus on creating locations people want to come into, with hospitality-like amenities. Flight to quality is still a factor. Flexibility with shorter terms is often part of the conversation until tenant improvements come into play—which we’re seeing is more important for companies with longer leases than for those with shorter, more flexible terms. Shorter terms offer expansion and contraction options, but no one wants to get locked into the wrong decision right now.
“No one wants to get locked into the wrong decision right now.”
What are the biggest challenges occupiers are facing locally?
Uncertainty, uncertainty, uncertainty… Covid? Tariffs? War? What’s next?
Companies are trying to make long-term decisions amid many moving variables, such as workplace strategy, headcount, and the broader economy. On top of that, a lot of existing space across these markets doesn’t fit how teams operate today.
The challenge is figuring out how to adapt or relocate while still taking advantage of current market conditions and tenant leverage.
“Companies are trying to make long-term decisions amid many moving variables.”
From your perspective, what does being part of a tenant-only, conflict-free global platform mean for clients?
We’re on one side of the table, and it’s the client’s side.
There’s no mixed agenda and no landlord relationships influencing strategy. That clarity really matters, especially in negotiations. Clients get direct, unbiased advice and a much stronger position because everything we do is aligned with their outcome.
“We’re on one side of the table, and it’s the client’s side.”
How does collaboration across the Exis network strengthen outcomes for occupiers in your region?
Real estate decisions don’t happen in a vacuum anymore. A company might be making moves in Dallas, Chicago, and Europe at the same time.
Being part of Exis means we can plug into local experts in each market while keeping a coordinated strategy. It creates consistency, better market intelligence, and ultimately better execution for the client, no matter where they’re located.
“Being part of Exis means we can plug into local experts in each market while keeping a coordinated strategy.”
What opportunities do you see ahead for companies making strategic real estate decisions in your market?
There’s a real window of opportunity right now for tenants who are proactive or companies looking to purchase a building. Across most of these markets, leverage has shifted in their favor, with better concessions, more flexibility, and access to higher-quality space.
Companies that step back and think strategically, not just transactionally, can improve both their workplace environment and their long-term costs.
“There’s a real window of opportunity right now for proactive tenants.”
Outside of work, what’s something you enjoy doing to recharge?
I might have too many hobbies. I mountain bike, road bike, and gravel bike. Skiing with the family is one of my favorite things to do. My wife and I used to ski twenty-five days a year pre-kids; now we usually get about fifteen days with my college daughter and two high school boys.
I also endurance race a 1999 BMW, which is the only time in life when I don’t think about anything except driving—it has to be healthy, right? I love traveling… if I could pull it off, I’d travel two weeks every quarter. There’s something to aspire to!
We thank Tanner Mason for sharing his perspective on the Central U.S. market and for offering valuable insight into how occupiers are navigating current conditions. We hope this conversation helps bridge local market perspectives and provides useful context for those working across the industry.
Until next time, stay tuned for our next Q&A with another Regional Director in the series.
