Global real estate and investment firm JLL has published a forward-looking analysis titled The Future of Quantum Real Estate, examining how the rapid progress in quantum computing is poised to transform data center infrastructure and site selection in the coming decade.
As the commercial viability of quantum computing approaches, JLL argues that this emerging technology could have disruptive implications similar to those triggered by the rise of artificial intelligence – impacting everything from facility design to geographic concentration of investment.
Quantum computing, which leverages quantum mechanical phenomena like superposition and entanglement, promises to solve problems far beyond the reach of even the most advanced classical supercomputers. Google’s recent demonstration of a quantum computer completing a task in minutes that would have taken classical systems billions of years is often cited as a glimpse into that potential. According to JLL, this capability could lead to an entirely new class of high-performance computing applications in areas such as cryptography, drug discovery, logistics, and AI optimization.
Crucially, JLL anticipates a major shift in the data center industry as quantum technologies mature. While most quantum development is currently confined to specialized research facilities, JLL predicts a transition toward hybrid quantum-classical data centers. These will combine traditional compute infrastructure with quantum processing units (QPUs), demanding entirely new facility specifications, including cryogenic cooling, vibration isolation, and electromagnetic shielding.
Integrating these highly sensitive systems into operational data centers will be technically complex, but increasingly necessary. Facilities like Germany’s Leibniz Supercomputing Centre already illustrate what this integration may look like, with dedicated quantum environments operating alongside conventional hardware.
JLL’s analysis also highlights the growing synergy between quantum computing and artificial intelligence. While often confused, the two are distinct: AI uses classical computing to analyze patterns in data, while quantum computing enables parallel computation on massive scales. Together, they are complementary. Quantum can enhance AI model training and algorithmic complexity, while AI can improve quantum error correction and system stability.
A Trajectory Similar to AI
The report outlines how investment in quantum is following a trajectory similar to AI. Although still a nascent industry, quantum startups raised nearly $2 billion in 2024. JLL notes that quantum investment levels are where AI stood around 2015 – with projections suggesting annual investments could rise to $10 billion by 2027 and $20 billion by 2030. The tipping point, according to JLL, will be the achievement of “quantum advantage” – when a quantum computer outperforms classical systems in solving a practical, commercial task.
This inflection point could trigger explosive growth in demand for quantum-capable infrastructure. JLL draws a parallel to the ChatGPT moment in AI, where a single breakthrough led to a dramatic surge in funding and adoption.
From a real estate perspective, this shift could reconfigure the geography of digital infrastructure. Rather than gravitating toward traditional hyperscale data center markets, early-stage quantum deployments are more likely to cluster in quantum hubs – regions with strong academic institutions, government support, and existing quantum talent. As a result, site selection strategies may prioritize access to quantum ecosystems over proximity to cloud interconnection points.
However, this balance could evolve. As quantum systems mature and integration with classical environments becomes more seamless, QPUs may increasingly be deployed within major data center markets. Cloud providers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google are already investing heavily in quantum technology and are well-positioned to integrate quantum workloads into their existing infrastructure footprints – particularly via emerging Quantum-as-a-Service (QaaS) models.
QaaS allows organizations to access quantum capabilities via the cloud, reducing the need for costly on-premises hardware. For now, these services are limited, but JLL expects rapid evolution in this space over the next five to ten years. In the long run, as hardware costs decline and operational procedures are refined, some enterprises may transition from QaaS to in-house quantum systems, further impacting real estate strategy and design requirements.
JLL’s report concludes that while quantum computing remains several years away from mainstream deployment, the time to act is now. Data center developers, operators, and investors who begin building quantum literacy and forming partnerships today could gain a significant first-mover advantage. Just as those who anticipated the AI boom reaped early rewards, the next digital infrastructure frontier may belong to those preparing for the rise of quantum computing.
In short, JLL sees quantum computing not just as a technological shift, but as a defining force for the next era of real estate in digital infrastructure.
