HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (April 08, 2026) – KBS, one of the largest owners and operators of premier commercial real estate buildings in the nation, announces that KBS Real Estate Investment Trust III (REIT III), part of KBS’ portfolio of funds and separate accounts, has been recognized by NAREIT for its sustainability achievements with a 2026 “Leader in the Light” award in the Operations category. The program recognizes REITs demonstrating leadership in responsible business practices that create value and positively impact communities within their portfolios and across the REIT industry.
Achieving Nareit’s “Leader in the Light” award reflects KBS’ ongoing commitment to sustainability and continuously improving its performance, according to Marc DeLuca, KBS’ CEO and regional president, Eastern U.S.
“Sustainability has been a long-standing priority at KBS, and this recognition reflects the consistent work our team is doing across the portfolio to operate responsibly and create long-term value for our investors, tenants and the communities where we do business,” says Marc DeLuca, KBS’ CEO and regional president, Eastern U.S. “We’re honored to be recognized by Nareit with a 2026 ‘Leader in the Light’ award, among some of the world’s largest real estate companies; we’re proud of the progress we’ve made and remain focused on building on that momentum.”
In 2026, the awards were presented in three categories: Transparency, Operations, and Responsibility, reflecting leadership in corporate reporting and governance, property innovation and performance, and responsible business practices. Three REITs were honored in each category based on total enterprise values, specifically less than $5 billion, between $5-10 billion, and more than $10 billion. KBS Real Estate Investment Trust III (REIT III) was awarded in the Operations category.
“This year’s recipients are raising expectations through clearer reporting, innovative operations, and real accountability in how they do business,” said Nareit President & CEO Steven A. Wechsler. “We’re proud to recognize their leadership and the results they’re delivering throughout the industry.”
Submissions for the 2026 Nareit Leader in the Light Awards were evaluated by an independent panel of expert judges based on company strategy, measurable impact, innovation, and industry impact.
“These awards showcase the depth of work happening across the REIT industry, and this year’s honorees demonstrate how that work is integrated into their core business and translates into measurable impact across their portfolios,” said Nareit Senior Vice President of Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability Jessica Long. “We’re grateful to our independent judges for the time and expertise they brought to the review process and all of our members that participated.”
