Quantum, Real Estate, and Maryland’s Opportunity: Travis McCready on What Comes Next

In this episode of BioTalk with Rich Bendis, Travis McCready, Head of Industries, Leasing Advisory at JLL, joins the conversation to discuss quantum computing, why real estate professionals are paying attention, and what this emerging technology could mean for regions like the BioHealth Capital Region.

Travis explains that quantum computing should be understood as an enabling technology, much like earlier waves of innovation that helped shape new industries, companies, and regional economies. While the field is still developing, he discusses why quantum is no longer just a distant concept and why real estate, infrastructure, workforce, and sector-specific use cases will all play a role in determining which regions lead.

The conversation explores the industry’s most likely to benefit from quantum first, including government and cryptography, life sciences, and finance and insurance. Travis also discusses how quantum computing could support areas such as molecular modeling, materials science, complex risk modeling, and other problems that involve large numbers of interconnected variables.

Rich and Travis also look at the real estate side of quantum, including what makes quantum facilities different from traditional data centers or life sciences buildings. Travis explains why energy, vibration sensitivity, floor loads, electromagnetic shielding, a skilled workforce, and proximity to key research and industry assets all matter when regions consider quantum site selection.

The episode also focuses on Maryland’s position in the emerging quantum economy. Travis and Rich discuss the state’s strengths in life sciences, federal agencies, defense, cybersecurity, cryptography, research universities, and companies such as IonQ. Travis emphasizes that Maryland’s opportunity is not only in building quantum assets, but in translating those assets into commercial activity, workforce development, company formation, and long-term economic growth.

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.

Travis A. McCready is Head of Industries, Leasing Advisory in the Americas for JLL and Chair of the firm’s Global Life Sciences Advisory Board. In this role, he oversees brokerage and advisory work across JLL’s key global industry verticals, including life sciences, healthcare, data centers, energy, security and defense, technology, and higher education. He is also a member of JLL’s Innovation Districts Practice, providing strategic advisory services to innovation districts around the world. Travis has more than 25 years of experience leading public, private, and nonprofit ventures focused on science and technology-based real estate and innovation infrastructure. He also serves on several boards and advisory groups across the innovation, life sciences, academic, and energy sectors.