• Data from Year Three of ‘Making Impact’ shows that quality placemaking and a focus on social value are key drivers of occupier choice and support strong financial returns
• 35% increase in visitor satisfaction year-on-year following Wilton Park’s renovation highlights the value of investment in the public realm
• Study has included c. 450 hours of on-site observations generating important data and insight for the real-estate sector

IPUT Real Estate (‘IPUT’), Dublin’s leading property investment company, has published the third annual report in its five-year ‘Making Impact’ social impact study. This innovative project is one of the world’s first ever studies to value the impact of placemaking on a city neighbourhood over a long-term time horizon. The research is being undertaken in partnership with three international placemaking and design agencies – Gehl, Occasio and PRD – to evaluate the social, cultural, economic, and environmental impacts of placemaking at IPUT’s Wilton Park development in Dublin 2.

Wilton Park is a 600,000 sq ft mixed used scheme that incorporates 580,000 sq ft of offices and 20,000 sq ft of food & beverage space surrounding a one-acre city park and a new streetscape. The development is home to leading global occupiers LinkedIn and Stripe and will welcome EY in 2026.

Making Impact | Year Three Highlights

Outlined below are some of the key highlights from the third year of the Making Impact research study:

• There were over 1.1 million visitors to Wilton Park in 2025 – up from 740,000 in 2024

• 77% of visitors agreed that Wilton Park mattered to their community

• 88% of visitors were satisfied with the green space available while 95% noted the improvements in the quality of green space in recent years

• 48 individual artists and creatives have been directly supported and featured at Wilton Park over 2024/25

Niall Gaffney, CEO, IPUT Real Estate, said:

We have a clear conviction that thoughtful placemaking is central to attracting best-in-class occupiers to buildings and generating long-term value for shareholders. This study supports that conviction and quantifies the benefits that an investment in placemaking delivers for occupiers and the wider neighbourhood.

Our findings over 3 years highlight the correlation between social impact investment and financial returns. It is clear that social considerations, cultural vitality, sustainability, and economic success are not competing priorities and are all important elements in creating thriving urban communities.

Marie Hunt, Head of Research, IPUT Real Estate, said:

Central to our ‘Making Impact’ series is garnering the views and opinions of people living, working and visiting Wilton Park. Since we commenced this study in 2023, we’ve captured the perspectives of more than 70 stakeholders, completed over 850 surveys and carried out almost 450 hours of on-site observations. Data highlights a 35% increase in visitor satisfaction year-on-year following the renovation of Wilton Park.

This growing body of evidenced-based research is an important resource for the international urban design community and for all interested in delivering quality placemaking and meaningful social impact.

All three reports in the ‘Making Impact’ research series can be downloaded from the IPUT website at https://www.iput.com/making-impact. 

About Making Impact

IPUT believes that placemaking plays a central role in attracting best-in-class occupiers to its buildings; driving shareholder value and positively contributing to the neighbourhoods and communities where IPUT invests for the long-term. In order to provide evidence on the long-term positive impact, in partnership with PRD, Occasio and Gehl, IPUT is measuring and evaluating the impact of its Wilton Park development on the local neighbourhood over a period of five years. The first ‘Making Impact’ report was published in November 2023 and shared key findings from the 2022/23 reporting period. Year Two of the five-part series brought fresh insights, data, and case studies from the 2023/24 reporting period, which coincided with the neighbourhood’s most intensive phase of transformation. The most recent report covers the 2024/25 reporting period and brings further interesting insights following the reopening of the renovated one-acre park and opening of a new public square at Wilton Park during the year.