Full coverage: Knight frank

The ESW founder reflects on the Irish business leaders who shaped his thinking, the mentor who kept him grounded, and why he believes in adaptability and the importance of getting direct experience with the consumer.

Institutions have been spooked by the prospect of capped returns, meaning Dublin has struggled to compete with other European cities for investment. Just €440m was invested in Ireland’s build-to-rent market in 2023, compared with €1.9bn the previous year. 

At the upper end of the residential market, professional home staging is becoming the norm. Selling an aspirational lifestyle to buyers, evangelists claim it pushes property prices even higher.