How Public Art Adds Value to Real Estate: Insights from ULI’s Art in Place Workshop

 

In February 2025, MASSIVart’s Managing Partner, Coralie Olson, participated in the Art in Place workshop hosted by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) in Philadelphia. The two-day event brought together real estate developers, city officials, artists, and placemaking experts across North America to explore how art can catalyze economic, social, and cultural value in real estate.

 

What We Shared: The Royalmount Case Study

During the session, Coralie presented our work on ROYALMOUNT, a major mixed-use destination in Montreal where art and culture were integrated from the very beginning. From large-scale permanent installations to seasonal activations and cultural programming, the art strategy was crafted to:

  • Strengthen brand identity
  • Increase dwell time
  • Drive premium leasing opportunities

This collaborative effort between MASSIVart, Carbonleo, and L Catterton is a powerful example of how creative placemaking can shape experiences that resonate and perform.

 

The ROI is Real: Making the Business Case for Creative Placemaking

ULI’s resulting white paper echoed what we’ve seen across multiple markets: when developers embed art and culture into the DNA of a project, the return goes far beyond aesthetics.
Our research with Toronto Metropolitan University shows that placemaking through art can lead to:

  • A 50% increase in time spent in the space
  • A 63% improvement in how the place is perceived
  • A 77% rise in word-of-mouth recommendations

Public art builds stronger connections between people and place, and in turn, it builds long-term value.

 

A Call to Build With Culture in Mind

From Philadelphia’s Park Towne Place to our work on ROYALMOUNT, one message came through loud and clear: art is not a luxury add-on, it’s a core pillar of placemaking that delivers measurable results.

We’re honoured to have contributed to this important conversation, and we’re excited to keep working with like-minded partners who see culture as a cornerstone of impactful, inclusive development.

 

👉 Read the ULI white paper “Making the Business Case for Art in Place”
👉 Explore our “ROI of Placemaking” study