building cultural spaces that add value to developments
Eamonn Doyle ON
cultural development
SoSimpatico is a privately-owned cultural development specialist, providing comprehensive solutions for property developers, housing providers and design teams seeking to integrate viable and distinctive community, arts, and cultural spaces into their developments. We believe culture delivers the greatest value when it is considered from the beginning of a development, rather than treated as a late-stage obligation.
Our cultural development work spans the full journey from vision to delivery. We define the cultural ambition for a site, assess feasibility, engage local authorities and stakeholders, identify suitable operators and tenants, develop leasing and funding models, coordinate fit-out and launch planning, and support long-term stewardship. This joined-up approach aligns creative ambition with the practical realities of planning, affordability, operation and asset management.
Drawing on decades of experience across culture, community, property and public-sector relationships, we help clients turn underused or planned spaces into active, sustainable cultural infrastructure. Our work can strengthen local trust, give developments a clear identity, support planning objectives and create lasting public value.
We also source and curate work by Irish-based artists for residential, amenity and shared spaces, using art as a genuine placemaking tool. Every project is tailored to its location, scale and ambition, with flexible support available from early-stage advice to complete end-to-end delivery and ongoing partnership in meaningful ways.
Integrating culture and property development
Eamonn Doyle i, O’Connell Street, Dublin 1
SoSimpatico’s cultural development specialists work with property developers, architects and housing providers to embed culture meaningfully within new and existing developments. From early-stage strategy and feasibility through to tenanting, delivery and long-term stewardship, we create cultural spaces that strengthen identity, support community life and enhance the value of a development. Where planning requirements such as Dublin City Council’s 5% cultural use policy apply, we help clients respond with ambition, practicality and purpose.
what we do
Consultancy from pre-planning to implementation
Localised cultural assessments & strategy development
Feasibility studies & 3D interior modelling
Stakeholder engagement & legal compliance
Cultural tenant identification & acquisition
Leasing, legal & operational negotiation
Full project delivery oversight
Marketing & launch planning
Art acquisition for key spaces/show apartments
Cultural asset management (post-delivery)
“Through our partnership with Karen and the team at SoSimpatico, we quickly realised that adhering to Dublin City Council's '5% cultural use' planning policy was not just an obligation but a valuable opportunity. We firmly believe that integrating a vibrant cultural space - curated in collaboration with SoSimpatico - will enhance the living environment and add genuine value to our development. We are confident that this will generate a positive affect for our future residents experience as a result of the dynamic, interactive, and sustainable community the cultural spaces will create.”
Jane Dolan
Director of Investment, Product & Living at Eagle Street Partners
“SoSimpatico conducted an assessment of the site and the local area, identified several cultural tenants, acted as a conduit between us and various stakeholders, designed 3D interior models for the 16,000 sq/ft space and devised a plan for its delivery. In collaboration, we will implement these plans to ensure the long-term, sustainable viability of the cultural workspaces at Marshall Yards. We are very proud to be pioneers of this policy in partnership with SoSimpatico.”
Richard Carey
Head of Construction at Eagle Street Partners