For a full copy of this report, please contact
Joan.Henry@ie.knightfrank.com
or Robert.OConnor@ie.knightfrank.com
- €401m worth of development land transacted in H2 bringing total spend for 2025 to €685m, ahead of the 5-year average of €630m.
- Residential development land dominated activity in H2, accounting for 88% of total spend or €352m. Demand was driven primarily by housebuilders, PLCs and state-backed purchasers focused on strengthening their land pipelines and supporting future housing delivery.
- While demand continued to be strongest for consented, ready-to-go opportunities, activity also broadened to include high-density apartment development sites and larger sites without planning, including unzoned and strategic reserve land.
- New home completions exceeded expectations in 2025 with 36,284 units delivered, ahead of the majority of commentator’s forecasts of between 33,000-34,000 units. However, a range of forward-looking indicators question whether this momentum can be sustained.
- Policies introduced in 2025 are now broadly supportive of a stronger outlook for activity in the development land market in 2026, however implementation will be key to realising the potential of these measures.
Robert O’Connor, Divisional Director, Research, Knight Frank Ireland