Getting creative with housing? Case studies of Paintworks, Bristol and Baltic Triangle, Liverpool

Florida’s ‘creative class’ terminology emphasizes the desirability of policy to drive better life-work balance, providing personalized housing and vibrant neighbourhood amenities. Interest in these themes is to be found so far in urban economics and sociology literature. Little however is known about the market reactions from the property sector. This paper explores the spatial manifestation of the ‘creative class’ ideals in terms of mixed-use and the locations of housing provision in two development initiatives – Paintworks in Bristol and Baltic Triangle in Liverpool. Findings from interviews and field observations revealed a dominant ‘business as usual’ attitude from the development sector. Regulatory controls, risk aversion, inert housing consumption preferences, and housing financialization, all played their part in deferring the emergence of the idealist ‘creative housing products’ in the UK. More importantly, the housing market dynamic is still better understood on the city or even regional scales instead of fine-grained street levels. Findings in this paper therefore call for deeper understanding regarding the connections between housing and economic development, including specifically creativity and innovation.