Values-Based Investing in Urban Development
Real estate is more than square footage, it’s a mirror of our values. At Parkside Partners, we take a values-based approach to investment, ensuring that every project delivers returns not just to investors, but to neighborhoods, residents, and the city as a whole.
What Is Values-Based Investing?
Values-based investing (VBI) integrates ethical, social, and sustainability considerations into the investment process. While popular in sectors like public equities or ESG funds, this approach is underutilized in real estate, where it has the potential to reshape how cities grow.
How It Applies to Development
Parkside applies a VBI framework to every stage of our work:
Sourcing: We partner with religious organizations, nonprofits, and municipal agencies that share a commitment to community advancement.
Underwriting: We assess not only economic returns but civic impact, looking at housing creation, tenant mix, and design outcomes.
Execution: We use local contractors, pursue environmentally responsible designs, and reserve units for moderate- and lower-income households.
Impact That Endures
Our projects aim to bridge capital and conscience. We believe affordable and market-rate housing can—and should—coexist. By demonstrating that ethical development is also profitable, we hope to attract more capital into the sector.
Values-based investing is not a constraint; it’s a compass. It guides our firm’s mission and inspires every decision we make.