Tony Reddy, chairman of international architecture and urbanism practice Reddy Architecture and Urbanism, has been appointed chair of Property Industry Ireland (PII), the trade association representing the Irish property and construction sector. The appointment was announced on July 30, 2026. Reddy succeeds Ivan Gaine of Sherry FitzGerald in the role, bringing four decades of architecture and urban design experience to lead PII, which represents 75 member firms across contractors, developers, property service providers, architects and financial institutions.
Reddy, who has served as a director of PII, takes on the chairmanship at a pivotal moment for Ireland's property sector. PII recently launched a new strategy setting out a vision for Ireland's built environment through 2050, anchored on four pillars including communities and cities, infrastructure, people and digital tools, and climate impact. The appointment underscores the importance of design leadership in Irish property policy at a time when the country faces significant housing shortages and rapid urbanisation. Dublin ranks among the most congested cities globally, according to PII's own assessments. No search firm involvement in the appointment was disclosed.
Reddy founded Reddy Architecture (originally Fitzgerald Reddy Associates in 1982) and has become one of Ireland's most influential architects and urbanists. He served as president of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) from 2004 to 2005 and previously chaired the Academy of Urbanism, a role he has since left. His practice has led large-scale urban regeneration projects across Ireland, the UK and continental Europe, including the Heuston South Quarter, Custom House Square in Dublin's financial district, the Kilkenny Creative Quarter and projects at Embassy Gardens in London. The firm emphasises mixed-use residential design, sustainable approaches and placemaking, and has garnered numerous architectural awards. Reddy trained at University College Dublin, earning a diploma in what sources record as arbitration law, and has held council positions within the RIAI since 1988.
Property Industry Ireland, established in 2011, operates as a sectoral association within IBEC, Ireland's largest business representative body. The organisation has grown its membership to 75 firms and functions as a policy forum bringing together developers, contractors, architects, engineers, surveyors, legal and consultancy professionals, financial services providers and materials companies. PII engages directly with the Irish government, state agencies and decision-makers on property strategy and regularly convenes conferences and briefings on industry challenges. The organisation's mission centres on evidence-based research to inform national property strategy and create a sustainable property industry aligned with Ireland's competitiveness objectives.
Reddy's appointment reflects a broader shift toward placing design and sustainability considerations at the forefront of Irish property sector leadership. As chair, he assumes direction of an organisation actively engaged in discussions with government on housing policy and infrastructure delivery at a time when Ireland faces critical shortages in residential supply. The appointment of an architect with deep expertise in urban regeneration to lead PII may signal an emphasis on design-led solutions to housing and development challenges, though the extent to which this influences sector advocacy and policy positions remains to be seen. His long track record in both practice and professional body governance suggests PII will maintain engagement on urban design standards and sustainable development principles alongside traditional property industry concerns around financing and delivery mechanisms.
