Municipal site leasehold was implemented in the post-war renewal of Stockholm’s central business district in order to render the transformation process more efficient and secure the municipality a share in increased land values. The purpose of this study is to analyze the profitability of the project for the municipality. The results indicate real returns of over one percent per annum, which means the project cannot be considered a fiscal catastrophe. Private leaseholders have however benefited most, the lion’s share of land value increments having accrued to the building owners. Municipal site leasehold has not proven to be an effective policy instrument. More flexible instruments need to be designed for regulating the relations between private and public agents in urban renewal.
QC 20140708