Rather, the financial sector functions as a realm to explore and to experiment with means for capturing creative energies more broadly. If we understand the sought-after and distinctive dimensions of creative neighbourhoods – their networks of cooperating individuals and institutions – as a kind of commons, real-estate speculation both enables and profits from a nuanced form of enclosure. Finance permits the commodification of these creative commons indirectly, selling individuals and firms access to unique and attractive neighbourhoods along with the promise of higher future returns as property prices increase.

Max Haiven, Cultures of Financialization, loc. 467