It has been beyond rewarding to work with our client, Nuveen Real Estate, to open the first phase of St James Quarter – the 1.7 million sq ft development in the heart of Edinburgh. It has been an honour to work alongside such an innovative and forward-thinking project team and on such a complex development, especially through what has been an undeniably difficult backdrop these past 18 months.
Appointed in 2014, the Redwood team led the communications strategy for the project through every stage of the development leading up to the launch phase. From helping secure planning and investment, through the extensive leasing drive, and at every step of the five-year construction process – the scale and significance of St James Quarter has meant the communications campaign has had to leave no stone left unturned.
An integrated communications approach was the key to success. We co-ordinated marketing, PR and stakeholder engagement for the project across all work streams, including the Together for Edinburgh local engagement brand, and our programme ensured that local neighbours, politicians, occupiers and international investors received consistent communications throughout a complex delivery programme.
Although it may be some time before any of us have the privilege of working on such an epic scheme as this in the near future, the teamwork and comradery – especially needed this past year – will be with us for a lifetime.