Tomorrow’s mixed use is here today (at least in Edinburgh)
These days it’s not very often that a whole section of a town or city opens its doors. But that’s exactly what happened last week as Edinburgh’s long-awaited St James Quarter welcomed people back into part of the city’s core.
The transformation from a purely retail environment to a true mixed use setting, worthy of this millennium, is total and astounding. Traditional buildings sit comfortably next to the iconic new architecture…
Before I go any further, in the interests of full disclosure, I should mention that P-THREE is part of the redevelopment’s project team. Even so, I was really taken by the overwhelming positivity and excitement from those exploring the new area for the first time. The buzz of new brands was almost tangible and there was a definite feeling that Edinburgh has really embraced its latest addition.
There has been widespread acclaim, too, for investor Nuveen’s determination to proceed (pressing on with construction three years ago when the state of the UK economy was by no means certain) with what was always going to be a challenging urban transformation.
Dismantling obsolescent property isn’t new, but dismantling it around an existing occupier (in this case John Lewis) to allow them to remain trading throughout, is in itself a remarkable feat. However, St James Quarter represents much more than that. While John Lewis has been a constant, the landscape around the department store – and its context within the city centre – has utterly changed.
The transformation from a purely retail environment to a true mixed use setting, worthy of this millennium, is total and astounding. Traditional buildings sit comfortably next to the iconic new architecture of Jestico + Whiles and Allan Murray Architects’ W Hotel, surely a new city landmark.
And the fact that the development is close to fully occupied from day one, even in the middle of a pandemic, has much to do with Nuveen’s innovative and forward-thinking approach to leasing. Don’t just take my word for it though, come and see for yourself. You are welcome to wander through the quarter at your leisure, as public access is one of the scheme’s hallmarks.
I mentioned context and that is important. Nuveen’s willingness to proceed with St James Quarter had much to do with its confidence in Edinburgh’s ability to attract and retain both local and international audiences. Edinburgh is of course famous for its summer Festival, but actually that is only one of several major events hosted by the city that, outside the blip of the pandemic, bring incredible animation – and spending – to the whole area.
While not everywhere can hold a world-renowned Festival, I believe it is possible to emulate Edinburgh’s dynamism in virtually any town or city. How?
Firstly, by understanding our core mantra that people make places. Making spaces that are attractive to both local and transient audiences is crucial for a vibrant urban scape. The permeability of St James Quarter is a wonderful example of how this can be achieved in practice.
Secondly, connectivity is key. Creating attractive places is only part of the equation. People need to be able to access them easily. Again, Edinburgh recognises this, with improvements to the airport and an extension of the hugely successful tram system currently in the pipeline.
Thirdly, partnership always brings better results. Working in tandem with local authorities and stakeholders, as Nuveen did in Edinburgh, ensures mutually-beneficial outcomes.
Finally, a healthy stock of buildings to welcome a wide variety of new and existing occupiers into is a must. Edinburgh has got this covered with several major developments, including: the new Johnnie Walker experience on Princes Street, the redevelopment of former Debenhams and Jenners department stores, the New Town Quarter, the Haymarket development, the planned Edinburgh International Arena and Edinburgh Marina to mention just a few.
St James Quarter is an important step forward for Edinburgh, but it is also a true exemplar of what proper mixed use development looks like, that could – and I fervently hope will – be recreated elsewhere in the UK and beyond.
Article by Justin Taylor, Co-founder P-THREE
