Edinburgh St James, the £1bn mixed-use development in the city centre, has appointed Nick Peel as managing director of the development when it opens to the public in October this year.
With construction of the scheme’s retail and leisure elements nearing their anticipated completion date in 2020, Nick will head the onsite team, which will oversee the day-to-day management of the asset as it opens to the public and the addition of the residential, cinema, apart hotel and hotel as they are opened over the course of 2021.
Nick brings with him years of high-profile operational management and commercial property experience having previously been the head of asset and estate management at Battersea Power Station, where he was responsible for consumer marketing, commercialisation and experiential and digital strategies. Prior to his role at Battersea, Nick was head of UK retail property management at Landsec for five years and spent two years working as Arsenal Football Club’s retail director.
Nick specialises in the operational management of large-scale retail led development projects and, as well as Battersea Power Station, has worked on Leeds Trinity and Bristol Cabot Circus for LandSec in the UK and Msheireb Downtown Doha in Qatar.
Commenting on his appointment, Nick said: “This is an extremely exciting project and I’m especially keen to continue to raise the profile of Edinburgh St James within consumer brands and businesses as it opens, which will help ensure a truly sustainable project. I’m committed to driving the best environmental practices and working on our digital approach to benefit our consumers for the future.”
Nick’s appointment follows the announcement that CWM Retail Property Advisors and P-THREE will join ESJ’s leasing team.
Martin Perry, Director of Development at Edinburgh St James, commented: “Edinburgh St James will reflect the city’s position as a European cosmopolitan city with a thriving economy and unique appeal to residents and tourists alike. Nick brings a wealth of experience and leadership quality to ensure the management of the completed development is to a world class standard befitting the aspirations of the project. Nick shares our vision for the site and will help to build strong relationships with the exciting brands we are bringing to the city – complementing and enhancing everything Edinburgh has to offer.”
When complete, Edinburgh St James will span five floors of prime shopping, dining, leisure and entertainment and it is expected to welcome in excess of 20 million visitors a year. Comprising 850,000 sq ft of retail space, Edinburgh St James will integrate with the premium shopping street of Multrees Walk, George Street and Princes Street; completing the city’s primary retail circuit.
The development will also be home to 30 new restaurants, cafés and bars and W Edinburgh which will be the brand’s first hotel in Scotland, and includes 244 stylish guestrooms, a buzzing destination bar, outdoor terrace, signature restaurant and an AWAY® Spa. All of which will sit alongside a 75 room aparthotel for Roomzzz, 152 luxury apartments by Native Land and 1600 public vehicle spaces. In addition, nine new event spaces that fully interact with the cities vibrant calendar are being created within the development.
