Jenners Department Store, Edinburgh
2021 began with great uncertainty but the vaccine roll out brought us all some confidence. As the year unfolded, that confidence came back strongly. We saw a level of economic activity in the construction industry that was most welcome, with projects old and new coming to life. Perhaps the most pleasing aspect of the recovery was, for us, the huge variation of project types that we secured during the year.
New Projects
In May, Etive was appointed as civil and structural engineers for the redevelopment of the iconic Jenners building in Edinburgh. The city’s most historic and internationally famous department store is to be reinstated to its former glory. Additionally, above the department store, the building will be converted to a new, high-quality hotel. A structurally complex but rewarding project; it is truly a privilege to be engaged in the restoration and preservation of one of the Edinburgh’s great assets.
Public Sector Projects
The year saw us significantly expand our portfolio of public sector projects, primarily in education. New appointments for Liberton Community Campus and Trinity Academy, both for the City of Edinburgh Council, were followed by the new Beeslack High School in Midlothian and Nairn Academy for Highland Council. Nairn Academy is the first major project to be delivered from our new Inverness office, also opened this year, and being led by Alastair Manson.
Etive - Ardross Terrace, Inverness
Traditional Projects
Our traditional markets also came back with a bang in 2021 with several new projects coming on stream across the UK. Of particular note are a 24 storey PBSA scheme at Lisbon Road in Leeds and a 790 unit BTR development (Loft Lines) at Titanic Quarter in Belfast. Closer to home, we also commenced designs for Fountainbridge where our client, Queensberry Properties, are engaged by the City of Edinburgh Council as development partners for this significant urban regeneration project.
Loft Lines (southside view), Belfast
Loft Lines (riverside view), Belfast
New Staff
Such strong new project wins allowed us to strengthen our team this year. In October, Mike Sime and then in November, Caroline Rutherford joined as Associate Directors. Both appointments are hugely exciting for us; both are individuals we have known and admired for some time and whom we are thrilled to have alongside us, influencing the next chapters of the Etive story.
Mike Sime
Caroline Rutherford
Experienced Structural Engineers Ian Vernon and Michael Dempster also joined Etive this year, along with Hasan Saeed, fresh from University. The scale and type of projects we are engaged in demand the best, most talented engineers in the market place and that is exactly how we’d describe our carefully assembled team.
Ending 2021
As the year ends, it rather feels the world has taken a slight backwards step in respect of Covid. A degree of uncertainty has returned under the guise of the Omicron variant and the hospitality industry has been dealt a real blow at the worst possible time.
Welcoming 2022
We are however optimistic that the age of mass lockdowns is over. There seems a growing realisation that we have to learn to adapt and live with Covid. The construction and property industry has led by example in this respect. Our industry is crammed full of resourceful, adaptable and positive people; our summary of 2021 is testament to that. We could not have achieved so much in 2021 were it not for the strength and resilience of our clients and industry friends. When you strive and succeed, we succeed, and we thank you most sincerely for that.
Despite Omicron’s malign presence, we envisage another very busy year ahead. Doubtless there will be challenges we cannot yet see, but we set forth with great confidence and relish for the opportunities we will work through together.
We wish all our clients, industry colleagues and staff a healthy, happy and prosperous 2022.