The challenge.

The Quays is a mixed use, commercial and residential development in Chatham. This is a large scale development comprising two towers and two low-rise buildings with a total of 343 studio, 1 and 2 bedroom apartments and over 60,000 sq ft of commercial space. At point of launch, Chatham had not seen a development of this scale or quality previously and was not enjoying an enviable reputation either in Kent or the wider South East region. The developer had been placed in liquidation and we were duly instructed to assist the private fund who had acquired the site.

Our solution.

Initially instructed as 1 of 3 letting agents, using our Canary Wharf experience, we identified the uniqueness of this project. We remained bullish with values and achieved new ceiling rental prices. Within 3 months, we were appointed sole letting and managing agent. Our new role included staffing the on-site office and reporting weekly to our client. The vacant units were sold on the open market as the clients plan to exit commenced. Dockside handled all marketing avenues. Bizarrely, the encumbent London-based creative agency, had decided to use black and white imagery. Whilst this may have worked for a cool, boutique-type development, it was out-of-keeping with The Quays, especially when one considers that this development had simply stunning waterside views and architecture. We arranged all creative from our point of instruction. We recognised the importance of local buyers and targeted them accordingly. Events were held and attended by us in Hong Kong and Singapore.

The result.

Ultimately all units were sold ahead of our targeted time, with a keenly priced advertising spend and at higher sale prices than forecast. Dockside provided a start-to-finish service for the client, from handling the initial enquiry, through to progression and then to key hand-over and property familiarisation. We retain multiple units under property management for both UK and overseas owners. Anchor tenants were located prior to the disposal of the commercial space, which has since been fully let.