One Thames City

Delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic, the One Thames City Phase 1 Topping Out Ceremony was one of our most challenging and most memorable productions.

Our aim was to create more than a traditional topping out. At a time of uncertainty and unprecedented restrictions, we wanted a moment that brought people together, celebrating resilience, progress and the collective effort behind a landmark development.

The programme opened with a formal daytime ceremony for invited guests and partners, and closed with an evening celebration above the development.

An event of this nature during the pandemic required extensive planning, risk management and coordination with multiple stakeholders. The evening celebration in particular needed approvals from the relevant aviation authorities, local government and other parties.

Every detail, from guest movement and social distancing through to technical production and the closing celebration, had to be worked through in advance and then held together on site.

The event was produced with visible social distancing measures and carefully managed guest flow, reflecting the realities of live event delivery at the time.