Case Study ●

Digital Transformation Blueprint for The Blackstone Group

Delivered a human-centred digital transformation strategy that leveraged data-driven insights to enhance tenant interactions, visitor engagement, and asset performance, increasing property value by 70%.

3 minutes read

Client:

Blackstone (APAC)

Client:

Scope:

Blackstone (APAC)

Experience Design, Digital Strategy, Technology Implementation, Change Management

Client:

Location:

Blackstone (APAC)

APAC Region

Client:

Status:

Blackstone (APAC)

Completed and under operations

Project Summary

To strengthen The Blackstone Group’s APAC retail and commercial real estate portfolio, Sunio One was engaged to craft and implement a comprehensive digital transformation blueprint. This initiative was designed to modernize operations, improve decision-making, enhance leasing outcomes, and elevate tenant and staff experiences across Blackstone’s regional assets.

Objectives

  • Introduce a best-practice digital mindset across business functions
  • Establish a data-first approach to marketing and leasing
  • Improve operational efficiency for leasing and tenant engagement
  • Implement tenant- and staff-centric digital experiences
  • Integrate best-in-class technology platforms to enable transformation
  • Enhance asset value and commercial performance

Our Approach & Strategy

The engagement began with the co-creation of a Digital Transformation Blueprint centred around five strategic pillars:

 

  1. Digital Marketing Excellence – defining integrated, omni-channel marketing with data intelligence at its core.
  2. Digital Mindset & Culture – enabling a mindset shift via strategic communications and staff engagement.
  3. Data-First Leasing Strategy – implementing tools that use real-time data to drive faster, more informed leasing decisions.
  4. Technology Enablement – deploying leading platforms to support user-centric experiences and data visibility.
  5. Experience Design – designing digital journeys and interfaces that enhance interactions for tenants and internal teams.

Implementation

To realize the blueprint, Sunio One supported the deployment of key technologies and initiatives:

 

  • Staff Training Program: Rolled out across departments to embed digital thinking and platform adoption.
  • Custom Web & Mobile Platform (Leasing App): Delivered a purpose-built application providing leasing executives with real-time data, property details, and performance insights—enabling faster and more effective deal-making.
  • Salesforce CRM: Implemented as a central system of record to streamline tenant and prospect relationships.
  • Beonic: Installed to enable real-time foot traffic analytics and movement tracking across retail spaces.
  • Abuzz Digital Wayfinding: Implemented to improve visitor navigation and ease of movement within complex properties.
  • Quantium Data Services: Leveraged to drive insights into customer behavior, demographics, and spend patterns.

Outcomes & Impact

The transformation initiative delivered quantifiable business outcomes:

  • Asset Value Increase: Individual assets experienced uplift in value ranging from 70% to 190%.
  • Footfall Growth: Visitor numbers rose by 20%.
  • Dwell Time: Average time spent on site increased by 15%.
  • Retail Spend: Onsite spending increased by 12%.

 

These results validated the transformative power of integrated experience design, digital strategy, and smart technology deployment when grounded in real business objectives.

Key Success Factors

  • Executive alignment and buy-in from Blackstone senior leadership
  • Human-centered design methodology
  • Strong vendor partnerships and agile implementation
  • Strategic focus on data and measurable ROI
  • Effective change management and internal upskilling

Conclusion

This engagement demonstrated how digital transformation – when approached through the lens of experience design and supported by strategic technology enablement – can significantly uplift asset performance and customer satisfaction in the competitive real estate sector. The Blackstone Group APAC now operates with enhanced digital capabilities, stronger leasing agility, and a platform for continuous innovation.

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Vincent Dermody

Co-founder, Chief Architect, Innovation & Technology Officer

Location: Dublin, Ireland - Sydney, Australia - Riyadh, KSA - Madinah, KSA

Vincent Dermody is a globally respected enterprise architect and digital transformation leader with over 30 years of experience designing and delivering large-scale, future-ready solutions for the built environment. From smart buildings to ESG-driven infrastructure and data transformation strategies, Vincent brings unmatched technical depth, systems-level thinking, and pragmatic innovation to Sunio One’s most complex projects.

As Co-Founder and Chief Architect, Vincent leads the integration of technology, data, and architecture into every Sunio One blueprint - ensuring every client solution is scalable, fundable, secure, and aligned with long-term value creation. He has worked with major investors, property groups, and governments across North America, Europe, and the APAC region, crafting actionable roadmaps for digital infrastructure, ESG reporting, and smart asset transformation.

A certified TOGAF and PMP professional, Vincent’s past roles include global SME for Smart Building Strategy at CohnReznick, Head of IT Strategy for GPT Group, and innovation lead at Intel. His work has defined strategic outcomes for multibillion-dollar portfolios and national infrastructure systems - turning vision into actionable architecture.

“We don’t just plan for what works - we architect for what lasts.”

Max Ryerson

Co-founder, CEO & Chief Experience Designer

Location: London, UK - Abu Dhabi, UAE - Riyadh, KSA - Madinah, KSA

Max Ryerson is a visionary strategist, award-winning experience designer, and international advisor on digital transformation for cities and real estate. With nearly 30 years of cross-sector leadership—from smart cities and investment platforms to digital infrastructure and media—Max blends creative thinking with systems-level impact.

As Co-Founder and Chief Experience Designer, he has led the design and delivery of nationally significant projects in Saudi Arabia, including the acclaimed City Experience Playbook and the City Living Museum of Madinah, both aligned with Vision 2030 and recognized by Gartner and the Smart City Forum for their innovation and impact.

A Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Max is known for translating complex challenges into actionable blueprints that align ambition with investability, human experience with digital architecture, and strategy with measurable outcomes. Under his leadership, Sunio One has helped government bodies, developers, and investors bridge the gap between big ideas and real delivery.

“Experience is more than design - it’s a tool for unlocking economic, social, and cultural potential.”

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