Now that life is getting back to normal after two years of upheaval in the world of work, there are encouraging signs that businesses are snapping up office space in our cities – as part of a hybrid working model that will see people split their week between home and workplace.
The rush for offices is clearly visible in Aberdeen with the uptake of building space in the first quarter of 2022 increasing by 115 per cent on the previous quarter, according to property firm CBRE.
One of the top locations for businesses to consider in the Granite City is the Queen Street development. It’s in a great spot to open an office, at the heart of the city, and there’s an exciting vision for its future with plans for a new urban quarter that is busy and bustling both during the day and at night. It will be perfect for workers heading out for lunch and culture fans heading into town for an evening event.
But it’s not just Aberdeen that’s seeing a boost in office expansion. Glasgow and Edinburgh are doing well, too. Office take-up in our capital city was up 33 per cent in the first quarter of this year, compared to the same period last year.
And opportunities certainly are taking off in the west of the city, near the airport.
The West Town Edinburgh development offers mixed-use opportunities on over 80 hectares of land with scope for £2 billion of mixed-use property development.
A tram stop at the site creates excellent links to both Edinburgh Airport and the city centre. The Edinburgh Gateway railway station is two stops away by tram and the site is well serviced by Scotland’s motorway and trunk road network.
The recently agreed City Region Deal allocates £20 million towards supporting infrastructure in this area and work is now under way on the strategy for delivery.
Things are looking up in Glasgow, too, with office space hire this quarter up 28 per cent compared to last year.
And at the heart of the city’s business district is a fantastic opportunity to put down business roots that will last and grow.
Glasgow’s 177 Bothwell Street development is an impressive addition to the beating business heart of the city centre. The site was once home to the Albany Hall before it was cleared to make way for a top quality and sustainable office development.
The scheme is Glasgow’s most sustainable office development, with an ‘A’ rated Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and uses 100 per cent green power from a local and identifiable source, a wind farm in South Lanarkshire.
The building is fitted with the latest energy efficient equipment, including LED lighting throughout, together with highly efficient, heat-recovery air conditioning systems to reduce consumption. A green travel plan has been developed to reduce car usage and encourage sustainable active transportation, including cycling, walking, public transport, with 318 internal cycle spaces for staff and a further 70 visitor cycle spaces outside.
There’s no doubt about it. Scotland’s cities really are delivering high quality office space that delivers for people and the planet.
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