Edinburgh office development begins

A CGI of an office building at 30 Semple Street, Edinburgh.

A comprehensive redevelopment of 30 Semple Street in Edinburgh's Exchange District will deliver 5,300 square metres (57,000 square feet) of grade 'A' office space upon completing in June 2024.

The project - being taken forward by Corran Properties on behalf of the building owner, CBRE Investment Management - will entail stripping the existing building back to its frame before adding two extra storeys, an aesthetically pleasing new façade, and a roof terrace with views to Edinburgh Castle. It will offer flexible floorplates ranging from 638 square metres (6,867 square feet) to 747 square metres (8,040 square feet). The building has been designed to achieve a BREEAM "Outstanding" rating, with measures including 85 cycle spaces and electric vehicle charging facilities.

“We were delighted to be appointed by CBREIM in 2020 to undertake this transformational development. I hope we have re-paid their faith with the exceptional quality that is now being delivered. Office design is moving towards a more sustainable future so from the outset the focus has been to achieve the highest environmental goals possible, and this has resulted in a number of firsts for 30 Semple Street. To achieve the leading sustainability credentials alongside the outstanding facilities for staff and flexible, modern workspace we’re delivering for 30 Semple Street, the solution in the past would have been to demolish and start again. However, by retaining the original structure, we’ve saved 3,300 tons of CO2, more than 50% of the carbon in reconstruction. The new building will operate with net zero carbon emissions and sets a very high new benchmark, not only in Edinburgh but further afield too.”

- Nick Ball, Managing Director, Corran Properties

The principal contractor for the refurbishment is Ogilvie ConstructionMichael Laird Architects is the lead architect, with the wider design team comprising Atelier Ten (fire engineering); Axiom Project Services (project management and cost consultancy) Blyth & Blyth (structural and civil engineering); and KJ Tait (mechanical and electrical engineering). CuthbertWhite and Knight Frank have been appointed as joint letting agents.

“When it completes in June 2024, 30 Semple Street will be the best accredited building in Edinburgh’s office market, at a time when prime Grade A office space is in short supply. The building has stature, prominence and is in a truly enviable location. We know that occupiers are becoming more discerning with their requirements and expect something more, particularly when attracting their staff to the office. 30 Semple Street has been exceptionally well conceived from a design point of view, raising the bar across Scotland.”

- Chris Cuthbert, CuthbertWhite

Further information can be found here.

Published: 13th December 2022