The development of a multi-million-pound office and retail project in Edinburgh has moved a step closer with the appointment of the main contractor McLaughlin & Harvey.
The £12 million construction phase of 2 Semple Street in the Capital’s Exchange district will start on 4 July and is scheduled for completion by the end of January 2018.
McLaughlin & Harvey, one of the UK’s most respected building and civil engineering companies, won the contract for the 64,000 sq ft project in a competitive tender and will be responsible for bringing to fruition the latest addition to Edinburgh’s Grade A business accommodation.
Developers GSS Developments Ltd (GSS) believe a firm completion date, and certainty of delivery founded on a 50-year relationship with the Bank of Scotland, will be strong factors in attracting potential tenants to the five-floor development which will accommodate up to 350 staff.
GSS Developments director Paul Stevenson, said: “For growing companies looking to secure modern energy efficient ‘best in class’ office space in the centre of Edinburgh’s increasingly vibrant Exchange business district, 2 Semple Street provides occupiers with unrivalled quality alongside certainty of delivery.
“Backed by Bank of Scotland, with whom we have long-standing successful relationship, we have the capability of speculatively delivering this exciting new development. The appointment of reputable contractors McLaughlin & Harvey signals our intent that this project will be delivered without delay. In initiating an early start date, potential tenants can plan ahead in confidence, thus removing some of the nervousness that can be involved in relocating offices.”
The 2 Semple Street project is one of the last gap sites in the Exchange area which can be developed to provide Grade A office accommodation. Either side of the main office core on the ground floor will be two retail units amounting to 11,000 sq ft, with the main retail unit fronting Lothian Road.
Paul Griffen, construction director, of McLaughlin & Harvey, said: “We are extremely pleased to be working with GSS Developments on this exciting addition to Edinburgh’s office and retail offering. McLaughlin & Harvey pride themselves on delivering high quality buildings, which we are certain 2 Semple Street will be.”
Joint agents for 2 Semple Street are Angela Lowe of CBRE and Chris Cuthbert of CuthbertWhite.
CBRE senior director Angela Lowe added: “2 Semple Street is already attracting strong interest before a brick is laid and potential tenants will be encouraged with the financial pedigree of the developers and their commitment to deliver the end-product in an 18-month timescale.”
