Giraffe becomes 1 West Regent Street’s first tenant

Leading restaurant and café chain Giraffe has been confirmed as the first occupier for 1 West Regent Street, a new landmark development located in Glasgow city centre.

Giraffe, which has 51 outlets across the UK and Dubai but currently only one in Scotland (in Aberdeen), will operate from unit 2 on the ground level of 1 West Regent Street upon completion of construction. Giraffe has acquired the unit, which extends to 3,057 sq ft, on a 15 year FRI lease.

James Godfrey from Culverwell, joint retail letting agent for 1 West Regent Street, said: “With over a year to go until completion it is fantastic news that we’ve been able to secure such a great restaurant occupier for the building. It is testament to the exceptionally strong leisure market in Glasgow and the very prominent position of the unit. With double height frontages on the corner of West Regent Street and West Nile Street, directly across from Buchanan Quarter, known as Glasgow’s prime retailing destination, I am sure Giraffe will trade very well in Glasgow.”

Founded in 1998 by Juliette and Russel Joffe and Andrew Jacobs, Giraffe is a family friendly restaurant serving freshly cooked food all day. Acquired by Tesco in 2013, Giraffe continues to be operated by the original founders who all have an active role in the day to day management of the business.

Russel Joffe commented: “1 West Regent Street was a clear choice for us given its very close proximity to Buchanan Street and the transport hubs. We’re very excited that we’ve managed to secure such a fantastic and high profile corner unit and can’t wait to get started on our fit out plans.”

1 West Regent Street is being developed by Mountgrange Real Estate Opportunity Fund (“MoREOF”) and M&G Real Estate. On completion in March 2015, it will deliver approximately 143,000 sq ft of Grade A office and retail space over eleven levels. The development is located in the central core of Glasgow, near to Queen Street station and adjacent to the Buchanan Quarter retail scheme.

Culverwell represented the landlord whilst Western Ridge acted on behalf of Giraffe.

Two units, extending to 4,069 sq ft and 1,518 sq ft, remain available at 1 West Regent Street. Leasing enquiries should be directed towards joint agents Culverwell and CBRE.