THE Law Society of Scotland has sold its home of 47 years to an unnamed property developer.
The industry body has confirmed it will leave Drumsheugh Gardens in Edinburgh towards the end of this year and move to the Atria One building on Morrison Street.
The Law Society, which employs more than 120 staff, has signed a 15-year lease for 19,000 square feet of space on the second floor of the development.
Lorna Jack, chief executive of the Law Society of Scotland, said: "Our office move will help us to be relevant and effective in supporting our members, stakeholders and the public in the years ahead.
"After 47 years, the Law Society offices at Drumsheugh Gardens are increasingly unfit for purpose and expensive to maintain. That is why we have been reviewing our long term office location over the last year. Following that review, it is clear that moving to a new office represents the best decision.
"The legal market is changing and changing fast. Just as Scottish solicitors are changing the way they work, so too must their professional body. The new offices in Atria will provide better facilities for members who rely on our services and the hundreds of people who volunteer their time in delivering our regulatory and representative work."
Existing tenants at Atria include PwC, Brewin Dolphin, the Green Investment Bank and Aon.
The Law Society's base at Drumsheugh Gardens is a terrace of 19th century townhouses.
It was at one point an officers' club for American forces in the First World War.
The B-listed building is around 18,869 square feet and was reported to be likely to fetch in the region of £5.5 million.
The organisation had considered selling the property in 2008 but decided to stay put as a result of the downturn in the property market.
Atria was developed by City of Edinburgh Council.
Councillor Frank Ross, convener of the Council's economy committee, said: "We are extremely excited to welcome the Law Society to Atria Edinburgh. It is a prestigious organisation and I'm confident Atria will provide a fitting home whilst allowing it to operate more efficiently and significantly reduce property overheads.
"Both Atria One and Atria Two are getting close to full occupation. This is further endorsement of the Council's decision to build such a fantastic development in order to create much needed Grade A office space in the city."
Davidson Chalmers acted for the Law Society with Jones Lang LaSalle providing property advice. Montagu Evans represented City of Edinburgh Council.
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