It must be a bit frightening for property developers these days that the pace of change in office design and the high expectation of occupiers means a building which was a top facility just 15 years ago is now judged in need of a serious re-vamp.
A city centre landmark like 9 George Square, Glasgow still looks great on the outside – not surprising given its Chicago style façade was retained when it was last redeveloped for Co-operative Insurance Society in 1998.
The B-listed design is by James Miller, whose other buildings include the Bank of Scotland headquarters at 110 St Vincent Street, Wemyss Bay railway station, Glasgow Royal Infirmary and pre-Trump Turnberry Hotel.
But this week it emerged that workmen have started a multi-million pound refurbishment of what up until now has been called Lomond House, which has provided a base for for leading companies like Deloitte, Colliers International, Prudential, and Anderson Strathern.
Owners EPIC UK have appointed Bellshill-based contractors GHI to work on providing 46,464 sq ft of Grade A office space, in suites from 3742 to 7169 sq ft, on four floors, with a further phase completed by next spring.
There is to be a new look reception foyer with new lifts, leading to contemporary lobby areas and completely refurbished open plan business space, with the latest energy efficient lighting and new toilet and shower facilities demanded by tenants. Ryden and Cushman & Wakefield will jointly market what will be prime quality space in the renovated building.
C & W partner Andy Cunningham said: “EPIC’s decision to invest in such a refurbishment is a real vote of confidence for the Glasgow office market.
“The specification is of very high quality and the timing could not be better as the city centre is about to witness a flurry of activity.”
Ewan Cameron of Ryden said people would be hard pressed to find a better location, fronting George Square and opposite Queen Street station, and he was sure the surrounding upmarket shopping and restaurants would appeal to professional firms and corporate occupiers.
The move comes as a new report from GVA James Barr this week shows the best half year performance since the downturn from the UK’s ‘big nine’ regional office markets, which include Edinburgh and Glasgow.
GVA office expert Alastair Cumming said: “As economic conditions improve, demand is steadily picking up across all sectors, showing a depth to the recovery not visible until now.”
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