TWO PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS FOR AKER SOLUTIONS' HQ AT ABERDEEN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK

Abstract Securities and joint venture partner Aker ASA, have announced that Aker Solutions’ new office HQ – at Aberdeen International Business Park - has won two prestigious awards presented by the British Council for Offices and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

The British Council for Offices (BCO) presented Aker Solutions' HQ with a highly-prized Corporate Workplace Award at its Scottish Awards ceremony on 16 April.  The development will now progress to the UK National Awards in October 2016.  

The BCO Corporate Workspace Award recognises exemplary standards in buildings commissioned by owner-occupiers, or where the building has been customised by a developer for the occupier. The winner was judged on the combined merits of its base build and fit-out. 

The building also won the Commercial Development of the Year Award at the RICS Scottish Awards. Again, the project will progress to the RICS Awards Grand Final in October 2016.

The commercial category of the RICS Awards honours an excellent commercial property development whether retail, office, leisure, industrial or mixed use.  

Abstract and Aker delivered three interlinked office buildings that extend to 335,000 sq.ft. of net internal area, comprising the first phase of Aberdeen International Business Park. The buildings are designed to accommodate up to 2,400 employees and include a gym, sports hall, squash courts, internet delivery room and a nursery.

Completed and handed over on time and on budget in February 2015, the project achieved BREEAM 'Excellent' and EPC 'A' ratings and was completed in just 77 weeks including a complex 'Category B' fit-out. The space was let to Aker Solutions in what is believed to be Scotland's biggest ever single office letting transaction.

The 40 acre office park is located immediately opposite the entrance to Aberdeen International Airport on Dyce Drive, approximately six miles to the North West of Aberdeen City Centre. 

Mark Glatman, Chief Executive of Abstract Securities, said: “'Abstract is delighted that Aker Solutions' new headquarters at Aberdeen International Business Park has been honoured by not one, but two major and highly prestigious awards presented by the BCO and RICS.  

“We and our architect Keppie Design worked very closely with Aker Solutions throughout the entire design process to create a superb working environment, with first class amenities, that satisfies the needs of the business while creating an ideal workplace/lifestyle balance for the staff. We are very pleased at the accolades given to the project by the BCO and RICS, which showcase our philosophy of delivering high quality, cost effective and sustainable developments.”

Main contractors on the project were Bowmer & Kirkland and the architect was Keppie Design. Other consultants included Turner & Townsend (project managers), DSSR (M&E engineers), Mott MacDonald (engineering consultants) and Turkington Martin (landscape architects).

For information on Aberdeen International Business Park, please visit www.aibp.co.uk

Further media information: Lisa@skylarkpublicrelations.com / 07825 225414 pauline@skylarkpublicrelations.com / 07833 490964

MAJOR NEW OFFICE DEVELOPMENT TO SPEED UP BASING VIEW REGENERATION

An experienced commercial developer is working with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to build new top class office space to meet the demand from employers looking to locate on Basing View.

The Borough Council’s Cabinet agreed at a meeting last night (Tuesday 15 March) to sell a 999 year peppercorn lease on a site the Council owns in Basingstoke’s Town Centre Business Zone to property developer Abstract Securities Limited.

The developer will build a new BREEAM excellent five storey 60,000 square foot office on the site, offering a high quality opportunity for a major new employer to move into or for smaller businesses wanting to grow in Basingstoke.

Abstract has a track record in delivering commercial office development and has recently successfully completed similar projects in a number of other locations in the UK.

The site has been cleared for development by the Council, which has also made a bid for support to the Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership for further work to enable construction to start as quickly as possible, subject to planning permission.

The offices would be built in the recently designated Enterprise Zone, making it even more attractive to new occupiers who would qualify for business rate reduction incentives.

The new scheme complements the work of the Council’s Basing View development partner Muse, which brought the new combined Waitrose and John Lewis store to the area. This partnership has focused on marketing the Business Zone to companies who want to design their own bespoke buildings for the developer to construct.

However, companies are increasingly wanting new developed office space rather than committing in advance to their own building that may take time to design and construct. There is a demand along the M3 for top quality office space which is available immediately that Basing View needs to meet.

Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources Cllr John Izett said: “Major regeneration of our principal business district, Basing View, is essential to ensure that Basingstoke companies can continue to grow and we can attract new employers, providing high quality job opportunities for our residents.

“By using our own land and working with an experienced speculative office developer with an outstanding track record, we have a unique opportunity to make new grade ‘A’ offices on Basing View viable.  It would be a catalyst to encourage other investors to develop there. This would help accelerate the pace of the regeneration of Basing View, as well as bringing 600 new jobs and boosting the local construction workforce.”

Mark Glatman, Chief Executive of Abstract said: “We are really excited by the prospect of building our next speculative office scheme in the South East in Basingstoke. We see huge unsatisfied potential in the local market and recognise many similar characteristics to those which underpinned our successes in Croydon and Gatwick. We hope to achieve an early start on site with a view to delivering a new building ready for occupation in late 2017.” 

Abstract contact – Mark Glatman 020 7747 8272

ABSTRACT REGISTERS NEW GLASGOW LETTING

Abstract has completed another letting at its St Vincent Plaza development in Glasgow to a public sector body. The building will be occupied as the new Glasgow base for Registers of Scotland (RoS), a non-ministerial government department, and follows hot on the heels of recent lettings to Whyte and Mackay and KPMG.

RoS will relocate from Hanover House in Douglas Street and will take the entire third floor of the development comprising 17,294 sq. ft. on a new 15 year lease from January 2016.

It is envisaged that fit out work will begin in the coming months, with RoS moving in the second half of 2016. 

St Vincent Plaza is a speculative ‘Grade A’ office development of 172,280 sq. ft. arranged on lower ground, and 10 upper floors, that was completed late in 2015. The building occupies a prominent position in Glasgow City Centre and has been designed to support highly efficient occupancy levels from day one.

Witha BREEAM ‘Excellent’ environmental accreditation and an EPC B rating, the development provides the most cost effective new build city centre office accommodation anywhere in the UK.

Mark Glatman, Chief Executive of Abstract, commented: “We are delighted to add Registers of Scotland to our list of fantastic occupiers at St Vincent Plaza. There are some big uncertainties in the world at the current time but the Abstract approach to development, offering a great quality ‘Grade A’ office at a really competitive pricing point, continues to appeal to occupiers who want uncompromising value from their operational property and who see that Abstract buildings create an asset to their businesses rather than just an overhead.”

Sheenagh Adams, Keeper of the Registers of Scotland, said: “This is a fantastic office space that will bring us significant improvements – the space is more flexible, and will reduce our carbon footprint by more than 50 per cent. This new space will support our digital transformation, helping us to deliver the products and services that Scotland needs from RoS.”

Christopher McPherson, Development Director of Abstract Securities said, “The letting to Registers is a further positive endorsement of this development. We have let almost 75,000 sq ft in the last few weeks and interest levels remain strong. We are now the only building in the City which can offer close to 100,000 sq ft of new ‘Grade A’ space in a variety of sizes.

“Prospective tenants will not have the opportunity to take new space offering this combination of quality and value again – our pricing point is less than much of the second hand stock in the City.

“There is a lot of talk about new schemes in Glasgow but no-one is actually building. Our message to occupiers is don’t delay coming to talk with us if you have office requirements in the next two years or you will probably miss the boat.’’ 

Joint agents for St Vincent Plaza are CBRE and Ryden. Cushman & Wakefield represented Registers of Scotland. For more information visit www.stvincentplaza.com
Image shows: St Vincent Plaza, Glasgow.

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For media information, please contact Pauline Gregory on 07833 490964 / pauline@skylarkpublicrelations.com or Lisa Mennie 07825 225 414 / lisa@skylarkpublicrelations.com

KPMG COMMITS TO ABSTRACT IN GLASGOW

Professional services firm KPMG has concluded an agreement to lease the top three floors at Abstract’s St Vincent Plaza development in Glasgow.

The global business has committed to relocate from 191 and 163 West George Street in 2016 and will take the entire 8th, 9th and 10th floors of the development comprising 39,705 sq. ft. on a new 15 year lease without break (with an option to extend) from January 2016.

It is envisaged that their fit out work will begin early in 2016 in advance of occupation in the Autumn.

Around 350 of KPMG’s Glasgow-based staff will move to St Vincent Plaza. The firm also employs more than 175 people at its UK Tax Centre of Excellence at 123 St Vincent Street in the city.

St Vincent Plaza is a speculative ‘Grade A’ office development of 172,280 sq. ft. arranged on lower ground, ground and 10 upper floors, which was completed in September. The building occupies a prominent position in Glasgow City Centre and has been designed to support highly efficient day one occupancy levels from 1 person per 6 sq. m.

With a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ environmental accreditation and an EPC B rating, the development provides the most cost effective new build city centre office accommodation anywhere in the UK.

Mark Glatman, Chief Executive of Abstract, commented: “We are delighted to welcome KPMG to St Vincent Plaza. This is a huge endorsement of the Abstract approach to development and to our commitment to this location in the City and the outstanding value and quality offered by this building.

“KPMG joins a great list of occupiers we have secured in our developments across the UK over the last three years including Virgin Atlantic, The Pension Protection Fund, Talk Talk, Aker Solutions, Whyte and Mackay and several others who see the benefits of the buildings we create as an asset to their businesses rather than simply as an overhead.”

Craig Anderson, Senior Partner for KPMG in Scotland said ”This investment in larger, state- of-the-art offices, in a stunning location, signals our confidence in the plans for further growth of our business in Scotland. We continue to expand the range of offerings we have alongside our core areas of expertise.”

Christopher McPherson, Development Director of Abstract said, “We have had significant occupier interest in this development since completion and it is fantastic that KPMG have seen the merits of our building over the other options available to them after an extensive due diligence process. It is particularly good to be able to confirm this letting so soon after Whyte and Mackay committed to the 4th floor and I believe we will fill the remaining space soon.

“Occupiers in Glasgow are waking up to the fact that there are no new schemes which can be delivered in the City until at least 2018/2019 and that assumes a start on site today. Existing Grade A offices are disappearing fast.

“The quality of our scheme coupled with a pricing point which is below some second hand space in the City, is resulting in strong interest - we could let the remainder of the building twice over based on current enquiries. Prospective tenants will not have the opportunity to take new space offering this combination of quality and value again.”

Joint agents for St Vincent Plaza are CBRE and Ryden. Knight Frank represented KPMG.

For more information visit www.stvincentplaza.com Image shows: St Vincent Plaza
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For media information, please contact Pauline Gregory on 07833 490964 / pauline@skylarkpublicrelations.com or Lisa Mennie 07825 225 414 / lisa@skylarkpublicrelations.com

For KPMG, please contact:
Phil Addicott, The BIG Partnership, 07824 666956 phil.addicott@bigpartnership.co.uk

About KPMG

KPMG LLP, a UK limited liability partnership, operates from 22 offices across the UK with approximately 12,000 partners and staff. The UK firm recorded a turnover of £1.9 billion in the year ended September 2014. KPMG is a global network of professional firms providing Audit, Tax, and Advisory services. It operates in 155 countries and has 162,000 professionals working in member firms around the world. The independent member firms of the KPMG network are affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International"), a Swiss entity. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. 

ABSTRACT TOASTS WHYTE AND MACKAY

Whyte and Mackay have concluded an agreement to become the first occupier to lease space at Abstract’s St Vincent Plaza development in Glasgow.

The Company has committed to relocate from Dalmore House in early 2016 and will take the entire 4th floor of the development comprising 17,726 sq ft. Fit out work will begin shortly.

St Vincent Plaza is a brand new speculative ‘Grade A’ office development of 172,280 sq ft arranged on lower ground, ground and 10 upper floors. The building occupies a prominent position in Glasgow City Centre and has been designed to support highly efficient day one occupancy levels from 1 person per 6 sq m.

With a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ environmental accreditation and an ‘EPC B’ rating, the development provides the most cost effective new build City Centre office accommodation anywhere in the UK.

Mark Glatman, Chief Executive of Abstract, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Whyte and Mackay as our first tenant at St Vincent Plaza. The building is of the highest quality and the views, even from the lower floors, are stunning. We strongly believe that our developments need to be an asset to our occupiers, not just an operational overhead, and we are confident that we have created the perfect example here – brilliant flexible space, great environmental credentials, and a really competitive pricing point”. 

Bryan Donaghey, Chief Executive of Whyte and Mackay, said: “We will be relocating in Spring 2016, leaving our existing building across the road which we have occupied for over 25years. Our relocation was necessitated by the need to upgrade the quality of our working environment for both our staff and our customers. St Vincent Plaza’s close proximity to our existing offices, combined with its large open floor plans, views around the city, and excellent environmental ratings made the decision for us. We are very excited about the move and will be undertaking a state of the art fit out to meet the needs of our global business.“

Christopher McPherson, Development Director of Abstract said: “Occupier interest in Glasgow has been very strong through 2015 and the number of current enquiries for the City far outweigh the availability of ‘Grade A’ offices – space is letting up fast and there have been no new build starts so the next new building is probably around 3 years away.

“Interest levels in St Vincent Plaza since we completed the development have been extremely encouraging and the comments that we have received following viewings of the property are overwhelmingly positive in terms of the quality of the building itself and the accessibility of the immediate location.

“Scottish Power are due to complete their HQ opposite us in 2016 and with Santander adjacent, and a number of other significant occupiers in close proximity this is the fastest developing office location in the City. We fully expect further letting announcements to follow very soon”.

Joint agents for St Vincent Plaza are CBRE and Ryden. GVA James Barr represented Whyte and Mackay.
For more information visit www.stvincentplaza.com

Image shows: St Vincent Plaza, Glasgow a 172,280 sq ft speculative ‘Grade A’ office space completed in late 2015. It remains the most competitive new City Centre office development within the UK, with rents from just £23 per square foot

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For media information, please contact Pauline Gregory on 07833 490964 / pauline@skylarkpublicrelations.com or Lisa Mennie 07825 225 414 / lisa@skylarkpublicrelations.com

Whyte & Mackay

Whyte & Mackay was founded on the docks of Glasgow in 1844 by James Whyte and Charles Mackay, who had a mission to create a truly Scottish blended whisky. This partnership laid the foundations for the company’s continued growth over the next century, with the company now producing and distributing some of the most highly-awarded and respected whisky and spirit brands.

The multi-award winning portfolio includes its flagship Whyte & Mackay Blended Whisky, The Dalmore Highland Single Malt, Jura Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Fettercairn, Glayva Liqueur, and Mackinlay’s. The company also distributes Flor de Caña and RumChata in the UK.

Whyte & Mackay Ltd operates in the heart of Glasgow where they have been for over 170 years. The company employs over 470 people across the world, and owns 5 distilleries and a state of the art bottling plant.