Brodies LLP has signed up as the first occupier at BAM Properties latest office development at 110 Queen Street, Glasgow, signalling a major vote of confidence in the city.
Scotland's largest law firm, which currently has an office in
Blythswood Square, will lease 25,000 sq ft on the sixth floor and
part of the seventh floor within the nine storey building which is
being developed by BAM.
The move reaffirms the firm's commitment to Glasgow as a vibrant
business centre and is testament to BAM, whose confidence in the
market led it to invest in the city at an extremely challenging
time for the UK property market.
Brodies chose 110 Queen Street because of its strategic location
in the heart of the city - on the corner of Ingram Street, opposite
the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) - and the ease of access it offers
to staff and clients using public transport. Just a few minutes'
walk from Queen Street and Central stations, the building will also
facilitate travel between Brodies' Scottish offices, and to
international destinations from Glasgow Airport.
Work is well underway and Brodies' Glasgow team, which is
currently 190-strong, is scheduled to relocate in the second half
of 2015.
Bill Drummond, Managing Partner of Brodies, said: "Our decision
to relocate to what promises to be a fantastic city centre
development underscores our commitment to supporting our many
clients in Glasgow in the long term and to the city as a thriving
place to do business.
"We hope that our investment will contribute to Glasgow's future
economic growth and will allow us to build, with the support of our
clients, on the 150 jobs we have created since we first established
an office in the city in 2006.
"We are delighted to be working with BAM on this impressive
office development and look forward to following the progress of
this exciting project over the next couple of years."
John Burke, Executive Director, BAM Construct UK added, "We
firmly believed in this location's ability to attract high-calibre
occupiers such as Brodies. This project is about providing a
sustainable business infrastructure that gives occupiers and the
city a real competitive advantage.
"A vote of confidence by Brodies is a great boost and since they
came on board interest is gathering apace.
"With three office developments in progress in the city, we are
delighted that Brodies chose 110 Queen Street. We expect to make
further announcements soon.
"Importantly it's great news for Glasgow. With a lack of new
build throughout the UK, buildings like this bring a real edge to
the city offering accommodation to rival the best in London."
During its construction, which is being undertaken by BAM
Construction, the development will support 250 jobs and 30
apprentices.
BAM Properties has invested £40.4 million in the development
with a further £9.6 million loan secured from the Scottish
Partnership for Regeneration in Urban Centres (SPRUCE) Fund,
established by the Scottish Government and European Regional
Development Fund.