A multi-million pound plan has been unveiled that has been tipped to help Aberdeen become a ‘sustainability powerhouse’.
LaSalle Investment Management has outlined its vision for the reinvention of the Aberdeen HQ of BP when the oil giant moves out next year. The firm has plans to position the Wellheads Avenue campus as the ‘beacon’ of the city’s green credentials.
BP recently announced it will leave the 210,000 sq ft campus in Dyce in December 2022. This will allow LaSalle to begin overhauling the building, and they’re already in talks with a number of potential occupiers.
LaSalle has enlisted Edinburgh-based architects CDA, in addition to sustainability consultants, to design the overhaul of the campus. Having already achieved BREAAM ‘Very Good’ status and boasting features such as a rainwater harvesting system used to flush the toilets, the firm explained that sustainability is an ‘existing core value’ of the campus. LaSalle will now explore options to go further and aspire to net zero carbon through the refurbishment.
Shaun Reed, fund manager at LaSalle, said, “The iconic Wellheads Avenue campus has played an important role in Aberdeen’s recent past, and we are preparing for it to play a key role in the city’s future as the focus on sustainability and the transition to renewable energy move to the top of the agenda. The 210,000 sq ft office will be ideally placed to form a hub or headquarters for organisations with sustainability central to their values. We hope the asset will be a guiding light for businesses in Aberdeen and beyond committed to playing a part in reducing their carbon footprint.
“Aberdeen has been Europe’s energy capital for the past 40 years, and with Scotland’s almost limitless renewables capability, we see that status continuing for decades to come with Wellheads Avenue well placed to contribute to the city’s ambitions.”
Russell Borthwick, CEO of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, added, “I was delighted to hear about the proposals for this important building, which when it was built set new benchmarks for the quality of its design, specification and sustainability credentials. With its proximity to Aberdeen International Airport, the AWPR and served by its own railway station, Dyce remains a strong business location. In future occupiers will expect their office space to serve their needs in different ways so with the campus-style nature of this redevelopment providing flexible collaboration spaces, it is likely to be in great demand.
“In many ways this is a metaphor for Europe’s oil and gas capital moving towards being a global leader in developing the energy transition technologies that will enable the achievement of net zero targets. We look forward to seeing these plans move forward.”
