TRANSPORT Scotland is poised to relocate its headquarters to HFD Group’s 177 Bothwell Street in Glasgow.
The move has been tipped to support the transport agency’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives.
Transport Scotland has secured 50,000 sq. ft. across two floors at the development, reducing its office footprint from the 60,000 sq. ft. it currently occupies at Buchanan House. The organisation’s lease at Buchanan House ends in November 2024.
177 Bothwell Street has its energy supplied by Blantyre Muir Wind Farm in South Lanarkshire, ensuring it is 100% renewable from an identified local source. The building is targeting an EPC rating of ‘A’ and BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standard.
A range of safety enhancements were made to the design following the initial outbreak of Covid-19, through touchless and smart building technologies. The building also features cycle spaces and electric vehicle charging points.
177 Bothwell Street is the first Scottish property to commit to attaining the new SmartScore accreditation for smart buildings and has already achieved a ‘Platinum’ WiredScore certification, which recognises that future occupiers will have the best connectivity available.
Transport Scotland joins AECOM, CBRE, BNP Paribas, and Virgin Money among the development’s occupiers.
Hugh Gillies, interim chief executive, Transport Scotland, said, “It is important for Transport Scotland to follow the vision set out in the National Transport Strategy and 177 Bothwell Street has the environmental credentials needed to help us deliver our climate change ambitions and will further our work on reaching net zero. Alongside this, we have also carefully considered value for money and the changing workstyles, supporting both office and home working, in our decision-making process.
“As a result, we have reduced our current space requirement needs and we will share this space with other public sector organisations. We look forward to moving to 177 Bothwell in the coming years, when our current lease comes to an end.”
Stephen Lewis, MD of HFD Property Group, added, “Transport will be a critical part of how we decarbonise Scotland’s economy – it seems fitting that we can announce Transport Scotland’s move to Glasgow’s most sustainable office building following COP26. 177 Bothwell Street is about delivering everything that modern occupiers need: sustainability, flexibility to expand through our serviced offices, smart building technology, accessibility by a range of transport methods, and digital connectivity. All of that is being delivered with value for money through the building’s efficiency in terms of space, energy, and running costs.”
Avison Young advised Transport Scotland on the deal, while HFD was represented by 177 Bothwell Street’s joint agents Knight Frank and CBRE.
