Hat-trick of deals announced for Capital Square building

BAM, the developer of Grade A office Capital Square in Edinburgh, has confirmed three new lettings which takes the development to almost 90% occupancy.

Anderson Strathern has taken 21,432 sq ft across the ground and first floors on a 15-year lease, in a move described as representing the largest new build Grade A office transaction in Edinburgh this year. The law firm will relocate its staff from an office on Rutland Court to Capital Square following a period of fitting out.

Audit, tax and advisory firm Mazars has leased 8,247 sq ft on the second floor on a ten-year lease, moving staff from an office in Apex 2 on Haymarket.

And following its acquisition of civil engineering firm Peter Brett Associates, Stantec is relocating staff based across two Edinburgh offices into Capital Square. The business has taken a suite on the third floor extending to 9,241 sq ft.

The development boasts a range of ESG features including an intelligent LED lighting system, electric car charging points, and solar panels. There is also a landscaped courtyard, outdoor seating, and a private garden area. The facility recently secured an International Green Apple Environmental Award 2022 for work towards biodiversity.

Earlier this year law firm Pinsent Masons achieved a Gold ‘Well’ certification for its office in Capital Square, the first in Scotland to do so. Brodies has also taken occupation of a new office in Capital Square.

Acting on behalf of the landlords BAM and Federated Hermes, real estate advisors CBRE and JLL are the letting agents at Capital Square. 

As well as developing Capital Square, BAM also designed and constructed it, and now provides facilities management services for the building. 

Mark Broderick from BAM said, “Our new occupiers are among the best businesses in their fields and understandably they all had high standards when searching for new offices in the city. Our fantastic green credentials and wellness facilities, coupled with our central location in the sought-after Exchange District, ensure we have an unrivalled offering that enables us to attract the best occupiers in the market.”

Stewart Taylor, senior director at CBRE Scotland, added, “Securing these deals provides clear evidence that occupiers want best-in-class accommodation that resonates with their staff whilst helping to achieve their environmental goals. Capital Square offers both an abundance of wellbeing amenities and sustainability features, confirmed by the fact that Pinsent Masons recently achieved a Gold ‘Well’ certification. With the shortage of accommodation of such high quality, we hope to announce a further letting in the building shortly.”

Craig Watson, director at JLL, commented, “A growing number of occupiers are signing up to Science Based Targets (SBTs) therefore sustainable office buildings which meet these commitments, like Capital Square, are letting ahead of their competition. There is no doubt in my mind that ESG is growing in importance and is now a fundamental part of occupiers’ decision making when considering an office move.”

With another suite on the ground floor under offer, only one suite on the second floor, extending to 9,241 sq ft, remains available in Capital Square.