ENVIRONMENTAL Social Governance (ESG) technology specialist Utopi has been confirmed as the first tenant at the newly completed EastWorks in Dalmarnock.
The company is relocating to the former Victorian era gas purifier shed, which was regenerated by Clyde Gateway as part of its strategy to bring more business investment into the east end of Glasgow.
Utopi is the ESG tech platform for the multi-tenant real estate sector, focused on transforming the landscape of ESG data acquisition and helping build sustainable communities. The firm’s customers include Moda, Harrison Street Real Estate and Cortland.
The business has some 43 employees but plans to expand the team to 60 by the end of the year, enabling expansion into new markets in the US following a multi-million pound investment from the Scottish National Investment Bank earlier this year.
The building, which sits in Scotland’s first Green Regeneration Innovation District, was partly chosen due to its environmental credentials.
EastWorks is the first commercial building connected to Clyde Gateway’s District Heating Network. This provides heat to the building, which has been accredited with an EPC ‘A’ rating.
The £9 million retrofit of the gas purifier shed was part funded by the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and Glasgow City Council, and has transformed a former gas purifier shed, dating back to 1843, into flexible offices and studios.
Martin McKay, chief executive of Clyde Gateway, who built and operates EastWorks, said, “Our key objectives are to make the Clyde Gateway area the best place to live, work and invest, whilst also preparing our communities for the green industries of the future. EastWorks represents our success perfectly, and it is a huge vote of confidence in our communities to have a high growth, industry leading, international tech business like Utopi recognising that Dalmarnock is the best place in which to grow.
“This new striking building will be able to support up to 300 jobs at capacity and we are working hard to ensure it lives up to its potential of being one of the most desirable locations for organisations to be based in the city.”
Jonathan Burridge, CEO of Utopi, added, “We’re excited about this next chapter for Utopi as we look to grow our team and reach global audiences with our powerful solutions and services. Moving into EastWorks is symbolic of our growth plans and also sits perfectly with our company ethos which has such a strong focus on the environment. We are proud that Utopi offers a completely unmatched solution in our market and that we are growing this offering from our new home here in Dalmarnock.”
