THE team behind Glasgow’s recently refurbished Aurora office development at 120 Bothwell Street is celebrating a double triumph at the British Council for Offices (BCO) annual awards for Scotland.
Aurora is owned by Forma Real Estate Fund and was refurbished in partnership with HFD Property. The building scooped the top prize in both the refurbished/recycled workplace category and ESG award.
BCO’s awards programme recognises projects that demonstrate best practice in office design, fit-out, operation and sustainability. Judges commended the development, stating: “Lighting the way in responsible office design, Aurora embraced a visionary aspiration from start to finish, every space is enhanced with best-in-class facilities. From the unforgettable entrance right up to the striking roof terrace with living wall, the team have reimagined every space to offer exemplary communal amenities for everyone to enjoy.”
The building has achieved net zero carbon, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ‘A+’ rating, and BREEAM ‘Excellent’. It is 100% powered by renewable sources and the retention of Aurora’s original façade and structure is said to have helped deliver a 77% reduction in carbon emissions, compared to an equivalent new-build property.
Aurora provides 175,000 sq. ft. of office accommodation in Glasgow’s central business and international financial services districts. Occupiers include SSE, PwC, Pinsent Masons and Grant Thornton UK.
Stephen Lewis, MD of HFD Property, said, “Sustainability has been at the core of the plans for Aurora’s refurbishment since the beginning, so it is great to be at this point, nine months after practical completion, where the project has been recognised by the BCO for that very reason. The high standard of corporate names in the building reflects the fact that we have delivered quality space with the environmental credentials to match, including a first in Scotland with the delivery of a Hybrid VRF heating and cooling system.”
Chris Taylor, UK CEO at Forma, added, “It is heartening to see the BCO judges commend the delivery of Aurora as ‘best in class’ which responds to the continued occupier demand for refurbished office accommodation with excellent ESG credentials. Occupier feedback has been excellent throughout the project, best demonstrated with 96% occupation just after completion last year. Receiving both of these BCO Awards is a reward for the whole teams vision and delivery of Aurora.”
