Workplace design experts Space Solutions, have this week moved into new 2,850 sq. ft. premises at Lochrin Square in central Edinburgh, in a new five year lease.
Normally used to sitting on the other side of the desk, offering strategic advice on moving or redesigning workspaces, Space Solutions took the opportunity to exercise a lease break at its previous Beaverbank premises, home to the designers for more than a decade, to move to the modern Grade A facility.
In making the move, Space Solutions has joined a number of prestigious tenants at No2 Lochrin Square such as: Biggart Baillie, Towers Watson, Lloyds Banking Group and the Co-operative Bank.
Derek Binnie, Director of Space Solutions Central Scotland operations said: "The move to the Exchange District of Edinburgh came on the back of the business continuing to expand – both in the range of products and services we offer, such as the recent addition of FF&E Consultancy and hospitality design specialists, Purpose Design, but also to accommodate our growing staff numbers in our core design and contracts divisions.
“The lease break gave us the opportunity to consider our options and reflect on the positive impact relocating could have on the business. We believe this move will help us raise the profile of Space Solutions. As we always advise our clients, we didn’t make the move lightly. We undertook a full options appraisal, assessing whether our current location could be redesigned to make it better fit our developing business needs, before concluding that the right decision was to relocate.
“Making use of the Capital Allowance scheme, a critical consideration for those looking to design or re-design workplaces, has enabled us to maximise our fit-out budget and create a working showpiece of how a modern office can look. We know first-hand that creating a space that attracts and retains the best staff in the industry will only help us continue to drive forward the business.”
The new offices will feature strong branding, signage, and a stunning multimedia LCD display wall in the reception area, supported by a café lounge area for staff and guests. The remainder of the space will be a predominately open plan working environment for the majority of staff, with a selection of formal and informal settings throughout the space, including a boardroom supported by impressive wireless audio visual technology.
Space Solutions has enjoyed an excellent start to the year, turnover across its six offices has increased by almost 62% compared to this time last year; booking over £9m of work in the first quarter alone. This has been attributed to a mix of factors including international expansion, which has seen personnel operating in Oman, Kurdistan and Paris.
In response to growing customer demand, the firm has increased its head count by 19% in the past 12 months, which included the appointment of FF&E sector specialists Kevin Galloway and Craig McLelland, and also the incorporation of Gail Thomson of Purpose Design to the group of companies.
Commenting on the strong first quarter, Derek Binnie added: "It's been a good year for Space Solutions; one that has seen us complete significant projects both at home and abroad; something that we anticipate doing more of this year.
"To have achieved such steady and continued growth is testament to the quality and diversity of the projects that we have delivered. Our Edinburgh office alone has worked with a wide range of clients across the Central Belt – from the Scottish and local Government, to blue chip and third sector clients. The move to better premises will help make us more accessible to our clients and continue to drive the business forward.”
The move comes at a time where Space Solutions’ Edinburgh office has completed a number of client projects including a consolidation project with Barnardo's for the development of their new headquarters in Edinburgh, another project for FNZ at Tanfield and the design and relocation of St Andrew’s First Aid’s new offices, also in the capital city. The Edinburgh office has also secured another international contract win with the Safir Hotel Group for their hotel in Salalah, Oman.
Space Solutions appointed Neil McConnachie from Eric Young and Co to negotiate the deal with legal representation from Neil Addis at HBJ Gateley.
