One of Scotland’s biggest law firms is poised to become the second tenant in The Capitol office development in Union Street, Aberdeen.
Maclay Murray and Spens (MMS) will move its Granite City team into 5,049sq ft of the building’s fourth floor during the second quarter of this year, the Press and Journal can exclusively reveal.
MMS, which currently operates from 66 Queen’s Road in Aberdeen, as well as from offices in Edinburgh Glasgow and London, has signed a 15-year lease.
About 30 people at the law firm will join PwC in The Capitol, with global professional services giant PwC having completed the relocation of its 120-strong Aberdeen team into the complex late last year.
When fully occupied, the recently redeveloped building is expected to bring more than 700 workers into the area every day – increasing footfall in the west end of Union Street and boosting local businesses.
MMS property director David Rose said: “We are excited to be relocating to this landmark property, which will enable us to continue building our business in the north-east from a Grade A open-plan base of exceptional quality, which offers an excellent environment for partners, staff and clients.
“The transfer from our current individual office set-up to open-plan also gives our staff a new sense of motivation to work from, and this new layout should increase productivity.”
PwC was unveiled as the building’s first tenant last April, on the same day as the former theatre, cinema and nightclub’s official opening after a £30million transformation.
The Capitol is a joint venture between Aberdeen-based Knight Property Group and M&G Real Estate. The joint letting agents are Savills, Ryden and AB Robb.
Savills director Dan Smith said the “great move” for MMS would further help to kick-start the rejuvenation of Union Street.
Knight director Howard Crawshaw added: “This shows and demonstrates the appetite for occupiers to commit to the property, which offers open-plan floorplates – allowing the tenants to be fully flexible when looking at how to occupy and operate from the space.
“The Capitol sets out a new standard for Aberdeen business accommodation.”
The building’s 1930s-style foyer gives access to 72,600sq ft of office accommodation over nine levels, which are all-column free to give tenants between 2,600 and 10,040sq ft of uninterrupted space.