One of the world’s “Big Four” professional services firms is to move its Aberdeen business from the west end into prestigious new offices in the heart of the city.
EY’s 170-strong Granite City team, currently based in Blenheim House on Fountainhall Road, will relocate to Marischal Square next year.
The firm will occupy more than 9,500sq ft of office space on the fourth floor of the 2MSq building, which is also home to Royal Bank of Scotland.
EY said its decision to move into 2MSq underlined its “ongoing commitment” to the Granite City and was part of wider growth plans for Scotland.
The firm – formerly Ernst and Young – has had its Aberdeen base in Blenheim House since 2006, when it moved from Huntly Street under a lease deal that reportedly set a new rental record for the city.
Muse Developments, the firm behind the award-winning, £107 million Marischal Square development, said securing a client of EY’s standing was further evidence of the buildings becoming “firmly established as one of the city’s landmark office projects”.
Stephen Turner, regional director Scotland for Muse, added: “We are genuinely delighted that EY has chosen Marischal Square as the base for its future development in north-east Scotland.
“The buzz around Marischal Square is palpable and we continue to make steady progress with other potential occupiers who are showing strong interest.”
Aberdeen City Council co-leader Douglas Lumsden said: “It is fantastic news an international company such as EY is moving off-ices to the grade A space at Marischal Square. EY is a global business with long-standing presence in Aberdeen – the kind of business we wish to see locating in the city centre.
“One of the main goals of Marischal Square was to bring jobs and investment back to this part of the city centre. This move will bring increased footfall to the area through EY’s already busy client base which will benefit the other businesses in the east end of Union Street and, in turn, help the economy of the city and wider region.”