Plans were launched for one of Edinburgh’s biggest workspace developments featuring Europe’s largest electric car charging hub, as per Scottish Business News.
The proposals for Edinburgh Green will create more than 800,000 square feet of high-quality office space with various facilities, including a café/events space and a new public park.
Electric vehicle charging points
Key to sustainable development will be almost 800 electric vehicle charging points, which will be accessible for community use.
An initial 170 EV points will be placed, with an additional 595 enabled for future use set within the existing site of Drummond House and the Younger Building in Edinburgh Park.
Those behind the development of more than 7,000 employees promised the plans will be a ‘game changer’ and will set new standards and redefine what a modern, sustainable office accommodation could be within the Capital.
In addition, the campus-style environment will have a multi-purpose pavilion surrounded by rich landscaped grounds and a park with water features.
The EV points available to the public in the evenings and weekends will be part of a broader transport mobility hub, which includes cycle parking, car club access, and public transport links.
Notably, the Energy Superhub Oxford is the largest in Europe, with around 450 points.
Edinburgh Green
Edinburgh Green is brought forward by Shelborn Asset Management, who bought the site and existing buildings from the NatWest Group last year.
With the ambition to create a new type of workplace, they challenged the project team to develop one that sets a genuine focus on sustainability and wellbeing, responding to the significant shift in occupier priorities and closely aligning with Edinburgh’s track to net zero.
The plans have been passed to Edinburgh City Council, and if granted permission, works are expected to start on-site in 2023 and open in 2026.
“This is one of the most ambitious office developments to be launched in Edinburgh for decades and our plans for Europe’s largest electric vehicle charging hub is key to meeting our ambitious 2030 net zero target.” said Shelborn Director Brian Rabinowitz.
“Sustainability will be at the heart of this development, which promises to be a game-changer by transforming the common perception of what an office workspace should look like. It will boast modern office accommodation surrounded by spacious landscaped parkland and a range of on-site facilities such as a multi-use pavilion, café/events space, and comprehensive transport links.”
“As Edinburgh’s market continues to grow post-pandemic, public and private sector occupiers are demanding a better-quality workspace which give their employees better places to work.”
“Edinburgh Green is seeking to respond directly to this, creating a new kind of workspace that optimises a well-connected brownfield site, complete with all the amenities and functionality demanded by both employer and employee alike.”
A report by Ryden and CBRE into the Edinburgh office market noted that there is a serious shortage of Grade A offices within the Capital with the sustainable credentials that fulfil occupier needs. This shortage is highlighted with no new developments currently under construction and no new stock expected to be available before 2024.
Furthermore, Edinburgh Green represents a significant investment in West Edinburgh, with substantial and widespread benefits for the city’s economy.
Annual economic impact
According to BiGGAR Economics, the development would back a yearly economic impact of £370 million ($438 million) GVA and 5,300 jobs in Edinburgh and £427 million ($506 million) and 6,480 jobs across Scotland.
