29 Jan 2025
Leading business and financial advisor Grant Thornton UK LLP has become the latest major occupier to take space at Glasgow’s recently refurbished Aurora office development at 120 Bothwell Street, after securing 8,500 sq. ft. on the east side of building’s eighth floor.
The accounting and consulting firm is moving its operation in the city from 110 Queen Street in the summer, taking Aurora to 96% occupancy five months after practical completion. The building is owned by Forma Real Estate Fund and was refurbished in partnership with HFD Property, Scotland’s leading commercial property developer.
Aurora is one of Scotland’s most sustainable offices, with the development achieving net zero carbon, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ‘A+’ rating, and BREEAM ‘Excellent’. It is 100% powered by renewable sources and the refurbishment delivers a 77% reduction in carbon emissions compared to an equivalent new-build property.
Providing 175,000 sq. ft. of Grade A office accommodation in the heart of Glasgow’s central business and international financial services districts, Auroa also offers a range of market-leading on-site amenities. These include a 4,000 sq. ft. rooftop terrace, enhanced reception with flexible meeting spaces, auditorium facilities, a podcast studio, and high-quality ‘end of journey’ facilities to encourage active commuting.
International law firm Pinsent Masons, energy group SSE, and engineering consultancy Arcadis are among the occupiers to already commit to taking space at Aurora.
Stephen Lewis, MD of HFD Property, said: “Grant Thornton is another high-quality occupier for Aurora, joining the likes of Pinsent Masons, SSE, and Arcadis in the building. It is testament to the quality of the refurbishment work, as well as the property’s sustainability credentials and range of amenities, that we have such a high standard of corporate names in the building so soon after work completed. With quality space continuing to diminish in Glasgow city centre and a good level of interest, we hope to reach 100% occupancy in the not-too-distant future.”
Ben Dickins, head of asset management at Forma, said: “Our strategy to invest in well located assets with improvements to sustainability and occupier experience continues to deliver results. We look forward to welcoming Grant Thornton to Aurora, which will be the firm’s second office within the wider Forma UK portfolio.”
Stuart Preston, Practice Leader for Scotland at Grant Thornton UK LLP, said: “We’re very excited to have agreed this exceptional space in the heart of Glasgow’s business district, which will provide a cutting-edge location for our people to serve our clients from locally. The building’s prime location, coupled with its impressive sustainability credentials and state of the art facilities and amenities make it a very attractive proposition.”
Alistair Reid from JLL commented: “Securing prime upper floor accommodation in Aurora is an excellent outcome for Grant Thornton and will serve as an exceptional platform for the future success of the business in Glasgow. The ESG credentials of the building accompanied with the substantial high-quality refurbishment and Bothwell Street position, attracted Grant Thornton towards this relocation decision.”
Forma was represented by CBRE and MC2 and Grant Thornton was represented by JLL.
