NFU Mutual signs up first tenant at newly refurbished Glasgow office development

Edrington-Beam Suntory UK Distribution Limited, formerly known as Maxxium UK, has taken the entire fourth floor, extending to 15,031 sq ft, on a 15 year lease. The firm will relocate from its current premises in Castle Business Park, Stirling in the autumn following a period of fitting-out.

The letting follows completion of a major refurbishment programme at the building which is one of the most prominent buildings within the Central Business District of Glasgow, occupying a highly visible position on the corner of West George Street and Wellington Street.

Its location in the heart of the city centre also allows occupiers easy access to a host of public transport options, the main retail thoroughfares and endless amenities.

The £5.5 million project created 87,000 sq ft of Grade A office space over six levels with virtually column-free floorplates that range from 10,432 – 15,011 sq ft.

Helping to address Glasgow’s current shortage of Grade A space, 191 West George Street is the only significant self-contained prime office development in the city to complete within the last twelve months.

The building now boasts a new double height, spacious entrance foyer with a newly re-positioned screen and circular revolving automatic door, as well as a feature concrete wall panel, showcase lighting and glass wing speed lanes.

Works also included remodelling and refurbishing the common parts and office suites, with the atrium from floors 1 – 4 now infilled. Soft spots between floors have also been created to allow tenants who are located on two or more floors the option of creating a private internal staircase spanning between separate floors.

Tom Foley, NFU Mutual asset manager, said: “Launching a building of this quality and scale in Glasgow city centre is a real achievement and we’re proud to have delivered a high quality result. We have created large, efficient floorplates that have helped us to attract a high calibre tenant in Edrington-Beam Suntory UK, which is a real testament to the hard work put in by the entire project team.

“We had a vision of developing Grade A office space that could be tailored to suit a variety of business needs, and we have made a significant investment to ensure that we have accomplished this and put 191 West George Street on the map as a leader in prime office space in Glasgow.”

Edrington-Beam Suntory UK is one of the leading suppliers of spirits in the UK and the leading supplier of whiskies, with an unrivalled portfolio of Scotch, Bourbon, Japanese, Canadian and Irish brands. The business, which was formed 18 years ago, manages the sales, marketing and distribution in the UK for many of the world’s most iconic brands, including Jim Beam, The Macallan, Maker’s Mark, Highland Park, Laphroaig, The Famous Grouse and Courvoisier.

Neville Ross, finance director from Edrington-Beam Suntory UK, said: “This move to Glasgow city centre is in line with our strategy of investing in our people, key cities and our premium brands. This central location will base us in the heart of one of the UK’s largest and most vibrant and dynamic cities, placing us closer to our shareholders, Edrington and Beam Suntory, and to many great customers and over one million consumers. 191 West George Street is a fantastic building which will provide us with an ideal, modern work environment, fit for our present and future demands.”

Alistair Reid, director at 191 West George Street’s sole letting agent JLL, added: “We have been very encouraged by the initial level of interest in the building which is evident with this letting to Edrington-Beam Suntory UK. We are also in discussions with more occupiers and hope to make further announcements in the near future.

“With no new building developments completing in Glasgow until at least 2020, 191 West George Street is very well placed to capitalise on current demand.”

NFU Mutual was represented by JLL in the transaction whilst Mark Allan Property Consultants Limited acted for Edrington-Beam Suntory UK Distribution Limited.

The refurbishment project team included building contractor Morris & Spottiswood, architect Michael Laird Associates, engineer DSSR and project manager PSK.