APTIA TAKES SPACE AT VERDANT, WEST EDINBURGH

A global pensions company is taking space at CEG’s Verdant office development at South Gyle Business Park in west Edinburgh.

Aptia is taking a turnkey office solution for 8,470 sq ft of CEG’s Let Ready Custom Design + Fit Out space.

Launched on 1^st January 2024, Aptia is the largest private sector pension administrator in the UK with a significant presence in Scotland.

Mike Methley, Group President and Chief Administration Officer of Aptia, said: “We wanted an office location in Edinburgh that matched our professionalism and ambition whilst also providing a great place to work for our colleagues. The Verdant is an excellent solution that gives us exactly what we are looking for. We are very excited about moving in and creating a high-energy, high-performance working environment.”

The Verdant development has proved popular since its £4.5million makeover, which saw the addition of a new café, changing facilities, EV charging and a cycle hub with secure parking and repair facility. In addition to traditional office space, CEG has also delivered a variety of Let Ready studios. These offer a range of interior design options, providing fully furnished workspace for teams of 18 to 51 people with contemporary kitchens and dedicated meeting rooms so tenants can move in, plug in and start work immediately.

Beverley Mortimer, Associate Director of CBRE, who represented Aptia in the letting, said: “While the prime location of the Verdant development in South Gyle and its proximity to other blue chip financial organisations was a big attraction for Aptia, the team was really impressed by the quality of facilities on offer which will help them to attract the best talent to work there. 

 “The flexible approach of the landlords, their commitment to delivering bespoke offices to meet Aptia’s time scales, and the ESG credentials of the building were also key for them.”

Grace Lewis, investment manager at CEG, explains: “We are delighted to welcome Aptia to Verdant. Our customised design and fit out service means that we can deliver bespoke workspace for its team. 

“As we know our space better than anyone, our team will work closely with Aptia to understand its business goals and deliver space that boosts productivity, health and sustainability, which as well as removing any risk and time issues from the tenant means they can focus on their business.

“With a UK-wide network of tried and tested contractors and suppliers we can also negotiate the best possible price and, better yet, there is no upfront cost as we amortise the capital as part of the package.

“Our Let Ready Custom Design + Fit Out offer has proved incredibly popular across our portfolio, creating bespoke workspace for thousands of people.”

Fully powered by renewable energy, Verdant’s redevelopment saw environmental improvements such as new glazing, energy efficient heating, lighting and ventilation. CEG has also appointed an on-site Life team who help staff and local businesses connect. The team and its Life app are dedicated to making occupier’s lives easier, happier, healthier and more productive through promotions, wellness activities, support and events.

Eyco and Savills are the agents for Verdant. Neil McConnachie, Partner at EYCO who acted for CEG, said “It’s great that we have secured Aptia as our latest tenant at Verdant.  They will be a fantastic addition to our existing tenant line up at the building which includes Menzies Distribution, Bupa, Quotient & Fujitsu and we now only have a few suites remaining extending from 1,200 sq. ft – 6,500 sq. ft.” 

Verdant occupies a prime location on Edinburgh’s bypass with good links to motorway networks. Close to Edinburgh airport and just six miles from the city centre, it has an established transport interchange where trains, buses, trams are within walking distance for staff and visitors.

One of the most successful business locations in Scotland, the Park is already home to Fujitsu, BT, Sainsburys, HSBC and RBS. Facilities include Gyle Shopping Centre boasting retailers such as Marks and Spencer, cafés, restaurants, a children’s nursery, gym and hotel.

CEG also manages the adjacent three office development, The Stones. The company specialises in long-term investment, seeking properties it can improve, creating collaborative business communities designed to help occupiers thrive and go. Offering concierge services and a unique Core and Flex lease model designed to allow a business to expand and contract within the space. This helps to manage company growth and additional projects, as well as seasonal demand and the effects that social distancing will have on their office requirements.