Kennedy Wilson Europe Real Estate (KWE) has announced the letting of the ground floor suite at its landmark office development Exchange Tower. Leading property consultants CBRE and Montagu Evans acted on behalf of the LSE listed property company along with solicitors CMS Cameron McKenna.
World-leading travel visa and passport company CIBTvisas has taken the remaining ground floor suite on a ten year lease. The suite had recently undergone a comprehensive refurbishment to create open plan, fully air conditioned Grade A accommodation to a specification expected by modern office occupiers.
The refurbishment of the suite was part of a much larger programme of investment recently carried out by KWE, including a transformational reconfiguration, enlargement and refurbishment of the reception, creating a much more welcoming arrival at the building. This, coupled with a full refurbishment of the common areas, has helped re-position the building’s profile with both existing and prospective tenants.
Nick Judge, director, Asset Management at KWE said: “We are pleased that CIBTvisas chose Exchange Tower to base its growing business. CIBT adds to the strong corporate line-up. This is the first new letting since the major investment in upgrading the property, and we look forward to announcing further lettings soon as the building continues to attract the interest of a wide variety of office occupiers.”
Comprising 65,000 sq ft of high quality open plan office accommodation over 13 floors, Exchange Tower occupies a prominent position in Edinburgh’s Exchange District, offering immediate access to a full range of retail and restaurant amenities. It also has excellent public transport links; the West End – Princes Street tram stop is a two-minute walk and Haymarket rail station is less than five minutes away. Benefiting from 24 hour access, seven days a week and commissionaire presence throughout the day, other occupiers include HBJ Gateley, The Royal Bank of Canada, Aberdein Considine Solicitors, Flow Hospitality Training, Montagu Evans and Petroceltic International.
There will be opportunities in 2017 for companies to take 3,000 sq ft upper tower floors, which offer unique 360-degree panoramas of the city centre. A further significant programme of high quality refurbishments is also planned, enabling Exchange Tower to meet occupiers’ Grade A office requirements from 2,000 sq ft to 23,000 sq ft. The 8,000 sq ft third floor, also refurbished to a high specification, is currently available to let in its entirety or in smaller units of 2,250 sq ft and 5,700 sq ft.
CBRE, Montagu Evans and CMS Cameron McKenna solicitors represented KWE whilst Dougray Smith and Brodies LLP advised CIBTvisas.