The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
National firms have their eye on Dundee
City also gets huge boost from social security HQ move
The Dundee office market continues to focus on the smaller requirements from local and national occupiers who wish to create a presence within the city.
The majority of these requirements are seeking open-plan office accommodation within the city centre.
The Small Business Bonus Scheme is also a requirement high on occupiers’ wish lists.
Work at Water’s Edge (Shed 25) at City Quay is well under way.
The converted dock shed will provide open plan, flexible workspace and should link up well with the proposed city quay marina development.
A number of the units are understood to already be pre-let, and more encouragingly, some by companies who do not yet have a presence in the city.
The proposed restaurant will further add to the development and turn Water’s Edge into a truly unique space.
Dundee train station is due to open in March and discussions are under way with interested parties for the retail unit and the café/restaurant.
In January, work will begin at Site 6 at Dundee waterfront to deliver 57,425 sq ft of office accommodation, along with two ground-floor commercial units.
Planning consent has also been granted for Site 2 for a mixed-use scheme that will incorporate 44,000 sq ft of offices, a business centre, café and residential units.
Work is due to commence mid-2018. As a result of the waterfront development, Dundee is receiving increasing interest from national firms who may not have previously considered the city.
The announcement that Scotland’s new social security agency will be headquartered in Dundee is a huge boost to the city and a real compliment to the regeneration work carried out by Dundee City Council to date.
Dundee’s industrial market continues to be well supplied, with a good level of inquiries coming through.
Many are looking to be located along the Kingsway, as this provides excellent transport links to the north and south.
A number of land parcels at Dunsinane Industrial Estate have been brought to the market to try to capture some of this interest.
There have been requirements from oil and gas companies seeking storage options in Dundee.
These firms are considering the city, given its lower rent and rates liabilities in contrast to Aberdeen.
Delivery and courier companies are also showing similar desires. Interest in drive-throughs continues in Dundee, in particular along the Kingsway.
Kilmac is currently developing a Starbucks drive-through at Fulton Road in Wester Gourdie Industrial Estate, which is due to open early November.
Further along the Kingsway, the Scottish Government has reversed Dundee City councillors’ rejection of a retail parade that includes Domino’s Pizza, Starbucks and a nursery – further highlighting the interest currently shown along the Kingsway.