Building Briefs – January 15th

• Grade A office shortage to hit Edinburgh city centre

The commercial property consultancy’s projections show that, following deals which are expected to complete by the end of Q1 2019, there could be as little as 175,000 sq. ft. of available Grade A space in Edinburgh city centre. While there are several projects in planning or due to be completed in the next 24 months, a large share of this space has already been pre-let.

Edinburgh’s city centre average annual take-up of Grade A space has hovered around 230,000 sq. ft., however, last year was significantly higher at 338,482 sq. ft. Knight Frank said that if 2018’s level of demand was to continue, it would become imperative to find a way of addressing the lack of available stock.

Overall take-up in Edinburgh was 986,003 sq. ft. in 2018, with more than half of that figure (574,162 sq. ft.) in its core area. This comfortably outperformed the 10-year city-wide average of just over 650,000 sq. ft.

Professional services accounted for the largest sectoral share of activity in 2018, with 34% of take-up. This was led by law firms Brodies and Pinsent Masons agreeing pre-lets for 43,174 sq. ft. and 25,265 sq. ft. at Capital Square, respectively. The finance, banking and insurance sector accounted for 30% of take-up, while technology, media and telecoms (TMT) stood at 19%.

• Government rejects Ellon quarry appeal

 An appeal to the Scottish Government over plans for a north-east quarry has been rejected.

The Chap Group submitted proposals to Aberdeenshire Council for a mineral extraction site at Muirtack, five miles north of Ellon.

Planning officials recommended the application for approval at the Buchan area committee last May but councillors voted to reject it.

The firm then appealed to the Scottish Government to have its plans approved but reporter Elspeth Cook agreed with councillors.

• Plans to turn former Aberdeen restaurant into flats

Plans have been launched that would pave the way for a former Aberdeen restaurant to be turned into flats.

MAC Architects has asked Aberdeen City Council for listed building consent to replace the windows at Ciao Napoli on Bon Accord Crescent.

The former Italian eatery closed in April last year after being run by businessman Peppe Lepre for more than 14 years.