Osborne+Co appoints Multiplex to deliver Argyle Street office development
Multiplex has won a contract to deliver a 13-storey office development on Glasgow’s Argyle Street on behalf of global property and investment firm Osborne+Co.
Designed by local architects Cooper Cromar, the development will transform the currently vacant site into 270,000 sq ft of Grade A office space, providing state-of-the-art wellness facilities including showers, drying rooms and cycle-storage.
Expected to be completed in summer 2022, Multiplex - in compliance with Scottish Government COVID-19 requirements - is now able to commence works on-site with required social distancing and health and safety obligations in place to ensure staff and community safety.
Demolition of the site’s existing buildings was completed in December 2019, with ground preparations underway prior to the closure of construction sites in accordance with Scottish Government guidance.
Multiplex will be responsible for every aspect of the build, including integrated fit-out works to the occupier’s specification. The high-quality finish throughout will include impressive external facades, which will be replicated around the four sides of the prominent building.
Will Hean, development director at Osborne+Co, said: “We have an existing and trusted relationship with Multiplex, who constructed our HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank developments in Dubai to an incredibly high standard, so appointing Multiplex on this significant contract was a straight-forward decision.
“Their attention to detail and ability to work to rigid timescales, particularly throughout a difficult time in the market, gives us great confidence that Multiplex is the right company for the job as we strive to accelerate our investment within the city.
“We have worked closely with Glasgow City Council, relevant stakeholders and the local community to ensure our vision upholds the wider city strategy and we have pinpointed Glasgow as our focus for future development; the city offers swathes of opportunity in terms of talent, innovation and diversity that Osborne+Co is committed to enhancing.”
The extensive construction project is expected to create a significant number of jobs in Glasgow over the next two years. The project team has set a target requiring 10% of the total labour on this project to be delivered by new entrants to the workforce. As well as this, 5% of the job opportunities will be allocated to apprentices either seeking to start of complete their apprenticeship training.
Callum Tuckett, chief operating officer at Multiplex, said: “We are very pleased to continue our strong relationship with Osborne+Co by partnering with them on this exciting development, which will bring great benefit to the city of Glasgow.”
Osborne+Co recently submitted a detailed planning and listed building application to Glasgow City Council to create a major mixed-use development on North Hanover Street which would transform the iconic Met Tower building in the heart of the city centre. On completion, this development will have an end value of circa £100 million.