Scotland’s national transport agency has secured 50,000 sq. ft. across two floors at the development, reducing its office footprint from the 60,000 sq. ft. it currently occupies at Buchanan House. The move comes as Transport Scotland’s lease at Buchanan House ends in November 2024.

177 Bothwell Street is environmentally attractive, with its energy supplied by Blantyre Muir Wind Farm in South Lanarkshire, ensuring it is 100% renewable from an identified local source. Occupiers of 177 Bothwell Street also benefit from the building’s energy efficiency, leading to lower overall operational costs. The building is targeting an EPC rating of ‘A’ and BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standard.

A range of safety enhancements were made to the development’s design following the initial outbreak of Covid-19, through touchless and smart building technologies. The building also features 395 cycle spaces, electric vehicle charging points, and is readily accessible by a range of public transport links to encourage sustainable and active travel choices.

177 Bothwell Street is the first Scottish property to commit to attaining the new SmartScore accreditation for smart buildings and has already achieved a ‘Platinum’ WiredScore certification, a standard recognising that future occupiers will have the best connectivity available.

Built on a site that lay vacant for nearly a decade, an independent economic impact assessment concluded that the 313,000 sq. ft. development will generate £2.8 billion of gross value added (GVA) to the Scottish economy over 25 years.

Transport Scotland joins AECOM, the global infrastructure consulting firm; global property adviser CBRE; and banking groups BNP Paribas and Virgin Money among 177 Bothwell Street’s occupiers.

Hugh Gillies, interim chief executive, Transport Scotland, said: “It is important for Transport Scotland to follow the vision set out in the National Transport Strategy and 177 Bothwell Street has the environmental credentials needed to help us deliver our climate change ambitions and will further our work on reaching net zero.

“Alongside this, we have also carefully considered value for money and the changing workstyles, supporting both office and home working, in our decision-making process. As a result, we have reduced our current space requirement needs and we will share this space with other public sector organisations.

“We look forward to moving to 177 Bothwell in the coming years, when our current lease comes to an end.”

Stephen Lewis, managing director of HFD Property Group, added: “Transport will be a critical part of how we decarbonise Scotland’s economy – it seems fitting that we can announce Transport Scotland’s move to Glasgow’s most sustainable office building following COP26.

“177 Bothwell Street is about delivering everything that modern occupiers need: sustainability, flexibility to expand through our serviced offices, smart building technology, accessibility by a range of transport methods, and digital connectivity. All of that is being delivered with value for money through the building’s efficiency in terms of space, energy, and running costs.”

Avison Young advised Transport Scotland on the deal, while HFD was represented by 177 Bothwell Street’s joint agents Knight Frank and CBRE.