Knight Frank - Mixed-Use Development - Aberdeen, Scotland

Date: 10 Apr 2008

Acting on behalf of Seletar Shipping (Scotland) Ltd, Knight Frank has completed the first phase of refurbishment at Waterloo Quay, Aberdeen whilst also creating a new headquarters for the shipping agency in East Tullos.

Knight Frank has concluded the first phase of refurbishment at Waterloo Quay which includes the transformation of Nautilus House from an ex archive storage facility into quality office space, and the refurbishment of Ocean Spirit House including the replacement of a curtain walling system to the frontage.

An engineered glazing solution to replace the original curtain walling system has been fitted to try and minimise the effects of noise and solar heat gains whilst also providing a striking facade to the building. Interior refurbishment works have created high quality office accommodation, which includes the creation of an executive office suite at 3rd floor level within the west wing of Ocean Spirit House which now affords panoramic views across Aberdeen Harbour.

Over 12,000 square feet of office space together with common areas has been completely refurbished and a new lift and ramped access to entrances have been introduced in order to provide DDA compliant accommodation. In addition, a fully kitted out gymnasium, squash courts, changing facilities and breakout space was created for the benefit of Seletar's tenants.

The next phase of development is already underway and involves the transformation of previous workshop facilities and archive storage space into high quality office accommodation, which will be due for completion later this year.

Knight Frank's Building Consultancy Department has been working on the extensive roll out programme of refurbishment to Seletar's property portfolio at Waterloo Quay for some 4 years, and has provided a turn key professional service to Seletar providing all Design and Project Management services.

In addition Knight Frank has created a new Headquarters for Seletar Shipping (Scotland) Ltd, 'Steadfast House' following their relocation from Waterloo Quay, with the completed refurbishment of an existing 20,000 square foot office and warehouse facility at East Tullos.

Knight Frank's Building Consultancy department were instructed to prepare proposals for refurbishing and extending the premises at East Tullos to suit Seletar's specific requirements as well as creating a series of flexible office suites and communal meeting facilities. Knight Frank also designed a striking curved reception extension to provide an impressive entrance into the facility, whilst internally the office areas were substantially altered and fully refurbished to provide high quality space.

Doug Garden, Partner, Knight Frank said: "We're delighted to have been retained by Seletar Shipping on both projects which followed on from the refurbishment of Voyager House, also located at Waterloo Quay, which forms part of this high-profile and successful development. In fact, both Nautilus House and Ocean Spirit House were let in advance of the first phase of the refurbishment programme, by Knight Frank's Agency Department, and the next phase of development is already under offer, such is the quality of space being created. As a result, we have also been able to incorporate the tenants' fit-out requirements into the project."

"Seletar's completed new HQ building at East Tullos has been a successful transformation from a tired and heavily vandalised unit into a stunning new facility which was completed within an extremely tight timescale in order to allow the firm to relocate from their previous premises."