A technology sector-focused property developer is investing in new building space to house a ‘digital cluster’ around the iconic Met Tower in Glasgow.
Bruntwood SciTech, a joint venture between investor and developer Bruntwood and Legal & General, is doubling its investment in the city to £60m, with new offices adjacent to the tower.
The announcement comes three months after acquiring and announcing the redevelopment of their first hub in Scotland, at Met Tower in the heart of the city’s innovation district.
The proposals include the development of a new workspace of more than 100,000 sq ft adjacent to the Grade B listed building – adding a further £30m of investment to the ‘new city centre tech and digital cluster’.
Pete Crowther, property director at Bruntwood SciTech, said: “The Scottish digital and tech sector is experiencing rapid growth and this £60m investment into Glasgow is testament to our long-term commitment.
“There is a real opportunity here to not only create a new tech cluster at Met Tower and in our new building but also support local businesses and communities across the West of Scotland. Above the physical spaces we are introducing, we’re also committed to creating opportunities for businesses across the UK so they can collaborate and innovate as the sector continues to thrive.
“We’re looking forward to sharing the plans for the new development in more detail and continuing to strengthen our network across Scotland.”
The new building is intended to be net zero carbon in operation in its shared spaces and has been designed with scaling and large tech and digital businesses in mind, offering leased space of up to 10,000 sq ft ‘floorplates’, who will have access to co-innovate and collaborate with the startups, scaleups and global businesses located at Met Tower.
The new tech and digital cluster at the Met Tower hub will join the rapidly scaling science and tech sector in Glasgow, which is now in the top three leading tech cities in the UK outside of London, according to commercial real estate services and investment firm CBRE. It will be surrounded by tech startups and fed by talent pipeline from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow Caledonian University and the City of Glasgow College.
Facilities in the new build will include a shared roof terrace offering views across the Glasgow City Innovation District, a dedicated sports kit drying room, secure lockers, showers, and internal secure bicycle storage. Businesses will also have access to all of the facilities in the adjoining Met Tower, including a ‘wellness room’, a variety of meeting rooms, and the large roof terrace event and conference space at the top of Met Tower.
Bruntwood SciTech plans to create a new publicly accessible, landscaped plaza between the two buildings which will improve connectivity and links through the city centre, innovation district, and to Queen Street Station located just 50metres away. Beneath this plaza will be a large new premium food and drink retailer, totalling 10,000 sq ft, which will be available to members of the public as well as having direct access into both Met Tower and the new building.