PLANS have been launched for one of Edinburgh’s biggest ever workspace developments featuring the largest electric car charging hub in Europe.
The proposals for Edinburgh Green will create more than 800,000 square feet of office space with a range of facilities, including a café/events space and new public park.
Key to the sustainable development will be almost 800 electric vehicle (EV) charging points, which will be available for community use.
An initial 170 EV points will be installed, with a further 595 enabled for future use set within the existing site of Drummond House and the Younger Building in Edinburgh Park.
Those behind the development have promised the plans will be a “game changer” that will set new standards and redefine what a modern, sustainable office accommodation can be.
The campus-style environment will also have a multi-purpose pavilion surrounded by landscaped grounds and a landscaped park with water features.
The EV points, which will be available to the public at evenings and weekends, will be part of a wider transport mobility hub, including car club access, public transport links and cycle parking.
The Energy Superhub Oxford is currently the largest in Europe with around 450 EV points.
Edinburgh Green is being brought forward by Shelborn Asset Management, who purchased the site and existing buildings from the NatWest Group in 2021.
Brian Rabinowitz, Director at Shelborn, said: “This is one of the most ambitious office developments to be launched in Edinburgh for decades and our plans for Europe’s largest electric vehicle charging hub is key to meeting our ambitious 2030 net zero target.
“Sustainability will be at the heart of this development, which promises to be a game-changer by transforming the common perception of what an office workspace should look like.
“As Edinburgh’s market continues to grow post-pandemic, public and private sector occupiers are demanding a better-quality workspace which give their employees better places to work.
“Edinburgh Green is seeking to respond directly to this, creating a new kind of workspace that optimises a well-connected brownfield site, complete with all the amenities and functionality demanded by both employer and employee alike.”
With the ambition to create a new type of workplace, they challenged the project team to develop one that puts a genuine focus on wellbeing and sustainability, responding to the significant shift in occupier priorities and aligning with Edinburgh’s own pathway to net zero.
The plans have now been submitted to Edinburgh City Council and if granted permission, works are expected to begin onsite in the of Summer 2023, opening in 2026.
A recent report produced by Ryden and CBRE into the Edinburgh office market has found that there is a severe shortage of Grade A offices within the Capital with the sustainable credentials that fulfil occupier needs.
This shortage is further highlighted with no new developments currently under construction and no new stock expected to be available before 2024.
According to analysis by BiGGAR Economics, the development would support an annual economic impact of £370 million GVA and 5,300 jobs in Edinburgh and £427m and 6,480 jobs across Scotland.
