Atlantic Square

BAMTCP Atlantic Square has handed over the keys to Building 1, Atlantic Square in Glasgow’s International Financial Services District to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), who is leading the delivery of Phase 1 of UK Government Hubs. A joint venture between BAM Properties and TCP Developments, along with LGIM Real Assets (Legal & General) who forward funded the 187,205 sq ft, ten-storey prime Grade A building which is located on York Street.

It will be the second UK Government Hub in Scotland and home to HMRC’s Glasgow Regional Centre. Around 2,500 HMRC staff will begin relocating from a number of existing offices in early 2022. The building is one of 13 new HMRC regional centres, all within UK Government hubs. Built by BAM Construction and designed by concept architects Cooper Cromar and BAM Design, the building incorporates the retained Grade A façade of a former warehouse building built by pioneering retailer William Whitley in the 19th century, which sits on James Watt Street.

One of the city’s most sustainable buildings, it features a BREEAM “Excellent” rating and has an EPC rating of “A”. The design and construction of Atlantic Square is a game changer for the construction of future public sector buildings. HMRC is determined to be a pathfinder for public sector building by adopting digital and data modelling from the outset to eliminate construction risk and be able to plan the maintenance regime for the building, something of particular importance following COVID. Using VR goggles the construction and design teams together with HMRC’s estate team, were able to monitor the progress by looking at the building’s digital twin enabling them to understand and plan the building’s operations as well as look at economic efficiencies.

The UK Government is now looking to adopt this approach throughout other public sector buildings including hospitals and schools. Atlantic Square also features Building 2 which will provide 96,650 sq ft of additional office accommodation. Speculatively built by BAM Properties and TCP Developments it offers floor plates of up to 15,400 sq ft and facilities will also include a tenant’s business lounge and meeting spaces, as well as showers, lockers and storage facilities for cyclists and runners. Negotiations are currently underway with potential occupiers.