scottish news |


THE CUSTOM HOUSE, GREENOCK'S JEWEL IN THE CROWN, OPENS ITS DOORS TO GLOBAL BUSINESS A


Georgian architectural masterpiece in one of the most dramatic locations in


Scotland has been restored to its former glory, and the hunt is now on for a suitably impressive new occupant for the building. Riverside Inverclyde, the organisation


behind the economic regeneration of Inverclyde, has just unveiled the beautifully and sympathetically renovated Custom House in Greenock and plans to attract a further national or global player to be its headline tenant.


safe haven of the Firth in two world conflicts, and the quayside played host to the Queen as she joined Britannia for her annual summer cruise of Scottish waters. "It really is Inverclyde's Jewel in the


Crown," said Andrew Bowman, Head of Business Investment and Operations at Riverside Inverclyde, "and we wanted to make sure that we did the building justice with the refurbishment." The impressive restoration has taken


place in four phases over four years and £4.1 million has been spent on transforming 18,000 sq.ft of productive business space, which has been eagerly snapped up by major companies such as Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions and PG Paper, as well as other SMEs. An initial £1.1m was spent to secure the 175 year lease of the building. The final phase


The imposing building, which looks out


across the Firth of Clyde to the Argyllshire hills, will be 200 years old next year. It has seen the tides of history wash past the eponymous quayside which it dominates. The classically-proportioned building,


designed by architect William Burns, was home to the vigilant assize men who policed Scotland's burgeoning trade with the world. It witnessed the rise and fall of the tobacco, sugar and shipbuilding industries in the town. It also looked out over the desperate bustle of naval traffic as warships filled the


included the white, pillared Long Room, the northern entrance and the elegant Grand Staircase. It is to the Long Room, a stunning space which is flooded with light that Riverside Inverclyde wishes to attract a world class client who will provide a further boost to local employment. "We are conducting a


global search," said Mr Bowman, "as well as offering some particularly attractive incentives. The Long Room, which is fully Cat6 cabled, could provide MD and boardroom space as well as an extensive open-plan office space. "The new occupants will also benefit from considerable reliefs for locating in


area. Over £70m has been committed to the area by the company over the past 10 years. The Custom House project was also supported with £650,000 from the Scottish Government. Companies wishing to arrange viewing


of the most suitable premises for their business should contact Martin Speirs, of letting agent Cushman and Wakefield, on 0141 223 8792 or martin.speirs@cushwake.com or visit: www.riversideinverclyde.com - For video of the site, please follow the link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9Hy_ wqAqSg


Inverclyde, which is a Tier 2 Scottish Enterprise zone, attracting a potential 30% credit towards capital expenditure through Regional Selective Assistance grants." The completion of the Custom House


transformation is the latest milestone for Riverside Inverclyde, which has breathed new economic life into many projects in the


COMMERCIAL PROPERTY MONTHLY 2017


25


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116