Commercial Estates Group: Case Studies

The Aurora, Bothwell Street, Glasgow

In 2001 the group acquired a 1970s office building comprising 6,500m2 (70,000 sq ft) let to a single occupier. Following acquisition, the group secured planning consent for 16,250m2 (175,000 sq ft) of new build Grade A office accommodation, speculatively developed the building and then let it.

The scheme was the largest speculative office scheme in Glasgow city centre for over 30 years setting a new benchmark in term of quality. It has regenerated a city centre location.

“I was extremely impressed with the professional approach of Commercial Estates Group in working with Glasgow City Council. They adopt a very open approach and display a refreshing willingness to listen and debate issues. I have no hesitation in recommending CEG as a Local Authority development partner.”

Steve Inch, Director of Development and Regeneration Services, Glasgow City Council.

Kirkstall Forge, Leeds

Kirkstall Forge is a 22.7 ha (56 acre) former industrial forge site situated 4 miles to the west of Leeds city centre. The site benefits from an outline planning consent for 139,350m2 (1,500,000 sq ft) of mixed use space to incorporate 1,385 residential units, 16,700m2 (180,000 sq ft) of offices, bars, restaurants, leisure, retail and a hotel.

The proposed redevelopment of the site was closely scrutinised due to constraints in the form of listed buildings, flooding, archaeology, highways capacity, landscape, ancient woodland, contamination and the ecological importance of the River Aire. The group conducted two years of public consultation and design work to address the above issues, which culminated in a planning application in February 2005. Now consented, an architectural competition took place in 2007 for phase 1 of the scheme.

Large scale demolition works have been completed and archaeological investigations are presently taking place.