Two become one at a New Town office expansion
June 30 2025
A past its prime office block in Edinburgh's New Town is to be given a head-to-toe makeover by Morgan Architects.
Financial services provider Royal London has vacated the two interlinked office buildings dating from the 1970s to increase the floor space and energy efficiency of their Edinburgh base.
Interventions include a new central extension to seamlessly merge a faux Georgian terrace on Queen Street with a modern office block on Thistle Street to the rear, rationalising floor plans and boosting net floor space from 5,118 sqm to 6,881 sqm.
Enhanced staff facilities will also be provided including a canteen and rooftop terrace. Accommodating a projected increase in staff to 1,550 by 2028 the project will see the Queen Street building subdivided as meeting rooms and event spaces while the combined Thistle Street block and link building offer a double-height auditorium at ground level with open plan floorplates.
In a statement of intent, Morgan Architects wrote: "To better optimise the floorplate, provide additional usable area and improve structural efficiency, the Link Building floor has been extended to the rear of the site. A stepback is provided to maintain the primary massing of Thistle Street and to accommodate existing windows on the Queen Street rear facade.
"Double height collaboration space is proposed to be formed in the Queen Street building, connecting the two ground levels via a stepped auditorium space. The result is a dynamic central hub on the principal floor level of the building..."
Internally suspended ceilings will be removed to expose concrete slabs and columns with a new floor-to-ceiling curtain wall improving light and views.
Exterior terraces will make the most of city views
Increased height will impove presence to St Andrews Square
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