Multinational energy company SSE has agreed to take 62,000 square feet at Glasgow's Aurora offices, the largest city centre office leasing deal since the start of the pandemic.
The listed firm will take four floors at 120 Bothwell Street, which comprises a total of 174,000 square feet of Grade A accommodation half a mile from Buchanan Street station.
While the rent achieved at the property has not been disclosed, agents representing the landlord, Forma Real Estate, at the property are quoting £37.50 per square foot. The lease term agreed by SSE is also undisclosed.
The accommodation SSE has taken at Forma's Aurora will add to its existing workspace on Waterloo Street, where CoStar data shows it occupies around 55,000 square feet. It is also the owner of the 1 Waterloo Street offices.
SSE's deal means that the property is heading towards fully let, with professional services giant PwC occupying 26,000 square feet, having signed a deal earlier this year, while media giant News UK is in around 11,500 square feet.
Regional flexible office operator Cubo has a circa 19,000-square-foot chunk, meaning around 70% of the building is now let, leaving circa 55,000 square feet vacant.
Other larger deals in the wider Glasgow area since the pandemic include HSBC's circa 55,000-square-foot letting at Maxim Park, revealed by CoStar News. But sizeable deals have been few are far between in the last couple of years.
It is also a deal which typifies occupiers' movements towards prime office stock since the return to work from the pandemic, with offices of its type in high demand around the regions due to limited project pipelines and deliveries.
The all-electric building is rated BREEAM Excellent and EPC A, while having 200 cycle storage spaces. It also has a 4,000-square-foot rooftop terrace, fitness studio and changing rooms, in addition to an auditorium, podcast and town hall space.
European fund manager Forma bought Aurora from M&G Real Estate for around £55 million in 2021, representing its first acquisition in the UK. It was built in 2006 and is spread across 12 floors.
Forma Real Estate Fund was represented by CBRE, while SSE was represented by MC2.