All posts by Neil Fordyce

Sharkey delivering for global investment bank Morgan Stanley

The fifth largest of Morgan Stanley’s offices worldwide, at 122 Waterloo Street, the project involves the fit-out of 155,000 sq ft of Grade A office space over 9 floors to house more than 1200 people in a predominantly open plan environment.

Secured following competitive tender, during which Sharkey’s previous experience in high value fast-track commercial office fit-outs was a key differentiator, the 16-week programme also involves a ground floor gym and a first floor kitchen and restaurant.  The project will provide a cutting-edge 21st century workplace at its best.

Silver screen to room with a view

With views over to Edinburgh Castle, the £2 million conversion of 132 Princes Street saw the vacant upper storeys of the B-listed building, which had previously been original townhouses, transformed into 16,000 square feet of office space for developer Hazledene House.

Major structural alterations included the formation of an extensive rear extension comprising a glass box and staircase and a “de-furbished” look throughout featuring exposed stonework and beams. Sharkey worked closely with UK architects 3DReid over the course of the 20-week project and regularly consulted with Historic Scotland to ensure that key original features were sympathetically restored. 132 Princes Street is selected for the Architectural Excellence (Commercial Use) category at the Scottish Property Awards 2018.

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Georgian living returns to Edinburgh’s main shopping thoroughfare

The corner site at 97-98 Princes Street/1-3 Frederick Street, one of the few Georgian buildings remaining on Princes Street, is late 18th century and the project, which provides retail space at street level, restores its original usage with residential accommodation re-established on the upper floors.

Phase 1 created 10,000 sq ft of retail space while Phase 2 comprised 6 1-bedroom apartments over 3 floors and 9,500 sq ft delivered for holiday let in the heart of Scotland’s capital.  Major structural alterations were required to bring the building up to current standards and Sharkey worked closely with Historic Scotland to ensure that key original features were sympathetically restored, not least the 12-pane sash and case windows which perfectly frame the stunning views of Edinburgh Castle.

Restoring Georgian splendour is food and drink for Sharkey

The third project recently completed by Sharkey on one of Edinburgh’s iconic squares, the scheme involved major structural interventions and extensive refurbishment work to join two previously separate B-listed Georgian townhouses and create a 21st century workplace.  The project drew on Sharkey’s extensive experience of this challenging type of development and saw a great degree of care being applied to protecting and restoring existing features to retain and enhance the grandeur of the property.

 

Design and build revives Gothic gem

The project, for Standard Life Investments, centres around one of the city’s most historic buildings, designed in the Gothic Revival style by acclaimed English architects Alfred Waterhouse and Son in 1892 and located on the New Town’s most iconic square.    

 The design and build project, based on Comprehensive Design Architect’s innovative concept, was challenging due to its location on a congested city centre site that is at the heart of the Edinburgh’s own revival as a 21st century capital.   Over 50 tonnes of steel were brought into the building through upper floor windows and features of the completed 16,220 sq ft transformation, with a project value of £2.7 million, include a ‘pillow’ roof above the atrium, intelligent LED lighting and a pared-back aesthetic providing a stark contrast to the decorative Victorian exterior.