A CHANGE in the fortunes of an out-of-town office park in Edinburgh is due in part to a trams “boon”, property agents have claimed.
Edinburgh Park has seen four major deals struck so far in 2013, a significant turnaround on last year. Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) said 200,000sq ft of office space has been taken up this year, compared with just 7,500sq ft in 2012. Recent deals included Sainsbury’s Bank taking an 80,000sq ft office there.
Ben Reed, director for JLL, said demand for space was driven by a number of factors including lower cost and accessibility. He added: “The imminent arrival of trams in Edinburgh now appears to be having a positive influence on occupier decisions and could be a major boon for west Edinburgh, particularly Edinburgh Park.”
Reed said the Sainsbury’s deal was “a sign that large employers are once again comfortable” looking outside the city centre.