Glasgow’s Aurora Shines Bright with PwC Letting

PwC has secured the top two floors of Glasgow’s Aurora at 120 Bothwell Street, with the well-known office building recently achieving practical completion of an ambitious refurbishment project. 

The global business advisory firm will take 26,250 sq. ft. at Aurora, which is owned by Forma Real Estate Fund and being refurbished in partnership with HFD Property, Scotland’s leading commercial property developer. 

Aurora provides 175,000 sq. ft. of high-quality Grade A office accommodation at the heart of Glasgow’s central business and international financial service districts. With four deals already completed, 37.2% of the building is accounted for and there is strong interest in a significant amount of the remaining space. 

Offering some of Scotland’s top sustainability credentials, Aurora has achieved ‘net zero in operation’ and low embodied carbon by delivering a 77.4% reduction in carbon emissions compared to an equivalent new-build property. The building has also attained an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ‘A+’ rating and BREEAM ‘Excellent’. 

Aurora offers a range of on-site amenities, including a 4,000 sq. ft. rooftop terrace, enhanced reception with flexible meeting spaces and biophilia linking a new café space, auditorium facilities, and a podcast studio. High-quality ‘end of journey’ facilities encourage active commuting, with 200 bike racks and 22 showers. 

Ben Dickins, head of asset management (UK) at Forma Real Estate Fund, said: “Securing a global brand like PwC as our latest occupier is testament to the quality of the refurbishment work at Aurora and the building’s position in the Glasgow market. Occupiers are increasingly looking for highly sustainable properties with market-leading amenities to support their teams, and Aurora perfectly fits those criteria. We have had a great response to the building and the level of interest is reflected by the fact that more than one-third of Aurora is already let.” 

Robin McBurnie, PwC’s Market Senior Partner for Glasgow, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled that we’ve reached a key milestone in signing the lease for Aurora in Glasgow. The building is one of the finest examples of truly sustainable commercial space within the city centre, which was one of the key factors in our decision. We may not be moving far, but we’ll be making our new home in a building that closely aligns with our own ethos and ambitions around net zero - and that keeps our teams at the beating heart of Glasgow’s business district. 

“Our move will strengthen our presence in Glasgow, allowing us to continue having a positive impact on the local market and feed into the local economy. We’re passionate about growth ambitions for Glasgow and our place in the city - our move to Aurora cements that place.” 

Stephen Lewis, MD of HFD Property, added: “Aurora combines one of the best locations in Glasgow with access to top-of-the-range amenities, both on-site and nearby, together with being one of Scotland’s most sustainable office buildings. As with all HFD projects, it has been specifically designed to cater to what modern occupiers are looking for, supporting their ESG aims while providing a thriving workplace. Sustainability has been one of the guiding principles of the refurbishment project so it’s no surprise that we’ve achieved not just these deals that have already concluded but the wider interest in the building.”