Johnston Press has struck a deal to relocate its Edinburgh operation to Delancey’s Orchard Brae House on Queensferry Road in Edinburgh.
The publishing group behind The Scotsman Publications, whose titles include The Scotsman, Scotland on Sunday and the Evening News, has signed a 15-year lease for 25,500 sq ft on the seventh and eighth floors at an undisclosed rent.
Rents in the area are around £15 per sq ft. The letting means that 60% of the 104,000 sq ft building is now let, following its refurbishment to grade-A office space.
The downsizing is part of plans by Johnston Press to realign its property portfolio after suffering from a fall in advertising and sales.
Estates Gazette reported in January that Grand Theft Auto producer Rockstar North was under offer to take the whole of The Scotsman’s existing headquarters building, the 75,500 sq ft Barclay Building on Holyrood Road as part of the firm’s expansion plans. Rockstar will relocate to the building later this year.
Meanwhile, fit-out works are due to start imminently at Orchard Brae House, with a full move by Johnston Press from Barclay House in the summer.
Stuart Birkett, managing director at Johnston Press Scotland, said: “We have carried out an exhaustive search for quality premises which perfectly suit our needs and are very happy to be moving to Orchard Brae House.”
JLL and Montagu Evans advised Delancey; Johnston Press was represented by Rapleys.
lisa.pilkington@estatesgazette.com
