BCO_National_Awards_2026_Suplement - Flipbook - Page 18
BCO Awards 2026
CORPORATE WORKPLACE
Sponsored by Troup Bywaters + Anders
Regional Winner
Corporate Workplace
Scotland
20 Brandon Street
Edinburgh
Client
BlackRock
Owner
Aberdeen Investments c/o
Workman
Occupier
BlackRock
Project Manager
Gardiner & Theobald
Quantity Surveyor
Gardiner & Theobald
Brief Consultant
MLA
Architect
MLA
Interior Designer
MLA
M&E Engineer
Cundall
A
n exemplary, £48m
refurbishment has
created a bright
and modern new workplace
for global asset manager
and technology provider
BlackRock in a sought-after
part of Edinburgh.
The project involved
transforming an historic
B-listed former printworks
and a 1970s office into
140,000 sq ft of modern
workspace at 20 Brandon
Street in the city’s New Town.
This complex, adaptive
reuse has created a welcoming
destination workplace for
1,500 employees, focused
on sustainability, inclusivity,
and wellbeing for all users.
The move marked a major
long-term commitment to
Edinburgh from BlackRock,
increasing the firm’s office
presence by more than 60%
from its previous base at
Exchange Place.
The project adapted
BlackRock’s global design
standards to reflect local
Edinburgh identity while
introducing advanced lowcarbon systems and smart
technology. The office now
benefits from air source heat
pumps and heat recovery
systems to improve energy
efficiency.
Sitting behind a restored
Victorian frontage, the
development demonstrates
18 • ESTATES GAZETTE • October 2026
Structural Engineer
Cundall
Sustainability Consultant
Cundall
Contractor
Robertson
Investment / Property Co
Aberdeen Investments c/o
Workman
BlackRock’s commitment to
preserving architectural heritage
while investing in Edinburgh as
a leading global financial hub.
The result successfully balances
conservation with contemporary
workplace innovation.
The judges said 20 Brandon
Street “exemplifies exceptional
adaptive reuse, seamlessly
transforming the buildings
into a cohesive workspace for
1,500 employees”.
Standout features include
the central atrium, which has
been reimagined as a vibrant
social hub with bleacher
seating, café and wellness
facilities. Careful thought has
been put into enhancing user
experience and collaboration.
The judges concluded: “The
project’s robust sustainability
achievements and inclusive
design approach, developed
through extensive stakeholder
engagement, establish it as
an exemplary example of
heritage-sensitive workplace
regeneration.”
bco.org.uk
