March 2010

DESIGN COMPETITION FOR V&A AT DUNDEE ATTRACTS INTERNATIONAL INTEREST

Over 120 architect and design teams from around the world have
registered their official interest in the V&A at Dundee project, which
aims to develop a new centre of 21st century design for Scotland and theworld at the heart of Dundee’s waterfront.

The design competition was launched at the start of the year, with the deadline for initial submissions of interest set for February 15th and now 122 submissions have been received from all over the globe.

“The reaction to the design competition has been phenomenal,” said
Mike Galloway, Director of City Development for Dundee City Council.
“We are confident that we have a project here that is immensely
appealing to the architecture and design community and that has been confirmed by the number and the quality of the submissions we have received.

“There are some very prominent names among those who have entered but we also have lots of emerging talent and it is fantastic to see the level of ambition that this project is creating.”

The V&A at Dundee is being delivered by a ground-breaking partnership between the Victoria and Albert Museum - the world’s greatest museum of art and design - and the University of Dundee, the University of Abertay Dundee, Dundee City Council and Scottish Enterprise.

Entries to the design competition will now be examined in detail by a
panel of judges formed between the partners and external advisors. A shortlist of around 5 or  6 design teams will then be drawn up and
announced later in the Spring. They will each be asked to produce design concepts and models, which will go on public view.

A winner of the design competition will be announced in the summer.

The V&A at Dundee is looking to create a landmark building, which will sit just to the south of Craig Harbour on a site to be created out into the River Tay. The site is being made available through the Dundee Central Waterfront Partnership, the joint venture between Dundee City Council and Scottish Enterprise which is revitalising the prime area of land linking the city centre with the River Tay.

Designers were invited to make proposals for a building that reflects
the V&A at Dundee project partnership’s desire to stimulate commerce as well as local and visitor interest.

The V&A at Dundee will:

?    be a rich and inspiring resource for design and creativity.
?    attract visitors from Dundee, Scotland and further afield to
      world-class travelling and permanent exhibitions.
?    improve the attractiveness of Dundee and its region to business.


It is planned that the V&A at Dundee will open in 2014. The dynamic
combination of a landmark building on a superb site and outstanding
content will help drive forward Dundee’s Waterfront regeneration and
stimulate further Scotland’s creative industries.

January 2010

DUNDEE IS IN TOP SEVEN MOST INTELLIGENT COMMUNITIES
January 2010

DUNDEE has been selected for the third year in four as the one of the seven most intelligent communities on earth by an influential US think tank.

The non-profit Intelligent Community Forum has pitted the Tayside city against two conurbations in the USA and one each from Canada, South Korea, Estonia and the Netherlands for the overall winner to be picked in May.

Convener of Dundee City Council's city development committee Will Dawson welcomed the honour, which highlights the city's on-going success in moving away from a manufacturing based economy to one which uses what people know to generate wealth.

He said: "The work that we have done this year focuses on ensuring that we have the right people with the right education, training and qualifications to be able to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the new economy.

"Successful projects like Dare to be Digital, Dare Schools Challenge and a major investment in upgrading information technology in schools have helped the ICF come to their decision."

ICF co-founder Louis Zacharilla who unveiled the shortlist said: "The Top Seven of 2010 have demonstrated ingenuity through innovative broadband applications and dedication to education.

"Each of the communities has been affected by recession, yet they pushed forward with their commitment to broadband, innovation and a knowledge-based economy through investments in research and development facilities, the creation and aggressive support of small business and 'clusters' of industries that continued to produce new jobs."

Dundee did not enter the competition last year because many of the projects that helped the city become one of the world's seven most intelligent communities two years in a row needed time to develop and produce the expected positive results.

Last year Sweden's capital Stockholm was top of a list of role models for the world's cities to aspire to.

This year's winner will be announced by the ICF at a ceremony in New York in May.

DUNDEE STATION

DESIGN WORK for a replacement railway bridge east of Dundee Station will now also incorporate plans for a new station entrance complex in front of the existing station building.

This innovative approach has been agreed to minimise disruption and get the best value for public money.

Officials from Transport Scotland, Network Rail, ScotRail and TACTRAN agreed to assist the Dundee Waterfront Board initiative at a recent meeting.

Chair of Dundee Waterfront Board Ken Guild said: “It makes sound financial sense for the design study to include the potential for a new station entrance complex.

“It is also inevitable that replacing the bridge in order to realign the roads as part of the waterfront redevelopment will cause disruption to rail and road users, as would the creation of a new station concourse.

“So I am pleased that all of the main players have come together to agree this approach which offers the best way forward at this time.”

The bridge which needs replaced dates back to Victorian times and is not suitable for the new road lay-out at the waterfront. Extensive investigations found that the best solution is complete removal and replacement of most of it.

But over the years parts of the station concourse have been built out onto the bridge.

At the meeting it was agreed that designing a street level station concourse that is structurally compatible with the new bridge offered the best value for money.

The organisations with a stake in the station have agreed to support the Dundee Waterfront Project’s proposal to design a new facility that works from an engineering and service providers’ point of view and better reflects the city’s ambitions, encourages more use of public transport and fits in with the surrounding architecture.

Any designs for a new entrance complex will include the potential for commercial elements to integrate with the existing station building.

The design study will be funded by Dundee Waterfront Partnership and TACTRAN and will also look at ways of funding a new station entrance complex that does not rely on financial commitments from Network Rail, Transport Scotland or transport service providers.

Allan Watt, director of business infrastructure and industries Scottish Enterprise, who is also a Waterfront Board member, said: “There is a massive amount of opportunity in Dundee as it continues to grow and develop at an impressive rate.

“That means that more and more people will continue to live, work and visit, so it is vital that the city is suitably equipped to cope with these opportunities.

“This agreement represents a real chance to further enhance Dundee.”

All of the parties have agreed to close and careful co-operation, which they say is vital to enable any possible improvements to take place.

Although the bridge replacement and road realignment are scheduled for the next phase of the Waterfront development, due to start in four to five years time, work on this scale has to be planned and approved well in advance.

Media Enquiries: Mike Boyle 01382 434196

JANUARY 2010

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE V&A AT DUNDEE

The V&A at Dundee - site announced, launch of design competition

‘The V&A at Dundee’, a new centre of 21st century design for Scotland and the world, will occupy a prime site at the heart of Dundee’s redeveloped waterfront, it is announced today (Monday January 11th).

An international architectural competition is being launched to deliver a landmark building for the centre, which will sit just to the south of Craig Harbour on a site to be created out into the River Tay.

“We are proposing a stunning location actually out into the River Tay and we want to find a design team that can deliver a world class building fitting for such a high quality project,” said Mike Galloway, Director of City Development for Dundee City Council.

“A two-stage architectural competition is about to be launched and we expect to have interest in this project from prominent architects and designers from around the world.”

The site is being made available through the Dundee Central Waterfront Partnership, the joint venture between Dundee City Council and Scottish Enterprise which is revitalising the prime area of land linking the city centre with the River Tay. Designers will be invited to make proposals for a building that reflects the V&A at Dundee project partnership’s desire to stimulate commerce as well as local and visitor interest.

The V&A at Dundee is being delivered by a ground-breaking partnership between the Victoria and Albert Museum - the world’s greatest museum of art and design - and the University of Dundee, the University of Abertay Dundee, Dundee City Council and Scottish Enterprise.

The V&A at Dundee will:

* be a rich and inspiring resource for design and creativity.

* attract visitors to world-class travelling and permanent exhibitions.

* improve the attractiveness of Dundee and its region to business.

It is planned that the V&A at Dundee will open in 2014. The dynamic combination of a landmark building on a superb site and outstanding content will help drive forward Dundee’s Waterfront regeneration and stimulate further Scotland’s creative industries.

Funding for the £47million project is anticipated to come from the Scottish Government, other public bodies and private donations.

Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop said, “The V&A at Dundee will boost the city’s - and Scotland’s - reputation as a thriving centre for the creative industries. The Scottish Government has put on record its strong support for this exciting project, so I am pleased to see the partnership making good progress in identifying a prime site on Dundee’s revitalised waterfront. I look forward to seeing many innovative and high-quality designs coming forward that reflect exactly what this project is about.

“It is vital that the V&A at Dundee is founded upon a robust business plan which maximises benefits for local communities, so we are happy to be providing financial assistance to the partnership to develop such a plan.”

The V&A at Dundee project has been driven forward to this point by a steering committee comprising the local partners and the V&A.

“The announcement of the site and the launch of the design competition bring this exciting project two big steps towards reality,” said Professor Pete Downes, Chairman of the Steering Group and Principal of the University of Dundee.

“Since the announcement of Scottish Government support for the project in August last year, each of the partners has been working to bring us to this stage. The next step will be the formation of a charitable company to carry the project forward and we will be making announcements on that very soon.

“There is still much work to be done to deliver this project but I am confident we will get there - the drive and determination exists to create a major asset for Dundee and Scotland.”

Through a changing programme of exhibitions and events the V&A at Dundee will have a continuous appeal to visitors, researchers and students of design, making it a major contributor to Dundee’s economic development.

From its unparalleled collections, the V&A will provide content chosen to stimulate, educate and inspire creativity.

Sir Mark Jones, Director of the V&A, said, “The creation of the V&A at Dundee fulfils the V&A’s aim of sharing its collections, exhibitions, skills and resources, reaching new audiences and giving access to more people nationally and internationally.”

The partnership will build on the content provided by the V&A to give the creative and design industries of Scotland the focus they demand and profile they deserve. In turn, they will use the research and inspiration engendered by the centre to influence manufacturers and service providers to invest in the highest quality of design.

The V&A at Dundee will encourage local engagement and inclusion. Its programmes will bring a wider understanding of design through the development of resources which support learning from primary school to professional level.

Ken Guild, Leader of Dundee City Council, said: “The V&A project will build on our ambitious regeneration plans for the city. It will create jobs, act as a visitor magnet and help boost the local economy.”

As a research centre, exhibition venue and home for specialist collections, V&A at Dundee will help define and develop what is best in Scottish contemporary design and offer inspiration for the future.

NOTES TO EDITORS

A feasibility study conducted by Whetstone Group and Conran & Partners, launched in February 2009 at the V&A at Dundee: Making it Happen conference, concluded the V&A at Dundee would have significant economic and cultural benefits for both Tayside and Scotland. In particular it is estimated that V&A at Dundee would bring an additional 500,000 visitors to Dundee, create up to 900 jobs locally as well as add £5.7m output to the Scottish economy.

The V&A is the world’s greatest museum of art and design with collections unrivalled in their scope and diversity spanning over two thousand years of human creativity in virtually every medium. It has an internationally renowned exhibition programme from major styles shows such as Art Deco (2003) and Modernism (2006) to cutting edge contemporary art and design displays. It has a strong tradition of applied research and curatorial excellence and its curatorial portfolio is complemented by existing strengths in Dundee at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design and the University of Abertay Dundee.

Scottish Enterprise is Scotland’s main enterprise, innovation and investment agency. Working in partnership with industry, academia and the public sector, SE aims to help make Scotland a place where business can thrive and key industries can be competitive. Its focus is to help businesses grow, encourage greater innovation and create the right conditions for companies to access property, markets and finance to increase productivity and increase Scotland’s ability to compete internationally.

April 2009

Dundee Waterfront Update

A KEY STAGE in the multi-million pound transformation of Dundee's waterfront could be underway within weeks if councillors back the move next week.

Members of the city development and policy and resources committees will be asked to approve the £20m, five year third phase of the project, including imminent work to install a £3m storm water tank.

Leader of Dundee City Council, Ken Guild said: "This phase of work is larger and more complex than previous activity, and as well as the storm water tank contract we are being asked to approve, it will also see demolition of ramps to and from the Tay Road Bridge, construction of new ramps in a modern, compact formation and associated utility diversions.

"When the central waterfront area is complete not only will the heart of Dundee be re-connected with its stunning estuary setting, but up to 3,500 permanent jobs will be created bringing in £2.6 billion to the national economy.

"A considerable amount of work has already gone on behind the scenes to secure funding, get approval from the Tay Road Bridge Joint Board for key elements of the plan and coordination for the trunk roads network from BEARScotland.The backing of the Tay Road Bridge Joint Board was needed so that contractors could get access to board land, and in order that engineering design and traffic flow for the bridge could be managed during the various construction phases.Fine tuning of the proposed phasing of the works was completed after discussions with BEAR, the managing agents for the trunk road network in Scotland. BEAR intend to reconstruct East Dock Street from Trades Lane to Broughty Ferry Road, coordinated with phase three of the central waterfront project, which will also need extensive traffic management.

That means that the East Dock Street works, which include creating a new Trades Lane junction, will initially run from late summer this year for three to four months.AMCO is being proposed as the contractor for the storm water tank which will take around a year to complete from its expected start date in the next few weeks.Because of its location on the grassed area to the east of the Hilton Hotel, work on building the tank will have no impact on drivers.

The first work at the TayRoadBridge itself is scheduled to start early next year and include the bridge ramps, service diversions and the construction of the proposed northern boulevard.

This part of the project will take more than four years, with completion expected early in 2014. The phasing of the works is extremely complex and could change as contractors are appointed and work begins on site.

That complexity and the overall length of the programme is partly caused by the need to minimise the impact on road and bridge users, and to ensure the city is open for business as usual during the implementation of these major works.

March 2009

£33 million boost for Dundee Waterfront Project

The ambitious 10-year project aims to reconnect Dundee city centre with the Tay and transform the surrounding streetscape.

The project is expected to create up to 1,000 new jobs over the next 10 years and will also see a new business district created in the city.

The cash, from Scottish Enterprise, will allow major engineering works to begin in the next few weeks.

The announcement was made by Finance Secretary John Swinney.

He said: ""The project will generate work, create jobs and keep the local economy moving, crucial in the current economic climate.

"And it will deliver a lasting legacy for future generations, supporting our long term aim of making Scotland a more successful country through increased sustainable economic growth."

The money will be spent on developing a massive storm water tank, a new northern boulevard and demolishing and re-building exit and access ramps at the Tay Road Bridge.

The first work at the Tay Road Bridge itself is scheduled to start in early 2010 and will include bridge ramps, service diversions and the construction of the proposed northern boulevard.

This phase of the project is expected to take more than four years, with completion expected early in 2014.

October 2008

First tenant for Dundee One

Scotland’s first new purpose-built forensic laboratory in almost 15 years is to be built on the banks of the River Tay.

Plans to build a purpose built forensic science facility in Dundee were unveiled today as agreement was reached by the Scottish Government and the Scottish Police Services Authority (SPSA) to secure a site at the City Quay.

SPSA will be occupying the whole of City Court, the northern building of Unicorn Property Group’s DundeeOne development. City Court will be built over five floors, covering an area of over 50,000 square feet; one of the largest Grade A office developments in Dundee in a generation.

The £16.2 million development marks a major vote of confidence in the future of forensic services in Scotland and will create a bespoke working environment which will facilitate the deployment of new forensic techniques and advances in technology across the country.

Set for completion in early 2010, the new modern forensic facility will house the DNA Database, the biology and chemistry laboratories, and the fingerprint and scene examination units.

It will provide a number of clear benefits to the provision of Forensic Services including:

• Facilities for specialised analysis such as dedicated space for the examination of large exhibits and a blood pattern analysis laboratory.
• Controlled laboratory environments to reduce contamination;
• A more efficient workflow through the appropriate location of different working environments within the new building, leading to faster processing times.
• Streamlining of the administration and forensic analysis process by establishing a common IT and evidence tracking system.
• Flexible space that can be adapted to accommodate additional staff and specialised equipment as future needs and demands become clearer.

Interim SPSA Convener George Kay said:

“This is a very significant investment by SPSA and we are delighted to have secured what we believe to be the right site at the most efficient cost. The development will be a major milestone for SPSA, a major vote of confidence in the future direction of forensic services for Scotland, and a major asset to the city of Dundee. Above all, I hope that it will be a place that supports our highly-skilled forensic staff to make their best contribution to the fight against crime.”

Tom Nelson, Director of SPSA Forensic Services, explained:

Some of the background to the issues driving the need for investment and change in forensic services:

“In the last two decades advances in science and technology, such as DNA analysis, has led to rapid and sustained growth in demand within criminal justice systems for forensic services. Meeting those demands is hard at the best of times – harder still when working from cramped, often-converted office space.

“This new facility will allow us to develop a building that will support more effective ways of working from the start – rather than forcing our staff and equipment to work around the constraints of an existing building.

“The reputation and place of forensic science within criminal justice is built on quality and trust. Forensic experts must have a working environment and appropriate storage facilities to ensure that there is no possibility of cross contamination of their work. After all, guilt and innocence for individuals may rest on those results.

“This new purpose-built facility will support that and represents another major step in the transformation of forensic services for the 21st century.”

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill added:

“This is good news for Scottish policing and the wider criminal justice system. SPSA’s decision to invest in a much needed new forensic laboratory at Dundee, together with the new laboratory which will form part of the Gartcosh Crime Campus near Glasgow, will transform the provision of forensic services across Scotland to the benefit of the police and indeed the wider criminal justice system.”

Commenting on the regeneration of the area, Tim Allan, Unicorn Property Group said:

“We are delighted to be working with SPSA on the development of this landmark DundeeOne building. Unicorn assembled a highly skilled design team who are uniquely qualified to do this special build. Given the fantastic location, the ease of access and the superb facilities, the move to City Court is set to be a huge enhancement for forensic services.

“City Quay (City Court & River Court) is proving to be both a commercial and residential destination of choice and we are very encouraged by the employment which will be brought to Dundee, and City Quay in particular, with the DundeeOne development.”

These two buildings represent the only new speculative office developments currently on site in Dundee. DundeeOne forms a key part of the overall City Quay / Waterfront development, a vision which will see Dundee’s Waterfront transformed over the next 20 years.

“Building on our knowledge of the city, our analysis of the city’s office market and our successes in developing City Quay as a new business quarter in the city centre, we were confident that if we initiated development, the shortage of quality office product, particularly in the City centre, and with the known levels of latent demand, then lettings would follow.”

Hugh Rutherford, Development Consultant and Joint Letting Agent at Montagu Evans stated:

“...the Dundee office market is due for a renaissance with strong levels of demand and limited supply. Whilst the current economic climate is affecting sentiment and take-up of office stock nationally, Dundee’s local economy is very broad based and unlike other office centres seems to be holding up well in the current downturn.”

Joint Development Consultant and Letting Agent, Andrew Dandie, of Graham & Sibbald, an expert on the Dundee market confirmed:

“The Waterfront area of Dundee represents a fantastic opportunity for office occupiers being located, as it is, in the heart of the City Centre with all the facilities therein and in close proximity to public transport facilities and accessibility to the main road system.”

River Court will complete in Quarter 2 2010 and has panoramic views over the Tay Estuary and the Dundee City skyline with efficient and flexible, open plan floorplates.

18 AUGUST 2008

DUNDEE WATERFRONT MEETING

PARTNERS and stakeholders with an interest in Dundee Waterfront gathered at City Quay to hear an update on the latest plans for the multi-million pound project.

The meeting, which included representatives of Dundee City Council, developers, contractors, public bodies and local businesses, was told that the next major phase of the work is due to start early in the new year.

Convener of Dundee City Council's economic development committee, Joe Morrow, who hosted the meeting, said: "It is vital that organisations and businesses that have a stake in the massive transformation of the waterfront have a clear understanding of what is going on and what is planned for its immediate future.

"To get to where we want to be there will inevitably be some disruption to the normal patterns of life in that part of Dundee, but hopefully if everyone knows what is going on, how long it is due to take, and most importantly why they are being inconvenienced, then they will be able to join us in keeping their eyes on the ultimate goal - a Dundee city centre connected with the waterfront and boasting some of the most magnificent streetscapes anywhere in northern Europe."

After a welcome and introduction by councillor Morrow, guests were taken through the timetable of works for the next six months, and given an overview of the project by city council staff.

Originally due to be carried out as part of the bridge off ramp realignment, a contract to build a massive storm water tank is the next major piece of work that will take place.

Although a contract specification is yet to be finalised, the tank which will be sited east of the Hilton Hotel, should be capable of holding hundreds of litres of rainwater run off from the centre of the city. Cllr Morrow told the meeting: "Without such a huge facility none of the development planned for the transformed waterfront would be sustainable.

"It would all end up swimming in water the first time a high tide coincided with a heavy downpour.

"Although it will be completely hidden underground when it is finished, it is still a part of the jigsaw that is fundamental to the completion of this visionary project."

Guests were also told that the last remnants of the pedestrian bridge which spanned south Marketgait between the railway station and the Nethergate Centre is to be taken down next month.

September is also expected to see the completion of resurfacing works in Gellatly Street, which will leave the road able to cope with the greater volume of traffic expected when the roads network is realigned later in the waterfront scheme.

A leading hotel chain is also close to signing a deal to lease a new building to be constructed on land adjacent to the inner ring road to the south of Nethergate, and an announcement could be made before the end of the year.

The 30-year master plan to reconnect Dundee city centre with its waterfront and transform the streetscape was conceived in 1998 and since then Dundee City Council along with its partners, has been putting some of the many millions of pounds in place that is needed to fund the massive changes.

Media Enquiries: Mike Boyle 01382 434196

05 June 2008

Work to Commence at Gellatly Street

WORK on two key elements that will underpin the multi million pound transformation of Dundee's waterfront will go before councillors next week.

Members of Dundee City Council's planning and transport committee will be asked to approve £450,000 of works to Gellatly Street and changes to the area's car park to help patrons of the new hotel at the site.

Planning and transport committee convener, Fraser Macpherson said: "As work on the waterfront goes on and roads are re-aligned and traffic flow changed, Gellatly Street will become much busier.

"With this in mind the road surface needs be improved and carrying out the resurfacing work now will help to avoid the potential of greater disruption in the future."

The resurfacing work will be done in two parts the first going from the south junction of Dock Street and Commercial Street round to the entrance of the multi-storey car park.

As a result Gellatly Street will temporarily change from being one-way northwards from Commercial Street to Seagate to a no-through road.

While work is going on in the first phase Gellatly Street will become two-way from Seagate to the multi-storey car park, which will remain open throughout the contract.

Heavy goods vehicles which will not have space to turn will be required to park on Seagate and transport deliveries from there to businesses in Gellatly Street.

Residents and traders in the street have been notified of the changes to the traffic flow and arrangements for deliveries while work progresses.

Plans to open the new Holiday Inn Express hotel in Dock Street are well advanced and a link between the building and the adjacent Gellatly Street car park has been agreed.

Councillors will be asked to endorse a recommendation to issue paid for permits to hotel patrons allowing them to park in Gellatly Street car park from 2pm until noon the following day.

Cllr Joe Morrow, who chairs the Waterfront Project Board said: "These two elements of activity in Gellatly Street are fundamental to the early part of the revolutionary makeover of Dundee's waterfront.

"With considerable work already completed under ground to prepare the waterfront, these two pieces of activity will be tangible evidence of the forthcoming transformation."Ê

Details of the latest developments in the project and the wider waterfront vision can be found on www.dundeewaterfront.com

The planning and transport committee meets on Monday (June 9).

April 2008

New Tenant for City Quay

Bell Lawrie moves Dundee operation to 4,000 sq ft office in Shed 26, City Quay

With the announcement that another of Dundee's top companies has moved into City Quay, the company behind the regeneration of this historic part of the waterfront predicts a bright future for Dundee's growing city centre.

The latest tenant to move into City Quay is Bell Lawrie, the leading private client investment manager, which has let 4,000 sq ft in Shed 26.

Tim Allan, of Unicorn Property Group said: "City Quay has been developed, refurbished and successfully let or sold nearly all the commercial space - or what amounts to a new commercial quarter of Dundee's city centre, set in the dramatic old buildings built by the Victorians as maritime sheds.

"The company backed a vision for the city: an enlarged city centre, with top class commercial and residential accommodation, built in a new quarter of the city which is a link to the city's proud maritime history. We are pleased that firms of the calibre of Bell Lawrie share that vision."

Bell Lawrie, who has seven offices in Scotland, employ 21 staff in Dundee, including investment managers, financial services consultants and administrative staff, will move the entire operation to City Quay.

Ian MacDonald, Division Director of Bell Lawrie in Dundee, said: "We are delighted to secure this excellent new office space at City Quay. This investment signals our confidence that our company will continue to grow in years to come as we look to strengthen our client offering throughout Tayside.”

Letting agent, Andrew Dandie of Graham + Sibbald, which acted for Unicorn said: "The commercial success of City Quay – and the number of enquiries we are getting for DundeeOne – is great news for Dundee. Unicorn is developing a genuinely visionary plan for the historic Docks and the company's plans and buildings are recognised as an important part of the city's ongoing regeneration."

City Quay was acquired by Unicorn Property Group in 2005, and the company has developed Shed 26 and 27 into top quality commercial accommodation. There are 12 new Units (numbered 27 - 38) at City Quay, which to date have been purchased or leased by a series of well known professional companies.
ENDS.

For further information please contact: Nick Ball, Five Square Property Marketing (t: 0131-466 0870 | m: 07917-860005 | e: nb@5sq.co.uk)

Link: http://www.unicornpropertygroup.com

April 2008

ENET opens City Quay to new business in Tayside

Business Gateway operator Enterprise North East Trust lets Units 27–29 at City Quay

One of the largest providers of purpose built offices and meeting spaces for small businesses in the North East of Scotland is the latest company to move into City Quay, on Dundee’s Waterfront.

Enterprise North East Trust (ENET) delivers the Business Gateway service in Tayside and Grampian and the private company has signed leases to occupy Units 27-29, a total of around 6,000 sq ft.

The move means that many of Dundee and Tayside’s younger and smaller businesses will be able to use and enjoy the stunning meeting and conference rooms at City Quay.

Karen Pugh, Director of Enterprise North East Trust, said: “The City Quay development gave us the opportunity to design the internal space to create the flexible working environment that we needed. ENET has created a meeting and training room suite for the delivery of Business Gateway, office space for our Business Advisors and support team and Quayside Conference Centre which has three conference rooms that are available for hire on an hourly, half day or full day basis. The Conference Centre has all the facilities, services and equipment you need to organise a meeting or conference as well as a dedicated reception and support service and a luxurious breakout and refreshment area.”

Tim Allan, director of Unicorn Property Group, which renovated and let the property, said: “City Quay is truly a dynamic quarter of the city of Dundee, for living and for business. Alongside the outstanding living offered by Unicorn’s residential developments, we are proud that so many companies are moving into this first rate commercial accommodation on the city’s historic waterfront.”

Andrew Dandie, partner in Graham + Sibbald, which acted for Unicorn Property Group said: “The letting of three units to ENET further underlines that the City Quay area of Dundee is the most dynamic business district in the City, with ENET joining other occupiers such as SMC Parr and EQ Chartered Accountants. Demand has been such that we will soon have successfully let or sold all the available units. Such is the success of the area that the future looks prosperous for Unicorn’s DundeeOne office development for which I am receiving a steady number of initial enquiries.”

City Quay is a development of Victorian maritime sheds which offer excellent parking and panoramic views over the River Tay in a fully modernised and specified accommodation, set in an historic riverside context.

Tim Allan commented: “Unicorn’s vision for City Quay was to preserve and celebrate the heritage of this area of the city centre – which played such an important part in Dundee’s commercial past – by bringing it up to date and turning it into a new, vibrant quarter of the city, linking the city to the River Tay.”

City Quay was acquired by Unicorn Property Group in 2005, and the company has developed Shed 26 and 27 into top quality commercial accommodation. There are 12 new Units (numbered 27 - 38) at City Quay.

Link:  http://www.unicornpropertygroup.com

12 MARCH 2008

WATERFRONT ANNOUNCEMENT

THE DEVELOPMENT brief for a prominent site on Dundee's waterfront will be issued soon, following a decision by the Dundee Central Waterfront Project Board.

Dundee City Council's representatives at the world's largest property market, currently being held in France, announced the move yesterday (WEDNESDAY).

Convener of Dundee City Council's economic development committee, Joe Morrow said: "Land at Yeaman Shore, which is currently being used as a temporary car park, will become available soon and we will be encouraging developers to bring forward their proposals for the site.

"Its communications links couldn't be better sitting as it does on the inner ring road and just a few metres from Dundee railway station."

The announcement comes in the wake of news that a local computer games development studio which works on titles for platforms including PS3, XBox and Wii has moved into new premises at Seabraes Yard.

Proper Games joins other tenants at the property which was designed for digital media and creative industries.

A leading hotel chain is also close to signing a deal to lease a new building to be constructed on land adjacent to the inner ring road to the south of Nethergate.

Cllr Morrow added: "With the waterfront redevelopment planned to span the next 25 years, there will be periods such as this when there are flurries of activity involving smaller parcels of land, times when it seems nothing is happening or major announcements featuring world class developments.

"That is the nature of such a long term redevelopment, and shows the hard work that is constantly going on to market the waterfront in a way that will meet our vision for what is a very special area of the city."

7 MARCH 2008

WORLD'S LARGEST PROPERTY MARKET

REPRESENTATIVES of Dundee City Council will be at the world's largest property market next week, to help highlight the potential of the city's waterfront.

MIPIM brings together key players in real estate, investors, developers, architects, hotel chains and public bodies for a four day business exchange.

Convener of Dundee City Council's economic development committee, Joe Morrow said: "Dundee has been recognised as one of the top 30 European cities of the future in a Financial Times magazine, legitimising our representation at MIPIM.

"That very high placing, beating cities including Liverpool, Munich, Zurich and Prague, took into account many elements including economic potential, business friendliness, quality of life, human resources, costs, infrastructure and existing foreign direct investment.

"The fact that Dundee's waterfront is regarded as a world-class environment for developments of many kinds also means that it is only right that we take that message to these major businesses in the global property market."

Last year at its 18th annual exhibition, MIPIM welcomed 26,210 professionals from the real estate sector representing 83 countries, and organisers are hoping to better that total this time round.

The Dundee exhibition, which will be part of a larger Scotland stand, backed by the Scottish Government, will show a custom-designed animated "fly through" of the waterfront, highlighting its potential to investors and developers.

A special brochure and other marketing materials will also be distributed by the two-strong Dundee team at the event in Cannes.

01/11/2007

Dundee's Number One
The economic resurgence of the city of Dundee continues today with the announcement of the name of the city's largest speculative office development in a generation.

DundeeOne at City Quay will provide in excess of 100,000 square foot of Grade A office space, built by Unicorn Property Group, the lead company behind the successful residential development on the city's waterfront.

The two buildings, City Court and River Court represent an initial investment of £18m and will provide high quality office space for the employment of almost 1000 people, typically in the financial, professional and public sectors.

Work will start on the development at the end of 2007 and the finished buildings, which will be completed in January 2009, will massively increase GRADE A office capacity in the city, which is currently in very short supply.

Tim Allan, director of Unicorn Property Group, "Dundee is a fantastic city with a high quality, well educated workforce readily available for any investor. The city’s growing reputation and fantastic quality of life is being widely recognised across the world, by organisations in the US in Europe and in the Middle East. Until now, we have as a city suffered from a lack of readily available new office space. Thus DundeeOne will meet that need. It's the right time to embark on this kind of speculative development matching the ambition, aspiration and enterprising spirit of the City”.

"Dundee has worked hard in recent years, with a lead from the council, to bring in economic opportunity from across the business world. A building of the size and ambition of Dundee One will show the world that Dundee is not just open for business, but that it is open to more business.”

Dundee One will be marketed by Montagu Evans and Graham & Sibbald. Hugh Rutherford, Partner in Charge of Business Space, Montagu Evans, Scotland, said: “The arguments for Dundee as an ideal destination for investment and relocation are compelling and tenants are beginning to appreciate the deep resources offered by the City. As a property agent, you always seek to provide locations that offer a ready supply of highly skilled staff, a good quality of life and a fantastic building. DundeeOne offers all these. In addition, its location is unique, on the banks of a great river, in the middle of a City next to all the transport connections you could want. “

Andrew Dandie, Partner in Graham & Sibbald’s Dundee office said: “The world is waking up to the potential of Dundee and its ambitious view of the future. With two universities, world class teaching hospital and the Wellcome Trust’s research centres, Dundee is seeing a boom in the knowledge and hi tech economies. DundeeOne will offer the kind of high quality space to meet the needs of this rapidly expanding sector all in a unique location. We expect demand to be high for what is the most highly specified office investment in the last 30 years.”

DundeeOne has been designed by Comprehensive Design Architects of Edinburgh, winners of the British Council for Offices Award in 2006 for their design of Skyways House, the Littlewoods headquarters in Merseyside, and designers of the new Scotsman building in Edinburgh.

Every effort has been made to balance the functionality and contemporary design of DundeeOne with the needs of the environment. To that end, DundeeOne is aiming at the highest energy efficiency and environmental sustainability rating ever – BREEAM Excellent - in the Angus and Tayside area. In addition, the development is committed to equal opportunities and access so will be readily compliant with current Disability Access legislation.

Full information can be found at www.dundeeone.com (which will go live on Thursday 1st Nov 2007)

Further Information

Tim Allan Unicorn Property Group 01382-224 555
Hugh Rutherford Montagu Evans LLP 0131-229 3800
Andrew Dandie Graham & Sibbald 01382-200064
For Pictures or to arrange interviews, please call Janine Sproule, Five
Square Property Marketing 0131-308 7206 or mobile 07731 302 960

Background Information
• Dundee One will be available in two buildings: City and River Courts
• Each building has 5 lettable floors
• Total net lettable space is 100,000 sqft
• Whole Floorplates range in size from 8,300 sq ft to 10,900 sq ft
• Suites available from 2,000 sqft
• Planning consent was gained at planning committee on 20th August 2007
• Excellent BREEAM rating (targeted)

22/03/2007
Waterfront Time Travel
PEDESTRIANS using a Dundee street are being invited to travel through time to chart the past, present and future of the city's waterfront area.

The journey, guided by a 36 metre (125 ft) long hoarding, tells the story of the city's relationship with the River Tay from the 18th century to the radical transformation planned for the next three decades.

Joe Morrow, convener of Dundee City Council's economic development committee and chairman of the Dundee waterfront board, and Mike Galloway, the city's director of planning and transportation unveiled the epic journey today (THURSDAY) which screens works going on under the Tay Road Bridge off ramp in Dock Street

Cllr Morrrow said: "Dundee has had a long and fruitful relationship with the river and the harbour area created to link the two, but for too long now the city and its people have been isolated from parts of the waterfront.

"The plans which feature on these boards show how we propose to re-establish that link for the benefit of Dundonians and visitors."

As well as showing drawings, pictures and artists' impressions of the waterfront masterplan, the hoardings direct passers-by to a new website, www.dundeewaterfront.com , which details the extensive changes needed to make the vision a reality.

These include extending the city centre's built environment down to the waterfront, partly by creating a new grid street pattern based on historical routes; the removal and replacement of some of the Tay Road Bridge on and off-ramps; the creation of a major new civic space and re-opened dock stretching from the Caird Hall to the river and ultimately the provision of a new rail station.

The 30-year masterplan was conceived in 1998 and since then Dundee City Council along with its partners, has been putting funding in place to start the massive changes, as well as carrying out preparation works. Among the changes Dundonians have already seen are re-alignment of part of Marketgait, which is enabling new development and on-going strengthening works for the Dock Street rail tunnel. It is hoped that this stage will be completed in November. Postcards containing information about the waterfront plans, and the new website address, have been distributed to hotels in the city, as well as the airport, rail station and visitor attractions.

The Dundee and Angus Convention Bureau will also include one in every pack they provide to delegates attending conferences in the city in the coming months, and property developers building homes at nearby City Quay will use them in their promotional material.

More than 8,000 businesses in the city have also been briefed on the plans via Dundee City Council's magazine, Investment News, the latest edition of which focused entirely on the waterfront. An additional 35,000 copies of Investment News were also distributed earlier this month via one of the UK's leading property magazines, Estates Gazette.

22/01/2007
Closure of Olympia Walkway North Ramp

The ramp from the car park area of Tayside House to the Olympia walkway will be closed from Wednesday (January 24) as part of the Dock Street rail tunnel work. Access to the walkway from 5.45am to 10.15pm weekdays and 8.45am to 6.15pm at weekends will be via the escalators and lifts at Tayside House. Pedestrians should use the crossing near the Tay Hotel outwith these times and this is also the route for cyclists. Alternative access route map available to download.

22/06/2006
Major development deal announced for Dundee's Creative Media District

Details of a deal to build a second development at Dundee's creative media district Seabraes Yards have been revealed by site owners Scottish Enterprise Tayside.

Work will start this month on a four-storey, 28,000sq foot building which will be able to accommodate around 300 staff.

Scottish Enterprise Tayside has agreed the development deal for the one-acre site at the entrance to the project with Tayside Developments Ltd, part of the Foxdown Properties group.

The high-quality office building will be the first new-build development in Seabraes Yards, which is on a brownfield site in the heart of Dundee, and aimed at developing the digital media sector in Tayside. The development of the gateway site between the Sensation building and Vision@Seabraes, is being seen as a key part of the project.

The new building will have two wings either side of a central core and be constructed in line with the design masterplan for Seabraes Yards. It will be based on a structural steel frame, with high quality cladding materials including feature terracotta rain screen cladding. The accommodation within the building will be flexible and be able to house both small and large space users.

Marketing of the development to companies in the creative industries sector - one of six key sectors identified by Scottish Enterprise as vital to economic growth - will be carried out by Scottish Enterprise nationally and internationally and the developer has appointed Graham & Sibbald's Dundee office as letting agent.

Nick Day, competitive place director at Scottish Enterprise Tayside, said: "This is a significant deal in one of Tayside's most high-profile and important investment projects. More than 2,000 people are employed in the thriving creative media sector in Dundee and this will drive further growth.

"The building will house a number of creative industry companies and complement Vision@Seabraes by attracting new talent and further investment to the area as well as supporting indigenous companies."

Rod Brown, director of Foxdown Properties Ltd, said: "The building is due to be completed next Spring by the main design and build contractor Cameron Harris in association with James Barr Architecture, and is a positive step in the future redevelopment of Seabraes Yards. We anticipate several companies, some of them local, will take advantage of the high quality accommodation which will be provided within the building."

Occupying a 20-acre site on the main western approach to the city, Seabraes Yards was formerly known as Dundee Digital Media Park. The ambitious venture is the result of close collaboration between SE Tayside, the European Union and private and public sector organisations and is projected to result in £50million being injected into the area over the next 10 years.

Contact: Gary Grant, SE Tayside
Email: gary.grant@scotent.co.uk
www.seabraesyards.com