2 Semple Street

A transformative completion of the urban block

Completing the Exchange District on one of the few remaining gap sites in the area at the time, 2 Semple Street brings a considered, quality aesthetic to this focal corner, providing Grade A office accommodation with fantastic views to Edinburgh Castle from the upper floors and award-winning cycle facilities, creating an enviable working environment.

Location Fountainbridge, Edinburgh
Client GSS Developments
Status Complete
Services Architecture
Size 61,000 Sqft
Photography David Cadzow

2 Semple Street is a 61,000sqft, six-storey speculative office development in Fountainbridge that transforms its site from a series of rundown, incoherent buildings to a stylish and transformative completion of the urban block.

Completing the south-west edge of the Exchange District, 2SS creates a new building with a considered, quality aesthetic that improves and completes the corner to Semple Street and Fountainbridge.

From the outset, we worked with the clients, GSS Developments, to create a modern building with a timeless design and a high quality, grade 'A' interior that would appeal to a variety of tenants.

The corner was previously run down and incoherent.

An unsightly warehouse building was incongruous in this Financial District.

A particularly tricky build in this constricted city centre site.

Amongst the high-quality facilities included are electric car charging points, a dedicated cycle lane that leads to an award-winning cycle storage and maintenance area, and bespoke shower and changing facilities.

On the ground floor, a flexible concierge desk and waiting booths replace the traditional reception area staple of desk and sofas. This allows for multi-occupancy with minimum changes to the entrance area. A retail unit activates the street corner.

All floors have fantastic levels of light from the floor to ceiling glazing, with the top floor gaining spectacular views of Edinburgh Castle and the Pentland Hills.