Edinburgh
5 Forres Street
Edinburgh, EH3 6DE
Glasgow
83a Candleriggs
Glasgow, G1 1LF
Manchester
11 York Street
Manchester, M2 2AW

2 Semple Street

A transformative completion of the urban block

A side view of the exterior of 2 Semple Street

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 of 2 Semple Street prior to construction

The corner was previously run down and incoherent.

The warehouse building prior to construction

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.

Bicycle storage in 2 Semple Street
The changing room in 2 Semple Street with black lockers and yellow benches on one side with a row of shower stalls behind it
The hallway lined with black wooden doors to bathroom stalls in 2 Semple Street and a white floor in contrast

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.

The reception area of 2 Semple Street taken from the exterior of the building
The reception area with a white front desk and yellow bespoke metal panels covering part of the wall and ceiling
A close up of the yellow bespoke metal panels in the reception area

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.

A room in 2 Semple Street with windows lining the exterior walls looking out to Edinburgh Castle

We were delighted to work with a client who had the same ambitions when it came to providing a quality finish

The exterior area of 2 Semple Street
The side of the exterior of 2 Semple Street taken in twilight with the lights on
A side view of the exterior of 2 Semple Street
The bathroom at 2 Semple Street with grey tiles on the floor and wall and white and black sinks
The stairwell in 2 Semple Street with black carpet and white walls
The hallway lined with black wooden doors to bathroom stalls in 2 Semple Street and a white floor in contrast
A side view of the exterior of 2 Semple Street

Awards

  • BCO AwardsCommercial Workplace (Regional)Winner2019
1
The corner of 2 Semple Street prior to construction

The corner was previously run down and incoherent.

2
The warehouse building prior to construction

An unsightly warehouse building was incongruous in this Financial District.

3

A particularly tricky build in this constricted city centre site.

4
5
Bicycle storage in 2 Semple Street 6
The changing room in 2 Semple Street with black lockers and yellow benches on one side with a row of shower stalls behind it 7
The hallway lined with black wooden doors to bathroom stalls in 2 Semple Street and a white floor in contrast 8
The reception area of 2 Semple Street taken from the exterior of the building 9
The reception area with a white front desk and yellow bespoke metal panels covering part of the wall and ceiling 10
A close up of the yellow bespoke metal panels in the reception area 11
A room in 2 Semple Street with windows lining the exterior walls looking out to Edinburgh Castle 12
The exterior area of 2 Semple Street 13
The side of the exterior of 2 Semple Street taken in twilight with the lights on 14
A side view of the exterior of 2 Semple Street 15
The bathroom at 2 Semple Street with grey tiles on the floor and wall and white and black sinks 16
The stairwell in 2 Semple Street with black carpet and white walls 17
The hallway lined with black wooden doors to bathroom stalls in 2 Semple Street and a white floor in contrast 18
A side view of the exterior of 2 Semple Street 19

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