Fintech firm Nucleus takes up residence at capital’s CSG Greenside development

The deal will see the award-winning fintech firm take exclusive occupancy of the 2nd floor and partial occupancy of the 3rd floor office space on a 10 year lease commencing this coming November, and relocating its 180 staff from its current HQ in the city centre.

Greenside, which backs onto Calton Hill, provides 38,000 sq ft of office accommodation arranged over five floors, with Nucleus - an innovative wrap provider set up in 2006 to initiate a sea-change in the investment and pensions market – taking just under half of this at 18,750 sq ft.

CSG is in the process of redeveloping the building. Having originally been built in 1988 as a computer centre for Scottish Equitable, it is set to be replaced with a vibrant new ‘de-furbished’ and modern Grade A, energy efficient office space.

The fit out, by GHI Contracts, has seen back-up generators and chiller plant rooms being stripped out. High ceilings have been created from removing suspended ceilings giving Nucleus an impressive amphitheatre stair linking the two floors for staff presentations and events.

GHI is also undertaking shell and core works to the rest of the building to ‘de-furbish’ and create a state-of-the-art space with the introduction of an enlarged reception area and creation of a staff break out terrace.

The high quality of materials previously used has allowed CSG to introduce full height windows allowing natural daylight to flood in. In addition, an entirely new mechanical and electrical plant will lift the Energy Performance Certificate level from a D to B through the introduction of a heat recovery air conditioning system and LED lights throughout.

Chris Stewart, CEO of Chris Stewart Group, said: “We are delighted to have agreed terms with Nucleus for the lease at Greenside. Having shared our vision for the building, we look forward to welcoming them later this year.”

He added: “By ambitiously reimagining a tired looking 30 year old block overlooking Calton Hill in the heart of the city, we have taken design inspiration from the local surroundings to create a contemporary working environment.

“We were delighted to see that stripping back the original 1980s office fit out of suspended ceilings and ducts has revealed such an impressive structure. Coupled with the discovery of additional space in the old generator and chiller rooms, it has enabled us to give the building a brand new lease of life to suit the needs of today’s businesses in the city.”

Nucleus founder and CEO, David Ferguson, said: “We’ve always tried to create the right sort of environment for our people to do great work, albeit always within the financial limitations of the time. Our continued growth has enabled us to substantially grow profitability and we now have the opportunity to create a pretty stunning environment, which I hope will be energising for our people and ultimately allow them to take us to far greater heights. Greenside looks like being a world-class facility and is certainly in the happening end of town – we’ll be sorry to leave Thistle Street Lane but this move should encourage us to up the pace and accelerate us in the direction of £40bn or £50bn of assets under management.”