RICS Scotland officially opens its new Edinburgh offices

RICS new Scottish headquarters were officially opened this week at Edinburgh’s iconic Princes Street by Minister for Local Government and Planning, Derek Mackay, MSP. The new, state of the art offices, located at 125 Princes Street, will also host Planning Aid Scotland, Built Environment Forum Scotland and the Scottish Arbitration Centre, with the idea being to create collaborative built environment hub in the heart of Scotland’s capital city. Explained Sarah Speirs, Director RICS Scotland: “Throughout this process we have been very keen to recognise and utilise the professional skills and expertise of our members, including the talents of our building surveying members, who we have now been working on the design and fit out of our transformational space at 125 Princes Street for the past couple of months.” The new open plan offices, which benefit from views of Princes Street Gardens and Edinburgh Castle were designed using BIM technology as a best practice example for the sector. RICS Scotland was previously situated in Manor Place, home to the organisation for 75 years. Said Speirs: “It is no mean feat moving 75 years of history. However, this modern home for RICS continues to provide value to the membership and demonstrate the central role RICS plays in Scotland’s built environment industry. “Our move to 125 marks a new era for RICS Scotland as we move forward as a modern professional organisation.” She explained that the new offices will serve a double function: as a place from which to manage and administrate the profession in Scotland, and as a hub for members and member activities such as seminars, conferences and networking.