Law firm Shepherd and Wedderburn has acted for AECOM - the first tenant at Edinburgh's newly refurbished Tanfield development at Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, which was launched this week.

The firm struck a 15-year deal for AECOM, the global provider of professional technical and management support services, with landlord The Carlyle Group, to let the first floor – a 17,097 sq ft space.

Tanfield, the former Standard Life HQ, was completed in July 2009 following a £20 million face-lift. It will become home to AECOM's 175 staff, which are currently based across three different offices in the Capital.

Paul Donald, partner in the property team at Shepherd and Wedderburn, said: "Tanfield offers impressive Grade A space in a central location. Negotiating this deal for AECOM is significant for the city’s property market and marks the start of a new lease of life for this renowned Edinburgh site."


AECOM was advised by Shepherd and Wedderburn and Ryden and Tanfield developers, global private equity firm The Carlyle Group and its joint venture partner, Bellhouse Joseph were advised by McGrigors and CBRE.

The Tanfield deal comes on the back of Shepherd and Wedderburn's involvement in some of Edinburgh’s most significant property deals in recent months. The firm’s property team completed the first major letting at the new Exchange Place development, securing a 15-year lease for Scott-Moncrieff with landlord, Scottish Widows Investment Partnership.

The team also acted in the largest letting in Edinburgh’s office market in 2009, acting on behalf of developer, New Edinburgh Limited to strike a 10-year deal with Business Stream to let the first floor at Edinburgh Park’s flagship building, 7 Lochside View.

Paul Donald added: "Our involvement in some of the city's most high profile lettings this year really underlines the firm’s expertise in this market."

(GK/BMcC)