Five Cadogan
Five Cadogan is a 72,500 sq ft commercial building in the heart of Glasgow. With outdated services, inefficient floorplates and limited amenities, the building needed more than a cosmetic refurbishment to meet the expectations of today's occupiers.
Appointed by Nora Limited, Area delivered a comprehensive design and build refurbishment, transforming Five Cadogan into a flexible, modern workplace. The project brings together improved circulation, adaptable office accommodation and a range of amenities, creating a more attractive and competitive offering within Glasgow's commercial property market.
Client
Nora Limited
Services
Workplace Consultancy, Office Design, Construction, Furniture
Size
72,500 sq ft
Location
Glasgow, Scotland
Reimagining Five Cadogan
The ambition was to reposition Five Cadogan as a workplace that could compete with the city's leading office developments.
Before developing the design, Area worked with local letting agents to understand market demand, occupier expectations and the amenities offered by competing buildings. This insight helped shape a commercially focused refurbishment strategy, balancing the needs of future tenants with the long-term value of the asset.
One of the biggest challenges was the building's existing six-storey atrium, which limited usable floor space and created inefficient circulation.
By infilling the atrium across six floors, Area unlocked additional lettable space and improved connectivity throughout the building. The core layout was reconfigured, while a new staircase connecting the ground floor and basement created a more intuitive journey between spaces.
Flexibility built into every floor
The refurbishment included a complete replacement of the building's mechanical, electrical and public health services, alongside CAT A office accommodation across floors two to six and CAT B fit-outs to the ground and first floors.
Flexibility was central to the design. Building services were configured to allow floors to be subdivided, giving the landlord greater freedom to accommodate businesses of different sizes.
The result is a mix of adaptable office accommodation, co-working environments and shared social spaces, creating a building that can respond to changing tenant requirements.
More than just office space
A key part of the transformation was introducing amenities that support how people work, connect and spend time throughout the day.
A new rooftop bar and terrace provide space to socialise and enjoy views across Glasgow, complemented by additional outdoor terraces on the upper floors.
At basement level, a cinema room, breakout areas, wellness pods and gym introduce opportunities for relaxation, wellbeing and connection beyond the traditional office environment.
Enhanced end-of-trip facilities, including secure cycle storage, showers, lockers and changing rooms, support active commuting, while refurbished lifts, washrooms and communal areas improve the everyday experience for occupiers and visitors.
Designed for long-term performance
Alongside the interior transformation, the refurbishment focused on improving the building's environmental performance and extending its useful life.
Upgrades to the building fabric, new LED lighting and photovoltaic panels support improved energy efficiency, with the project targeting BREEAM Excellent and an EPC A rating.
External façade improvements give Five Cadogan a refreshed identity, while the interior design introduces contemporary finishes with subtle references to Glasgow's architectural character.
Together, these improvements have repositioned Five Cadogan as a modern, adaptable workplace, bringing new life to an established commercial building and creating a stronger proposition for Glasgow's evolving office market.