Dundee accountancy firm Henderson Loggie is moving its head office to the waterfront in one of the city’s largest commercial property deals of the year.
The chartered accountants and business advisers is relocating from Royal Exchange in Panmure Street to the Vision Building in Greenmarket, where it has plans to increase staff by more than 25%.
The 96 personnel are completing the move this week for the company to be up and running next Monday, when business restarts after the festive season shutdown.
Henderson Loggie has signed a 10-year lease for the property, financial details of which are not being disclosed.
The new office in the former mill is 16,394ft2, offering enough accommodation for the existing team with the scope for planned growth up to 125 desks.
It also has six meeting rooms with a flexible design, three of which convert into a conference suite accommodating an audience of 80.
The firm has been at Royal Exchange since December 2007, following the merger with the Dundee office of KPMG.
Previously Henderson Loggie was further along Panmure Street at number 11, at one time the original Dundee Post Office.
Henderson Loggie managing partner David Smith said: “The reason for the move is to fit with our growth aspirations.
“It’s a modern office with an inspiring design, and having everyone on one floor will suit collaborative working between our teams,” he added.
“With a lot of glass in the design providing excellent natural light, it will ensure a welcoming and approachable feel.
“A big plus is the improved access and parking for our clients compared to our present site.
“In addition, with the V&A on its way, there is a gravitational pull for the city centre to move towards the river.”
The Vision Building is the former Robert L Fleming Seabraes mill that was converted into modern office accommodation, operating as a 24/7 base for a number of businesses, several of which are in the creative industries.
It was at the old mill that Robert L Fleming pioneered the use of whale oil from the South Atlantic and jute from the Indian subcontinent to laminate jute on to paper to make more durable and versatile sacks.
The company prospered while the British jute industry went into decline, with Mr Fleming following a path of innovation.
Henderson Loggie is replacing previous tenants in Suite 8, city computer games studio Outplay Entertainment, which is moving to Suite 2.
With a history stretching back over 100 years, Henderson Loggie has become one of the leading independent firms of chartered accountants and business advisers in Scotland, with offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow as well as Dundee.