Secure City Centre Office Investment

168 Bath Street | Glasgow | G2 4TP

£2,950,000

subject to contract

SOLD

Summary

  • Located in Glasgow City Centre

  • Unbroken 10 year lease term

  • Secure income to long established and highly respected tenant

  • Rent re-based

  • Offers in excess of £2,950,000, subject to contract

  • 7.04% net initial yield

  • 7.52% guaranteed reversionary yield

168 Bath Street | |  |  | Glasgow | | G2 4TP

Location

Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city, with a primary catchment population of 1.86m people and is the third largest urban conurbation in the UK; contributing substantially to both the Scottish and UK economies. The city is situated on the River Clyde, some 67 km (42 miles) to the west of Edinburgh. There has been substantial public sector investment in the city centre and central business district and this, combined with the availability of a highly skilled workforce, has attracted a number of high profile international companies to the city.

Glasgow boasts excellent transport links, with the M8 motorway connecting the city centre with Scotland’s wider motorway system. It is well served by 2 major train stations (Queen Street and Central) linking the city with Britain’s national rail network. Glasgow Airport is located 15 km (9 miles) west of the city centre. The airport offers regular domestic, European and transatlantic flights with approximately 200 flights daily. There are 358 flights to London per week with an approximate 1-hour journey.

Situation

The property is situated on the north side of Bath Street, a recognised office location within the heart of the City Centre. The building sits one block from Blythswood Square, a well-known Glasgow landmark and home to the 5 star Blythswood Hotel. Sauchiehall Street lies immediately to the north of the subjects and is one of the strongest retailing pitches in Glasgow city centre. Characterised by its attractive pedestrianised section, the street boasts a number of key retail occupiers such as TK Maxx, Primark, Marks & Spencer, Boots, WH Smith and Sainsbury’s, as well as numerous other national multiples.

Immediately behind the subject property, the Charles Rennie Mackintosh designed Willow Tea Rooms are currently undergoing a £7 million refurbishment in order to restore them to their former glory. Originally constructed in 1903, the building was recently acquired by the Willow Tea Rooms Trust. The refurbishment is due to be completed in 2018 and as part of the project there is a proposal to upgrade and improve the lane to the rear of the subjects.

There is a 24 hour Q Park located 1 minute walk from the building providing 372 car spaces with metered parking on Bath Street. In addition to the numerous office occupiers nearby, the surrounding properties provide a mix of commercial uses including hotels - Hampton by Hilton, Apex and Abode Glasgow, bars and restaurants.

168 Bath Street | |  |  | Glasgow | | G2 4TP
168 Bath Street | |  |  | Glasgow | | G2 4TP

Description

The subjects comprise two traditional townhouse buildings that have been combined to provide modern contemporary offices over 4 floors. The buildings are Category B listed and are of sandstone construction with slate mansard roof to the front and part flat roof to the rear extension. The buildings were comprehensively refurbished in 2003 being fully modernised throughout including

  • Full height atrium housing 8 person glass elevator serving all floors
  • Raised access floors within majority of building
  • Gas central heating
  • Partial air conditioning
  • Fire Alarm and Security alarm recently upgraded
  • Boilers recently renewed
  • Outdoor staff area

There is a mixture of cellular and open plan offices provided over lower ground, ground, first and second floors. There is a generous provision of toilets throughout and excellent staff/kitchen facilities.

The property is very well-maintained by the tenants who have a comprehensive maintenance programme in place.

Accommodation

The property has been measured by Square Foot Media and we have been provided with the following floor areas measured to RICS IPMS3 guidelines

  Sq m Sq ft
Lower Ground Floor 383.49 4,128
Ground Floor 358.78 3,862
First Floor 316.51 3,407
Mezzanine 43.48 468
Second Floor 134.98 1,453
Total 1237.24 13,318

 
A set of floor plans is available to download and the measured survey report is available for assignment to a purchaser.

168 Bath Street | |  |  | Glasgow | | G2 4TP
168 Bath Street | |  |  | Glasgow | | G2 4TP

Rateable Value

£178,000.

Tenure

Heritable (Scottish equivalent to English freehold).

168 Bath Street | |  |  | Glasgow | | G2 4TP
168 Bath Street | |  |  | Glasgow | | G2 4TP

Tenancy

The property was originally let to Wylie & Bisset LLP on a fully repairing and insuring lease from 20th November 2008 until 30th June 2023 at a rent of £235,000pa, with a tenant only break option in June 2018. A Minute of Variation and Extension has been agreed with the tenant and this will take effect from the date of sale. The tenant will grant a lease for 10 years from Date of Sale and the break option in 2018 will be removed.

The rent with effect from the date of the sale will be £220,000 per annum equivalent to £16.50/sq ft and there is provision for a fixed increase in the rent on the 5th anniversary of the new lease to £230,000 per annum.

Covenant

Wylie & Bisset LLP is an independent practice of chartered accountants based in Glasgow and working throughout the UK. The firm has a long standing history spanning over 300 years and acts for companies and organisations across a wide spectrum, employing approximately 125 staff in Glasgow.

For further information please visit www.wyliebisset.com

More detailed financial information will be made available to seriously interested parties when appropriate.

168 Bath Street | |  |  | Glasgow | | G2 4TP
168 Bath Street | |  |  | Glasgow | | G2 4TP

Vat

The property has been registered for VAT. It is anticipated that the sale will be treated as a Transfer of a Going Concern (TOGC).

Proposal

We are instructed to seek offers in excess of £2,950,000 (Two million nine hundred and fifty thousand pounds), subject to contract, reflecting a net initial yield of 7.04% after allowing for standard purchaser’s costs of approximately 5.7% and a guaranteed reversionary yield of 7.52% in 2022.

168 Bath Street | |  |  | Glasgow | | G2 4TP
168 Bath Street | |  |  | Glasgow | | G2 4TP

Investment Considerations

  1. An opportunity to acquire a substantial self-contained office building in Glasgow City Centre;

  2. Lease extended showing tenant’s commitment to the building;

  3. Guaranteed 10 year income with no breaks

  4. Secure rental income with fixed increase in 5 years time

  5. Re-based rent

  6. A purchase at the asking price reflects an attractive yield profile.

Contact Us

Singer Vielle   +44 (0) 207 935 7200
Graham Waddell graham@singervielle.co.uk +44 (0) 141 221 4545
Neil Singer neil@singervielle.co.uk  +44 (0) 203 478 9120
Dale Henry dale@singervielle.co.uk +44 (0) 203 701 1356
Richard Wolfryd richard@singervielle.co.uk +44 (0) 203 701 1353
Faye Langoulant faye@singervielle.co.uk +44 (0) 203 478 9122
Louanne Malan louanne@singervielle.co.uk +44 (0) 203 701 1386

 

 

Vendors Solicitor

TLT Solicitors  
Kenneth Meldrum kenneth.meldrum@tltsolicitors.com 0333 006 0907