Ogilvie Construction News
Company news and updates

Ogilvie Construction is proud to have delivered the redevelopment of 30 Semple Street in Edinburgh, for CBRE Investment Management and Corran Properties Limited, a landmark project that has now been awarded the highest possible sustainability rating — BREEAM “Outstanding”.

With a final score of 93.2%, 30 Semple Street becomes:

• Scotland’s first BREEAM Outstanding-certified office building
• Scotland’s highest-rated BREEAM building across all asset classes
• The world’s second highest-scoring completed building refurbishment, according to BRE records

In addition, the building has secured a range of other leading accreditations, including NABERS 5*, “Platinum” scores for Air-Rated and Active Score, and an EPC “A”. It is also designed to achieve net zero carbon operation status, aligning with the UK Green Building Council’s framework.

The redevelopment, designed by MLA Architects, involved stripping the previous building back to its frame, adding two new floors, and installing a striking 360-degree contemporary façade. The result is a flexible, light-filled workspace with floorplates up to 8,040 sq. ft. and opening windows to enhance wellbeing.

Zoe Gray, Director at CBRE Investment Management, said:
“Achieving the highest possible BREEAM rating for 30 Semple Street highlights our commitment to sustainability, future-proofing our assets, and delivering value to our occupiers and investors. We believe this office building embodies the future of work, providing a space designed to foster innovation and a high-quality, sustainable environment for our occupiers.”

Nick Ball, Managing Director of Corran Properties, added:
“We are delighted to have realised CBREIM’s and our ambitions to create a genuinely class leading development. To have achieved such a high level of BREEAM accreditation is testament to the dedication of the entire design team who ensured every possible detail was considered in order for the building to operate as sustainably as possible.”

The wider project team included K J Tait (M&E consultants), Axiom Services Limited (project management and cost consultancy), Blyth & Blyth (structural and civil engineers), and Atelier Ten (fire engineering consultants).

On Friday 26 September, the Tweedbank Care Village project celebrated a major milestone with a public engagement session and stakeholder event.

Attendees, including residents, families, community members, local school children and project partners were treated to an exclusive first look at detailed site plans, architectural renderings, and the thoughtfully designed colour schemes that will define the new facility.

Our officers were on hand to share insights into the cutting-edge technologies being considered to enhance care delivery — sparking conversations about innovation, dignity, and promoting independence.

Following the drop-in engagement session, key stakeholders gathered at the development site for the ground breaking ceremony. Representatives from Ogilvie Construction, Hub South East and ourselves were photographed, capturing the spirit of collaboration and shared vision that’s driving this transformative project forward.

With planning approval secured in July, the first phase of groundworks is set to begin in Autumn 2025. Main works construction is due to commence in early 2026 with a targeted completion date of June 2027 – delivering a future-ready care village designed to serve generations to come. 

Councillor David Parker, Executive Member for Integrated Care and Support Services

“Today’s ground-breaking for the Tweedbank Care Village marks more than the start of construction — it represents our ongoing work to develop truly ground-breaking approaches to care.

“Our developing Care Villages focus on building on people’s strengths and will provide high quality environments and services where people can live safely and independently, stay connected to friends and family, and enjoy the things that matter to them. They are places where everyone — residents, carers, and the local community — can be involved and be part of something truly special.

“By listening to the feedback of local voices, we are creating fully inclusive and resilient new care services that will embrace innovation and prioritise the care of people across the Scottish Borders for years to come.

“Engagement sessions like this event provide really important opportunities to involve both the local community and care users in the project whilst demonstrating the progress being made and clearly setting out the vision for this facility.”

Councillor Elaine Thornton-Nicol, Champion for Old People

“Today’s event outlines in great detail the significant steps already accomplished on the way to making the Tweedbank Care Village facility a reality.

A new state of the art learning facility for young people with additional support needs has been opened on the grounds Bannockburn High School and has been welcoming pupils in time for the new term.

Bluebell House was formally handed over to Stirling Council on 11 August following completion of the first phase of construction works and appropriate building control checks, welcoming pupils back this summer.

The facility will provide tailored accommodation for up to 24 pupils which will be kitted out with classrooms, nurture nooks, a sensory room and a GP room in addition to staff and administrative facilities.

We are proud to be celebrating three nominations at this year’s Trades Awards, recognising excellence across multiple areas of our business.

A multi-million redevelopment and extension of Macduff Marine Aquarium achieved an important milestone this week with completion of the steelworks installation.

The impressive steel framework provides the structure for the new two-storey extension at the front of the popular attraction, which will house the main entrance, retail area, new learning room and upstairs café/restaurant, as well as the Changing Places toilet. 

Progress has been made towards delivering supported housing for young people and additional council housing at Almondvale Crescent, Livingston

The project features the use of modular construction which sees housing units built offsite in a factory before being transported to site where the final phase of construction takes place.

Construction works had been paused on the project following the administration of the original construction contractor Connect Modular. 

Real estate investor, developer and asset manager, Firethorn Trust, has reached a significant construction milestone at its purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development at Leith, Edinburgh, with a topping out ceremony marking completion of the site’s structural framework.

Located on Leith Walk, Firethorn’s six-storey asset will provide high quality accommodation for 230 student beds, alongside generous amenities including a fully equipped gym, student common room, cinema and modern study spaces.

Work commenced last summer, following Firethorn’s purchase of the site in February 2024, marking the first acquisition under its Living portfolio. The company has since expanded its footprint with additional PBSA assets in Hackney Wick and Stratford, plus a hotel development in central Dublin and the One Bessborough Gardens residential conversion in London.

With the structural frame now complete, Leith Walk is on track for completion in time for the 2026/27 academic year.

Paul Martin, Head of Development at Firethorn Trust, commented:

“As the first asset within our Living portfolio, topping out at Leith Walk is a significant milestone for Firethorn, and a prime example of our ability to deliver buildings swiftly and to a high standard.

“Edinburgh has a growing student population and an urgent need for modern, quality accommodation, so we are very pleased with the pace at which works are progressing and look forward to bringing the site to completion over the next 12 months.”
Grier Edmead, Operations Director, Ogilvie Construction, said:

“Today’s topping out marks the significant progress that we have made since breaking ground last year, and we look forward to handing over a first class building in 2026. This will be the fifteenth student accommodation facility that we have delivered in recent years using our extensive experience and expertise in the sector.”

For more information, visit www.firethorntrust.com

ENDS

Notes to editors

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About Firethorn Trust

Established in 2018, Firethorn Trust is a privately-owned investor, developer and asset manager in UK real estate. Specialising in the Logistics and Living sectors, Firethorn’s full-service capabilities bring together acquisition, development, investment management, legal and financial expertise to deliver strategic real estate solutions that create long-term value for clients, partners and projects.

For more information, visit www.firethorntrust.com.

Pupils at Bannockburn High School will benefit from upgraded fitness equipment after Ogilvie Construction donated £1500 towards the Parent Council’s fundraising drive to buy new gym machines.

Emma Lindsay, Chair of the Bannockburn High School Parent Council, said:

“We are really grateful to Ogilvie Construction for their donation, which has given our fundraising campaign a massive boost. The money will be put towards the purchase of a new treadmill, upright bike, rowing machine and weights that can be used by young people at the school every day.”

Ogilvie has been working closely with the school throughout its construction of the new £5 million facility for children with additional support needs in its grounds.

Anyone who wants to support the campaign with a donation or equipment should contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Pictured left to right in between pupils:

Chris Somerville, Depute Head Teacher, Steve Wall, Ogilvie Construction, Emma Lindsay, Parent Council, Tom Ogilvie, Ogilvie Construction, Karen Hook, Head Teacher.

Ogilvie Construction has passed a significant milestone on the project to build a new £10 million community hub for people with learning disabilities in Inverclyde with the completion of the building’s foundations.

Work is now focussed on the construction of the timber frame structure with the project on track for completion and handover next year.

The facility, being built for Inverclyde Council/HSCP, will have space for up to 50 adults and young people with learning disabilities and autism with scope for other community use, replacing the existing Fitzgerald Centre in Greenock and the former McPherson Centre in Gourock, which closed a number of years ago.

Grier Edmead, Operations Director, Ogilvie Construction said: “We’ve made excellent progress on the build since site operations started in December last year. The next phase will see the timber frame rising before moving on to external structural work and internal fit out. We look forward to handing over a first-class purpose-built facility next year.”

Councillor Francesca Brennan, chair of Inverclyde Council’s social work and social care scrutiny panel and vice-chair of the IJB, said: “Good progress is being made on the construction of the new adult community hub and it’s thanks to strong partnership working between the council/HSCP and our partners.

“Once completed, this will be a first-class facility for our service users and staff and the whole of Inverclyde.”

Iain Marley, chief executive of hubWest Scotland, said: “Laying the foundations marks a major milestone in delivering this much-anticipated learning and community hub.

“It’s a tangible symbol of progress and partnership, and we’re proud to help create a space that will serve and inspire generations to come.”

The exterior design draws inspiration from Greenock’s famous Sugar Sheds while the internal layout and external landscaping has been developed through partnership working with learning disability staff and extensive consultation with service users and families.

The aim is to provide an enhanced sensory experience for those users with complex needs, including those with co-existing conditions such as autism, visual and perceptual impairments, physical and sensory disabilities, dementia and life-limiting conditions.

Careful consideration has been given to the use of materials, texture, colour and noise to provide the best possible environment for service users and staff indoors and outdoors.

Another key focus of the project is achieving enhanced energy efficiencies and a low operational carbon footprint, including the use of roof-mounted solar panels to help offset emissions.

Work is underway on Midlothian Council’s latest energy-efficient housing development on the site of the former Danderhall library and leisure centre.

Contractor Ogilive Construction is building 23 one-and two-bedroom flats in two blocks along with car parking and access routes, landscaping and a play area on Newton Church Road.

Due to be finished by summer 2026, the properties will be among 207 council homes across Midlothian, all designed to the demanding Passivhaus standard.

The buildings, which have been designed by architects Architype, retain heat from the sun and require very little additional heating or cooling.

Midlothian Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Stuart McKenzie said: “It’s great to see work underway on our latest energy-efficient and affordable council homes.

“These homes are helping us towards our commitment to make significant progress towards net zero carbon emissions by 2040 while tackling poverty.”

Cllr McKenzie said wider community benefits tied to the £6.93 million project include offers of apprenticeships and jobs for local people.

Grier Edmead, Operations Director, Ogilvie Construction, said: “We are proud to be working with Midlothian Council again to deliver high quality, energy efficient homes in Danderhall. As always, our site team will engage with nearby residents to keep them advised of progress of construction work and ensure minimum disruption throughout the project.”

Ogilvie Construction is also building 90 Passivhaus homes on the site of the old Newbattle High School in Easthouses. The £25.038m project is Midlothian Council’s most ambitious energy-efficient housing development and is due to be completed later this year.