2 December 2025
Robertson delivers landmark Edinburgh office for BlackRock
The world's largest asset management firm has relocated its Edinburgh office to a new state-of-the-art building following a £48m transformation by Robertson Construction Central East.
Situated on Brandon Street in the city’s New Town, Dundas House has undergone a comprehensive renovation to create Grade A office space for 1,500 employees, complete with innovative, high-quality facilities. The relocation from its former office in the Fountainbridge area of Edinburgh increases BlackRock’s footprint in the city by 63% from 86,000ft2 (8,000m2) to 140,000ft2 (13,000m2).
Robertson was appointed main contractor under a design and build contract in 2024 to carry out extensive refurbishment works to Dundas House, which comprised a two-storey listed Victorian building with feature frontage and four-storey extension added in the early 2000s.
The project introduced modern facilities including a new commercial catering kitchen, coffee shop, café and restaurant spaces, as well as flexible naturally lit workspaces, breakout zones, meeting rooms and a multi-use atrium, creating a dynamic and welcoming environment for employees. The design focused on enhancing employee wellbeing, with quiet spaces and acoustic materials to minimise sound transfer and support the needs of a broad mix of occupants.
A range of energy-efficient heating and electrical systems were installed to help decarbonise the building and reduce running costs. Gas heating was removed and replaced with two large air source heat pumps, each the size of a single decker bus, which draw heat energy from the air and lower carbon emissions. These are connected to an advanced network of high-performance air conditioning units that automatically monitor and adjust the internal environment.
During construction, Robertson diverted 100% of waste from landfill and carefully reclaimed and reused materials wherever possible. This included upgrades to all four car parks, with existing surfaces lifted, restored and re-laid with EV charging installed.
The same level of care was applied inside the building, with specialist bespoke joinery work carried out for furniture, fittings and equipment, ranging from bleacher-style seating and reception desks to booths and a striking two-storey media wall. The building’s fabric also had significant work undertaken, with the external roof areas, curtain walling, windows, doors, stonework and finishes all improved and restored.
Throughout the project, Robertson used innovative software to capture up-to-date 360-degree footage of the building. This meant BlackRock teams, wherever they were in the world, could navigate the office virtually, explore different areas and compare progress with the original design plans, helping to ensure the finished spaces looked and functioned as intended.
Reflecting the commitment Robertson has to generating local social and economic value, over 70% of those employed on site were local. Additionally, 83% of the project cost was spent with a local supply chain, including £12m with small and medium enterprises, and a range of community initiatives were delivered, such as monetary and in-kind donations to charities.
Elliot Robertson, Chief Executive Officer, Robertson Group, said: “Working with BlackRock on this project was about creating a workplace that matched its ambition for a high-quality environment for its people. Our team combined the preservation of the Victorian frontage with the transformation of the wider building to provide modern facilities and sustainable systems that improve efficiency and reduce carbon impact.
“We helped BlackRock fulfil its vision to expand its footprint in the capital. We also engaged local contractors, supported local charities, and kept neighbours informed every step of the way. Building relationships in our communities is key to our continued success.
“Dundas House has been delivered to the highest standards of design and functionality, giving BlackRock a future-ready environment to support its growth in Edinburgh and helping to reinforce the city’s position as a global financial centre. This project reflects the expertise we bring to every project and strengthens our role as a trusted partner of choice.”
