Property company DJ Alexander is moving forward with plans to significantly expand its Edinburgh headquarters, a converted tobacco factory located near Easter Road. The ambitious project involves adding a three-story office extension that will increase the building's capacity by 67 employees while carefully preserving the site's industrial heritage.
Richard Murphy Architects has submitted detailed plans for the expansion, which centers around a substantial 676-square-meter extension that will front Sunnyside Lane. The new addition is designed to adjoin the west elevation of The John Cotton Centre, the existing converted factory building that currently serves as DJ Alexander's Edinburgh base. The architects have emphasized their commitment to creating an 'open and flexible' workspace while ensuring adequate parking facilities remain available for employees and visitors.
The architectural approach focuses heavily on celebrating the building's rich industrial history while meeting modern office requirements. According to the architects' official statement, the design philosophy centers on maximizing the use of existing building facilities to keep each floor's footprint as open and flexible as possible. This approach allows for adaptable workspace configurations that can evolve with the company's changing needs over time.
One of the project's most significant design elements involves preserving and highlighting the building's transformation from its original factory use to modern office space. The architects explained that the design intentionally allows the history of the existing building to remain visible within the main circulation areas. This approach celebrates all the changes that have occurred throughout the building's evolution from an active tobacco factory to its current role as open-plan office space.
The connection between the old and new structures will be particularly dramatic, featuring a striking glass wall that separates the historic building from the modern extension. This glass barrier serves as both a physical and symbolic bridge between eras, creating what the architects describe as a celebrated entrance, foyer, and internal circulation system. The transparent wall will allow natural light to flow between spaces while maintaining the distinct character of each section.
Exterior materials for the extension have been carefully selected to complement both the historic structure and the surrounding neighborhood context. The street-facing elevation will feature traditional brick cladding that echoes Edinburgh's architectural heritage, while the rear elevation will utilize modern render for a more contemporary appearance. This dual approach ensures the building presents an appropriate face to the public street while allowing for more experimental design elements in less visible areas.
The project represents a growing trend in Edinburgh's development scene, where property companies are choosing to expand and upgrade existing facilities rather than relocating to entirely new buildings. This approach allows businesses to maintain their established presence in desirable neighborhoods while significantly improving their operational capacity and employee amenities.
