District 10 opens with LAT_56 as first tenant

A new £1.7 million office development on Dundee’s waterfront, called District 10, is officially opened today by Joe FitzPatrick MSP, with the first tenant to locate in the new building announced as LAT_56, a Scottish design-led exclusive travel bag brand.

The innovative development is located at Seabraes Yard and offers flexible office accommodation, plus meeting and networking space, constructed from 37 recycled shipping containers.

The development, formerly a railway goods yard, is designed to meet the needs of Scotland’s early stage creative industries companies, has a total capacity of 60 employees, and will contribute up to £10 million to the Tayside economy over the next decade.

Joe FitzPatrick, Minister for Parliamentary Business said, “Dundee has a bold vision to revitalise its Waterfront area which is attracting businesses and jobs to the area. It will benefit not only the city but the wider Scottish economy.

“The Scottish Government, through its enterprises agencies, will work closely with local authorities and the business community to maximise the economic potential of this site.

“With the full fiscal and economic powers of independence the Scottish Government could do yet more to strengthen our economy and create more jobs.”

Mick McHugh, Scottish Enterprise’s Tayside Location Director, said, “District 10 is a fantastic addition to Dundee’s Waterfront, with its distinctive look ensuring it is a landmark in an area fast becoming a hot spot for creative companies. This exciting office development will stimulate economic growth both for Tayside and the wider Scottish economy.

“The creative industries sector contributes more than £3.2 billion to the Scottish economy, so it’s vital that we have the right infrastructure for early stage creative companies. The building can flexibly accommodate up to 15 companies and is already attracting interest from other potential tenants. It’s entirely fitting that the first company in District 10, LAT_56, offers exclusive design-led products. When it opens, the V&A at Dundee will be a few minutes’ walk from District 10 and will showcase cutting edge design exhibits and architecture."

Mike Galloway, Dundee City Council's Director of City Development said: "I am delighted to see the first tenants taking occupancy of these innovative new business units at District 10.

"I am sure that the significant benefits of having space at this exciting new development will quickly be recognised by other creative businesses and it will not be long before all of the units are occupied."

The building’s first tenant company, LAT_56, builds on Dundee’s heritage of design and innovation. The company was founded in 2007 by Kevin Fox, an award winning Scottish designer who graduated top of his class at age 20. LAT_56 is an edgy and exclusive bag brand that focuses on streamlined functionality and bold styling. Kevin oversees all aspects of the company in the UK, Europe, North America and Asia.

Modern and minimalist, the company’s bag designs are made from an exclusive, military-grade EVA material that acts as a soft, flexible and lightweight impact and water-resistant shell. The bags range from backpacks, briefcases, holdalls, messengers, laptop cases and garment bags to accessories, as well as new suitcases available this year.

The company is also separately announcing today that is has secured a deal to be an official supplier of bags to Emirates Airline. The dual branded bags ‘Emirates - Engineered by LAT_56’ will be available from early spring 2014.

Kevin Fox, founder and managing director of LAT_56, said, “We were looking for a new creative space in Scotland to HQ our design, marketing and sales activities. When we noticed the unique District 10 development via Scottish Enterprise it fitted our requirements perfectly.

"We are excited to be the first company based in Dundee’s newest waterfront development. District 10 will become the new heart of Dundee’s growing creative sector and as a brand with a strong international outlook with a constant need to be cutting edge at the highest level; I believe we are going to thrive in this fantastic location.”

The District 10 project is being delivered by economic development agency, Scottish Enterprise, as part of the ambitious Dundee Waterfront regeneration project and is joint funded by Scottish Enterprise, the European Regional Development Fund, Tayside charity Matthew Trust and received a financial boost from the Scottish Government’s capital investment in shovel ready projects.

Construction work at the site was carried out by Maxi Construction. The works included modular construction and prefabricated elements including a central core of offices created using recycled shipping containers. The project has been delivered to ‘BREEAM Excellent’ standard and within the ethos of the Dundee Waterfront ‘BREEAM Sustainable Communities’ bid. The project team includes Architects Aim Design, Quantity Surveyor Christie & Partners, Structural Engineer Fairhurst and Service Engineers BBHP.