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City scheme underway

City fringe start

City scheme poised

Midtown HQ to start

City consent

Office site to be residential

Refurbishment plan in EC1

City consent

City refurbishment plan

City pre-let

City refurbishment consent

City fringe mixed use scheme

City fringe application

City site sale

City refurbishment green light

City block may re-start

City scheme nears completion

Former HQ refurbishment

City refurbishment start

City scheme redesign

City scheme letting

City refurbishment start

London Offices – An Olympic Year?

City scheme application

Contractor appointment

City refurbishment application

City scheme letting

Tower letting

City HQ to start

City refurbishment start

Construction suspended

City site to progress

City refurbishment application

City refurbishment consent

City scheme start

City fringe application

City scheme underway

City refurbishment plan

City construction start

City scheme green light

City consent

Development site sold

City scheme letting

City site sale

City site administrator

New scheme letting

City refurbishment

London Office Market – Special Report

City fringe start

City consent

Tower sees more deals

Revised City scheme

City consent

City scheme letting

Major City scheme on site soon

City refurbishment plan

City refurbishment planned

City consent

Expansion at City scheme

City site changes hands

City refurbishment plan

City tower to start in 2012

City tower pre-let

Mixed use scheme for City fringe

City tower start

City office tower start

City office scheme plan

City scheme likely

Bank takes floor in City scheme

City refurbishment start

Work starting on City fringe scheme

New City application

City refurbishment

City scheme to start

City HQ redevelopment

City scheme re-design

Tower letting

Hammersmith consent

Midtown site purchased

City fringe application

Tenant for City scheme

Long-awaited City application

City fringe application

City refurbishment tipped for early start

Consent for City scheme

First tenant for City scheme

City development opportunity

City fringe permission

City behemoth consent

City refurbishment plan

City development opportunity

December lettings

New City tower plan

City development start

City application

City refurbishment start

City fringe application

Broker signs for new City scheme

Consent for City scheme

City HQ application

September take-up rises

London office lettings reached the magic 1 million sq ft mark in September 2011, including 160,000 sq ft of new Grade A space. Figures from Cityoffices show a healthy 71 deals over 5,000 sq ft were signed, with the City accounting for almost half the total. Analysis shows tenants are still more likely to sign for cheaper fringe or Midtown space, with over half the floorspace let in these areas. - (25-10-2011)

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City HQ decision

The Government has decided not to list the Broadgate complex in the City of London, EC2, clearing the way for construction of a new 12-storey 700,000 sq ft HQ for UBS bank at 5 Broadgate by developer British Land. Completion is scheduled for 2014. - (16-06-2011)

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April London Office Take-up

London office take-up for April 2011 was below average at just over 500,000 sq ft according to research by Cityoffices.net. The West End had a quiet month, with the City and fringe areas dominating the 46 deals of over 5,000 sq ft. The largest letting was Hays Recruitment's 47,000 sq ft at 107 Cheapside, EC2. - (25-05-2011)

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Glasnost - Online Project, Contact & Image Management

Towering Ambition

London’s next development cycle is now well underway with some 30 office schemes starting in the last six months, amounting to 510,962 sq m (5.5m sq ft) of new space coming on-stream.

Skyscrapers are topical again, and in this CityOffices newswire we look in detail at the unprecedented ‘clutch’ of new office towers (defined as 20+ storeys) nearing completion, underway and planned.

The last development cycle saw completion of the 37,160 sq m (398,000 sq ft), 34-storey Broadgate tower, EC2, now largely fully let; the 38,740 sq m (417,000 sq ft) 36-storey 125 Old Broad Street, EC2 has only 5,000 sq ft still available; the 55,091 sq m (593,000 sq ft), 36-storey Ropemaker Place, EC2, which is fully let; and the 25-storey, 30,750 sq m (331,000 sq ft) Drapers Gardens scheme in Throgmorton Avenue, EC2, which was pre-let.

All the above towers are in the City of London and interestingly there were no skyscrapers completed in Canary Wharf in the last cycle, or, less unusually, in the West End, Midtown or fringe. The almost-complete 59,921 sq m (645,000 sq ft), 46-storey Heron Tower in Bishopsgate, EC2, will end the tower building activity for the 2006-2011 property cycle.

The next cycle will see completion of the 75,901 sq m (817,000 sq ft), 80-storey, Shard, SE1 in 2012; the 63-storey, 111,482 sq m (1.2m sq ft) Pinnacle, EC2, in 2013; the 37-storey, 79,895 sq m (860,000 sq ft) 20 Fenchurch Street, EC3 (Walkie Talkie) and 47-storey, 67,075 sq m (722,000 sq ft) Leadenhall Building (Cheesegrater) both in 2014.

Schemes which are not yet under construction and may be completed in the next cycle are the 40-storey, 71,534 sq m (770,000 sq ft) 100 Bishopsgate, EC3, where a 2011 start is envisaged; the 22-storey, 27,870 sq m (300,000 sq ft), 60-70 St Mary Axe, EC3 (Can of Spam); and the 21-storey 93,440 sq m (1m sq ft) Aldgate Place, E1.

Elsewhere, a possible 20-storey plus scheme is being designed for Elizabeth House, and a 31-storey scheme for Kings Reach House, both in SE1. At Canary Wharf, the 2m sq ft redevelopment of Heron Quays is planned to include a 33-storey tower and there are still outstanding proposals for a 43-storey part office tower at Crossharbour; a 43-storey tower at Millharbour; and a 63-storey tower at the site formerly known as Columbus Tower in E14. In the West End, plans for the Victoria Interchange include a tower of up to 20-storeys.

The question is how successful are these new towers likely to be? The Gherkin (30 St Mary Axe) in EC3, has rapidly became a London icon, but 10-years ago, post 9/11, it was very slow to let, with over 50% still vacant on completion. Other high-rise buildings such as Centrepoint in the West End and 1 Canada Square at Canary Wharf were slow to let in the early days. Despite these examples developers seem keener than ever to build towers.

In total some 315,868 sq m (3.4m sq ft) of office space is under construction in five office towers, but still available, with a further 260,126 sq m (2.8m sq ft) in towers that could start in 2011 or 2012. These are big numbers, however, to put it in context, the City of London saw lettings of new unoccupied office space of 260,126 sq m (2.8m sq ft) in 2010, so a single year’s take-up could almost fill them. The five towers will be completed over a four-year period, during which they will currently face limited competition from newly completed, large, low-rise schemes in the City.





Experience from completed towers such as Broadgate Tower, 125 Old Broad Street and Ropemaker Place shows that the majority of lettings tend to be signed-up after the development has been completed. In general, only a small proportion of a tower’s floorspace is pre-let before completion. However, the experience of the recent letting of 17,744 sq m (191,000 sq ft) to Aon at the Leadenhall Building may indicate a more active pre-let market than previously for the new London towers.

An analysis of the occupiers of recently completed towers shows that the major share (51%) is taken-up by financial services with professional services (including law), in second place (23%). With the just two sectors accounting for 74% of deals done it is no wonder that these are the main targets for developers and their agents. .



An unusual ‘bulge’ of lease expiry and breaks due in the period 2013-15 has partly contributed to developers enthusiasm in starting new schemes in the last few months; and in-turn this has led to developers with refurbishment schemes to also leap into competitive starts to achieve completion before the towers come on-stream.

The future of the next generation of towers will depend on attitude of the 200 medium to large office occupiers in the City of London now actively looking for space, or with lease expiries due in the next four years. If occupiers show the same enthusiasm for high-rise working as those firms moving in the previous office cycle, then the new towers coming to the London skyline will succeed. it will just take a little time.

Andy King
Director
CityOffices.net

- (20-05-2011)

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West End tops ranking

London's West End seems to have become the most expensive office space in the world, according to Knight Frank's latest global real estate research on 105 cities. The West End topped £85 per sq ft in late 2010, a 31% increase from the start of the year. This was ahead of the £83.67 per sq ft in Tokyo, which is seeing falling rent levels. The City of London was in 7th place, up from 12th place, with prime office rents of £55 per sq ft. - (04-05-2011)

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March lettings fall back

Office lettings in Central London in March 2011 reached 700,000 sq ft, a little below recent monthly averages. Some 51 deals over 5,000 sq ft were reported. There was a fairly even split between the City and the West End with the biggest transaction the 112,000 sq ft letting to NBC Universal at Central St Giles. - (29-04-2011)

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February 2011 London lettings

Central London recorded just under 800,000 sq ft of office transactions in 60 medium/large deals in February 2011. Although the City had the largest share with 40% of space transacted, there were relatively few lettings of brand new grade A space. It was a quiet month for financial services with more space let to professional firms. - (18-03-2011)

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January take-up slips

Central London office take-up in January 2011 slipped a little to 700,000 sq ft, after a strong December. The City accounted for nearly half the monthly total, while grade A transactions only reached 135,000 sq ft. Major deals were signed with Kroll, Friends Provident and Chicago Mercantile. - (16-02-2011)

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City tower underway

Construction of Land Securities and Canary Wharf Group's “Walkie Talkie” building has finally got underway at 20 Fenchurch Street, EC3. Piling for the Rafael Viñoly designed building has begun with completion to ground floor planned for February 2012 and final completion anticipated in early 2014. When complete, the 37 storey building will provide 690,000 sq ft grade A office space in the City of London, topped by a public sky garden. Canary Wharf Contractors Limited, is the construction manager. - (19-01-2011)

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Christmas 2010: 22% More Christmas Cheer - Official!

London office deals in 2010 are now 22% up - in terms of space taken - on last Christmas. CityOffices research has identified just over 11.1m sq ft of office deals in central London this year. This is the first rise in deals-done since take-up peaked in 2007. Recent pre-lets to Bloomberg, BNP Paribas and JP Morgan, have helped drive a strong final quarter of this year.

The take-up of Grade A recently constructed or refurbished space also shows a slight increase by 10%. Deals signed on prime space in central London account for 4.2m sq ft in 2010, compared to 3.8m sq ft in 2009.

The City of London has dominated deals this year accounting for 5.1m sq ft, or 46%, of total take-up. The West End saw just 1.8m, or 16%, of deals signed, with the remainder of lettings mainly focused on Docklands and ‘fringe’ locations.

Financial services came back strongly in 2010 and accounted for over 44% of space let. The next best performing sectors are professional services, media, and insurance, which together took 25% of space let.



The late surge in deals this year, and the large amount of space expected to be signed up in early 2011, means that the London fit-out market will be strong in the first half of next year. After that a reduction in available prime office space, and increasing rents, may lead to occupiers pre-letting, or undertaking short-term refurbishment and re-stacking, to await the next ‘wave’ of office buildings due to arrive in 2013.

So it looks like a Merry Christmas for all

Our best wishes for a prosperous 2011

The CityOffices team. - (24-12-2010)

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Contractors tipped for City tower

Six major office scheme contractors are tipped to be competing to build British Land's £340 million 'Cheese grater' building in Leadenhall Building in Leadenhall Street, London, EC3. Mace, Skanska, Laing O'Rourke, Bovis Lend Lease, Balfour Beatty and Sir Robert McAlpine have been identified as front-runners for the project. - (17-12-2010)

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November take-up

London's November office lettings bounced back after a quiet October to record 1.1 million sq ft let in the month. However, much of the improvement was down to the 430,000 sq ft prelet to BNP Paribas at Kings Cross. Elsewhere the City was relatively quiet and it was Midtown which took up some of the slack with over 160,000 sq ft of deals. Lettings to Exane and Bain in Mayfair bolstered the west end. - (16-12-2010)

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Property company gearing up

Helical Bar, the property company, is raising £29m to fund property acquisitions. The group said that the market opportinities it has been waiting for are arriving, as a number of interesting schemes become available. Helical Bar has been standing back from the development market since 2004/5. The development portfolio for this cycle includes 200 Aldersgate, White City and Mitre Square, EC3. - (10-12-2010)

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Office tower deal

Land Securities and Canary Wharf Group have formed the 20 Fenchurch Street Limited Partnership, a 50:50 joint venture to develop the Walkie Talkie office building in the City of London, at a development cost of £500m. The site has been sold by Land Securities to the Partnership for £90.2 million and will provide 690,000 sq ft of office space in EC3. Construction will begin in 2011 with Canary Wharf Contractors appointed as Construction Manager. - (19-10-2010)

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Rents rising

NB Real Estate, the property consultant, is reporting that average rents for Grade A office space in the City increased from £42.50 per sq ft in the first quarter of 2010 to £53 in the third quarter - a rise of 25%. The sharp rise in prices is attributed to a lack of new supply of office space. Supply of new space is at a two-year low. - (05-10-2010)

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As cranes disappear ...

As cranes disappear from office development sites in central London the question is what are the triggers needed to start the next cycle of development. This comes down to supply and demand.

In the first half of 2010 take-up in central London was a healthy 5.7m sq ft, slightly up on the 5.6m sq ft of deals done in the second half of 2009 and comfortably ahead of the 3.2m sq ft of deals recorded in the first half of 2009.

The financial services sector has the most active with nearly 2m sq ft of office space taken up, followed by 690,000 sq ft taken by professional services firms and 330,000 sq ft by insurance companies.

In terms of area the City of London accounted for nearly 2.6m sq ft of the office space taken up, with Midtown take-up being 1m sq ft, and the take up in Docklands 700,000 sq ft. The West End managed a relatively slender 1.3m sq ft of space taken.

New requirements for office space in central London during the first half of 2010, amounted to around 4.1m sq ft, just ahead of levels in 2009.

So far in the second half of 2010 office deals continue apace as firms take advantage of rent deals. However, for the few remaining ‘iconic’ office buildings In the City of London and West End rents now seem to be be on an upward path.

The amount of available Grade A (newly completed or refurbished) office space in central London peaked in autumn 2009, with 12m sq ft being available in the City and 8m sq ft in the West End. Since then the take up of office space has reduced by 17%, with the amount of space available being 9.5m sq ft in the City and 7.5m in the West End. In total this is gives an availability to stock ratio of just over 7%, a fairly healthy level, when a ‘normal’ market is seen as being a ratio of 5%.

A reducing amount of office space, prospects of rising rents, and demand holding up, are the key signals for office construction starting again. Developers are already busy dusting off plans and clearing sites in anticipation of starts in 2011. The only thing holding things back may be development finance.

Andy King

Subscribe now - (10-09-2010)

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May take-up increase

London office lettings in May 2010 reached 950,000 sq ft, after a return to the levels seen earlier this year. The total was underpinned by a 185,000 sq ft letting to Shell at Canary Wharf. Elsewhere the City is currently outstripping the west end and letting activity is picking up in Midtown. Figures compiled by Cityoffices.net - (06-07-2010)

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Lettings maintain momentum

Central London office lettings maintained their momentum in March 2010, with nearly 1.1m sq ft transacted. March was the fifth successive month when office take-up has topped 1m sq ft. The City accounted for nearly 500,000 sq ft, whilst a spate of large lettings around the NW1 postcode, in particular at British Land's Regent Place scheme, helped boost the west end. - (28-04-2010)

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Cheesegrater revival

British Land, developer of 'The Cheesegrater', otherwise known as the Leadenhall Building at 122 Leadenhall Street, London, EC3, one of the tallest towers planned for the City of London before the recession, say it it is thinking about beginning construction of the 47-storey Richard Rogers designed tower. British Land said it was “thinking pretty seriously” about reviving the project, which will provide 82,721 sq m (890,409 sq ft) of office space 56,856 sq m (612,000 sq ft net) and 2,150 sq m (23,142 sq ft) of retail space. - (01-04-2010)

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Search for City tower sites

Brookfield, the Toronto-based developer and contractor, is seeking a City of London site to build another office tower, following its role on the Pinnacle, this time as developer. A shortage of prime office space may push rents back to their 2007 peak in three years, according to King Sturge. The company’s development unit has seen some “interesting opportunities” for an office building in the City of London, according to James Tuckey, chairman of Brookfield’s European arm. - (11-03-2010)

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Macquarie to move HQ to Ropemaker

Macquarie Bank, the Australian investment bank, is understood to have agreed to take 20,160 sq m (217,000 sq ft) offices at British Land's Ropemaker Place in the City of London for its 1000 London staff. Terms are undisclosed. Macquarie was close to letting Drapers Gardens last year has been outbid by Blackrock. The bank has a lease expiry at City Point in 2011. Ropemaker Place is now almost 80 percent let. Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd. and Mitsubishi UFJ Securities leased almost 230,000 sq ft in the building last year. - (12-02-2010)

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Grade A space boosts London lettings

End of year figures from Metropolis/Cityoffices show that total London lettings reached 9.3m sq ft in 2009. Despite a strong end to the year this was 20% down on 2008's total. The City totalled 4.3m sq ft, Midtown reached 1.5m sq ft and the West End was 2.1m sq ft. New Grade A space lettings reached 3.8m sq ft - 41% of all take-up, a major rise on 2008's 2.5m sq ft or 20%. Financial Services and professional topped the business sectors table. - (28-01-2010)

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Record breaking December

Research by Cityoffices reveals that a record-breaking 74 London office move deals over 5,000 sq ft were agreed in December 2009, totalling 1.8m sq ft. The City saw 800,000 sq ft of deals and Docklands saw 500,000 sq ft of lettings. Nearly 50% of transactions were for new Grade A space requiring extensive fit-out. Average rents were £40 psf and rent free periods averaged a little under two years. - (21-01-2010)

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City pre-let

Macquarie Bank, the Australian bank, has now signed to take 19,509 sq m (210,000 sq ft) offices on the lower, ground and most upper floors at Exemplar's, under construction, Drapers Gardens office scheme at 12 Throgmorton Avenue, London, EC2. Macquarie will relocate from City Point where its lease expire in 2011. Macquarie will pay about £43 a sq ft on a 20-year lease, with four years rent-free. - (30-10-2009)

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City rents up in 2010

City of London office rents are forecast to rise in 2010 with London leading the European property cycle according to the latest market report from DTZ. Prime City rents are expected to rise by 8% next year but rents in other Euroepan cities are expected to fall further. DTZ has upgraded its previous forecast for the London office market to reflect current optimism and the view that this might be the start of the next property cycle. - (14-10-2009)

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City scheme close to completion

Lancaster Holdings, part of Warner Estates, is well underway with the refurbishment of the 5,300 sq m (57,000 sq ft) Cable House office building at 60 New Broad Street, London, EC2. Completion is expected in December 2008 and Montagu Evans is the letting agent. - (14-11-2008)

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City scheme consent

LMS (City Road), part of Derwent London, has gained consent on appeal for the redevelopment of its City Road Estate in London, EC1, including 80-100 City Road. The proposal includes approximately 10,219 sq m (110,000 sq ft) of offices, 930 sq m (10,000 sq ft) of retail and 250 residential units within a 45-storey tower. Squire and Partners is the architect. - (14-11-2008)

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New architect for Smithfield

Thornfield Properties has appointed a new architecture team to redesign its plans for Smithfield Market in the City of London. Architect Kohn Pederson Fox has been replaced by John McAslan & Partners. Plans by KPF were rejected in August 2008 by Secretary of State Hazel Blears. Revised plans will be submitted shortly. - (11-11-2008)

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City completion

ING Real Estate has completed its 1,548 sq m (16,667 sq ft) office refurbishment of the seven-storey office and retail building at 2-4 Eastcheap, London, EC3. Tuffin Ferraby Taylor advised. Cuffe was main contractor and the letting agent is King Sturge. - (15-02-2008)

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LandSecs new plans

Land Securities has revealed new plans for its (185,000 sq m) 2m sq ft office development on a site on Victoria Street, to the front of Victoria Station, London, SW1. The revised plans are now for two twin 50 storey office towers. The original plans for three skyscrapers of between 25 and 42 storeys were submitted last year but the application was withdrawn. Westminister City Council is looking for one tower of 12 storeys but powers under the Greater London Authority Bill may allow the Mayor of London to overrule the council if the scheme is refused. The scheme therefore seems likely to be called in. - (01-02-2007)

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HBG on Savile Row

HBG is on site for City & West End Development’s project at 30-32 Savile Row, London W1 and is on schedule to complete during the first quarter of 2007. When completed the offices will provide approximately 3,716 sq m (40,000 sq ft) of space. - (04-07-2006)

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Jewry Street redevelopment delay

Sir John Cass's Foundation, the inner London educational trust, is still in negotiations with the City Corporation for a redevelopment behind the 1899 façade of 31 Jewry Street, London, EC3. The new teaching and laboratory space and office planned would amount to 8,560 sq m (92,139 sq ft) on six storeys. The application for renewed permission was withdrawn from last weeks planning committeee for further negotiations. The architect for the latest scheme is Chapman Taylor - (21-11-2005)

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GVA prediction on rents

GVA Chapman Swaby has published research findings with the conclusion that the amount of office space coming forward in the City of London and fringe areas will hold back rent rises. The firm has said that 18m sq ft of office space will be built over the next six years, or so, of which 8m sq ft will be replaced stock and 10m will be new additions to stock. Overall the level of stock in the City would rise from around 88.5m sq ft to about 100m sq ft in 2008. GVA predicts that rent rises on prime space in the City will be 5.2 per cent a year, higher than the average of 2.9 per cent predicted for other UK cities. - (04-10-2005)

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Lloyds considers HQ sale

Lloyds has confirmed that it is considering the sale of its historic City headquarters building - 71 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3 for £150m. The 23,230 sq m (250,000 sq ft) building is currently home to Lloyds Register. CBRE is advising Lloyds. - (28-09-2005)

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CityPoint on the market

CityPoint, the 36-storey skyscraper, on Ropemaker Street, London, EC2, is thought to be on the market and could be sold by the City of London Office Unit Trust (CLOUT) for around £500m. CLOUT was set up by Pillar Properties, now part of British Land, and Schroders, the fund manager, in 2001. CityPoint has about 52,675 sq m (566,993 sq ft) of office space and around 11,148 sq m (120,000 sq ft) of retail and leisure uses on the ground a lower floors. The building was built in 1967 and was named Britannic Tower, the former headquarters of British Petroleum. The building was re-named CityPoint after a major rebuild to a design by Sheppard Robson, which was completed in early 2001. - (28-08-2005)

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Bath House goes under the hammer.

Investment company, Favermead Assets has decided not to redevelop the largely vacant 1960s Bath House, 52-60 Holborn Viaduct, London, EC1A 2DY and has instead decided to sell it. The company has planning permission to replace the building with a speculative, eight storey mixed scheme including 14,000 sq m (150,700 sq ft) of offices, plus ground floor retail. The building is nearly opposite the City Thameslink station northern entrance and adjacent to Lovells new HQ. Favermead will have disposed of the site within the next 4-6 weeks. Nelson Bakewell is advising Aside from the ground floor retail space the building is empty. Sheppard Robson was the architect. - (09-04-2005)

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City office refurbishment.

The Mercer Company is having most of Basildon House on Moorgate, London EC2, refurbished. The building will be available from early June 2005 and is being marketed by DTZ and Ingleby Trice. The building is still partially occupied but the areas currently being renovated cover approximately 2,322 sq m (25,000 sq ft). The entire lower ground, 1st, 2nd, & 3rd floors are being refurbished along with part of the 5th and ground floors. - (24-03-2005)

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Knight Frank predicts

Knight Frank is predicting that take-up in central London will rise from 1.2m sq m (13m sq ft) in 2004 to 1.7m sq m (18m sq ft) in 2008, a 38% increase. Available space is seen as falling from 2.5m sq m (27m sq ft) to around 1.0m sq m (11m sq ft) in the same period. The firm sees rents in the City of London as remaining around £484.38 per sq m (£45 per sq ft) in 2005 but rising to £645.84 per sq m (£60 per sq ft) in 2008. In the West End rents are predicted to rise from £807.30 per sq m (£75 per sq ft) to £861.12 per sq m (£80 per sq ft) and to £1,022.58 per sq m (£95 per sq ft) by 2007. The firm also considers that because only a few new-build West End developments are in the pipeline that this year will see a focus on refurbishments. - (14-02-2005)

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Condor House nears completion

In March 2005, Sir Robert McAlpine is expected to complete the construction of City Office’s (Greycoat) new 12,322 sq m (132,642 sq ft) Condor House office and retail scheme at 4 St Paul’s Churchyard, London, EC4. The building, known as Condor House, is being marketed by CB Richard Ellis. The building will provide a net office area of 10,033 sq m (108,000 sq ft). - (13-01-2005)

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Latest markets views

The latest report from King Sturge sees no significant rental growth in the City of London until 2006 and indicates tenants are now getting up to three years rent free periods on long leases. Tenants are paying around £45 per sq ft in the City and £90 per sq ft in the prime areas of the West End (between Bond Street and Piccadilly). The City still has more than double the vacant office space of the West End making it a buyers market. Cushman & Wakefield Healey & Baker has estimated vacant office space at 18m sq ft in the City of London, making the vacancy rate about 13%. In the West End the vacancy rate is put at about 8%, with 7.4m sq ft of office space vacant. - (13-01-2005)

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Late 2005 start for Bath House?

Investment company, Favermead Assets has yet to begin work on its redevelopment of the largely vacant 1960's Bath House, 52-60 Holborn Viaduct, London, EC1A 2DY. The company has planning permission to replace the building with a speculative, eight-storey mixed scheme including 14,000 sq m (150,700 sq ft) of offices, plus ground floor retail. The building is nearly opposite the City Thameslink station northern entrance and adjacent to Lovells new HQ. When contacted, Favermead that it will not begin work before late 2005 at the earliest. Aside from the ground floor retail space the building is empty. Jones Lang LaSalle’s City office is advising. - (27-11-2004)

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GPE predicts West End recovery

Great Portland Estates has predicted that West End office rents will pick-up in 2005 but that rents in the City of London will not revive until 2006. The company’s chief executive, Toby Courtland, sees vacancy levels falling slowly in the West End and City, which are now estimated to have about 3m sq ft and 7m sq ft of vacant Grade A space respectively. The comments were made as Great Portland announced its interim results which showed net asset value up 8.9% to 305p. The company is increasing development activity and has 13 projects in the pipeline. - (24-11-2004)

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Imminent start for Chesham House.

Demolition of the original premises at 132-154 Regent Street has been completed and work on the 6,596 sq m (71,000 sq ft) new offices is about to commence. The new address of the building, dubbed Chesham House, is actually now 1 Warwick Street and has been conceived by City Office Developments and Morley Fund Management. The building will be ready by autumn 2006 and the agent is CBRE. - (20-10-2004)

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Hammerson predict rent rise

Hammerson is predicting a rise in office rents in the City of London in 2005, with John Richards, chief executive, being quoted as saying “Rent-free periods in the City will shorten this year and rents will rise next year”. City office buildings account for 20 per cent of the company’s UK portfolio and have seen a rise in value by 4.8% to £540.8m. In the West End rents were 5 per cent to 10 per cent higher than in 2003. Hammerson’s West End portfolio accounts for about 2 per cent of the company’s UK portfolio and saw a 12.8 per cent rise in value to £81.7m. - (25-08-2004)

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UBS buys Mondial House

UBS, the investment bank, is reported as having acquired Mondial House, 90, Upper Thames Street, London, EC4, from British Telecom for around £55m for it’s Triton fund. City Offices, the Greycoat subsidiary, is partnering UBS on the scheme which could include a refurbishment of building or redevelopment to provide over 46,451 sq m (500,000 sq ft). BT will take a two-year lease on the 37,160 sq m (400,000 sq ft) building to remove telephone switchgear having originally planned to redevelop the 1970’s building to a design by Foggo Associates. The site could also be incorporated into an adjoining site where the Corporation of London has been considering a development. - (10-07-2004)

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Save Smithfield Market

Save Britain’s Heritage (SBH) is setting out to save the western buildings at Smithfield Market from redevelopment plans by the Corporation of London. SBH considers that the impending fight to be as important at that for Covent Garden in the 1970’s. The General Market buildings, owned by the Corporation of London and designed by architect Sir Horace Jones, have been vacant for at least six years. Although the entire complex is within a conservation area only about 60% of the buildings are listed. Thornfield Properties is thought to be working up a planning application for office development supported by the Corporation. The site is part of a plan by the City of London to allow 1m sq ft (92,900 sq m) of development at the western end of Smithfield and the proposed Crossrail track will bisect the site. - (18-02-2004)

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Regent Street proposals submitted

The Crown Estate has submitted proposals to Westminster City Council for it’s £500m mixed-use scheme for the redevelopment of the southern part of Regent Street, London, W1. The scheme, named ‘The Quadrant’, is for 90,000 sq m (968,760 sq ft) of space and includes a five-star hotel, apartments, and about 60,386 sq m (650,000 sq ft) of office space. The scheme includes Regent Street, Brewer Street, Glasshouse Street and Aire Street, and has been designed by architect Allies & Morrison with CB Richard Ellis advising on the development. - (18-02-2004)

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British Land submits skyscraper plans

British Land has revealed the plans for a 48-storey glass tower at the site of 122 Leadenhall Street, London, EC3. The Richard Rogers Partnership is the architect of the Leadenhall Building which at 224m (737 ft) tall would be the highest in the City of London. The design incorporates a distinctive triangular shape and will provide 53,605 sq m (577,000 sq ft) of offices, with the lower floors of the building providing restaurants and bars along with 1,672 sq m (18,000 sq ft) of retail space. British Land is hopeful that the Leadenhall Building will be completed in 2006, with a late 2004 start following approval of the planning application made this week. English Heritage is thought to be more positive about this skyscraper as it does not block views of St Pauls. - (15-02-2004)

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Lloyd's Building sold to Shelbourne

The Lloyd’s Building in the City of London has been acquired by Shelbourne Investments, the Irish-based company owned by Garrett Kelleher, in a deal at around £240m. The 32,330 sq m (348,000 sq ft) building is owned by Deka, the German investment fund, which is thought to have paid around £186m for the building in 1986. Shelbourne Investments beat off seven rival to buy the building, currently let to the Society of Lloyd’s on a lease expiring in February 2013. The acquisition is Shelbourne’s second investment in the City of London having paid about £16.0m for the lease on 18-20 Cannon Street, London, EC4 last year. - (12-01-2004)

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Helical Bar calls bottom of the market

Helical Bar has joined other property developers in calling the bottom of the central London office market. Michael Slade, managing director, has commented to the effect that although the City of London office market has bottomed out, he saw no rapid upturn and it might not come on-stream for three years. Taking a more positive view of the West End market he has said that it will come on-stream in two years time. - (28-11-2003)

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LandSec's reveals New Street Square

The City of London Real Property Co Ltd, otherwise Land Securities, has submitted revised plans for the redevelopment of the New Street Square site (off Fetter Lane) in the City of London, EC4. The new plans are for 98,816 sq m (1.06m sq ft) of space to replace the existing 54,479 sq m (586,411 sq ft) of offices. The scheme, designed by Bennetts Associates, envisages five buildings, of between three and 18-storeys, providing 81,941 sq m (882,013 sq ft) of offices space and 3,082 sq m (33,175 sq ft) of retail space. - (22-11-2003)

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'Gherkin' shortlisted for award

The Swiss Re building, otherwise known as the ‘Gherkin’, in the City of London, has been shortlisted for the first London Planning Awards. The awards, run jointly by London mayor Ken Livingstone, London First, and the Royal Town Planning Institute, aim to highlight outstanding planning achievements in London. The Swiss Re building was designed by Foster & Partners and submitted for the award by Montagu Evans. Paddington Waterside Partnership is on the shortlist for the best community or partnership initiative category. - (31-10-2003)

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Helical Bar scheme for EC3

Helical Bar, the developer, has submitted plans for a 20-storey tower in Mitre Square in the City of London. In a joint venture with Ansbacher Property Developments, Helical Bar is planning to redevelop the Mitre Square island site in London EC3, bounded by Mitre Street, Dukes Place and Creechurch Lane. The scheme comprises about 32,515 sq m (350,000 sq ft) of offices as well as ground-floor retail and restaurant space. Ansbacher and Helical Bar are being advised by Allsop & Co and Ingleby Trice Kennard. - (30-09-2003)

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Benchmark to focus on West End

Benchmark Group has sold its interest in three office properties in the City of London for about £8.6m. Benchmark ha sold the leasehold interests inMitre House, Cheapside, and Compter House, Wood Street, London EC2, to clients of ING Real Estate. Benchmark has said that the disposals will allow the compnay to focus on the West End market. - (24-08-2003)

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Rents to fall further says Helical Bar

Michael Slade, chief executive of devepment company Helical Bar is reported as saying that West End rents have further to fall before a 2005 recovery. Mr Slade puts vacancy rates in the City of London at 1993 levels and the West End at 1994 levels. Helical Bar has reduced its exposure to London offices through disposals worth £190m to 41% from 71% a year ago. Helical Bar has said that it is aiming to reduce London offices to 20% of it’s portfolio on expectations of a “flat year”. Mr Salde thinks that the time to come back into the London property market will be 2005 or 2006. - (08-06-2003)

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Caxton Hall office scheme

Caxton Hall, the Grade II listed former Westminster registry office, in London SW1, is to be redeveloped as office and apartments. The building on the Broadway and Christchurch Gardens conservation area has been vacant for about 20-years. Amberswift Limited and Stanhope plc have submitted a planning application to Westminster City Council, for a scheme designed by Foggo Associates, to restore the building and create 13 flats and also build a nine-storey 5,000 sq m (53,820 sq ft) office building at the rear of the site. - (10-02-2003)

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Exchange plans reclad

The London Stock Exchange has submitted plans to the Corporation of London for the development of its site at 125 Old Broad Street EC2. The Stock Exchange is to relocate to Paternoster Square in mid-2004 and is planning to sell its existing premises on gaining planning consent. The new plans, by architect Nicholas Grimshaw, include a major refurbishment and re-cladding of the late 1980's 27-storey Exchange Tower and the development and a new podium level of 3,031 sq m (32,625 sq ft) as part of the 'East' Building and a new nine-level block (The West Building), providing 23,958 sq m (257,883 sq ft) of offices, will be created on the site of the old trading floor on the corner of Old Broad Street and Throgmorton Avenue. The scheme will provide a total of 65,804 sq m (708,314 sq ft) of office space (gross external area) and also include 7,236 sq m (77,888 sq ft) (gea) of retail space. City Offices Management is the project manager and Ove Arup is the structures and services consultant. - (13-11-2002)

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Stock Exchange submits plans

The London Stock Exchange has submitted plans to the Corporation of London for the development of its site in Old Broad Street, London EC2. The Stock Exchange is to relocate to Paternoster Square in mid-2004 and is planning to sell its existing premises on gaining planning consent. The new plans, by architect Nicholas Grimshaw, include a major refurbishment of the 26-storey Exchange Tower and the development of two new buildings. An eight-storey block will be created on the site of the old trading floor and a five-storey building on the corner of Old Broad Street and Throgmorton Avenue. The scheme will provide 44,128 sq m (475,000 sq ft) of office space and also include 3,716 sq m (40,000 sq ft) of retail space. The London Stock Exchange is being advised by Greycoat subsidiary City Offices and Insignia Richard Ellis has advised on the plans. - (17-10-2002)

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British Land's new skyscraper

British Land has unveiled its plans for a skyscraper at 122 Leadenhall Street. The 48-storey tower will provide about 93,000 sq m (1,001,000 sq ft) of space and has been designed by the Richard Rogers Partnership. The initial designs envisage a tapering external frame structure, possibly a 'shard of steel', on 'legs' above a new public park. It is said that the building would be the tallest in the City of London. - (22-09-2002)

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Selfridges scale back plans

Selfridges, the department stores group, is to scale down the £300m plans by Foster & Partners for its Oxford Street store. After nine months discussions with Westminster City Council planners Selfridges is thought to be about to scale back the 12-storey office tower, although the 9,290 sq m (100,000 sq ft) of retail space, a spa, car park and hotel, will remain. It is thought that the office tower will be reduced from 60m to 41m in the redesign. - (22-09-2002)

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Clout revises Basinghall Street scheme

City of London Office Unit Trust (Clout), made up of Pillar, Schroder Exempt Property Unit Trust and SITQ Albion, has submitted a planning application for 35 Basinghall Street, London EC2, which increase the floorspace on the previously approved scheme. The latest application by Bennetts Associates is for a ten-story 17,413 sq m (187,433 sq ft) scheme that will provide about 12,122 sq m (130,481 sq ft) of net floorspace. The new scheme has introduced two additional floors into the building without a major increase in its height. - (18-04-2002)

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Jarvis submits application

Jarvis, the support services company, has submitted a planning application for the Westgate site at 8-22 Smithfield Street and 30-38 Hosier Lane, London EC1. Jarvis intends to build a new six-storey 15,492 sq m (166,755 sq ft) building as a new headquarters to accommodate its City and West End offices. The scheme will also have retail uses on the ground floor. The architect for the scheme is CPMG Architects. - (18-04-2002)

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WTC4 turns to residential

City & Provincial has revised its plans for its World Trade Centre scheme and is now intending that Building 4 (WTC4), of 31,240 sq m (336,267 sq ft) will be a 24-storey residential block named Discovery Dock. The compnay has cited a 'slow' commercial office market in London and planning delays as the reasons for the change in strategy. The scheme has an exisiting planning permission for residential that can be implemented. - (30-03-2002)

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Grands Union Building decision close

The revised planning application for the 89,087 sq m (958,954 sq ft) office and retail 'Grand Union Building' development at Paddington, designed by Richard Rogers Partnership, is due to go to Westminster City Council planning committee on 14th March. It is thought that members of the Chelsfield led consortium will 'allez' from MIPIM to be back in time for the meeting. - (04-03-2002)

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British Land in White City talks

British Land and Chelsfield are said to be in discussions to form a joint venture company to develop the White City centre in west London. The 16.6ha (40-acre) site between Wood Lane and the West Cross route is planned as £700m shopping centre of around 111,482 sq m (1.2m sq ft) and this will include an office complex, a hotel, 9,290 sq m (100,000 sq ft) of leisure space and social housing. The scheme has been designed by Ian Richie and has meet with many planning objections. - (18-02-2002)

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Deutsche Bank tower for EC2

Deutsche Bank is said to have plans for a 38-storey skyscraper on the edge of the City of London to be developed by its property arm Deutsche Grundbesitz (DGI). The building planned for Ropemaker Place, Ropemaker Street, London EC2 is said to be a "commercial development" and Deutsche has refused to say if it intends to occupy the building. The 200m high tower has been designed by Sheppard Robson and will rise to 10 storeys before leaning 20 degrees from vertical before straightening up. The bank was looking for a second headquarters building last year but this is now said to be no longer a top priority. No formal planning application has yet been made to London Borough of Islington. - (16-02-2002)

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Selfridges unveils plans

The plans for the £300m development at the rear of Selfridges store in Oxford Street have been unveiled. The designs by Foster & Partners include about 27,870 sq m (300,000 sq ft) of offices, an additional 10,219 sq m (110,000 sq ft) of retail space, and a 12-storey five star hotel. If planning permission is granted the scheme will start in mid-2003 and will not be completed until 2007. The planning application was submitted to Westminster City Council earlier this week. - (13-12-2001)

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DIFA plans City skyscraper

Some brief details of the proposed 50-storey office tower at 6-8 Bishopsgate have been revealed. It appears that discussion on the tower, for German developer DIFA, have been held with the Corporation of London and the Mayor's office. However a planning application will not be submitted until after a decision on the Heron tower, currently at public inquiry, is made. The architect for the scheme is reported to be Helmut Jahn, the New York architect. - (04-12-2001)

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Stanhope and Crown Estate make plans

Stanhope plc is to be The Crown Estate's development partner in the £200m mixed-use (including 100,000 sq ft of offices) regeneration of Regent Street in Central London. A planning application for the scheme was submitted to Westminster City Council in June and is currently under consideration. The scheme includes provision of state-of-the-art residential, retail and office space. 229-247 Regent Street, between Hanover Street and Princes Street, near Oxford Circus, is the first phase of the scheme. It will contain almost 180,000 sq ft of space. This will include around 100,000 sq ft of offices and 60,000 sq ft of retail space, including 30,000 sq ft for flagship store. - (19-11-2001)

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City objects to "excessive layers"

At the 'Docklands at 20' conference Judith Mayhew, chair of policy and resources at the Corporation of London, has said that "excessive layers" are undermining the planning process and putting London position as a leading financial centre at risk. She made the point said that planning rules allowed English Heritage and others to delay approvals. Her view is that "Large developments, in the City and elsewhere, need speed and certainty in planning process" and she also seemed to be saying that the power of the Mayor of London and the Secretary of State to over-ride local authority decisions, along with individuals and organisation that "seek to influence" decisions, were unnecessary layers. - (03-10-2001)

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'right to light' claim

Churchill Securities is now said to be seeking an injunction against Marks & Spencer claiming that its development at 70 Gracechurch Street, also known as Limebank House, 168 Fenchurch Street, London EC3 affects a "right to light" clause on an adjoining building that Churchill owns. It appears that discussions have not resolved the issue and the threat of legal action is making it harder for M&S to find a tenant. Churchill is thought to have made M&S an offer of £150m for the building, subject to planning consent being granted to convert the recently completed building into a 34-storey tower (which would reportedly cost another £130m).

Colliers Conrad Ritblat Erdman and Jones Lang LaSalle are the letting agents for the scheme. It has also been reported that three City firms have pulled out of negotiations for Limebank House due to the legal problems. - (01-10-2001)

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Austral House revised

The City of London Office Unit Trust (Clout), which includes Pillar Properties, has submitted a new planning application for Austral House, Basinghall Avenue, London EC2. The present 9,570 sq m (103,011 sq ft) building is proposed to be redeveloped as a nine-storey 22,990 sq m (247,464 sq ft) scheme. The building has been designed by Swanke Hayden Connell Architects. The existing planning consent for the scheme was granted in December 1999, and was for an eight-storey building of 21,111 sq m (227,238 sq ft). - (13-09-2001)

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Westminster's 'big' committee

Westminster City Council has set-up a new 'major applications' committee to take all decisions on high profile development schemes. The committee will consider large developments such as Paddington Basin, Stag Place and Victoria station. The committee is one of three bodies set up to streamline the planning process, the other two committees will oversee smaller applications. - (08-09-2001)

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Lend Lease buys part of Patent Office

City & Provincial and Lend Lease have acquired part of the former Patent Office at 10 Furnival Street, London EC4 for about £12.5m. The eastern part of the building has been acquired from City & General, which is currently refurbishing the 4,645 sq m (50,000 sq ft) Central Court and the 2,787 sq m (30,000 sq ft) Staple Court. This phase is due to be completed in August 2002 and Jones Land LaSalle and Montagu Evans are to begin marketing in September. The eastern part of the building will be refurbished and extended at a cost of £15m and the office content will be increased from 8,175 sq m to 10,312 sq m (88,000 sq ft to 111,000 sq ft). The Lend Lease joint venture was advised by Knight Frank. - (25-08-2001)

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Greycoat to advise Exchange

Greycoat is to advise the London Stock Exchange on the redevelopment of its site on Old Broad Street, London EC2. The LSE will relocate from its 15,793 sq m (170,000 sq ft) of office space in the 26-storey Exchange Tower in 2004. City Offices, owned and operated by the management of Greycoat, is thought to have beaten rival Stanhope to the consultancy role. The Stock Exchange is being advised by Insignia Richard Ellis. - (14-07-2001)

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English Heritage "spikes" tower

English Heritage has likened the proposals by Renzo Piano for the 300m high Sellar "shard of glass" skyscraper at London Bridge to a "spike through the heart of the Tower of London". The opposition from English Heritage will prompt a public inquiry into the proposals, leading to the scheme being determined by the new Environment Secretary Stephen Byers. English Heritage at the same meeting supported proposals for two residential towers at Lots Road power station in Chelsea, undoubtably far enough away from any heritage sites, and regarded by English Heritage as "two high quality tall buildings which we think will enhance river views and the skyline of this part of London without damaging the historic environment." It may be sometime before we hear such comments from English Heritage about an office tower in the City of London. - (02-07-2001)

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Great Portland Estates plan skyscraper

Great Portland Estates, the London property group, has said that it is in talks to develop a skyscraper in central London. Peter Shaw, managing director, has said that the company is to build the office block as part of a joint venture with a City Livery Company and an unnamed City Institution. Mr Shaw has refused to name the other backers for the Great Portland Estates' skyscraper. The plans have been announced as the company reported a worse than expected set of results. - (06-06-2001)

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Mayor agrees Lehman Brothers scheme

The mayor of London decided not to direct London Borough of Hackney to refuse the Northgate project, designed by Sidell Gibson for Lehman Brothers. In the decision letter the mayor has said that the 17-storey office and retail development "would contribute to London's global city role". However the mayor also said that he will ensure that the scheme, and the adjoining scheme planned by Railtrack, to not compromise each other when he considers the Railtrack proposals. The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) is thought to be concerned that Hackney failed to consult it on the proposals, which CABE says are "incompatible" with the Railtrack proposals and should be refused. - (02-06-2001)

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City says need for extra 10m sq ft

The City of London is said to need an additional 929,000 sq m (10m sq ft) of office space in the "medium term" according to Judith Mayhew, the Corporation of London's chair of policy. The extra space is needed to accommodate a forecast 68,000 increase in employment in the City by 2015. - (26-05-2001)

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Railtrack tower proposed for E1

Railtrack Property has submitted plans for a new office and retail scheme on the edge of the City of London. The proposed elliptical glass and steel development, on the corner of Norton Folgate and Worship Street, in London E1, has been designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, and will have 19,000 sq m (204,521 sq ft) of offices in a 23-storey tower. It is said that Railtrack had hoped to create a larger development by linking the site to the adjoining site owned by Lehman Brothers. The bulk of the scheme will be built over the railway lines and will include 200 sq m (2,153 sq ft) of retail space next to the main office entrance. - (30-04-2001)

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Strategic thinking

The strategic plan for London will recommend a massive redevelopment to the north-east and east of the City according to deputy mayor Nicky Gavron. The spatial development strategy will rethink London's transport provision and could support the regeneration of land in the Lee Valley and Thames Gateway areas. The main strategic policies are due to be published in a consultation document in April, with a more detailed draft by the end of 2001, and a final version ready in by late 2002. - (25-03-2001)

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BBC prefers Land Securities

The BBC has announced that Land Securities Trillium as the preferred bidder in its proposed property partnership. Land Securities submitted a joint bid with Trillium, the outsourcing group, last year. The Land Securities team is also understood to include Bovis Lend Lease. The BBC's reserve bidder is Amey. If Land Securities/Trillium secure the deal the first project is likely to be the £200m development of the White City site in London W12, which could provide 60,000 sq m (645,840 sq ft). The Grade II listed Broadcasting House in Langham Place, London W4 is included in the property portfolio and the BBC is also said to be renegotiating its lease on Bush House, Aldwych, London WC2, which expires in 2005, and could be a refurbishment project. - (25-03-2001)

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Topland could invest £600m in City

Topland, the privately owned property company, is said to be looking to acquire up to £600m of property in the City of London, and has just acquired 33 King William Street, London EC4 for £85m from Land Securities. 33 King William Street was built in 1983 and provides around 13,000 sq m (140,000 sq ft) of office space, it is the home of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers. Last year Topland acquired 51-55 Gresham Street EC2 from Land Securities for £46m and recently bought 150 Aldersgate Street EC1 from Slough Estates for £33m. - (02-02-2001)

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Heron Tower wins planning consent

110 Bishopsgate, the planned 43-storey Heron Tower, in London EC3 has been approved by the Corporation of London planning committee. The scheme, designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, will now go to the Court of Common Council on 1st February 2001. The tower was approved despite objections by English Heritage, which said the building would affect the views of St Paul's from Waterloo Bridge. The Heron Tower will be the tallest building in the City of London but will appear lower than Tower 42 (the former NatWest Tower) as it is to be built on lower-lying land. - (18-01-2001)

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Railtrack tower may shrink

Railtrack may not be able to go ahead with its planned 43-storey tower at Paddington after Westminster City Council indicated this week that the scheme should be no taller than 10-storeys. The view on the proposed tower is contained in an officers report to Westminster council, which will go to the planning committee on 18th December. - (09-12-2000)

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London & Regional buys EC4 site

London & Regional Properties has taken a controlling stake in a 0.9ha (2.2 acre) site on Victoria Embankment, London EC4, which includes the 37,160 sq m (400,000 sq ft) Morgan Place, 60 on Victoria Embankment, London EC4Y OJP, occupied by JP Morgan, the US investment bank, on a lease expiring in 2016, and the former City of London School for Boys. The site was sold by Sumitomo Life for about £135m. The deal has led to speculation that JP Morgan, which is about to merge with Chase Bank, will now seek to combine operations in one site in London. Chase, formerly Chase Manhattan, also recently acquired Flemings the UK investment bank, based at London Wall EC2, where leases expire in 2004 and 2006. The merger between Chase and JP Morgan will see around 2,000 staff laid off by the end of the year in London and New York and more in 2001. - (01-12-2000)

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Pillar cash offer for Wates City

Wates City of London Properties has received a formal cash offer from Pillar Property at 141p a share, valuing the company at around £373m. The price is said to be equal to Wates City net asset value at the end of June. - (25-11-2000)

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Royal Parks object to Paddington skyscrapers

The Royal Parks Agency is lobbying Westminster City Council to reject the plans for skyscrapers at Paddington. The RPA says that the proposed towers will have an intrusive effect on Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park and Regents Park and has demonstrated the possible impact with 'before' and after' illustrations. The RPA has stated that neither the Grand Union Building, by architect Lord Rogers, or The Station Tower by Nicholas Grimshaw for Railtrack, should be granted planning permission. - (23-11-2000)

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Pillar approach to Wates rumoured

Pillar Properties is said to have made an approach to buy property company Wates City of London Properties. Wates City of London Properties is currently trying to sell CityPoint, the largest office building under construction in the City of London and also has other office schemes planned in the Square Mile. Pillar operates 28 retail park schemes and also has business park interests, but has a low exposure to the central London office market. - (13-11-2000)

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Selfridges selects Stanhope

Selfridges, the department store group, has appointed Stanhope to develop land at the rear of its Oxford Street store in London W1. The £250m scheme will include an hotel, to replace the existing Thistle hotel, apartments, a 9,290 sq m (100,000 sq ft) increase in retail space, and office space. Selfridges will give Stanhope a 175-year lease on the development and share in profits on the scheme. Architect Foster & Partners is also part of the development team. Stanhope was selected over rival developer British Land and about 17 other bidders. Discussion with Westminster City Council will take place this year and planning permission could be granted in 2001. The project is expected to be completed in 2006. - (03-11-2000)

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Land Securities to develop One New Change

Land Securities has acquired the One New Change site in the City of London from the Bank of England for "more than £175m". The property group is said to be planning a retail and leisure complex to provide "the feel of the West End" on the 1.14ha (2.73 acre) site, which is close to St Paul's Cathedral. Land Securities won the site against competition from eight other bidders. - (12-10-2000)

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MEPC may sell London properties

MEPC, the property company, is said to be close to completing the sale of several London properties to Benchmark for around £250m. The deal could see London overtake Tokyo as the city with the highest office prices. Benchmark is said to have an exclusivity agreement on the portfolio, which includes a 18,580 sq m (200,000 sq ft) block near Cambridge Circus, 90 Long Acre and 12 St James's Square. The Cambridge Circus building is priced at £80m and is let to BT, with about four years remaining on the lease. The property is seen as a possible refurbishment or redevelopment opportunity. The Long Acre building is partly owned by property group Asticus and is priced at £70m. 12 St James's Square, MEPC's former headquarters, is priced at £56m. - (08-10-2000)

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British Land announces deal with WestLB

British Land has announced a joint venture with Westdeutsche Landesbank (WestLB), the German bank, to dispose of a 50 per cent interest in four London office properties and receive £358m cash. The four properties are One and 10 Fleet Place, 100 New Bridge Street, and Watling House on Cannon Street. The remainder of the venture will be owned by WestLB, and Westdeutsche ImmobilienBank and Provinzial-Feuerversicherungsanstalt Der Rheinprovinz-Versicherung Der Sparkassen. John Weston-Smith, finance director at British Land, has been reported as saying that the deal is "more than enough" to pay for current developments in the City of London. - (03-10-2000)

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Plans submitted for former Patent Office

A major refurbishment is planned for the former Patent Office building at 25 Southampton Buildings and 10 Furnival Street, London WC2. A planning application has been submitted to the Corporation of London by Montagu Evans, on behalf of City & General Holdings (Holborn) Limited, for a 25,998 sq m (27,964 sq ft) refurbishment and part new build of the listed building. The Patent Office relocated to Newport in 1991 and the buildings have been in temporary use since then. - (29-09-2000)

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Westminster to say 'no' to skyscrapers?

The City of Westminster has unveiled its policy document for office buildings in the Borough and has continued its restrictive policies on skyscrapers. Westminster may in future grant planning permission for tall buildings, but only if the development "is of the highest architectural and urban design quality". The proposals drawn up by the City of Westminster planners follows research by EDAW consultants and was expected to identify the Paddington Basin area as an acceptable location for tall buildings. Westminster's planners have instead recommended rejection the idea of designating zones for skyscrapers and the report concludes that "on the whole, Westminster is an unacceptable location for high buildings". On a positive note the report puts forward the idea of creating several "special policy areas", including one for preserving the 'creative industries' in the Soho area. The report, which forms part of the Council's Unitary Development Plan process, is being considered by the Planning Committee on 26th September 2000. - (27-09-2000)

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Land Securities may bid for One New Change

Land Securities is reported to have launched a £175m bid for the One New Change building in London EC4, occupied by the Bank of England on a long leasehold. The 1.4ha (3.5 acre) site currently provides about 37,160 sq m (400,000 sq ft) of office space and could be redeveloped to provide a much larger scheme. Other bidders for the building are said to include Gerald Hines, the US investor, Blackstone Real Estate, Tishman Speyer, City & West and a limited partnership led by Wates City of London Properties. Development Securities is also said to be a possible bidder along with several European institutions. - (25-09-2000)

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