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Office lettings in London in November 2011 topped 1 million sq ft for only the third time this year. Helped by large pre-lets to Camden Council and Aon Insurance. The fringe areas almost matched the core, with roughly half a million sq ft each. Professional and financial services companies predominated in November. The average lease term is 8 years. We expect the final year total to be just under 9 million sq ft. - (15-12-2011)
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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.
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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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Targetfollow has gained revised consent for its planned 22-storey office development with retail at ground level, at 60-70 St Mary Axe, London, EC3. The building is being nicknamed "Can of Spam" because of its shape. The architect is Foggo Associates for the 39,166 sq m (421,582 sq ft) gross or 27,870 sq m (300,000 sq ft) net, island scheme. A start is not expected until 2011 or 2012. DP9 is the planning consultant. DTZ is advising on the development. - (02-07-2010)
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Hedge Fund Research has revealed the industry has enjoyed its biggest gains in a decade in 2009 and Toscafund is predicting 100,000 extra London financial jobs by 2020. New launches by SAC Capital, Tyrus Capital and CIFM are bolstering Mayfair offices. - (27-01-2010)
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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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Targetfollow has gained consent for its planned 22-storey office tower with retail at ground level, at 60-70 St Mary Axe, London, EC3. The building is being nicknamed "Can of Spam" because of its shape. The architect is Foggo Associates for the 39,166 sq m (421,582 sq ft) gross or 27,870 sq m (300,000 sq ft) net, island scheme. Finance has yet to be secured. A start is not expected until 2010. DP9 is planning consultant. DTZ is advising on the development. - (19-12-2008)
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The Gherkin (otherwise 30 St Mary Axe) in London, EC3, has been acquired by IVG Asticus, the German fund, and Evans Randall, the private investment bank, from Swiss Re for about £630m, and initial yield of around 4.25%. IVG is thought to be making its 50% stake open to private investors and Evans Randall will place its stake with institutional investors. Both firms are understood to be retaining a 10% stake. - (06-02-2007)
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Swiss Re is said to be in exclusive talks with IVG Asticus, the German property group, to sell 30 St Mary Axe, 'the Gerkin", in London, EC3. The reinsurer is thought to have had over 50 expressions of interest in the buildng and the present deal could be finalised in early 2007. Offers are believed to have almost reached £600m. - (05-12-2006)
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Swiss Re has put 30 St Mary Axe, London, EC3, otherwise known as The Gherkin, up for sale. It is thought that the iconic 40-storey building could achieve a sale price of over £550m. Swiss Re is being advised by DTZ and Eurohypo. - (18-09-2006)
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St Martin's Property Corporation’s planned 19,000 sq m (204,516 sq ft) 8-storey office scheme at 150 Cheapside, London EC2, has been granted detailed planning permission and a shortlist of main contractors has been drawn up. Sir Robert McAlpine, Carillion, Mowlem, Skanska and Balfour Beatty are all reported to be on the shortlist for the new office building. Demolition of the existing site (known as St. Vedast House) is likely to begin before the end of this year and the building should be ready during 2008. - (14-04-2005)
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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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The Swiss Re building at 30 St Mary Axe, London, EC3, otherwise known as the Gerkin, has won 55 per cent of the public votes in a BBC poll on what should win the RIBA Sterling Prize for architecture. The Imperial War Museum North in Manchester was in second place. The winner will be announced on October 16. - (08-10-2004)
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A planning application has just been submitted for the refurbishment of 5 Cheapside, London EC4. The architect for the scheme is Rolfe Judd and the developer is St Martins Property Corporation. 5 Cheapside is an unusual octagonal building and the office floorspace will be increased from 3,479 sq m (37,447 sq ft) to 3,786 sq m (40,752 sq ft). The 5,248 sq m (56,489 sq ft) building will have retail units of 230 sq m (2,475 sq ft) on the ground floor. - (27-02-2003)
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The latest plans for Kings Cross have been unveiled by Argent, and partners London & Continental Railways and St George, pending an outline planning application being submitted for the 29ha (72-acre) site. The last major plans for Kings Cross were by Rosehaugh Stanhope in the late 1980's when over 6m sq ft of office space was proposed. In the mixed-use 'vision' office development is contained in blocks 4 and 5 as the 'Southern Hub' and also in Blocks 7 and 8 to the rear of the site. The office blocks range between 8-25 storeys, with the potential to go higher. The remainder of the scheme includes retail, residential and leisure uses and the total floorspace of all uses is between 7m to 8.6m sq ft. Jones Lang LaSalle is advising on the development, which will not be able to start before 2007. - (06-10-2002)
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A new survey by GVA Grimley and the Confederation of British Industry expects the commercial property market in London and the South East to slow in the next six months. The slowdown is expected to be most marked in the office sector and most marked in London, where net demand is expected to halve.
- (05-01-2002)
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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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CB Hillier Parker, the letting agent, rumoured to be about to announce that it is to pre-let St Martin Court at Paternoster Square, London EC4. The firm will take the 9,561 sq m (102,915 sq ft) building on a rent rumoured to be about £559.72 per sq m (£52 per sq ft). CB Hillier Parker is also the joint letting agent on Paternoster Square. Goldman Sachs is also said to be about to announce that it has taken the 17,438 sq m (187,702 sq ft) Warwick Court, the last major building on the scheme. - (19-08-2001)
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CB Hillier Parker, the surveying firm, is rumoured to have committed to having its new headquarters at Paternoster Square, London EC4. The firm is marketing the Paternoster scheme on behalf of Misubishi Estates subsidiary Paternoster Associates and the deal would be the first pre-let at the development. CB Hillier Parker is thought to be taking the 9,570 sq m (103,000 sq ft) St Martin's Court building, which could be completed in 2003. - (28-01-2001)
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Swiss Re can now progress the development of its new headquarters at the Baltic Exchange site in St Mary Axe, London EC3. Save Britain's Heritage withdrew its application for a judicial review to try and stop the redevelopment plans in the light on new evidence. - (15-10-2000)
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The Baltic Exchange is said to have pledged financial support to a legal challenge by Save Britain's Heritage to John Prescott's decision not to hold a public inquiry into the proposals to demolish the Grade II listed Baltic Exchange building in St Mary Axe, London EC3 and replace it with a Foster & Partners' designed skyscraper, nicknamed the 'Gerkin'. Save is understood to have just lodged an application to the High Court seeking leave to apply for a judicial review over the decision. - (01-10-2000)
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