(Image by New London Development)
When sourcing office space in London, it’s a great idea to consider what the immediate surroundings offer. After all, you and your workforce will no doubt be spending a fair amount of time there, so it makes good sense to choose a location that has a lot to offer outside of the office. Office space in St James is one of these.
Attracting great talent into your business is a whole lot easier if you’ve got a fantastic location to offer. It works for staff retention, too. You’ll want somewhere that’s bustling with great places to eat and drink; to shop; to meet friends and to entertain clients. Whilst these sorts of things aren’t always at the top of the agenda when looking for office space to rent or buy, they really are important for the future of your business. So it’s vital they don’t become an afterthought.
If you’re looking to situate your business around the Haymarket, Piccadilly or Regent Street areas of South West London, here’s a heads-up on a location that you might find ticks all the boxes. Read on, and you may just fall in love with the concept of basing your business in one of London’s most attractive and vibrant locations.
Introducing St James’s
St James’s is an iconic area of Central London, packed with galleries, independent retailers and world-class international cuisine.
A location that seamlessly blends the old with the new, St James’s is thought of as one of the Capital’s hidden gems.
Some of the very best hotels and dining destinations can be found here, and the shopping district is widely renowned for its high-end brands and quirky boutiques. St James’s offers something different, something unique. And with the regeneration of St James’s Market now in its second phase, the area has become even more of a draw for businesses looking to find their ideal home in the Capital.
The Regeneration of St James’s Market
St James’s Market is a large redevelopment project involving the revitalisation of 66,000 square feet of unoccupied commercial spaces close to Piccadilly Circus.
(Image by The Crown Estate - 1 St James's Market)
A joint venture development between the UK Crown Estate and Oxford Properties Group and designed by urban design specialists Make Architects of London, St James’s Market is focused on ”connecting people to exceptional spaces”, “welcoming forward-looking companies seeking to attract and retain the best staff”. The key vision is to create a brilliant place that will attract more businesses to contribute to the success of the West End.
Now in phase two, the regeneration plans for St James’s Market include the creation of further public space featuring improved pedestrian routes in a landscaped setting. Fresh new office, retail and restaurant space will feature too, with supporting infrastructure focusing on increasing recycling, reducing congestion and improving air quality. Improvements to the Grade II listed Carlton Cinema on Haymarket will also be involved, as will restoration of the street-facing elevations of the historic buildings within the site.
The lure of St James’s
There is a lot to love about St James’s. From a lively events calendar to a multiplicity of dining, drinking, shopping, leisure, arts and amenities opportunities; this is a London location you’ll thank yourself for getting to know. Furthermore, it’s served by no less than five Underground stations; situated just 17 minutes from St Pancras International and less than an hour away from London’s three major airports.
A huge array of restaurants, cafés and bars grace the location, presenting literally something to suit every taste, pocket and dietary need.
Take breakfast at glamorous 45 Jermyn St. Housed within Fortnum & Mason, the menu will deliver whatever it takes to set you up for a morning in the office. Then, if you are a champion of British food, you’ll not want to miss lunch at the Great British Restaurant where you’ll find yourself trying to choose between the likes of Yorkshire venison with bubble and squeak, Norfolk gin and beetroot cured cod, or haggis Scotch egg. For dinner, it has to be Michelin starred Aquavit, a St James’s Market favourite, billed as a “Nordic restaurant where the food is a work of art”.
The list of retail places extends even further than the extensive catalogue of restaurants. There are names you’ll know, from T M Lewin and Osprey London to Waterstones and Lillywhites, through to those you may not; the independents that you’ll find yourself lured into as you meander St James’s in your lunch break.
Office Space St James’s – Specialist advice from Mellersh & Harding
If you are seeking to secure SW1 London office space, St James’s really could offer all you’ve been looking for. Why not talk to the expert team at Mellersh & Harding? We have a diverse portfolio of commercial property in London ready to present to you. To learn more, please get in touch or call 020 7522 8500.
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