Research
Q3 2024 - LONDON LEADS THE WAY IN FLEX OFFICE MARKET
Rapleys is delighted to announce the acquisition of Mellersh & Harding, specialists in Central London Real Estate, as part of our ongoing ambitions to expand the business across all core divisions and markets. The Mellersh & Harding team brings a huge track record in the Central London office market, offering a range of expertise to its wide client base. They will form part of Rapleys Commercial division, adding strength to our established office agency, investment, property management and lease advisory services.
Q1 2024 - LONDON LEADS THE WAY IN FLEX OFFICE MARKET
By the end of 2023 vacancy rates in St James’s fell marginally to just above 5% owing to 31 St James’s Square at 78 St James’s Street letting up their vacant floors during the year. The Flex market continues to expand with an increase in demand by 5% on the already record year of 2022 with the average rent per sq ft reaching £235 per annum.
Q1 2021 - GOODBYE TO 2020
Never has there been more relief to see the end of the year in the occupational markets throughout Central London! Office transactions were down approximately 70% on the previous year due to the Pandemic and vacancy rates now stand at 6.7%. Rents in St James’s held up better than other areas of the West End, with deals being closed at anywhere between 5- 20% reductions on last year, mainly given as additional rent free packages.
Q3 2022 - EPC REQUIREMENTS TO INCREASE
As the development cycle kicks back into life following Covid and as tenants become more environmentally aware, two significant EPC rulings will have a marked impact on St James’s buildings. Currently, it is unlawful to let any buildings that fall below band E, however from April 2023, this will apply to existing lettings. Looking further forward, from 2030 the minimum EPC level required to let an office building will rise to band B
Q1 2021 - GOODBYE TO 2020
Never has there been more relief to see the end of the year in the occupational markets throughout Central London! Office transactions were down approximately 70% on the previous year due to the Pandemic and vacancy rates now stand at 6.7%. Rents in St James’s held up better than other areas of the West End, with deals being closed at anywhere between 5- 20% reductions on last year, mainly given as additional rent free packages.
Q3 2019 – ST JAMES’S BULLETIN
Prime rents in St James’s have remained static over the past two quarters and vacancy rates continue to hold at just below 5%. A large proportion of demand is from SME’s acquiring less than 5,000 SqFt and this comprised 55% of total take-up. These tenants are looking for maximum flexibility in terms of lease length, break options, layout and connectivity – all factors which increasingly landlords are planning for as part of their disposal campaigns.
Q1 2019 – ST JAMES’S BULLETIN
Despite office supply in the West End being at an historic low, there continues to be downwards pressure on tenant incentives. Over the past 6 months, more landlords have been offering space with the benefit of a fit-out, as part of the incentive package to make the office move as easy as possible. Deals are being closed with very little rent free in exchange for fitted space, as can be seen at GPE’s 54 Jermyn Street, whilst the Crown Estate are willing to offer this option at Princes House.
Q3 2018 – ST JAMES’S DOESN’T DISAPPOINT
St James’s continues to outperform the market for exceptional space. The top three floors at the Smithson Plaza (formally the Economist Tower) which has been extensively refurbished and has exceptional 360° views over central London are rumoured to be under offer at a rent in excess of £150 per sq. ft.
Q1 2018 - WEST END PERFORMS WELL…
Against a background of uncertainty, the West End office market performed relatively well during 2017 with a record take-up of 4.2 Million sq ft. With a distinct lack of new stock coming to the market during Q4, rents have held up well, although rent free periods have moved out further. The serviced office sector accounted for 22% of take-up.
Q3 2017 - ST JAMES'S STILL HITTING TOP RENTS…
St James's continues to command the most expensive office rents within the UK. Exceptional deals continue to complete, such as the fashion tycoon Lawrence Stroll paying £190 per sq ft at 5 St James's Square. Although this does not accurately represent the level of deals being achieved in St James's with more representative deals being agreed between £95 - £105 per sq ft in the sub 5,000 sq ft sector.
Q1 2017 – A TENANT'S MARKET
2017 is set to be an uncertain year for the St James's office market with BREXIT still not determined and Business Rates changing in April. This will be good news for tenants, with increased incentives being offered by Landlords and quoting rents likely to soften as part of a general market shift.
Q3 2016 - BLAME IT ON BREXIT...?
Over the past two quarters, the office sector has certainly seen a slow-down from the strong growth experienced during 2015. The hot topic of discussion within the property sector is whether this slow-down is a result of BREXIT uncertainty or is evidence of a more general slow-down in the commercial property market cycle.
Q1 2016 - RECORD DEALS CONTINUE TO BE SET IN ST JAMES'S
Over the past six months, rents have continued to increase in St James's with 7,116 sq ft on the 1st floor of 8 St James's Square letting at £147.50 per sq ft, whilst 4,000 sq ft on the 2nd floor has let at £157.00 per sq ft. At 3 St James's Square, several small suites have now been let including 1,850 sq ft on the 8th floor at a rent of £160.00 per sq ft.
Q2 2015 - RECORD RENTAL LEVELS ACHIEVED IN ST JAMES'S
Rental growth over the past six months has been strongest in St James's, where new record rents have been achieved in excess of £150 per sq ft. However, the transactions reported at 8 St James's Square are not representative of the market as a whole in St James's and more realistic rents being achieved for Grade A accommodation range from £95 - £115 per sq ft.
Q4 2014 - STRONG RENTAL GROWTH DURING 2014
Supply in St James's during 2014 remained critically low at approximately 2.5% which, coupled with strong demand led to sustained rental growth. Several transactions showed rents for prime Grade A accommodation in excess of £100 per sq ft,with banking and financial occupiers being the most active sector.