Top 5 Business Locations to Source London Commercial Property in 2014
As we say farewell to 2013, we’ve got a wealth of new developments to look forward to in London and beyond in 2014. Here we take a look at five business locations with brilliant options in London commercial property for the year ahead.
1. Shadow of the Shard
2013 saw a number of media companies relocate to London commercial property in SE1 leading to much talk of “The Shard Effect” and speculation that the South Bank could become the new media hub for London.
As office-to-residential developments continue to reduce the supply of office space within Soho, 2014 could see even more media companies opting for SE1 for their new office.
2. Shoreditch
The Tech City hype shows no signs of slowing down and it’s likely to remain prominent in the media throughout 2014. But while tech startups flood into the area to be part of one of the world’s most talked about tech scenes, demand for London commercial property here has seen prices rise, encouraging startups on tighter budgets to look elsewhere in London for their business base.
Meanwhile, the creation of spaces like the AHMM-designed White Collar Factory on Old Street – due to start construction in 2014 – will bring cutting-edge, high-spec London commercial property to this area, ready for more established and larger tech companies to move in.
3. King’s Cross
The news that Google is to build its new London HQ in King’s Cross brought the area to the attention of the world’s media this year, while significant regeneration plans such as King’s Cross Central are set to transform it into a thriving, twenty-first century business location over the next few years. Compared with many other areas of Central London, the relatively large amounts of London commercial property available is likely to appeal to other large corporates that want an impressive HQ building and Google as a neighbour.
Meanwhile, several new business centres opening in mid-2014 will give businesses a chance to get space in this up and coming area on flexible terms, as we all eagerly await the arrival of Google’s groundscraper.
4. Euston
While King’s Cross has Google, Euston looks to be the location of choice for the world’s social media networks. Twitter was all set to move into Regent’s Place until it discovered that Facebook was moving into the same building. And while the microblogging platform has revised its plans, it is likely that it will settle for a location somewhere in the vicinity.
As with King’s Cross, Euston is shaping up to be a tech hub of the future – particularly among global tech giants.
5. City of London
In particular EC3, where both the Leadenhall Building (aka the Cheesegrater) and 20 Fenchurch Street (aka the Walkie-Talkie) skyscrapers are expected to reach completion in 2014. As well as providing new, high-grade, high-rise London commercial property within the City, these new London icons are set to be two of the most talked about buildings of the year. As with the Shard, the interest and prestige these buildings bring may well lead to more businesses looking to locate, if not within the buildings themselves, then at least within the surrounding area.
What do you think? Which London locations will you be watching with interest in 2014?
Related Content:
- Why Serviced Office Space Is Your Key to the Capital
- What’s Next for Shoreditch?
- Central London Office Guides (covering West End, City, Midtown and Docklands).