Landlord Advisory

In 2019 we were appointed by one of the UK’s leading specialist real estate investment, development and management firms to act on their behalf in respect of the acquisition of their new London HQ of c.20,000 sq ft. This would house three combined group companies under one roof. Whilst we were at the point of agreeing terms on dynamic and creative space for them in the Truman Brewery Estate on Brick Lane, Covid struck. Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, E1 Wigmore Street, Marylebone, W1 56-60 Conduit Street, Mayfair, W1 We then immediately re-geared the lease held by the main group company in Marylebone, totalling 8,000 sq ft , ensuring flexibility whilst maintaining the passing rent and in tandem with this, we negotiated an inducement by way of rent free period. Alongside this we also acquired, on a short-term basis, approximately 5,000 sq ft for two of the group companies within a Crown Estate building in Conduit Street in Mayfair. We were able to secure these premises at a ‘nil’ rent cost. Our client was only required to pay rates and service charges. Since then and with the vagaries of Covid, fluctuating market conditions, and the war in Ukraine we have further re-geared their Marylebone lease and are now working on a strategy for the acquisition of new premises to house the three group companies, in July 2023. Throughout the process we protected our client’s position, whilst maintaining flexibility to allow for future growth.

For the last 25 years Ashwell London has represented MSQ partners in the acquisition and disposal of all of its commercial real estate throughout central London and beyond. In the depths of Covid in mid 2020 we were instructed to acquire a new 20,000 sq ft headquarters building to house six of the London-based group companies. We identified approximate 20,000 ft.² on their behalf within 34 Bow Street, Covent Garden, directly opposite the Royal Opera House. The premises provide two floors, each of 10,000 sq ft of stunning warehouse style offices with full height windows, a huge level of natural daylight, and ceiling heights in part exceeding 4m. The space itself is entirely self-contained with its own front door and private lifts leading to the floors. The premises even have their own private external areas. We were able to negotiate extremely competitive terms for our client. Since this time we are pleased to say that our client has grown further with additional acquisitions to the group and we are now already seeking further premises within close proximity to house our clients ever growing staff base.

On behalf of Turley, one of the U.K.’s leading planning and development consultancies we have just concluded the acquisition of marginally under 3,200 sq ft within Brownlow Yard, Roger Street, London WC1 We had previously acquired the premises that they occupied within Lacon House, Theobalds Road WC1, which benefited from a lease event later this year thus allowing them to relocate to premises that were more compatible with their corporate and cultural requirements. We have acquired new fully fitted and furnished office premises from Clearbell Real Estate, at a competitive rent and rent-free package with a flexible lease allowing them the ability to expand consistent with their corporate strategy.

The Monument, WeWork, City of London Peachtree, Atlanta Georgia, US 20 Eastbourne Terrace, Paddington, W2 For over ten years Ashwell London has concluded many serviced office transactions on behalf of clients right across all central London villages, and recently on behalf of one particular global tech client we have now acquired their offices in London, New York, Australia and are progressing their Tel Aviv acquisition too. The serviced office team at Ashwell London works closely with traditional leasing as it is clear that in order to provide our clients with the most relevant and up-to-date level of service we need to be agile in our thinking and willing to adapt to market conditions. We now routinely ask our clients whether as part of their acquisition they will be willing to consider not only a traditional office lease but also serviced, managed, or fully fitted and furnished premises. This ensures that we cover the entire spectrum of opportunities and allows our clients the scope for growth depending on their corporate strategy.

Ashwell London is thrilled to announce that PIMCO, the global investment management company has pre-let 106,100 sq ft of office space on levels five to nine within Derwent London's 25 Baker Street scheme, at a rent of £11.0m which equates to an average of £103 per sq ft The lease is for a 15-year term without breaks. PIMCO has an option to expand to include level four (24,700 sq ft) which can be exercised up to 12 months prior to practical completion. Ashwell London is appointed to lease the office element of this 298,000 sq ft mixed use scheme, which is now 56% pre-let, excluding the pre-completion expansion option. We are now able to offer 100,000 sq ft within this exceptional scheme providing best in class offices with the aim of meeting industry-leading sustainability and digital standards. Floors are c.24,000 sq ft each, offering stunning workspace, flooded with natural daylight and flexibility for all occupiers to adapt to open plan or cellular layout, due to 360 degrees of windows.

We have agreed the letting of just under 15,000 sq ft within Charlotte Building, 17 Gresse Street London, W1. A Leading media agency The & Partnership have acquired two entire office floors in this island building benefiting from fully accessible metal tile raised floors, in excess of 3 m ceiling heights and full height windows offering immense levels of natural daylight. We concluded this transaction prior to formal marketing. The building was developed by Derwent London in 2009 and totals 47,200 sq ft of offices arranged over ground to 6 floors. Features include bespoke cladding as well as a landscaped, granite courtyard and gates specially commissioned as a public art feature by Tom Dixon. In 2010, Charlotte Building won the RIBA London Award and the BCO Best Commercial Workplace London & South East Award.

Acting on behalf of a private overseas investment company we have now agreed a management agreement to Space Made Serviced Offices over the entire 17,200 sq ft within his former light industrial building. Sitting at the apex of the thoroughfare, natural daylight floods each of the floors from full height windows. Our client has finished the building to a high standard with fully accessible raised floors, plaster ceilings with LED lighting and a healthy supply of cycle racks and shower facilities.

On behalf of Lazari Investments, it is our pleasure to confirm that we have leased the entire first floor offices totaling approximately 8,000 sq ft to a leading UK high fashion brand. The offices were finished to a bespoke specification on behalf of the tenant by our client, offering beautifully curated space within this former warehouse style building. With a full elevation of windows on front and rear of the floor, together with its own private courtyard area the floor is flooded with natural daylight creating a wonderful working environment. Fitzroy is a diverse residential area where grand 18th and 19th century apartments sit side-by-side with spectacular Victorian warehouse buildings. The area is littered with world-class restaurants, bars and boutique shops and galleries. Some of the largest brands and e-commerce companies call Fitzrovia their home which, alongside its amenities, is only increasing its appeal to its otherwise established neighbour, Soho.

On behalf of Global architects, BDP Pattern, specialists in sports and entertainment stadiums, we are absolutely delighted to have just let approximately 8,000 sq ft within 222 Grays Inn Road, WC1. The building totals marginally under 300,000 sq ft and is owned by CLS Holdings plc and managed by Telereal Trillium. The space was stripped out by our clients and they created an incredible working environment with 3.5m ceilings with fully exposed soffit, an open plan area with numerous fitted boardrooms and staff areas. The space was served with an integrated air-conditioning system and benefited from natural daylight from two full elevations of windows.