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Why has London become a global center for business activity and commercial real estate?

Why has London become a global center for business activity and commercial real estate?

Why has London become a global center for business activity and commercial real estate?
  • Why is London the ideal place for business and office real estate?
  • How to effectively plan office space for a business?
  • How do representative offices influence business success?

London as a global financial center

London, as a global financial center, is known for its outstanding commercial activity and concentration of capital resources. This city can confidently be called a foundation for entrepreneurs, as the density of commercial real estate here is extraordinarily high. To appreciate the scale of this phenomenon, let’s take a look at some key statistics.

Office real estate statistics

In London, there are more than one thousand residents for every thousand people.3000 square metersoffice spaces, which significantly outpaces the figures in Moscow, where this size reaches3 million square metersIn St. Petersburg, on the other hand, the figure is300 thousand square meters...while London can boast impressive...19 million square metersThe quality of office spaces. These figures clearly demonstrate the significant advantage of the British capital in this area.

Trends in the construction of business centers

In recent years, the process of constructing business centers in London has transcended simple building practices and evolved into a form of artistic expression. There is an informal competition to create structures that are compact, functional, and affordable. At the same time, the architecture of these buildings often possesses its own unique style and value.

Variety of office formats

The London office real estate market is diverse and features a wide range of formats. Try to imagine the ideal British office. Despite the abundance of photos and visits to business complexes, it will be challenging to form a complete picture. The question of what can be considered a standard office makes little sense in the context of London.

  • Glass skyscrapers in well-known business districts such as Canary Wharf, the City, and the West End.
  • Victorian houses with extravagant ground floors in elite areas such as Chelsea, Belgravia, and St John's Wood.
  • Unusual spaces of global business giants and transformed warehouses.
  • Original projects by renowned architects, such as Norman Foster.

Office rentals: large companies and small businesses

As is often the case, large corporations typically rent entire floors of buildings, creating spacious office spaces for their employees, separated only by thin partitions. Meanwhile, small businesses sometimes find themselves in small, and sometimes completely unsuitable, office spaces, making it difficult to identify them as legitimate office addresses.

It is important to note that strict regulations for the protection of historical monuments make it difficult to adapt these spaces to the needs of modern companies and alter the appearance of the buildings themselves. Consequently, small tenants operating in such buildings are forced to settle for modest signs at the intercoms, which barely indicate their location.

Advantages of offices in business centers

The main advantage of offices in business centers is that these spaces are specifically designed for effective work. They include all the elements necessary for productive and comfortable activities. With a focus on convenience and functionality, these office spaces attract professionals, creating ideal conditions for conducting business and supporting entrepreneurial activity.

Office space planning

In this context, organizing quality space planning seems to be a very important aspect. Considering the expected number of employees, the office's orientation towards the cardinal directions, and the company's operational features, an effective working atmosphere can be created.

Services of business centers

Most business centers today offer tenants a comprehensive service package that can be described as an "all-inclusive" concept. This cost includes various expenses, such as:

  • electricity
  • water supply
  • air conditioning
  • internet access
  • cleaning services

According to modern requirements, each level of Class A business buildings must have meeting rooms and special areas for phone calls and video conferences. These spaces are managed by the company responsible for operations, and their use is already included in the overall rent.

Cozy conditions for tenants

On each floor, there is a designated area for the kitchen, where tenants are provided with dishes and drinks organized by the office owner. It is important to note the cozy atmosphere created by the business centers in London, as well as the significant efforts of the administrators aimed at creating comfortable working conditions for the tenants.

Often, the administrator, greeting guests at the entrance, directs them to the appropriate floor and takes on the duties of a secretary, informing employees about the visitors and suggesting that they wait in the lounge area with a cup of coffee.

Postal services

It is also worth mentioning one of the important services that is highly relevant for London — mail management. Since a significant portion of business operations in the UK is still conducted through mail, having a specialized staff member or service that handles mail transfers and calls for couriers greatly simplifies life for tenants.

Parking and transportation

Companies that provide office services also deal with parking space issues, usually underground. In such a densely populated city like London, convenient car parking becomes one of the key factors in choosing both residential and commercial spaces.

Parking features

Despite this, there is an interesting detail in central business complexes: usually, only one parking space is allocated for each tenant. This is explained by the fact that typically only top management arrives by car, while other employees are encouraged to use public transport, which helps reduce traffic congestion in the city center.

Image and prestige of the office

All the aforementioned features of offices in business centers are quite understandable and obvious. However, there is another important aspect of office space in such complexes that holds more significance for many companies than any amenities — the status and prestige of the premises.This characteristic is rightly considered key to understanding the business.and shaping its image in the market arena.

Why has London become a global center for business activity and commercial real estate?

The significance of representative offices for business

Companies that actively engage with clients or strive to create a positive image often need to have representative offices. This is undoubtedly an important component of their operations.

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For example, major banks are located in the financial center, as well as partially in Docklands, which serves as a model for other businesses. Even a new bank must carefully choose the location for its headquarters, avoiding areas that could negatively impact its reputation. For startups, renting offices in central London often becomes critically important, as it can determine the success of their business.

Comparison of office rentals

Comparing the rental prices of offices in modern Class A business centers and in "independent" spaces, such as residential buildings, makes sense only when the latter are located in equally well-known and prestigious areas. Otherwise, business centers are likely to have numerous advantages. However, if you are lucky enough to find a separate office in a good location, it may offer certain benefits compared to spaces in multifunctional centers.

Expert opinion

Andrey Tolstoy-Miloslavsky from Cluttons shared his perspective on the situation:“Renting in a business center is, in my opinion, a temporary solution.”He says that since the company is still in the startup phase and hasn't yet defined its development concept or is actively looking for a separate office, renting in a business center may be justified. However, in the end, many companies in London choose independent offices rather than renting spaces in business centers. There is also a shortage of high-quality offerings in the commercial real estate segment, where competition is very high.

Advantages of an independent office

The advantages of an independent office lie in greater freedom in decision-making. First of all, you can control your expenses:

  • The bills for electricity, water, and other utilities will depend on your actual consumption.
  • You will be able to set the rental terms more flexibly.

Unlike offices in modern business centers, which are typically leased for a minimum of five years and sometimes even ten, renting an independent office can be more flexible and less risky in the long term. The office you choose may become irrelevant in five years, and long-term commitments can turn out to be burdensome.

Disadvantages of an independent office

However, when renting an "independent" office, it is important to remember that without additional investments, you will not be able to provide amenities such as:

  • Security.
  • Convenient parking spaces.
  • Pre-installed air conditioners.
  • High-quality communication and internet systems.

You will have to organize these services on your own. At the same time, there are advantages to offices that are not located in the very center of the capital. For example, the famous congestion charge in central London can significantly increase your daily expenses. An office located just outside the charge zone but close to the center could be the optimal choice, as it will allow you to avoid additional transportation costs.

Conclusion

Thus, choosing an office space requires careful consideration, as the right decision can significantly impact the further development of the business project and its success.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is worth noting that London remains not only one of the centers of global business but also a benchmark for business activity that sets standards for other megacities. As I mentioned earlier, the density of commercial real estate, unique office solutions, and attention to architectural aesthetics turn every corner of this city into a symbol of success and prestige. The comparison with Moscow and St. Petersburg only highlights this difference. It is not just the area of offices that makes London so unique, but the very atmosphere of business life that permeates the city.

Every company that gets the opportunity to work in one of these business centers undoubtedly feels like part of something bigger. It's not just about renting a space; it's about entering a circle of high-class clients and partners, something more than just work. Modern requirements for office spaces create perfectly tuned mechanisms for productive work and convenience.

The prestige of an office in London

It is important to understand that for many companies, it is preciselyprestigeThe office becomes a decisive factor when choosing a location. An office in a London business center speaks not only of the company's financial capabilities but also of its ambitions and focus on success. Therefore, when viewing English business centers merely as rented spaces, we lose sight of the most important value – building reputation, expanding opportunities, and generating new ideas.

Conclusion on the London business environment

Thus, the London business environment is capable of inspiring and opening new horizons not only for local companies but also for international players in the market. In a context of constant competition, success in business is determined not only by the amount of space but also by how we can utilize that space to create new opportunities. And, to be frank, this is exactly what makes London so attractive for business – everything here is truly set up for growth and development.

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