British Land and Oxford Properties have announced that independent shipping broker Affinity has agreed terms on Level 44 of The Leadenhall Building, for a record breaking City rent of £90 per sq ft.
The deal for the highest available floor of the ‘Cheesegrater’ smashes the previous City of London record set by the same office tower when FM Global agreed to pay £83.50 per sq ft for Level 41.
Affinity, which has signed a ten year lease with a five year break clause for the 6,584 sq ft space, will join a diverse occupier line-up including insurance firm Amlin and virtual IT system provider IPsoft.
Richard Fulford-Smith, Managing Partner of Affinity, said: “This iconic, contemporary, well-positioned building provides us with a special environment in the heart of the City.
“Our new office will provide inspiration to our teams, clients and friends. We are very fortunate, as a new shipping company, to find a space so perfectly matching our requirements, with the bonus of a special view of the London skyline.”
Head of Offices at British Land, Tim Roberts, commented: “Affinity is a dynamic, international business with ambitious growth plans, and we are very pleased it has selected The Leadenhall Building for their global headquarters.
“The building continues to attract some very high-calibre occupiers from a range of sectors and geographies, and our strategy of focusing on the upper floors post completion is working well.”
Mike Raynor, Head of Development at Oxford Properties, added: “The Leadenhall Building offers world-class office space in a landmark building, and we are seeing strong demand for the remaining floors.
“We look forward to welcoming Affinity to the building later this year, alongside our other occupiers currently undertaking their fit-outs.”
