Despite the presently muted but ongoing euro zone sovereign debt crisis and turmoil in many European economic and political circles, the London office market continues to stand tall as the world’s financial centre. Cautious institutional investors remain focused on core assets in perceived safe, liquid markets, and prime office properties in London are attracting capital from all corners of the globe.
In 2012, the London metro office market recorded the highest volume of transactions at approximately $23.6 billion (€18.1 billion), according to data from Real Capital Analytics. Deals completed in the past 18 months have demonstrated the wide appeal of the London market and its diverse investor base. Buyers have included Brazilian billionaire Moise Yacoub Safra, the Qatar Investment Authority, The Blackstone Group, China Investment Corp, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and South African busi