Record Office Rent Drives London’s Amenity Race

London’s office market in 2025 is breaking records. Prime rents are soaring, led by an insatiable demand for Grade A space rich in amenities. The rise of amenity-driven workplaces is reshaping how offices are valued and experienced. What was once a cultural preference has become a commercial necessity: the workplace is evolving into a full-service ecosystem, designed to inspire, connect, and perform.

Record Office Rent and Supply Crunch

According to CBRE’s 2025 UK Real Estate Market Mid-Year Review, London’s prime office rent continues to climb, fuelled by unrelenting demand for Grade A space. The City alone has already seen six transactions above £100m this year, the same number as total in 2024, while overseas investors account for nearly 60% of activity. In the West End, landmark buildings have breached £160 per sq ft, with the City following at over £120 per sq ft, levels not seen in decades.

Despite a strong development pipeline, much of the 15+ million sq ft of new Grade A stock is already pre-let, leaving genuine availability scarce. This supply crunch is pushing occupiers into earlier negotiations, with a record 80% of Central London leasing focused on Grade A space in the first half of the year. The divide is clear: premium assets are commanding record office rent, while secondary stock risks are being left behind.

From Amenities to Experience

The shift is about what happens inside. Offices have become destinations in their own right, with tenants seeking spaces that echo the feel of a high-end clubhouse. Rooftop terraces, wellness suites, hospitality-grade lounges, and digitally enabled services are no longer fringe benefits but baseline expectations.

CBRE highlights that buildings rich in amenities command meaningful office rent premiums. For occupiers, these spaces are strategic tools to:

• Attract and retain talent in a hyper-competitive labour market.

• Support hybrid models with flexible zones for collaboration and focus.
• Elevate employee wellbeing through integrated wellness, natural light, and outdoor access.
• Express brand identity through aspirational, experience-driven design.

This alignment between workplace quality and financial performance has transformed the amenity race into a core driver of commercial return.

Why the Clubhouse Wins People Back

The idea of the office as a clubhouse changes how people feel about coming into work. Why the Office Clubhouse Is Winning Workers Back shows that in these amenity-rich, community-driven spaces, three-quarters of employees feel respected and encouraged to share ideas, and nearly eight in ten say they’ve built meaningful connections across different levels and generations. These workplaces spark chance conversations, fresh thinking, and a genuine sense of belonging. The clubhouse model proves that when offices are designed around experience, people don’t just show up, they want to be there.

Retrofit and Sustainability as New Baselines for Grade A

With 60% of UK office stock below the expected EPC B standard, the pressure to adapt is mounting. Rather than waiting for new builds, landlords are investing in brown-to-green refurbishments that combine sustainability with next-generation amenities. Nearly 83% of office floorspace started in London this year comes from refurbishment rather than new construction, underscoring a market that prizes speed, eco-credentials, and flexibility.

Sustainability certifications such as BREEAM, WELL, and LEED are fast becoming non-negotiable. In practice, this means green roofs, natural ventilation, and biophilic materials are design statements and decisive factors in office rent premiums and tenant retention.

The Road Ahead is Smart, Amenity-Rich, Grade A Offices

With record office rent and historic low vacancies in top space, London’s office market is increasingly defined by experience, innovation, sustainability, and flexibility. Once a cultural trend, the clubhouse concept has evolved into a foundational framework that blends workplace wellbeing with robust commercial return.