London's Office Landscape Gets A Green Makeover With Record Construction Boom

London’s landlords are going green, with many upgrading older buildings in the city to meet new environmental standards and customer demands.

London is currently experiencing a transformation in its office landscape. According to a recent report published by Bloomberg, investors are pouring money into new construction projects, focusing on upgrading older buildings to meet rising environmental standards and evolving customer demands.

An unprecedented 43 projects, amounting to 5.1 million square feet of space, broke ground in London in the six months leading up to September 2023, according to Deloitte survey data cited by Bloomberg.

The driving force behind this boom is a growing demand for high-quality, environmentally friendly office spaces. Companies are increasingly seeking these spaces to meet their environmental targets and to attract workers back to the office in the post-pandemic era of flexible work.

The trend towards green offices is also a response to potential policy changes. It’s reported that policymakers are considering banning landlords from renting out high-emission buildings — prompting a proactive approach from developers. This movement is reshaping the commercial workspace, with about 37% of the space under construction already leased, indicating strong market demand.

London’s record-breaking office construction starts are more than just a building boom. The data represents a fundamental change in how policy is shaping investments in green and sustainable office environments.