The Benefits of Having Plants in the Office

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A daytime view across the inside of a modern, open-plan office space with a polished concrete floor, chrome pendant lights hanging from the ceiling and floor-to-ceiling windows letting in muted sunlight, probably from an overcast sky. Indoor plants are arranged artfully in round bronze-coloured pots next to the rectangular white columns that rise to the ceiling in the middle of the workspace, and workstations are arranged next to the windows. Image at LondonOfficeSpace.com.

In recent years, there has been a significant shift towards prioritising well-being in the workplace. As time goes by, businesses have a better understanding of how the environment impacts employee health and productivity. In a 2021 survey, nearly 70% of executives rated well-being as a top priority for their organisation.

As a result, many companies are increasingly focusing on their office workers’ quality of life, creating office spaces that support both physical and mental well-being. One of the most popular and effective ways to increase productivity and improve different measures of workplace satisfaction is by incorporating plants in the office, as we will see in this article.

The Physical Benefits of Indoor Office Plants

Plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, creating an oxygen-rich environment and improved air quality. Previously conducted laboratory studies by NASA have shown that plants can filter out volatile organic compounds and other harmful toxins present in plastics, inks, cleaning products, and some types of insulation.

Indoor plants can also regulate humidity levels. According to the HSE, low humidity is one of the causes behind sick building syndrome. Offices often suffer from dry air due to temperature control, heating and air conditioning systems and layouts that interfere with airflow. Plants draw water from the roots to their leaves, releasing moisture into the air and helping maintain optimal humidity levels. 

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Cycling to Work in London: Bike-Friendly Office Locations

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An office worker wearing warm, dark clothes, a grey backpack, and a black helmet rides a white road bike along the side of the road past a London bus stop shelter and a glass-fronted shopfront. Image at LondonOfficeSpace.com.

Cycling to work has become increasingly popular in London. We haven’t got to the point of cycle superhighways, yet, but the number of daily bike trips has been growing since 2021, and there are plans to extend the cycle lane network so that by 2030, 40% of Londoners will live within 400m of a cycleway.

To accommodate this growing trend, many offices are becoming more bike-friendly by providing various amenities for cyclists.  In this article, we’ll explore what makes an office bike-friendly and highlight some of the best bike-friendly office locations in London.

What Makes a Bike-Friendly Office?

Regular exercise is good for mental health and physical health. And by deciding to cycle commute to work, you’re also contributing to reducing air pollution. A bike-friendly office supports and encourages cycling through various features and amenities, such as:

  • Secure bike storage: Offices should provide safe, secure, and easily accessible bike storage areas to ensure cyclists can park their bikes and cycling equipment with peace of mind.
  • Showers and changing facilities: To accommodate employees who cycle to work, offices should offer clean and well-maintained showers and changing rooms. Or at least spacious enough bathrooms to change into work clothes.
  • Repairs stations: Having on-site or nearby bike repair stations equipped with essential tools can be a significant convenience for cyclists.
  • Cycle to Work scheme: Offices that participate in the Cycle to Work scheme offer financial incentives for employees to purchase bikes and cycling gear.
  • Bike maintenance workshops: Regularly scheduled bicycle maintenance workshops help employees keep their bikes in top condition and promote a cycling culture at work to increase uptake among those yet convinced.
  • Bike-friendly routes: Offices located near dedicated cycling lanes or routes encourage more employees to cycle to work. In London, there are approximately 223 miles of marked cycle ways.

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London Office Market Report 2024

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A daytime view of the top half of Big Ben clock tower in London framed by a brilliant blue and white cloud-strewn sky. Image at LondonOfficeSpace.com.

The London Office Market in 2024 – At a Glance

The central London office market continues to shift in line with previous years’ trends, such as generalised downsizing due to hybrid work arrangements, a flight to quality, and a limited development pipeline. Although the first quarter of 2024 showed evidence of a slowdown in activity, this slow start of the year isn’t concerning considering that the market ended 2023 on a five-year high.

Here are some key indicators that summarise the status of the London office market in 2024:

– Total take-up levels were 2.47 million square feet in Q1, vs. 2.1 million square feet during the same period in 2023.

– Vacancy rates city-wide have increased to 9.5% in Q1 2024, vs. 8.9% in 2023.

– Lastly, the amount of office space under construction also remains stable, with 15.86 million square feet in 2024 vs. 16.75 million in 2023.

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Office Design Trends in Central London Office Space

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A businessman in a white collared shirt sits by himself on a modern black-and-white chair, looking towards long, diagonal windows that let bright sunlight stream in high up in an office building. There is another matching empty chair to his left, as well as a tall indoor plant in a black pot. Image at LondonOfficeSpace.com.

London’s dynamism, vibrant culture, and thriving business ecosystem have earned the British capital a reputation for being a global leader in cutting-edge design. This characteristic is also reflected in the city’s office spaces, which are often at the forefront of interior workplace design.

In this article, we take a look at the latest, top office design trends that London-based corporates are embracing in their offices.

London: A hub of innovation and creativity

London offers unparalleled opportunities for companies seeking expansion and success. Its strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and access to top talent make it an ideal base for growth-focused businesses. This is one of the reasons why there are nearly 90 corporate headquarters located within the city’s boundaries.

In many of these corporate workspaces, innovative and inspiring office design trends are being adopted and setting an example of how the office of the future should look like. Let’s look at the different ways in which they’re achieving this.

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New Developments in London Office Space: Central

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A daytime view down the bank of the River Thames towards the crowded Millennium Bridge and the central London cityscape beyond. Image at LondonOfficeSpace.com.

Knowing the status of the central London office development pipeline is essential for businesses looking to stay ahead in one of the world’s most dynamic real estate markets. By understanding the current trends and future developments, businesses can make informed decisions about their office space needs and take advantage of emerging opportunities.

In this article, we take a look into upcoming developments and what they mean for the Central London office leasing market. 

Central London offices development pipeline

According to data from the latest London Office Crane Survey, which looks in detail at the city’s development pipeline, the main highlight during the second half of 2023 was the record volume of square feet under construction. As of Q4 2023, there were more than 5 million square feet of new builds underway in central London, the highest amount since 2005. That figure represents a 16% increase over a six-month period. The report also identifies increases in project size, going from averages of 88,000 square feet in early 2023 to 119,000 square feet of properties in late 2023.

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Benefits of Modular Office Furniture for Flexible Workspaces

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A man works alone at a modular desk in a flexible workspace. Image at LondonOfficeSpace.com.

Flexible work schedules and flexible workspace are now the norm in many office-based businesses. Modular office furniture is the perfect complement to work arrangements where versatility and flexibility are a must. In this article, we look at the main advantages of choosing modular furniture for your office space.

What’s modular office furniture?

This concept refers to furniture items that can be used either as standalone pieces or combined to create different configurations. Examples of modular office furniture include modular desk spaces that can be grouped together in numbers or separated as needed, storage units or filing cabinets that can be stacked and easily moved about, and seating options that can be arranged to accommodate different occupancy levels or activity types. 

Unlike traditional office furniture, which is typically designed for specific uses, modular furniture is made to be versatile and adaptable. This flexibility makes it ideal for modern workspaces, where the ability to reconfigure layouts to suit changing needs of employees and the business is increasingly needed. Let’s look at other benefits that this furniture type can offer.

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How to Upgrade Your Office Space in Central London

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A ground-up daytime view up the side of a shiny, glass-fronted skyscraper towards a cloud-strewn sky. Image at LondonOfficeSpace.com.

Central London is known for its dynamic commercial real estate market, which means local businesses must constantly adapt to new trends and requirements. Since 2020, the most significant trends in the London office space market have been downsizing and upgrading. 

In this article, we discuss when and how to consider upgrading to a larger or more prestigious office in central London, looking at the key signs that suggest you need an upgrade, and offering insights on how to navigate the process effectively. 

Two ways of upgrading office space

There are two primary ways to approach office space upgrades in central London: 

  • Moving to a larger office, which allows businesses to accommodate growth and improve employee satisfaction with new amenities and better facilities.
  • Relocating to better-equipped, modern office spaces, or a more prestigious address, which elevates the company’s image, enhancing credibility and attracting top talent and clients.

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Navigating Central London Office Market Trends

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A daytime view along London’s Millennium Bridge towards St Paul’s Cathedral. People are walking on the bridge wearing dark winter clothes, and the cathedral’s dome rises in the distance above buildings on either side. Image at LondonOfficeSpace.com.

Being one of the world’s top business hubs, Central London offers a diverse array of office spaces tailored to the needs of modern businesses. Having said that, the city’s office market is constantly being shaped by various economic and demographic trends. In this article, we explore the current trends and factors shaping the office space market in Central London.

Demand for Office Space

Demand levels in the Central London office market have exceeded forecasts, reaching new record highs in early 2024 relative to the past 10 years. Data from early 2024 shows appetite for Grade A offices accounting for 70% of total transaction volume in Central London.

Occupier demand for quality space is evident in the disparity between vacancy rates for different office asset classes. For example, while in the City vacancy rates average 9.5% for all classes, new build vacancies are significantly lower at just 1.4%. Moreover and further confirming the strong demand for new offices, pre-let rates are high for new Class A office buildings, especially among financial services occupiers, as many developments are fully let by the time they’re released into the market.

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Emerging Areas for Affordable Office Space: London

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A morning aerial view across the London city skyline, with The Gherkin building in the foreground and the River Thames winding away in the background. Image at LondonOfficeSpace.com.

As one of the world’s most dynamic office markets, London’s real estate offer caters to a diverse range of occupiers, from large corporations seeking trophy office spaces to startups interested in coworking space in alternative locations that offer competitive prices. 

In this article, we focus on the up-and-coming London districts that offer affordable office space options.

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Historical Buildings with Offices to Rent in Central London

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A dramatic twilight view across the River Thames of the London skyline, centred on Big Ben. Image at LondonOfficeSpace.com.

London’s rich architectural heritage is reflected in its more than 600 listed buildings, many of which have been converted into one-of-a-kind commercial properties where it’s possible to rent office space. In this article, we explore some of the most charming Central London offices in historical buildings, and discuss what considerations need to be taken into account before setting up an office-based business in these venues.

1. Battersea Power Station

Battersea Power Station has a prominent location that’s nearby Central London, in the south bank of the River Thames. After being decommissioned from industrial use in the 1980s, the building was granted special Grade II listed status – something that only 6% of all the city’s listed buildings have been awarded. In 2012, redevelopment work began to transform this industrial site into a leading commercial destination.

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