London property developer acquires long leasehold in Fitzrovia for £36.5m

A London property developer has announced its acquisition of a long leasehold interest in Fitzrovia for £36.5m.

GPE has taken on 7/15 Gresse Street and 12/13 Rathbone Place, W1, which has been home to the Fashion Retail Academy since 2005. The Academy will remain in situ until the timing for its relocation to a larger new home is confirmed.

The building sits in the heart of Fitzrovia, less than 200m from the Elizabeth Line Tottenham Court Road, and provides 43,000 sq ft of space across five floors that require substantial upgrading to bring it in line with customer demands and GPE’s net zero carbon commitments.

Following a comprehensive refurbishment, the building would be suited to GPE’s Fully Managed Flex offering, delivering high quality, sustainable and beautifully designed offices, for up to 10 occupiers, along with attractive amenity space.

Robin Matthews, investment director, said, “Gresse Street offers a fantastic opportunity for us to reposition these tired buildings with high-quality, fully managed flexible spaces designed with the customer at its heart and in a location that is full of opportunity.”

A spokesperson from Next, representing the vendor, said, “We have had a long-standing charitable relationship with the Fashion Retail Academy and are delighted that the proceeds of this transaction will facilitate their expansion and move to their new premises.”

Savills represented the vendor in the sale. Tydus Real Estate advised the purchaser.

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