Renting an office space in the UK was the most expensive in London West End in 2025. In the first quarter of the year, the square foot cost of a prime office space cost 170 British pounds. Conversely, Belfast was the most affordable of the 18 markets ranked, at 26 British pounds per square foot.

London is the most expensive city for office real estate in Europe. In 2023, the per square foot cost of office space in London was higher than in any other European city. In West End, a Grade A office cost about 90 British pounds per square foot in 2023. Prime offices were even more expensive, at 135 British pounds per square meter. Office yields Prime yields in Central London fluctuate depending on the district, but West End areas tend to have lower yields compared to other areas, such as Stratford or Canary Wharf. The prime office yield in Mayfair/St. James' in 2023 was the lowest among the major London office submarkets. In real estate, yields measure the potential return of a rental property and are calculated as the ratio of the property's rental income to the investment cost. Typically, prime office yields in London are lower than the rest of the UK, which is mostly due to the highly competitive market and high investment costs. Vacancy rates Despite the high office rental costs in England’s capital city, vacancy rates in many of London's main office markets were below seven percent in 2023. This is good news for the office sector, as during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the share of vacant office space across all Central London districts spiked dramatically. Compared to other European cities, London was in the middle of the ranking, alongside Frankfurt and Lisbon.

The cost of rent for office space in London is the highest in Europe. In the fourth quarter of 2023, the West End had average rents per square foot of *** British pounds. The average annual rent in London for prime office space was substantially higher than in any other European market. Prime yields For commercial real estate investors, prime yields in London averaged **** percent in 2023. As compared to the rest of the United Kingdom, yields for prime office space in London were notably lower. Commercial investments Office real estate, which comes under the broader term of commercial real estate, traditionally accounts for the lion's share of commercial real estate investments. In recent years, however, this share has been gradually declining. Despite this trend, the UK is one of the leading office real estate investment markets in Europe.

Median monthly rental prices for the private rental market in England by bedroom category, region and administrative area, calculated using data from the Valuation Office Agency and Office for National Statistics.

This statistic displays the average annual cost per square meter of prime office rents across select European countries as of 2019. The United Kingdom (UK) had the most expensive annual cost per square meter of office rent at over *** thousand euros. France and Ireland completed the top three most expensive countries per square meter per year for prime office rent with *** and *** euros respectively.

This dataset is no longer being updated due to redevelopment of private rental prices statistics, impact analysis, UK, please see more information here: Redevelopment of private rental prices statistics, impact analysis, UK - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk).

The Index of Private Housing Rental Prices (IPHRP) is a quarterly experimental price index. It tracks the prices paid for renting property from private landlords in Great Britain.

IPHRP is produced from a number of administrative sources and is classified as experimental by ONS.

The index compares trends (rather than levels) in average private sector rents across English regions, Wales and Scotland. It uses a complex mix-adjustment and weighting process to produce a single index for each area. This index uses data on actual new and ongoing rents.

The sample ensures that the index is representative of the stock at regional level and that it isn't distorted by units dropping out of the sample because they switch to LHA or for other reasons. This is an advantage over the VOA dataset where the sample is changing over time and may not be representative.

Tables show monthly data. Data is updated once a quarter.

Index level (January 2011 = 100). Not seasonally adjusted.

See more on the ONS Website

This dataset is no longer being updated due to redevelopment of private rental prices statistics, impact analysis, UK, please see more information here: Redevelopment of private rental prices statistics, impact analysis, UK - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk). The Index of Private Housing Rental Prices (IPHRP) is a quarterly experimental price index. It tracks the prices paid for renting property from private landlords in Great Britain. IPHRP is produced from a number of administrative sources and is classified as experimental by ONS. The index compares trends (rather than levels) in average private sector rents across English regions, Wales and Scotland. It uses a complex mix-adjustment and weighting process to produce a single index for each area. This index uses data on actual new and ongoing rents. The sample ensures that the index is representative of the stock at regional level and that it isn't distorted by units dropping out of the sample because they switch to LHA or for other reasons. This is an advantage over the VOA dataset where the sample is changing over time and may not be representative. Tables show monthly data. Data is updated once a quarter. Index level (January 2011 = 100). Not seasonally adjusted. See more on the ONS Website

Rental price statistics historical data time series (indices and annual percentage change). These are official statistics in development.

This Statistic shows the average cost of grade A and grade B office rents in Scotland (United Kingdom) per square foot in 2019. The most expensive area to rent Grade A office space in Scotland was seen in the capital, Edinburgh, with an average of ** British pounds per square foot. Even Grade B property in Edinburgh was more expensive on average that prime real estate in Glasgow's out of town area.

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Europe Commercial Real Estate Market Size 2025-2029

Europe commercial real estate market size is forecast to increase by USD 91.4 billion at a CAGR of 5.7% between 2024 and 2029. European commercial real estate market is experiencing significant growth, with increasing private investment pouring into the sector. The primary catalyst fueling market growth is the increasing aggregate private investment.This trend is driven by a robust economic environment, favorable demographic shifts, and the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Market Size & Forecast

  Market Opportunities: USD 31.78 billion
  Future Opportunities: USD 91.4 billion 
  CAGR : 5.7%  

However, this growth comes with challenges,rising interest rates pose a threat to affordability and profitability, potentially dampening investor enthusiasm and increasing borrowing costs. As a result, companies must navigate this complex landscape by carefully assessing potential investment opportunities, considering alternative financing options, and adapting to changing market conditions. In order to capitalize on the market's potential and mitigate risks, strategic planning and agility will be essential for success.

What will be the size of Europe Commercial Real Estate Market during the forecast period?

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European commercial real estate market continues to evolve, presenting dynamic opportunities across various sectors. Property risk assessment and building inspection reports play crucial roles in mitigating potential hazards, ensuring compliance with safety standards. Property tax appeals and portfolio diversification help investors minimize risk and maximize returns. Facility management services, property valuation techniques, and property value metrics enable effective asset management. Data-driven investment strategies, including transaction closing costs, space planning solutions, and development approval processes, facilitate informed decision-making. Capital expenditure planning, portfolio optimization, operating expense control, lease contract review, energy consumption audits, and commercial lease terms are essential for maintaining profitability.
For instance, the adoption of energy management systems in commercial buildings has led to a 10% average reduction in energy consumption, contributing to cost savings and environmental sustainability. Commercial real estate market is expected to grow by 3% annually, driven by these evolving trends and the ongoing demand for efficient, sustainable, and compliant properties.

How is this Europe Commercial Real Estate Market segmented?

Europe commercial real estate market market research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2025-2029,for the following segments.

Type

  Rental
  Lease
  Sales


End-user

  Offices
  Retail
  Leisure
  Others


End-User

  Corporate
  Investment
  Government


Location

  Urban
  Suburban


Geography

  Europe

    France
    Germany
    Italy
    UK

By Type Insights

The rental segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. European commercial real estate market is characterized by dynamic lease renewal negotiations, construction project management, and insurance considerations for green building certification and property refurbishment costs. Zoning regulations compliance and vacancy loss calculations are crucial elements in property acquisition strategy, while property tax optimization and valuation models inform building lifecycle cost analyses. Property management software and tenant occupancy rates are essential for portfolio performance metrics, and market rent surveys guide tenant retention strategies. Portfolio risk management, building code compliance, property data analytics, and rental income projections are integral to asset management strategies. Due diligence processes and capitalization rate analysis are vital during urban planning regulations and space utilization analysis.

In the rental segment, growth is expected to reach over 5% annually, with office rents in the UK, Benelux markets, and peripheral Europe experiencing the highest quarterly growth of 1.8%. However, investment markets remain cautious due to economic uncertainties and rising inflation and finance rates, despite the leasing market's strength and increasing rents. For instance, rental income in the office sector in Paris grew by 3.5% in 2021, reaching €1,122 per square meter per year.

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Market Dynamics

Our researchers analyzed the data with 2024 as the base year, along with the key drivers, trends, and challenges. A holistic analysis of drivers will help companies refine their marketing strategies to gain a competitive advantage.

European commercial real estate market continues to be a significant global investment destina

The industrial real estate sector and West End offices are forecasted to see the highest annualized rental growth in the UK between 2025 and 2029, followed by city offices. According to the forecast, industrial real estate and West End office space rents are expected to grow by *** percent per year in this period, while city office space rents are expected to increase by *** percent. When it comes to total commercial real estate returns in the UK, the industrial and shopping center sectors are forecast to outperform all other property types.

This is the mean (average) gross monthly rent in pounds for properties with one bedroom on the private rental market for the area, over a 12 month period. These are self-contained properties including houses, bungalows, flats and maisonettes. These statistics taken from the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) administrative database are simple price averages rounded to the nearest £1. The sample used to produce these statistics is not statistical and may not be consistent over time; as such, these data should not be compared across time periods or between areas. Housing Benefit claimants are not included in the sample.Data is Powered by LG Inform Plus and automatically checked for new data on the 3rd of each month.

Summary of UK House Price Index (HPI) price statistics covering England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Full UK HPI data are available on GOV.UK.

In the first quarter of 2025, London West End - Bond Street was the most expensive location for prime high street rents in the UK, with prices reaching 2,500 British pounds per square foot. The West End was ranked ahead of London City, which came in third. In Manchester, the annual costs of rental per square foot of prime retail real estate amounted to 235 British pounds. Retail warehouses Retail warehouses typically range from 50,000 to hundreds of thousands of square feet. They are used for keeping and distributing inventory. Retail warehouses include loading docks, truck doors and large parking lots; also, they may contain a limited amount of office space. Prime retail warehouse properties belong to the wider category of industrial property, along with other real estate types, such as distribution buildings, showroom facilities, manufacturing buildings, cold storage facilities, telecom or data hosting centers, "flex" buildings denoting more than one industrial or commercial facility housed in the same building, and finally R&D buildings. Prime yields of high street retail across Europe Retail real estate prime yields in Europe were the lowest in Zurich, Switzerland, and the highest in Bucharest, Romania in 2025. As could be expected, larger cities in Europe tended to produce lower yields, due to the lower risk associated with these markets. Locations with lower yields tend to have steady occupancy rates and rental growth.

United Kingdom Retail Price Index: Housing: Rent data was reported at 367.900 13Jan1987=100 in Jun 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 367.600 13Jan1987=100 for May 2018. United Kingdom Retail Price Index: Housing: Rent data is updated monthly, averaging 253.200 13Jan1987=100 from Jan 1987 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 378 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 367.900 13Jan1987=100 in Jun 2018 and a record low of 100.000 13Jan1987=100 in Jan 1987. United Kingdom Retail Price Index: Housing: Rent data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office for National Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s UK – Table UK.I011: Retail Price Index.

Experimental analysis of private housing rental prices (proportion of properties and average percentage price increase).

In the South of England, prime rents for office space fluctuate depending on its location. This was especially present for areas surrounding London. In 2019, the cost of grade A office property was the most expensive in Windsor with **** British pounds per square foot. The cheapest average office rents in the South of England could be found in Peterborough.

Compared to London, even the most expensive office rents for prime real estate were far less than the top of London. In 2019, the most expensive office rents were found in the West End of London.

The price of prime office space in London differs significantly based on location. More central areas, including the West End, Marylebone and Knightsbridge, tend to have prime rents more than double the cost of areas on the outskirts. London office rents - most expensive in Europe When placing London alongside other major cities in Europe, the West End area of London had annual prime rents over 800 euros per year higher than Paris. In the United Kingdom (UK), average rental costs in the capital fair outweigh those of other areas. Outside of London, the major cities saw prime office rents ranging between 26 British pounds per square foot and 39 British pounds per square foot. Prime Yields Prime yields assess the return on investment expected for commercial real estate. In 2023, prime yields ifor office real estate stood between 3.75 and 7.5 percent. During the same year, office prime yields in several other areas in Europe saw far greater returns on investment.

In the South of England, rents for office space fluctuate depending on its location. This was especially present for areas surrounding London. For companies looking for more affordable rents, some choose to rent Grade B office properties. For specific areas of Southern England, Grade B rents are often more than *** British pounds per square foot cheaper than Grade A properties. In 2019, the cost of grade B office property was the most expensive in Bristol, in the South West of England at ** British pounds per square foot. The cheapest average office rents in the South of England could be found in Norwich and Peterborough.

Compared to London, even the most expensive office rents for Grade A and B real estate were far less than the top of London. In 2019, the most expensive office rents were found in the West End of London.