Cheesegrater pushes over 50% pre-let mark

British Land and Oxford Properties’ under-construction Leadenhall tower in the City of London is now over 50% pre-let, the developers have announced.

UK-based insurance firm Amlin has agreed to pre-let 110,000 sq ft of office space in the building, dubbed the Cheesegrater because of its tapering design by Rogers Stirk Harbour.

Laing O’Rourke is currently constructing the building, which is scheduled for completion in mid-2014.

Amlin will take levels 18-24 and level 45, with options to take up to a further 36,500 sq ft.

On completion of the letting to Amlin – which is currently non-binding – The Leadenhall Building will be 51% pre-let.

Richard Hextall, Amlin’s group finance and operations director, said: “We have decided that The Leadenhall Building will provide the best solution for our expanding group and London operations. Leadenhall will provide our staff with perfectly located offices in this elegant, high rise building and we look forward to moving to our new headquarters in 2015.”

Tim Roberts, head of offices at British Land, said: “We are delighted that Amlin has chosen The Leadenhall Building for its new offices.

“This will be our second major pre-letting at the building and it shows the considerable appeal of our offer - highly specified and well located buildings of strong architectural quality coupled with a commitment to occupier service.”

Paul Brundage, senior managing director of Oxford Properties in Europe said: “This major letting to Amlin is further testament to the world class credentials of The Leadenhall Building - both in terms of the location and prestige of the building itself and the flexibility and quality of the space on offer.

“This second, significant pre-letting also demonstrates the strength of our joint venture with British Land.”