The Daily Mail‘s owner is reducing its headquarters to 103,000 sq ft following a comprehensive refurbishment by its landlord.
Daily Mail & General Trust, which also owns Metro newspaper, currently has around 160,000 sq ft at the historic Barkers building, on Kensington High Street.
It will take a new lease for 15 years from 2024, after decamping to temporary accommodation in another building on Kensington High Street, owned by the same landlord, while the works take place.
Asset manager Willson Green is acting on behalf of the landlord.
Knight Frank, which is advising, said the deal was the largest commercial office letting in west London outside the West End in 2021, and was the third largest – including the West End.
The art deco building has been the home of the Daily Mail since 1988. The Emrys Architects-led refurbishment will seek to transform the space into a highly sustainable, modern office building with upgraded wellness-focused amenities. The design will reflect the building’s heritage and create a roof terrace, café and retail space.
On its return, the Daily Mail will take the 4th, 5th and 6th floors, leaving 150,000 sq ft of lettable office space on floors one to three.
Sophie Willson, commercial adviser and asset manager for the landlord, said: “We are truly delighted to be building on our long partnership with DMGT with its commitment to take three floors in the Barkers building following the comprehensive refurbishment.
“The works proposed to this magnificent building will deliver an exceptional workplace for its future occupiers providing sustainable, high-quality and flexible office accommodation benefiting from excellent natural light and impressive floor to ceiling heights as well as fabulous amenity facilities ranging from atrium café, roof-top restaurant and terrace, a gym, a large ‘opportunity space’ and generous end-of-journey bike storage, showers and locker facilities.”
Ian McCarter, co-head of London office leasing at Knight Frank, said: “The Barkers building is an iconic part of London’s media landscape, having served as headquarters to the Daily Mail for over 30 years. The extensive refurbishment being undertaken will create a dynamic and exciting workspace that meets the growing demand for sustainable, office space that is attractive to talent and fit for the future.”
The landlord was advised by Knight Frank and DMGT was advised by Chris Lewis at Devono.
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