City Core Office Cost Guide — London
Banks, law firms, insurance, fintech. The largest cluster of Grade A office stock in Europe and the deepest flex market in London.
The Square Mile holds roughly 95 million sqft of office space — about a third of central London. Building stock spans Victorian banking halls, 1980s towers and the new generation of trophy buildings (22 Bishopsgate, 8 Bishopsgate, 100 Liverpool Street). Floorplates here are the largest in central London, regularly above 20,000 sqft, which is why most City tenants over 200 people are leaseholders rather than serviced clients. The flex market is also exceptionally deep — Landmark, TOG, Fora and WeWork all have multiple locations within a 5-minute walk of Bank.
Location & transport
- Zone: Zone 1
- Postcodes: EC2, EC3, EC4
- Transport: Bank, Liverpool Street (Elizabeth), Cannon Street, Moorgate (Elizabeth)
City Core office pricing
| Space type | From | To | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private office | £525 | £925 | per desk / month |
| Dedicated desk | £400 | £700 | per desk / month |
| Lease Grade A (headline) | £70 | £105 | per sqft / year |
| 10-person team all-in | £6,000 | £10,500 | per month |
Top operators in City Core
- WeWork
- TOG
- Fora
- IWG/Regus
- Landmark
- x+why
Notable buildings in City Core
- 22 Bishopsgate (Trophy tower)
- 100 Liverpool Street (Grade A office)
- 8 Bishopsgate (New trophy)
- Bloomberg London (Owner-occupied trophy)
- The Scalpel (Distinctive office tower)
Who moves to City Core
Banks, insurance, law, consulting, professional services, fintech, large corporate occupiers.
Pros
- Deepest building stock in London
- Elizabeth line transformed commute times
- Strong flex market gives optionality
- Excellent restaurant and bar scene post-2020 rebuild
Cons
- Quieter on Fridays — many City firms now 3 days in office
- Old stock can feel tired vs King's Cross
- Limited residential = dead at weekends
- Service charges can run £15–£20/sqft in trophy buildings
Live availability in City Core
City Core FAQs
What's a fair price for a 5,000 sqft Grade A lease in the City?
Headline rent £75–£95/sqft, plus service charge £12–£18 and business rates ~£35. Budget £610k–£740k/yr all-in.
Is the City quieter than Shoreditch?
Yes, especially evenings and Fridays. If after-work energy matters, City fringe (Liverpool Street side) or Shoreditch is better.