Global media and entertainment group NBCUniversal is leading the way as a slew of large corporates launch large office requirements in the capital.
NBCUniversal, which is being advised by Savills, is searching for around 150,000 square feet of offices. It is based at Google's Central St Giles offices in Covent Garden. Market sources described the live search as a "stay or go" requirement with Google keen to keep the group.
Elsewhere, Visa, advised by CBRE, is preparing to launch a search for between 150,000 square feet and 200,000 square feet in a London-wide search ahead of a lease event in 2028. The finance and insurance company is based in its Innovation Centre in Paddington at 1 Sheldon Square, occupying around 195,000 square feet.
Market sources said global law firm Mayer Brown is also taking presentations for a 120,000-square-foot to 140,000-square-foot requirement with a lease event also in 2028. The company is based in around 83,000 square feet at 201 Bishopsgate.
Janus Henderson, which is understood to be being advised by Knight Frank, is also in the market with a requirement for circa 150,000 square feet. It occupies around 134,000 square feet, also at 201 Bishopsgate. Both Mayer Brown and Janus Henderson have lease expiries at the building in 2028.
Insurance and financial services giant Legal & General, advised by JLL, is understood to be reviewing options in the City core for around 150,000 square feet. It is based at One Coleman Street.
Activision Blizzard, the video game holding company that Microsoft is attempting to buy, is said to be looking across central London for between 80 and 90,000 square feet. It is being advised by Cushman & Wakefield and is based at the Ampersand Building at 178 Wardour Street in Soho.
Supermarket giant Sainsbury's, advised by Cushman & Wakefield, is shortlisting for a 90,000 square foot headquarters building too. It is based at 33 Holborn in London's Midtown.
Evercore, advised by Colliers, continues to look for around 120,000 square feet of offices. It is based in multiple buildings at Stanhope Gate near Hyde Park.
The upturn in post-summer occupier activity comes as new development schemes are signing occupiers clearly focusing on improved product and amenity and the ability to accommodate scale in contiguous space.
Knight Frank is recording around 3.4 million square feet under offer across London, a figure it describes as "healthy".