Quarter one reported investment turnover for offices in Midtown of about £260 million, quarter two increased to about £980 million which is a substantial increase. The key reason behind this is that in quarter one the transactions were made up by considerably smaller lot sizes mainly driven by UK institutions. Last quarter there were some bigger lot sizes get transacted particularly from the overseas contingent which amounts to about 85% of the turnover, creating a real change in the makeup of the market. 

One of the reasons for this is liquidity but the other key reason and one of the big themes that is starting to emerge is an-uplift in occupational sentiment which is improving. Out of that the correlation between investment decisions and buying these assets where performance is key is becoming more obvious. 

For example Blacksotne have been particularly active with the purchase of the Adelphi and Lackon House. Both of those assets give them the ability to drive performance through capital rental growth in the future. 

In terms of where the rest of the year is heading it is predicted that investment sentiment is going to remain good a lot of it will be predicated in terms of liquidity in the market but generally more of the same. A number of the UK institutions are looking to get back into the market again driven by occupational sentiment, however they will find it very competitive, but it is argued that this is what we need in order to drive the market forward. 

This news was brought to you by Morgan Pryce, a specialist tenant acquisition agent with offices in Oxford Circus and the City. Morgan Pryce specialises in search, negotiation and project management and works exclusively for tenants.