What: British Land's Broadgate Central expansion attracts five major fashion brands to its 120,000 sq ft retail and hospitality space, while achieving 96% pre-let office occupancy.

Why it is important: The high pre-let rate and attraction of major fashion brands highlights the resilience of well-located retail developments, particularly those integrated with transport and office infrastructure.

British Land has secured a significant roster of fashion retailers for its Broadgate Central development, marking a strong start to the year for the property company. The expansion, which encompasses both 1 Broadgate and 100 Liverpool Street, will create a strategic retail corridor linking Liverpool Street station to Finsbury Avenue Square. The development combines 120,000 sq ft of retail and hospitality space with 200,000 sq ft of office leasing, demonstrating robust demand across sectors. Major fashion brands including Ralph Lauren, Mango, Luca Faloni, Hobbs, and Whistles have committed to the location, enhancing the retail mix. The office space has achieved 96% pre-let occupancy, with anchor tenants JLL and A&O Shearman securing space in 1 Broadgate. The development builds on Broadgate's existing success, which currently attracts 29 million visitors annually and has seen a 4.6% year-on-year increase in retail sales. British Land's chief executive Simon Carter emphasises that the strong demand stems from the location's excellent connectivity and comprehensive amenities, positioning it as a thriving environment for both business and retail.

IADS Notes: British Land's latest leasing success at Broadgate Central aligns with several significant developments in London's retail landscape during 2024-2025. The strategic location near Liverpool Street station mirrors successful transport hub strategies that have contributed to Oxford Street's revival, where vacancy rates reached a historic low of 2.2% in January 2025. The development's strong pre-letting performance, with 96% of office space already secured, parallels Landsec's successful GBP 490 million investment in Liverpool One, demonstrating continued confidence in prime retail locations. The mixed-use approach, combining retail and office space, follows the broader trend identified in central London developments, where integration of multiple functions has proven crucial for sustainable urban retail. The attraction of major fashion retailers like Ralph Lauren, Mango, and Whistles reflects the wider pattern of brands investing in prime locations, while the development's connection to transport infrastructure through the Elizabeth Line has shown to boost both footfall and conversion rates, particularly during weekends.

British Land brings raft of fashion retailers to prime location