20 Farringdon Road

20 Farringdon Road is a prominent corner property, adjacent to the site of the new Farringdon Crossrail station. The 6 storey property totals 170,600 sq ft and comprises 141,400 sq ft offices, 5,700 sq ft ancillary space, 1,200 sq ft retail, and a 22,300 sq ft gym. The passing rent is £3.6m per annum or £3.2m per annum net of the 10% ground rent. The ground floor offices (26,200 sq ft) are let at a peppercorn with a break in December 2015. The average rent on the other office floors is approximately £27 per sq ft with leases expiring between 2015 and 2022. The net initial yield is 3.4%, which reflects a capital value of £545 per sq ft after costs.

Cortex Partners advised LaSalle Investment Management (LaSalle) on a property swap with Derwent London. Derwent London acquired a 175 year long leasehold of 20 Farringdon Road, EC1. LaSalle will retain the building's virtual freehold with the right to receive 10% of all rents. In return, LaSalle acquired two properties: 22 Kingsway, WC2 for £64.5m and Mark Square House, EC2 for £32.1m (representing 4.4% NIY's on both properties), and a 50% interest in a joint venture at 9 and 16 Prescot Street, E1. Derwent London will receive the balance of £27.3m in cash before costs.