How much does office space cost in Central London? (2025 price guide)

Finding the right office space in Central London is a key consideration for startups or established firms looking to expand. With rents varying across districts, it is vital to understand the rental market when seeking office space. This guide explores how much does it cost to rent office space in 2025 based on office types and driving factors.

The cost of office space in Central London varies significantly depending on the area, quality, and facilities offered. Below is a breakdown of the average cost of an office across key London districts.

Fitzrovia

Typical rent (leasehold, per annum):

• Grade A: £90–£130 per sq ft
• Grade B: £60–£80 per sq ft

Serviced and shared office:

• Premium serviced: £550+ per desk/month
• Coworking space: £200–£250 per desk/month

Best for: Media, tech startups, and creative agencies.

Fitzrovia has become one of the most desirable addresses in Central London, thanks to boutique developments and proximity to the West End. This area offers ideal office space supply, with green-certified buildings, modern interiors, and excellent transport links pushing costs upward (1). Businesses are also willing to pay premiums for sustainability features and flexible layouts.

Depending on how you calculate your desired space, you can estimate costs when considering serviced or coworking offices (2). For example, a 2,000 sq ft Grade A lease could range between £180,000–£260,000 annually, while a 10-person serviced office might cost £5,500–£7,000 per month. This flexibility allows firms to balance prestige with budget and growth plans.

West End

Typical rent (leasehold, per annum):

• Grade A: £150–£160 per sq ft
• Secondary or non-prime space: Lower, depending on location and features.

Serviced and shared office:

• Premium serviced: £800–£1,500+ per desk/month for top-spec spaces.

Best for: Finance firms, global brands, and luxury service providers

The West End continues to command the highest office rents in Central London. Premium developments and heritage buildings drive the price of Grade A stock, while non-prime units provide slightly lower entry points. Amenities like rooftop terraces, concierge services, and sustainability certifications contribute to high demand.

Covent Garden

• Typical rent (leasehold, per annum): £85–£95 / sq ft for prime office space
• Serviced and shared office: £625–£900+ per person/month, depending on quality and views.
• Best for: Retail, entertainment, and boutique consultancies

With prime rents hovering just under the West End, Covent Garden provides excellent centrality at slightly lower costs. Serviced and flexible office spaces remain popular, particularly for SMEs and international firms seeking a central base without long-term commitment (3). Market trends show strong demand for flexible leases, with sustainability and location keeping rents competitive.

Bloomsbury

• Typical rent (leasehold, per annum): £55–£95 / sq ft, with refurbished Cat+ spaces at the top end
• Serviced and shared office: £500–£700+ per desk/month
• Best for: Educational institutions, grab-and-go F&B, NGOs, and legal professionals

Bloomsbury offers a more affordable yet prestigious option, known for its academic and literary heritage. Businesses looking for quieter surroundings with cultural prestige find this area appealing. Recent refurbishments and sustainable office redevelopments have lifted demand, particularly near transport links. According to Savills, Grade A spaces with modern amenities push rents high, while smaller serviced and coworking facilities remain a mid-range choice for professionals seeking cost and accessibility balance.

Explore more: 8 smart ways to build sustainable office design

Camden

• Typical rent (leasehold, per annum): £40–£80 / sq ft for well-located spaces
• Serviced and shared office: £400–£650 per person/month
• Best for: Startups, the music industry, and creative collectives

Camden provides a lively, alternative office market with lower costs than prime Central London. The area is particularly popular with creative industries and tech startups looking for flexible, community-driven environments. While rents are lower than in Fitzrovia or the West End, modern refurbishments, amenities, and transport access to King’s Cross drive up demand.

Several elements influence how much does it cost to rent office space in Central London in 2025. These include:

• Location: Prime districts like the West End and Covent Garden command significantly higher rates than Camden or Bloomsbury.
• Building quality and sustainability credentials: Modern firms prioritise green features and flexible layouts, which push prices higher.
• Proximity to transport hubs and amenities: Easy access to essential transport links, such as Crossrail and key Tube stations, increases premiums. Amenities such as gyms, terraces, and concierge services also add costs, although they attract talent.
• A growing demand for hybrid workplaces: Demand for hybrid workplaces has created upward pressure on serviced and coworking spaces, while long-term leases remain cost-effective for larger occupiers.

The type of office you choose plays a significant role in cost efficiency. Each option has its own cost structure, flexibility, and suitability for different businesses.

• Serviced offices: These are the most flexible options, often available on short-term contracts. However, this flexibility comes with a premium cost per sq ft.
• Coworking spaces: Popular with startups, freelancers, and small teams looking for desks or private offices in shared environments. Costs are typically charged per desk per month, making them predictable and easy to budget.
• Leased offices: Traditional leasehold offices are often the most affordable in the long run, with annual rents typically lower than serviced options. However, they require longer commitments and higher upfront costs, such as fit-outs and deposits.
• Managed offices: These bridge the gap between leased and serviced offices. They provide private, tailored spaces on shorter contracts, with the landlord handling fit-outs and management.

When looking for office space, value matters as much as headline rent. Below are key tips to consider to get the most out of your space:

• Look at up-and-coming areas like Camden or parts of Bloomsbury that offer lower rents with future growth potential.
• Negotiate for extras like fit-outs, rent-free months, or service upgrades in the deal (5).
• Consider hybrid models. Using a smaller office alongside remote or coworking can reduce overall costs.
• Use professional brokers and comparison platforms, which provide up-to-date insights, to save time and secure better terms.

Reference list:

(1) How do you calculate office space?

(2) How to find ideal office space in Fitzrovia, Central London (2025)

(3) What does a flexible office look like?

(4) 8 smart ways to build sustainable office design

(5) Office Fit-outs explained: Cat A vs Cat B