It may not surprise many people that London has the highest business density in the UK. It is a major hub for businesses, attracting SMEs, mega-corporations, and everything in-between. There are millions of square feet of offices in the city. However, a slowdown in starts is raising concerns about a potential supply gap in the future. Let’s have a closer look, then if you want to design a modern, high spec sustainable office, you can rely on us and work with a leading architect in London.

Some key stats

According to the Department of Business & Trade, there are 1.042 million private sector businesses in London. This is more than any other region in the UK. On top of that, the city is a hotspot for public sector jobs, including civil servants, NHS workers, and police.

As you would expect, all of the private businesses and public sector jobs in London creates a lot of demand for office space. Therefore, it creates a dynamic market for office construction and renovation.

According to new data from Deloitte though, it has been a mixed bag for office construction in London. Notably, a massive 7.1 million square feet of new offices were built in Central London in 2025. That was one of the highest totals in the last thirty years. Crucially, it was an 8% year on year increase. Speak to us if you want to design an office with a top architect in London.

While the news about office completions in 2025 was very positive, the data for new starts was more worrying. According to the same figures, it was just 4.8 million square feet. This is down 35% on 2024. Worse, it is far below the five year average.

Fears

Commenting on the data, Deloitte said the drop in starts could lead to a potential supply gap as early as 2027. There have already been concerns about a lack of top end Grade A offices for a few years. In fact, there are fears a large volume of office space in London will be obsolete by 2030.

Refurbishment popularity

Deloitte’s report also indicates there has been a shift, with refurbishments dominating the new starts. Their data says a massive 66% of projects starting in 2025 were office refurbs. They have become more popular as businesses look to tackle issues with viability. The right designs can also offer more flexibility and reduce delivery risk. Plus, they align with sustainability goals.

Discuss plans with a leading architect in London

Coffey Architects is one of the top companies in London, with a diverse portfolio of work and an exceptional team. We’ve won awards for various designs, including cutting edge offices and wonderful homes. Whether it is new builds or refurbishments, we can bring your ideas to life.

We will create the perfect plans to achieve your goals, ensuring you have spaces for your business and workers to thrive. Even better, our amazing designs will make an incredible impression on your customers, clients, and partners. So, speak to us today about your project and work with an exemplary architect in London.