The German open-ended fund, Deka, is reportedly looking to sell the famous headquarters of Lloyds of London for around ã240m. Deka bought the 375,000 sq ft building, at 1 Lime Street, EC3, for ã180m back in 1996. The current mooted ã240m price tag would reflect a net initial yield of 6.75%. Deka is being advised by CB Richard Ellis and FPDSavills.
The Lloyds HQ is one of several major City office buildings due to come onto the market over the next few months. Scottish Widows has already put ING Baringââ¬â¢s 50 London Wall, EC2, back on the market after a deal with CGI, which was looking to buy the 240,000 sq ft building for ã180m, collapsed last March. The building now has a price tag of ã165m.
Meanwhile, a joint venture between British Land and WestLB is trying to sell two properties from its four-building City portfolio. The 160,000 sq ft 100 New Bridge Street, EC4, is being marketed through DTZ for over ã110m. The property is currently let to the solicitor, Baker & McKenzie. The joint venture is also selling its multi-let 95,000 sq ft Watling House, 33 Cannon St, EX4, for ã60m.
Colin Wilson, Head of City Investment at DTZ, commented: ââ¬ÅOne might have thought the recent jump in the cost of money would have created obstacles, but there is such an appetite for good investment product that demand is just pushing on. This year is going to see an unprecedented cash call on banks for people looking for debt.ââ¬Â