Sea views, an open office, cheaper rents... what’s not to love about relocating from Central?
As rents in Central continue to rise, a growing number of businesses are opting for cheaper office space in outer areas
It’s only a 15 minute subway ride from Central, but you’d be forgiven for thinking Taikoo Place in Quarry Bay is on a whole different island from the way people talk.
Despite the perception that the newly developed area is well out of the city centre, a growing number of businesses are foregoing their pricey central business district locations where rents have increased by over 13 per cent this year for cheaper options.
Law firm Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) is among the companies leading the trend, after swapping its three offices spread across Wan Chai and Central for one 15,000 square foot office in Dorset House, Taikoo Place, in October, with room to grow their 60-strong team to 100 over the six-year lease.
The move made them the first international law firm to make the shift to the area which boasts Facebook, JP Morgan and BNP Paribas - and newly arrived international law firm Ince & Co - as tenants.
“We had to move, we desperately needed to integrate,” Bob Charlton, BLP’s head of Asia, told the Post from his new office which looks out to Victoria harbour on one side and towards the green slopes of Mt Parker on the other.
“While Central is the traditional home for a professional services firm, we thought we should be open minded about it.”