Savills : leads the way in 2016 with 27% market share in Central London

Savills boasted the lion's share of all commercial investment activity in Central London in 2016 with a 27% market share. In particular, the firm was the lead advisor for acquisition work across London, transacting on almost double that of its nearest competitor.

According to research by the firm, overseas purchasers spent £12.62 billion on commercial real estate across the whole of 2016 making up a staggering 79% of total turnover (£15.90 billion). Asian investors accounted for one third of total annual turnover - the greatest market share on record - while Middle Eastern investors accounted for c.14%. As the final quarter rallied off the back of the increased overseas investor appetite, Savills was accountable for one in every four transactions taking place in Central London and handling 38% (by volume) of all Asian and Middle Eastern deals during that period. Demand was, and continues to be, partly due to the attractive currency shift following the EU referendum but also, says Savills, as a result of various domestic push factors.

Stephen Down, executive director and head of Central London investment, comments: 'Central London saw £15.9 billion deployed into its commercial property in 2016, 45% above the 20-year long term average, as the city demonstrated its resilience as an international market place for investment capital in spite of headwinds generated by geo-political and macro-economic forces.

'It is clear that London is still regarded as the pre-eminent commercial investment market in the world and, as we have seen in previous years at times of uncertainty, our market, and the way in which we do business, is regarded as the gold standard for investors looking for a safe haven for their capital. Thanks to our established investment division and cross-border network we are able to offer the best advice to clients from around the globe who are looking at London.'

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