Helical has exchanged contracts to acquire 100 New Bridge Street from FPM 100 New Bridge Street Limited for £160m.

The 167,026 sq ft office building is held on a 999-year long leasehold at a peppercorn from National Rail Infrastructure Limited and was completed in 1992 and is let to international lawyers Baker McKenzie, whose lease expires in December 2023.

The passing rent is around £7.3m per annum (net rents c. £6.5m) which includes the ground floor retail units.

Gerald Kaye, Chief Executive of Helical, said: “The acquisition of 100 New Bridge Street provides us with the opportunity to carry out a major refurbishment, which will have less impact on the environment than a ground up development, and which we will be able to deliver more quickly. We expect this to involve recladding the elevations and incorporating the latest technology as well as high-quality tenant amenities to create a new best in class Grade A office building, which will operate to the highest standards of sustainability.“100 New Bridge Street is exceptionally well-located, mid-way between Farringdon and Blackfriars stations and is an island site with considerable prominence and great views. We will be proposing to the City of London that we also undertake significant public realm improvements around the site.”

Edward Fairweather, Knight Frank, commented: “We were asked to undertake a discrete sale of 100 New Bridge Street on behalf of the vendor. They are delighted to have transacted with Helical who have performed at every turn.”

The proposed acquisition is conditional on Shareholder Approval at a General Meeting, which is expected to be held in early February 2022.

The vendor was advised by Knight Frank and Dentons. Helical was advised by Clifford Chance and Ingleby Trice.