MATCHESFASHION.COM will take over 35,000 sq ft for its London HQ.
REM, on behalf of the owners of The Shard, has confirmed the strong momentum of 2015, which saw 12 new occupiers join the vertical city, has continued into 2016. It has agreed a new lease with one of the world’s fastest growing luxury fashion retailers MATCHESFASHION.COM for 35,000 sq ft of office space over Levels 7 and 8, which are part occupied by Tiffany and law firm GTM. This takes the total office space let at London Bridge Quarter to over 1 million sq ft, being 85% of the Estate.
Founded in 1987, MATCHESFASHION.COM is the global luxury fashion destination for men and women. Operating online and via a network of stores, the company serves customers in 176 countries. The company offers an edit of more than 400 of the leading international and emerging designers such as Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci and Alexander McQueen. MATCHESFASHION.COM is moving its headquarters from South West London, in Q2 2016 as it looks to expand globally to capitalise on the expansive creative community and growing fashion quarter in London Bridge. London Bridge has a long-standing association with some of the UK’s most iconic brands and, as a hub of creativity and commerce, it attracts businesses looking for a wealth of social and cultural amenities to enable them to attract and retain the best talent in the market.
Nearby fashionable Bermondsey Street is home to the renowned London Fashion and Textiles Museum, which is a state-of-the-art centre for contemporary fashion, textiles and jewellery in London. In 2011, White Cube Bermondsey also opened on Bermondsey Street as Europe's biggest commercial gallery, which added further kudos to the vibrant neighbourhood..
To add to the area’s fashion credentials, The Shard recently hosted The British Fashion Council and Vogue Designer Fashion Fund’s awards judging panel, which included Victoria Beckham, Samantha Cameron and British Vogue’s Alexandra Shulman.
MATCHESFASHION.COM is The Shard’s first letting to be confirmed this year, following the twelve lettings in 2015, and its second major fashion brand. It joins the likes of Tiffany, Campari, The Office Group, Gallup, Sage and Warwick Business School taking the total number of office occupiers in The Shard to 26 across 15 business sectors with 50 per cent of the businesses drawn to the building from the West End. Only five full levels remain available in the 72-floor building, demonstrating the success of the vision to create Europe’s first truly mixed use vertical community at The Shard.
Tom Chapman, Co-Executive Chairman, MATCHESFASHION.COM, said: “As we enter 2016 there is great momentum around MATCHESFASHION.COM . In our 28 years in luxury Ruth and I have never felt more inspired about the opportunities ahead – marked by this move to The Shard, the peak of London’s iconic skyline. As we continue to expand globally we will have London as our backdrop in this emerging hub of e-commerce and technology. Our growth is the result of our incredible people. This move will see us connect over 300 of 500 employees over two floors and 35,000 sq. ft of light, dynamic space. We will see our five London offices come together and strengthen the inter-connectivity between departments, from buying to tech, ecommerce and content. This inspirational working environment will maximise our unique position as the only true modern luxury shopping destination and continue to attract the best talent.
“Our recurring experience is that the most progressive occupiers have made their employees a central part of the relocation decision, being critical to business evolution in a competitive global environment. The Shard’s offices provide an inspiring work environment that are also well-connected to a local community with a wealth of social amenities in the London Bridge area.”
The Shard’s office space is home to companies operating in fashion, media, finance, professional services, consulting, luxury brand, education, flexible offices, energy, technology, healthcare, recruitment and asset management. Around 8,500 people now work at London Bridge Quarter, the vibrant estate comprising The Shard and the adjacent News UK headquarters building, and this will rise to 12,500 in the coming months.
JLL and Knight Frank are leasing agents on The Shard; Making Moves acted for MATCHESFASHION.COM