London Office Overhaul Costs Rocket To World No. 2 Spot

"London has climbed to the number two spot on the list of the world's most expensive markets for office fit‑outs, a reminder that shiny, tech‑stacked workplaces do not come cheap. As companies chase AI‑ready infrastructure and higher‑end amenities, the price of getting a move‑in‑ready office in global hubs is heading in one direction: up."

"Turner & Townsend's Global Office Fit‑Out Cost Guide benchmarks high‑, medium‑ and low‑spec projects across dozens of cities. In its 2025 edition, the guide puts London's average high‑spec fit‑out at about US$5,932 per square metre. The methodology rolls in construction, MEP, furniture and professional fees, giving occupiers a full picture of what a CAT A/B fit‑out in a prime market really costs rather than just the headline build figure."

"JLL's 2026 fit‑out guide singles out New York, San Francisco and Boston among the priciest cities and points to rising mechanical, electrical and technology budgets as the fastest‑growing parts of the bill. Colliers' EMEA Occupier Fit‑Out Guide 2026 echoes that pattern, describing a "flight to quality" that is pushing high‑spec prices higher across London and other heavyweight hubs."

"Consultancies cite a familiar mix of pressures. AI‑ready workplaces need expensive M&E and AV systems, there is a shortage of specialist trades to install and commission them, and supply‑chain volatility continues to affect m"

London has moved to the number two position for the world’s most expensive office fit-outs. Companies are seeking AI-ready infrastructure and higher-end amenities, increasing the cost of delivering move-in-ready offices in major global hubs. The ranking is based on analysis by Turner & Townsend tracked through CoStar, focusing on how AI growth and demand for premium workspace are reshaping fit-out costs. Turner & Townsend’s Global Office Fit-Out Cost Guide benchmarks high-, medium-, and low-spec projects across many cities, including construction, MEP, furniture, and professional fees. London’s average high-spec fit-out is about US$5,932 per square metre. Other guides also point to rising mechanical, electrical, and technology budgets and a flight to quality that pushes high-spec prices higher.

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