Central London Office Take-Up Rises in Q2 as AI Occupiers Drive Demand

Artificial intelligence (AI) firms continued to play an increasingly prominent role in the Central London office market in Q2 2026, according to new research from CBRE.

AI-related office take-up reached 450,816 sq ft in Q2 2026, bringing the H1 2026 total to 705,371 sq ft. This figure is more than four times higher than H1 2025 (165,819 sq ft) and more than double the full-year 2025 total (317,979 sq ft).

More broadly, Central London office take-up reached 2.7 million sq ft during the quarter, up 19% on Q1. Despite the increase, activity remained 7% below the 10-year quarterly average of 2.9 million sq ft and 14% below Q2 2025 levels. Companies in the technology, media and telecoms (TMT) sector accounted for 27% of all activity, making it the most active occupier sector during the quarter.

Two of the four largest transactions in the quarter were completed by AI occupiers. Anthropic leased 158,500 sq ft at 1 Triton Square, NW1, while OpenAI committed to 95,500 sq ft at Jahn Court, Regent Quarter, N1.

Secondhand space accounted for 64% of total take-up during the quarter, compared with a 10-year quarterly average of 61%. Newly completed space represented 29% of activity, above its long-term average of 17%, while pre-let activity accounted for just 7%, markedly below the 10-year average of 22%. Together, newly completed and pre-let space comprised 36% of take-up, their lowest combined share since 2020, highlighting the continued supply shortage.