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London Could See 4 Million Sq Ft of AI Led Office Take Up by 2033, says CBRE

April 27, 2026

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London could see up to 4 million sq ft of AI‑led office take‑up by 2033, according to new research from global real estate advisor, CBRE.

Using the more mature San Francisco market as a benchmark, CBRE forecasts AI‑led office take‑up in London could reach 4 million sq ft by 2033*. For context, this level of demand would equate to 43% of all the un-let space currently under development in Central London.

The forecast reflects London’s position as a global technology hub and the continued strength of momentum in the sector. Since 2013, technology companies have leased 17.9 million sq ft of office space across Central London. At the end of 2025, CBRE was tracking 600,000 sq ft of active Central London office requirements from technology companies, representing 9% of total market demand.

AI‑led occupiers are playing an increasingly significant role in London’s tech landscape, accounting for 34% of technology sector take‑up in 2025, up from just 4% in 2015. Since 2015, AI‑led companies have taken around 1.5 million sq ft of traditional office space across Central London, accounting for 11% of total technology sector take‑up over the period. More than half of this space has been acquired since the beginning of 2022, reflecting the subsector’s growth trajectory over the last few years.

Many AI occupiers initially favour flex office space, predominantly reflecting their space needs in relation to rapid growth, before transitioning into traditional offices as businesses scale.

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*CBRE’s forecast is based on London’s historic technology growth and its previous “mobile‑app era” which ran from 2011 to 2022, relative to San Francisco, which it followed by three years. Applying the same market relativity to AI, where growth in San Francisco began in 2020, CBRE assesses that London’s AI market entered a maturation phase in 2023.
What stands out from our research is the speed at which tech and AI businesses are making a footprint in London on a relatively small, or short-term lease, but upsizing significantly within 18-to-24 months. Looking ahead, we expect London’s depth of talent and established tech ecosystem to continue reinforcing its position as a global hub for technology and AI. Importantly, this demand for talent extends well beyond the technology sector, underpinning London’s long term appeal.
Mike GedyeHead of Tech Sector Vertical at CBRE UK
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CBRE Research​

London’s Future: AI-Driven Office Demand

The next chapter in our London series: Understanding how AI‑led growth is shaping occupier strategies.
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About CBRE Group, Inc.
CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE: CBRE), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Dallas, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm and a premier provider of critical infrastructure services. The company has more than 155,000 employees serving clients in more than 100 countries. CBRE serves clients through four business segments: Advisory (leasing, sales, debt origination, mortgage servicing, valuations); Building Operations & Experience (facilities management, property management, flex space & experience, critical infrastructure); Project Management (program management, project management, cost consulting); Real Estate Investments (investment management, development). Please visit our website at www.cbre.co.uk.