Letting at Broadgate Tower

British Land Co PLC 12 September 2007 IMPORTANT FIRST LETTING AT 35-STOREY BROADGATE TOWER Reed Smith Richards Butler LLP, one of the 15 largest law firms in the world, has signed a pre-letting agreement for 39 percent of British Land's 35-storey Broadgate Tower development in the City. Reed Smith Richards Butler accommodation will comprise 155,000 sq ft arranged over 11 floors - the top office floors from level 23, plus level 3. The signing represents 38.7 per cent of the available office space in the tower at rents of £62.50 per sq ft for the top floors and an average initial rent overall of £58 per sq ft for a lease term of 15.5 years. It is the first pre-letting for the developer-led tower which rises to 540 ft and is on track for completion summer 2008. Roger Parker, Europe/Middle East Managing Partner, Reed Smith Richards Butler LLP, said "This transaction reflects Reed Smith Richards Butler's commitment to the London and European markets. Broadgate is a fantastic creation, and by signing for space we take a major step towards providing the best environment for the practice of law." Stephen Hester, Chief Executive, British Land said: "I am delighted that Reed Smith has chosen The Broadgate Tower for its London office. The Tower has sustainability at the heart of its design and provides a scale and quality of building unavailable anywhere else in the City." The Broadgate Tower, and the now fully-let adjoining 201 Bishopsgate, are two buildings that form the latest phase of development at British Land's 30-acre Broadgate Estate in the City. They represent the largest open market development ever under taken in the City and are now 70 per cent pre-let. Notes to Editors • The Broadgate Tower, offering over 400,000 sq ft, is designed by the Chicago office of award winning architects Skidmore Owings & Merrill and is the first tower building in the City designed specifically for the open market. • The Broadgate Tower will be one of a small number of new buildings that will redefine the City skyline and is on track for completion Summer 2008. The 13 storey adjoining 201 Bishopsgate provides a total 408,000 sq ft and is let to international law firm Mayer Brown Rowe LLP and the Henderson Group Plc. • Some 20 per cent of the development by value contains recycled materials and, coupled with extensive heat recovery equipment and efficient cooling plant, will deliver emissions almost 50 per cent below average. • British Land is the largest UK Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) by assets (£16.3 billion) with total assets under management of £ 20.4 billion, as at 30 June 2007. • The portfolio, focused on the growth sectors of London Offices and Out of Town Retail, has the longest leases and occupancy rates at 98.6 per cent which are amongst the highest of the major UK REITs. • Retail assets account for 55 per cent of the portfolio, 80 per cent of which is in prime out-of-town locations. Offices account for 42 per cent of the portfolio of which 97 per cent is London-based and includes a £4 billion office development pipeline coming to fruition between now and 2011. About Reed Smith Richards Butler LLP Reed Smith Richards Butler is one of the 15 largest law firms worldwide, with more than 1500 lawyers in 21 offices throughout the United States, Europe and the Middle East. Founded in 1877, the firm represents leading international businesses from Fortune 100 corporations to mid-market and emerging enterprises. Its lawyers provide litigation services in multi-jurisdictional matters and other high stake disputes, deliver regulatory counsel, and execute the full range of strategic domestic and cross-border transactions. Reed Smith Richards Butler is a preeminent advisor to industries including financial services, life sciences, health care, advertising, media and technology, shipping, international trade and commodities and real estate. US: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Oakland, Princeton, Falls Church, Wilmington, Century City, Richmond and Leesburg. UK and Europe: London, Paris, Munich, Birmingham, Piraeus Middle East: Abu Dhabi, Dubai Date: Wednesday, 12 September 2007 Further media information The British Land Company PLC Laura De Vere - Tel: 020 7467 2920/mobile: 0773 929 2920 Reed Smith Richards Butler LLP Sara Craddock - Tel: 020 7556 6728 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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