Google is on the cusp of a second major deal at King’s Cross after plans for its new headquarters building were pushed back this week.
The internet giant is in talks with AXA and BNP Paribas Real Estate to lease part of 6 Pancras Square, NW1.
AXA forward purchased the 350,000 sq ft scheme in September last year from developer BNP Paribas Real Estate, which has signed a prelet on half the space.
Google is now in talks to let the other half of the building after confirming this week it is pushing back its development of a new headquarters building.
Work will not now complete on the 850,000 sq ft HQ until at least 2017. However, Google has a lease expiry on the circa 100,000 sq ft it occupies at 123 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1, in August 2015.
The potential deal has stymied interest in 6 Pancras Square from other major occupiers, including Hachete and Havas, with Google thought to be offering to pay a rent in excess of £60 per sq ft.
Amazon has also looked closely at the building.
Google head of real estate and construction Joe Borrett said: “We have a great plan for the new building at King’s Cross, but we want to challenge ourselves to do something even better for Google, King’s Cross and for the local community.”
A Google spokesman declined to comment on the 6 Pancras Square deal.
CBRE is the letting agent on the remaining space in 6 Pancras Square and advised Google on its acquisition of the HQ building.
BNP PRE is joint letting agent on the building.
jack.sidders@estatesgazette.com
