MORNING NEWS: Insurer signs for ex-WeWork office

Good morning. Here’s your daily round-up of the latest news and views from EG and a collection of real estate-relevant headlines from the national papers. Insurance company Allianz has agreed a lease at the former WeWork site on Bishopsgate, owned by South African billionaire Nathan Kirsh’s Kirsh Group, as a redevelopment of its existing London base is signed off. The company has agreed a 15-year lease for all the office space at 15 Bishopsgate, EC2, which amounts to 54,000 sq ft. The building is currently being refurbished. Allianz will move in at the end of 2025, leaving its current base nearby at 60 Gracechurch Street, EC3. Plans to redevelop that building as a 36-storey tower from Obayashi Corporation and Sellar have just received clearance from the City of London Corporation.  A report from the in-house retail media agency of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield has surveyed 2,000 UK consumers and found that half are seeking entertainment-focused retail experiences. The report found that 63% of young shoppers want interactive, fun retail environments. Competitive socialising is becoming a major trend, with 34% of people under 35 seeking alcohol-free social spaces and opting out of nightclubs. Three-quarters of shoppers are seeking gaming experiences during their leisure time. The City of London Corporation is launching a hub to address the green skills gap in London’s commercial real estate. The corporation said the Skyline Skills Hub would enable the Square Mile’s workforce to meet the challenges of decarbonising the City, and is produced by its Skills for a Sustainable Skyline Taskforce. It will offer free access to resources from across the built environment sector, including careers guides, case studies and research such as the Skyline Skills Recommendations Report. Chairman of the Skills for a Sustainable Skyline Taskforce, Keith Bottomley, said: “Central London’s skyline is constantly growing, and we must ensure our workforce is equipped with the necessary skills and qualifications to build structures that are sustainable… We want the UK to have the best workforce to deliver sustainable commercial buildings for tomorrow. Together, we can make it happen.” There’s also news on Canary Wharf Group’s refinancing; occupancy in the care homes sector; and flex operator x+why’s first site in Leeds. All of the news from EG, plus a selection of headlines from the nationals: Allianz signs for Bishopsgate HQShoppers seek escapism, health and sustainability from retailersCity of London Corporation launches green skills hubCWG completes £610m refi with ApolloRising occupancy levels breathe life into care home sectorCOMMENT: Why the right activations do more than just drive footfallRegal drives 98-home Finchley plans forwardBridges offloads grade-A Leeds officeMartley signs flex provider for Leeds towerQuintain signs Afrikana at London Designer OutletEvans buys out Keyland’s stake in 1,800-home Yorkshire schemeBrain specialist commits to Harley StreetUSS-backed RP completes board with NED appointmentJLL strengthens Midlands offering with key appointmentsRedevco confirms £518m retail park buySycamore bid for Walgreens paves way for fresh Boots auctionRayner to allow building on area of green belt bigger than Surrey (£)Property magnate Nick Candy joins Reform UK in latest Tory defection (£)Blackstone’s purchase of London’s ‘Can of Ham’ skyscraper falls through (£)