House of Fraser is weighing up options that could prompt its exit from flagship head offices in Howick Place, London, SW1.
The department store chain has held discussions about a move to Midtown, which would release a development opportunity of more than 9,290m2 (100,000 sq ft) in the booming Victoria market.
Sources said that House of Fraser has viewed Bee Bee Developments’ 7,618m2 (82,000 sq ft) The Eye scheme in High Holborn, WC1, as well as MID’s nearby MidCity Place.
Developers were licking their lips five years ago when House of Fraser received outline consent to develop its 6,503m2 (70,000 sq ft) Victoria HQ into a 15,239m2 (165,000 sq ft) scheme and it is thought that House of Fraser has already had tentative offers from a number of parties.
However, House of Fraser property director Robert Hardie said: “We looked at Midtown, but it was simply a case of us looking at an alternative building to weigh up the options.
“I can categorically say that there no plans to move out of Howick Place right now.”
