Hammerson takes out option to buy prize Square Mile site

摘要

Hammerson has entered into an option agreement with the City of London corporation to buy a prime development site in the Square Mile that was intended to house US investment bank JP Morgan.The UK REIT has negotiated an agreement, which involves planning a 500,000 sq ft office scheme and retaining an option to buy St Alphage House from the City of London for around f 70m once planning permission is obtained.St Alphage House is between London Wall and the Barbican.The site is next to Moorhouse, which was developed by a partnership between Hammerson, Greycoat Estates, and Henderson Global Investors, on behalf of Pearl Assurance, in 2004.Moorhouse was sold to German fund manager Deka last September for£230m.Hammerson's new agreement follows the failure of plans to create a European headquarters for JP Morgan at the site.