Office deals ‘return to 2007 peak’

OCTOBER to December last year was the strongest quarter for office take-up in Belfast in two years, according to a new survey.

Agency Savills NI said 2017 saw robust take-ups for the second year in a row — bringing levels back to the peak of 2007.

The biggest deal during the year was the pre-letting by HMRC of Erskine House on Chichester Street, which is now being built.

However, technology, media and telecommunications continued to be the most active sector, accounting for 19 out of 47 deals.

Simon McEvoy, of Savills Northern Ireland, said there had been “positives” during the year though supply of new Grade A offices was a limiting factor.