Case Studies
Department for Constitutional Affairs
London Estate Rationalisation
Location, size and uses
The Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) and their associated offices currently occupy over 47,000 sq m (500,000 sq ft) in 13 office buildings in and around the Central London area concentrated in Victoria, Midtown and Archway.
The brief
Knight Frank was appointed to provide option appraisals in accordance with the Treasury Green Book with regard to the future accommodation strategy of DCA. This included analysing options to occupy the property at Queen Anne’s Gate (pictured) and alternatives available in the open market. Knight Frank prepared cost analysis including Net Present Cost for rationalisation into either four or five main buildings in the Victoria and Midtown area.
Key objectives and constraints
The relocation of between 3,800 and 3,900 workstations, this included a net loss of approximately 300 posts as part of the Lyon and Gershon initiatives. Also, because of the nature of some Associated Offices, as regulatory bodies there is a preference to be located in a separate building to those offices which are being overseen. The favoured solution needs to be co-ordinated with lease expiries and break clauses commencing in 2008.
Actions and outcome
Knight Frank advised on economic basis to calculate the costs of each option to determine the most cost effective strategy for the next 25 years. Next stages include approval to implement the relocation in 2008.
Knight Frank input
Bespoke Consultancy
Option Appraisal
Economic Net Present Cost Appraisals
