Southwark Council confirmed today it would relocate its headquarters to Tooley Street in London Bridge.

As tipped by Property Week (news 04.05.07), the council has taken the 200,000 sq ft office building owned by UBS Global Asset Management and Great Portland Estates’ at 160 Tooley Street.

The Council has taken a 25-year lease at £38.50/sq ft. Around 2,100 council staff will move to London Bridge in early 2009.

UBS purchased the development in June 2006 from Great Portland Estates, who remains the developer.

Cllr Toby Eckersley, Southwark Council’s executive member for resources, said: ‘We have been looking for new accommodation that will allow us to bring key council staff together under one roof. This will help improve communication within the council and improve our ability to serve the people of Southwark.’

‘Not all council staff will move to Tooley Street. Many staff, including librarians, housing officers and other frontline staff will continue to work in civic buildings in the communities they serve.’

Council staff are currently dispersed across the borough in buildings that need refurbishment. Many employees are based in Peckham and Walworth, near Elephant & Castle. It is understood that the redundant office buildings will transferred back to housing.

GVA Grimley advised Southwark Council; DTZ advised UBS.