The Royal Exchange, the City of London’s leading luxury destination, has achieved 96% occupancy following the addition of four new tenants.
Skincare specialist Dr David Jack will open a new store and clinic this summer in unit 22, fronting onto Threadneedle Street, under a new 10-year lease. Rosslyn Coffee has signed a 15-year lease for the adjacent unit 21. Additionally, luxury footwear brand Horatio is set to open its first bricks-and-mortar store at unit 6 on Cornhill, while bespoke tailor Sartoria dei Duchi, formerly of Jermyn Street, has taken the remaining internal retail unit.
These latest signings push The Royal Exchange closer to full occupancy, underscoring the increasing demand from luxury retailers and dining operators at this iconic location. Recent long-term commitments include major luxury brands such as Tiffany & Co., Bremont, Omega, Montblanc, and Hermès. Des Gunewardena is also set to open his Engel and Jang restaurant, bar, and event space concept within The Royal Exchange’s mezzanine area.
The Square Mile is experiencing a resurgence as a luxury retail and social destination, with The Royal Exchange playing a pivotal role. Growing visitor numbers and the creation of a new public realm around the building are driving strong demand from brands, bars, and restaurants keen to capitalise on The Royal Exchange’s reputation as the City’s premier destination for shopping, dining, and socialising.
Andrew Hilston, Managing Director of The Ardent Companies UK, said: “It’s great to welcome these four new arrivals, and particularly exciting to see The Royal Exchange approach full occupancy as a result. With its range of luxury retailers, new dining concepts and exciting bars, it is increasingly the beating heart of the City of London, and a major driver of the Square Mile’s ongoing resurgence.”
The retail element of The Royal Exchange was acquired by US-based real estate investment and asset management firm The Ardent Companies in October 2022. Since the acquisition, The Ardent Companies UK, together with specialist asset manager Pave, has implemented a new leasing strategy and refreshed the advisory team, appointing experienced City agents at Bruce Gillingham Pollard and Savills to rejuvenate the tenant mix.
