Biggest deal of 2020 secured by Worthington Owen
December 2, 2020The last time an agency other than CBRE occupied top position in the Liverpool office disposals league table, Mo Farah and Jessica Ennis Hill were gearing up to storm the London Olympics. But eight years later, having come within touching distance of 50 deals, Worthington Owen has won the gold medal in 2020.
The company was disposing agent in eight of the 10 largest deals of the past 12 months, according to Radius Data Exchange, with stand-out lettings including joint deals with CBRE at Canmoor’s 20 Chapel Street to Park Group (25,982 sq ft) and just over 20,000 sq ft to Onward Homes at the Watson Building.
Worthington Owen was also involved in the largest deal, 65,000 sq ft at Echo Place to Sony Interactive. The joint agent was Glasgow-based Paradigm Property Consultants, which enters the Liverpool league table for the first time in fourth position courtesy of this sole deal.
Keppie Massie maintained third position thanks to disposing of 14,000 sq ft more than in the previous 12 months.
Despite both dropping two places, there are some positives for Avison Young and Hitchcock Wright & Partners. Avison Young saw total space disposed rise by almost 80%. Its two biggest deals were both at 1 Tithebarn Street, to DBS (18,473 sq ft) and Carpenters Solicitors (16,017 sq ft), alongside Worthington Owen. Hitchcock Wright & Partners saw an increase in deal numbers of almost 30% year-on-year.
The total number of deals is at a similar level to last year. But the effects of Covid-19 are starting to be seen in the Liverpool office market. Just 15 of the 125 deals were signed off in the three months to the end of April. If this pattern continues, next year’s league table will have a very different look indeed