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Government's digital team to take top two floors of The White Chapel Building

Derwent London’s White Chapel Building has secured another new tenant after the Government Digital Service (GDS) pre-let the top two floors.

Joining the likes of architecture practice Perkins+Will and ad tech company Unruly Media, GDS have taken 54,700 sq ft on a ten year lease priced at an initial rent of £2.8m per annum.

It means that the building, which is currently undergoing refurbishment, is now 75% pre-let with the first stage of refurbishment due to be completed by the end of this year.

The move is a significant one as it plants the government’s digital team right in the midst of East London’s tech cluster as the regeneration of Whitechapel continues apace.

On the move, Ben Gummer, Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, commented: “After visiting the GDS team myself in recent weeks it is even more important to me that the brilliant people that work there get a brilliant place in which to work.

“With more money and improved offices, GDS can accelerate their efforts to transform and improve public services right across the UK.”

The building itself was acquired by Derwent in December, with phase 1 regeneration adding an 185,000 sq ft of offices, cafe and a new 7,000 sq ft atrium.

Phase 2, which is set to begin next year, will add a further 85,000 sq ft of office space to the building.

John Burns, Chief Executive Officer of Derwent London, described GDS as a ‘great addition’ to the new development which already hosts a mix of tech and professional services firms.

He added: “The spread of activities and commitment endorses our strategy of creating a mid-market rental product in this significantly improved area on the eastern side of the City and the Tech Belt.”

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