This follows a 16% increase in such start activity in 2025, with a 2% uptick forecast for 2027.

Glenigan has ranked the top 100 contractors across all construction sectors and found that 23 of these — worth a combined £6.3bn — involve office projects.

The health of the office sector is being driven by a return to office-based employment, a strong demand for Grade A space and the expansion of data centre capacity.

Glenigan has highlighted several high-profile office projects in the City of London as part of this recovery.

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Tenders are due to be invited early this year after planning permission was recently granted for a £300m office development at 130 Fenchurch Street.

This involves demolition work and the construction of a new building with three basement levels and 34 storeys to create around 57,000 sq m of new space.

Elsewhere, after planning approval was recently granted, work is due to start on the £477m office tower at 99 Bishopsgate in the early autumn.

Other major office schemes in the pipeline in the Square Mile, where detailed plans have been granted include the £500m Camomile Park project at 63 St Mary Axe and demolition is continuing ahead of construction work starting on developer Stanhope’s £510m office and retail/museum scheme at 1 Undershaft.