Rum-maker Bacardi stirs things up by moving its European headquarters to Spitalfields
Bacardi, maker of the world's leading rum brand, is moving to the other side of town after announcing plans to decamp its offices in west London to a new scheme in Spitalfields.
The family-owned spirits company has agreed to let the entire third floor – or 9,564 square feet – of TH Real Estate's The Steward Building near Liverpool Street on a 10-year lease.
TH Real Estate completed the seven-storey building last year and has already let the top three floors to financial research firm Third Bridge. It did not disclose the rent agreed with Bacardi although it is understood to be in the region of £69.50 per sq ft.
Bacardi, which is currently based at Dorset Square in Marlybone, said the Steward will become its new European headquarters – its position in the East End helping it to attract new talent.
Rory Paton, City agency partner at Knight Frank, said: "Moving from Marylebone, their new headquarters building is aligned to their strong brand and positions them perfectly to recruit and retain the very best talent for this dynamic brand."
Knight Frank and Savills acted for TH Real Estate while Cushman & Wakefield advised Barcardi.
Bacardi, which also owns Bombay Sapphire gin as well as Grey Goose Vodka, has its roots in 19th century Cuba but has been based in Bermuda since the time of the Cutillas family's exile in 1960.
It is currently fighting for its right to the Havana Club brand name after the US government's decision to hand it back to a Cuban state company partnered with its rival Pernod Ricard.