Russell-Cooke lets space in iconic London landmark building overlooking Cleopatra’s Needle to vampire tech company Sharkmob

Law firm Russell-Cooke has represented the freeholder and landlord, Strandbrook, in the letting of 80 Strand as London HQ for Sharkmob. Sharkmob is a Swedish video games developer owned by tech giant Tencent and known for games such as vampire-themed Bloodhunt. Sharkmob will take up occupation in 2022.

Iconic building 80 Strand was also known as Shell-Mex House as it was for many years the London headquarters of Shell-Mex, for which purpose it was originally built in 1930–31. It is a Grade II listed building. Art deco in style, it boasts more than 550,000 square feet of floor space over 12 floors and features some of the largest floorplates in the West End at around 40,000 square feet per floor. It is one such unit that was leased in this transaction. The space can hold up to 250 employees.

A Russell-Cooke real estate team, led by partner Arnie Isaacson, advise this longstanding client on the management of office space and retail units at this London landmark. The teams’ familiarity with the property from previous transactions over several years ensured they were able to move very quickly to exchange.

On this transaction partner Kathrin McClintock led the negotiations on the lease, agreement for lease and other transactional documents supported by senior associate Ed Fairweather and associate Chris Edwards. Partner Peter Kitson advised on the construction aspects to make sure the landlord will be in a position to deliver the floor on time and in accordance with the agreed specification.

The tenant’s lease obligations are guaranteed by their Swedish parent company Sharkmob AB. The Russell-Cooke team worked closely with Swedish law firm Vinge, acting for Swedish company Sharkmob AB to ensure compliance by Sharkmob AB with English landlord and tenant legislation.

Partner Arnie Isaacson said: “It is fascinating to see tech companies who might have located in Shoreditch a few years ago now moving into the traditional heart of London’s West End. 80 Strand is a building with an amazing history that represents the evolution of London and the waves of businesses that have fuelled the capital’s economy over the decades. It was a great pleasure to be involved in this latest transaction and to see the injection of fresh blood into the premises.

“The combination of our client’s market expertise and our own team being able to get to exchange quickly was crucial to the smooth completion of this transaction.”

Property agents Cushman & Wakefield and HBC Real Estate also advised on the letting.