Santander confirms St Paul’s Square move

English Cities Fund, a joint venture between Legal & General, Muse Developments and the Homes & Communities Agency, has completed the letting of the entire top floor at No. 4 St Paul's Square, Liverpool, to Spanish banking group Santander for a corporate banking facility.

Taking a ten-year lease, Santander has secured the 14,155 sq ft seventh floor at No.4 St Paul's, which totals 109,000 sq ft, paying a headline rent of £20/sq ft.

Sue Douthwaite, divisional managing director of Santander Corporate Banking, said: "We have spent the past three years growing our corporate banking business in the region and this move signifies the strength of our business and our commitment to businesses within the Merseyside region."

Santander is currently based across the square in Bruntwood's Plaza.

Darran Lawless, director of ECF, said: "The £34m development with its striking architecture is the final phase of St Paul's Square and has already established itself as a world class business location for Liverpool. We believe that this seal of approval from a major corporate will attract other leading businesses to locate at No.4.

"The Liverpool office market is poised for some significant activity with a number of very high-profile, large requirements in the market. These include Barclays, Standard Chartered, Deutsche Bank and Direct Line. With the competitive rents we can offer, a great location and fantastic landmark building, there is a real opportunity to build upon what is already a strong location. St Paul's Square will continue to grow as one of the region's leading financial and professional centres."

GVA advised ECF; Santander was advised by CBRE.