This article first appeared on CoStar on February 25, 2019

We moved into new offices at WeWork’s Aviation House in Holborn last December.  Personally, I did so with some reluctance, having been based in a very different version of a managed office some years before.

Nearly three months on, what do I think?  We should have made the move sooner.  More than that, however, I believe there is much for the retail property sector to reflect on in the success of WeWork from an occupier’s perspective.

Grosvenor Europe has announced that work on School Lane Hotel, Liverpool ONE’s new independent hotel, will begin this spring.  Located in the Russell Building on the corner of School Lane and Peter’s Lane, the new hotel will be operated by Hope Street Hotel Ltd in a joint venture with YPG Developments Ltd.

ICON Outlet at The O2, the UK’s first urban outlet developed by AEG and Crosstree Real Estate Partners has announced the opening of Brooks Brothers, America’s oldest retailer. 

Shaftesbury has announced that casual noodle and dumpling concept, Shanghai Modern, has officially opened at 14 Newport Place in Central Cross, a 48,000 sq ft mixed-use development in Chinatown London.

Shaftesbury has announced that three independent, specialist retailers totalling 5,000 sq ft are joining Seven Dials, enhancing the unique character of the shopping and lifestyle destination in the heart of London’s West End. 

Sloane Stanley has today announced the launch of The Wardrobe Workshop, an independent pop-up for pre-loved and new fashion items. The brand will be trading from February 25 to March 10 at 325 King’s Road, in the heart of Chelsea.

Following the recent opening of ICON Outlet, a 210,000 sq ft premium urban outlet development by AEG and Crosstree Real Estate Partners, The O2 has announced a new wave of restaurants set to open shortly, cementing its position as the best destination for world-class retail, dining and entertainment.  Taking the total number of bars and restaurants under the world-famous tented roof of The O2 to 34, the best vegan, street food and international restaurants will be opening this spring including by CHLOE., Hai Di Lao, Hook, Beer + Burger, Benito’s Hat, Thunderbird and Scarlet.

Shaftesbury has announced that Asia’s largest social gaming internet café, Wanyoo Café, has officially opened its debut European eSports studio, offering gaming stations, leisure areas and co-working spaces at 77-79 Charing Cross Road.

Following recent international brands, including YiFang and Guo C 100, choosing Chinatown London as their European debut, Shaftesbury have welcomed Monga Fried Chicken to 12 Macclesfield Street.

Shaftesbury has welcomed award-winning Sichuanese restaurant, JinLi, who have opened a second restaurant at Central Cross, named JinLi Chinatown.

International Quarter London (IQL), the £2.4 billion joint venture development between Lendlease and LCRhave announced that Signorelli, the independent Italian artisan bakery and pasticceria, has opened its third outlet at Stratford’s newest mixed-use neighbourhood. 

Leading specialist UK leisure property agency, Shelley Sandzer, has appointed Philip Sandzer, co-founder of the business, to launch a division to work with international operators seeking to expand into the UK, as well as established UK brands wishing to launch overseas.  Philip is returning as a consultant partner 14 years after he handed the reins to joint managing partners, Ted Schama and Nick Weir.

Acting on behalf of the brand, leading specialist UK leisure property agency, Shelley Sandzer, has secured the debut UK studio for Body by Simone, the revolutionary exercise method created by renowned fitness guru, Simone De La Rue. Opening at 86-88 Delancey Street on 2ndFebruary 2019, this is the first time the fitness concept has launched outside of the US, following monumental success in its LA and New York studios. 

Sloane Stanley are excited to welcome leading online CBD retailer, thedrug.store, to its first bricks and mortar venture in the heart of Chelsea, trading until February 3 at 341 King’s Road. 

Lendlease and Invesco Real Estate, the global real estate investment manager, have announced that luxury crystal jewellery brand, Swarovski, is to open their latest store at Queensgate shopping centre in Peterborough this Spring.

Global fashion brand, Polo Ralph Lauren, is set to open its latest store in Liverpool ONE this spring. It will occupy a 1,900 sq ft space and will include both womenswear and menswear collections.  

Lend Lease Retail Partnership (LLRP), a fund managed by Lendlease, has today announced that two independent restaurants, Asha’s and Jamaya, are to open in Touchwood – one of the most popular retail destinations in the West Midlands.

US coffee shop concept, Roasting Plant Coffee, has made its UK debut in Borough in a unit acquired by Shelley Sandzer, the leading specialist UK leisure property agency.  The new Borough site is the brand’s first outside the US, where the brand has five sites, including New York and San Francisco.

Elephant Park has announced that sustainable community food market operator, Mercato Metropolitano, has signed for 17,500 sq ft of retail, dining and social space to launch MM Factory, due to open in Summer 2019.

The Bullring Estate, Birmingham’s iconic shopping destination that comprises the Bullring, Grand Central, and Link Street, has announced that cult-favourite series Black Mirror, in partnership with Netflix, recreated the iconic 1980’s game store from the choose-your-own-adventure drama Bandersnatch last week.