Portsmouth Commercial Property Report
A Guide to a Hub of Maritime and Tech Innovation on Comparetheoffices.com
Why Portsmouth? A City of Maritime Heritage and Modern Technology
Portsmouth is a dynamic waterfront city with a world-renowned naval heritage and a forward-looking economy. As the home of the Royal Navy, the city is a major UK centre for defence, aerospace, and advanced marine engineering, hosting major operations for global giants like BAE Systems and Airbus Defence and Space. This powerful industrial base is complemented by a growing digital and creative sector, fuelled by the talent pipeline from the University of Portsmouth.
With its unique position as the UK’s only island city, Portsmouth offers an exceptional quality of life, combining a rich maritime history with a vibrant cultural scene and popular waterfront destinations like Gunwharf Quays. For businesses in the engineering, tech, and defence sectors, Portsmouth provides an unparalleled ecosystem of innovation, talent, and supply chain expertise.
The Portsmouth Office Market: A Snapshot
The Portsmouth office market is robust, with consistent demand driven by its strong defence and technology sectors. The city’s premier out-of-town business parks, particularly Lakeside North Harbour, are key focal points for corporate activity. There is a strong “flight to quality,” with occupiers seeking modern, flexible office space that offers excellent amenities, high sustainability credentials, and a strong sense of community to help attract and retain a skilled workforce.
Prime headline rents for best-in-class Grade A office space stand at over £30 per sq ft, reflecting the quality of stock available in its premier business locations. With significant public and private investment earmarked for regeneration projects across the city, the commercial property landscape is set to be enhanced with new, high-quality options for occupiers.
Your Office Strategy: Navigating Flexibility and Stability
Choosing the right office model is a critical business decision. A flexible serviced office provides an agile, all-inclusive solution, ideal for start-ups, project teams, and businesses needing the flexibility to scale quickly without large capital expenditure. A traditional lease offers a long-term, stable home with complete control over branding and culture, making it suitable for established companies with predictable headcount and a desire to create a bespoke environment.
| Attribute | Serviced Office | Traditional Leased Office |
|---|---|---|
| Commitment | Short-term, flexible license agreements, often from just a few months, allowing for maximum agility. | A long-term, legally binding lease, typically for a minimum of 5-10 years, offering security. |
| Cost Structure | A single, predictable monthly payment covering rent, rates, utilities, internet, and shared facilities. | A base rent per sq ft, plus separate and variable costs for business rates, service charges, and utilities. |
| Upfront Capital | Minimal upfront cost, usually a small deposit, preserving cash flow for core business activities. | Significant capital investment required for legal fees, fit-out, furniture, and IT infrastructure. |
| Environment | A managed, professional environment with access to shared amenities and a built-in business community. | A private, self-contained space that can be fully customised to reflect a company’s brand and culture. |
Featured Office Providers in Portsmouth
Portsmouth’s workspace market offers a range of high-quality, flexible options in its key commercial districts and business parks.
Lakeside North Harbour
Lakeside North Harbour is Portsmouth’s premier business park, offering a stunning campus environment with a 130-acre lake. It provides exceptional Grade A office space with a huge range of on-site amenities, attracting a host of major corporate occupiers.
- Premier business park location
- Beautiful landscaped campus setting
- Extensive on-site amenities including cafes & gym
- High-specification, flexible workspace
Kingston Crescent
This business centre offers a highly accessible location with excellent links to the M27 and the city centre. It provides modern, professional office space with ample on-site parking, making it a convenient and practical base for any business.
- Highly accessible location
- Excellent access to M27 motorway
- Modern, refurbished office suites
- Ample on-site parking
