Overview of Victoria

Most people in London know Victoria for its strong transport links and location nearby to Westminster and Buckingham Palace, but as regeneration projects have revealed over the past decade or so, it’s an area that has a lot to offer businesses across multiple sectors.

Victoria no longer has the dowdy reputation that was previously attached to it. The arrival of modern office buildings and retail spaces has enhanced its appeal and both large corporations and start-ups now call it home. Victoria’s history is just as impressive, as it was the birthplace of the Suffragette movement that revolutionised women’s voting rights and where Mozart wrote his first two symphonies (aged 8-years-old).  

It's the ideal location for businesses unable to afford the higher prices of the nearby West End, while still being present in the beating heart of the capital. A growing number of professionals are choosing to live and work in Victoria and with more serviced offices becoming available, now is the best time to discover what it has to offer.

View available office spaces to rent in Victoria here >

Average Price Ranges for Victoria Offices:

If you're thinking of moving offices to Victoria, it helps to get an initial idea of office rental costs. The table below offers a brief overview of potential prices you would pay each month:

*Guide prices per person per month, excl. vat.

Price Comparisons For Neighbouring Areas:

Businesses located in surrounding areas typically have to pay rates similar to the below:

*Guide prices per person per month, excl. vat.

Offices to Rent in Victoria

Since being hailed as an ‘opportunity area’ by the Mayor of London in 2011, the perception of Victoria has dramatically changed, making it a place of commercial potential and growth for businesses working there.

Many of the older office sites can be found off Victoria Street, with some undergoing renovation work to incorporate modern interiors and infrastructure for new businesses. These spaces are usually very spacious and competitively priced and make for a good starting point for smaller firms looking to establish themselves locally.

Other buildings have been given a glamorous makeover, with an old government department building being redeveloped into the 10-floor Verde SW1, offering more than 280,000 sq. ft. of office space and 6 roof gardens. Similarly, Nova North and Nova South have transformed the appeal of Victoria Street, the buildings providing a combined 480,000 sq. ft for commercial use. This also includes retail spaces, making them one of the central figures of activity in the area.

Moving to a serviced office in Victoria makes it easy to become operational as everything you need will be provided once you move in. This includes Wi-Fi and internet connections, office furniture and courier and postal services, and the availability of flexible contracts makes it easier to find agreeable terms that can adapt to change and growth.

Retailer House of Fraser are expected to exit Victoria and plans are afoot for work to start on the largest speculative London office project since the start of the pandemic in early 2020. The site has over 470,000 square feet and could also include a walking track on the roof for staff, along with a gym and a cycle ramp.

View available offices to let in Victoria >

What type of businesses set-up in Victoria?

Due to Victoria’s close location to Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament and its two large train and coach stations, the area has always had a close affinity with the tourist industry, with the presence of two large theatres adding to the appeal for visitors. It continues to drive a lot of footfall for retailers in the area and a number of companies who operate tourist-related activities have also set up base.

When it comes to office-based businesses, there is no distinguishable industry that has taken up residency, which is great news for newcomers. Often, it can appear daunting to move into an area dominated by a particular industry if you are not part of it, but Victoria has a broad selection of business types operating alongside each other. This includes the likes of:

• American Express
• TFL
• Christie’s
• EDF
• Experian

Facilities in Victoria

Facilities in Victoria have vastly improved in recent years as ongoing development work has transformed the area, ensuring new businesses have all the support they need.

Networking with Local Businesses

To help your business get off to a strong start it’s a good idea to connect with likeminded businesspeople working in the local area. Victoria has several networking groups that are well worth investigating as they could add value to your business. The Business Entrepreneurs Network works to help owners and entrepreneurs and has established a strong network in the area. Victoria BID supports and promotes SMEs that are essential to the local economy and members of Victoria BNI meet up for monthly networking events held in Pall Mall, St James’s.

Transport Links

Victoria is renowned for its fantastic transport links, so getting to and from the area will never be a problem for clients and staff.

What mainline train stations are close to Victoria?

London Victoria station is one of the most famous landmarks in the area, offering a range of travel options by train.

You can jump onto the Victoria Line or Circle and District Line and head east, west or further southwest, with fast and easy connections to the heart of the capital.

The British Rail concourse is one of the busiest in London, serving commuters on the southwest network, with express trains that head direct to Gatwick leaving on a regular basis.

What other transport options are there in Victoria?

Outside of Victoria station is a black taxi rank which always has availability. This sits directly next to the bus station that offers routes into the West End and the rest of the capital, which ensures staff have more than one way to reach the office. Uber and Bolt drivers are usually always only a few minutes away, offering a cheaper alternative to black cabs.  

What is the closest airport to Victoria?

Gatwick Express trains regularly depart Victoria station, and you can reach the airport in only 30 minutes. By road it takes a little longer, requiring a 70-minute journey via the A3.  If you need to reach Heathrow airport it is only 45-50 minutes away using a combination of the Heathrow Express and Circle Line, or the M4 and A4 by road.

Things to do in Victoria

Staff and clients will find there is plenty to do in area outside of working hours, with lots of great places to eat, drink and relax nearby.

What are the best restaurants and bars in Victoria?

The arrival of Market Hall in Victoria has transformed the restaurant options for local workers, offering a fantastic variety of cuisines to enjoy. Inside the food hall you’ll find Japanese udon noodle bar Koya Ko and delicious rotis served up at Gopal’s Corner. Baozi Inn offer tasty dumplings and Nonna Tonda has a great reputation for its pasta dishes. A Wong is a popular Chinese restaurant offering elevated cuisine and Stoke House is the place to go for a great British carvery.

Bars in Victoria are just as enticing, with the modern Balls Brothers bar always busy and The Bar and Lounge At The Goring offering a more classic cocktail bar setting. Vagabond bar allows you to grab your drinks via dispensing machines and the Queens Arms and The Willow Walk offer a more traditional pub setting.

What are the best gyms and fitness facilities in Victoria?

For staff that want to keep fit and healthy they’ll find a good variety of gyms and fitness facilities. The always popular Gymbox is located only a short walk from the train station as is Manor SW1 which houses a strength and conditioning gym, boxing ring and recovery studio. H2 Clubs Victoria provides a variety of classes, alongside a gym and bike park for anyone who wants to work off some stress.

There’s a Puregym that offers all the usual gear and equipment you’d expect, 1Rebel hosts London’s biggest spin studio and there is also a Fitness First located on Queen Victoria Street.

Where can I go shopping in Victoria?

The area has always offered a good number of chain retail stores and the regeneration of the area has seen the arrival of a host of new brands. Shops run along the length of Victoria Street and there are a good number of stores located inside both Nova buildings and Verde SW1. There are also a handful of shops inside Victoria station, such as Boots, M&S Food and WH Smith that are reliable places to pick up essentials. Cardinal Place is a relatively new shopping centre that features the likes of Bills, M&S, Nandos and Wagamamas and there are also a host of brand name stores in the two Nova buildings.

What can I do for entertainment in Victoria?

The Apollo Victoria Theatre and Victoria Palace Theatre have remained two of the most popular theatres in London, forming its own little ‘West End’ by hosting long running shows like Wicked, Billy Elliot and Hamilton. There’s Curzon tucked away round the corner that shows the latest arthouse films – Leicester Square is only 20 minutes away if Hollywood blockbusters are more your thing. The beautiful St James’s Park lingers in the shadow of Buckingham Palace and offers a great place of escape during lunch or after work.

At the opposite end of Victoria Street lies the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Cathedral if you want to take in some historical culture. The river Thames flows nearby, and you can stroll down the Embankment towards the London Eye and beyond to Tower Bridge in around 30-40 minutes. Eccleston Yards is also an interesting place to visit, featuring several industrial warehouses that have been converted into a culture centre with lots of bars, cafés and fitness studios.

Looking to rent office space in Victoria?

If you are looking for office space in Victoria, get in touch with Prime Office Search today. Whether you’re a start-up wanting to find out more about what the area has to offer, or a growing company in need of larger offices, our experienced team will work on your behalf to find the perfect match.

We’re only a phone call or email away or you can get started right away by browsing the offices we currently have available in Victoria.