Take-up of office space in Dublin in the first half of 2017 was 'exceptional', according to data from CBRE, with over 1.6 million ft2 (150,000 m2) of deals completed.
The volume equates to 80% of the long-run annual average, indicating that 2017 could reach impressive levels, as international firms continue to consider their post-Brexit plans.
Tech companies currently remain dominant in the occupier statistics, according to Knight Frank, which found that the Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) sector was responsible for 44% of take-up in Dublin during H1 2017.
Facebook is on the verge of occupying the Beckett Building, its new 185,000 ft2 (17,100 m2) premises in Dublin's Northern Docklands. Owned by Comer Group, the office will house up to 2,000 workers. Meanwhile, Alphabet Google is understood to be seeking new premises in the south Dublin area, with a possible move into Kennedy Wilson Europe's Chase Building at Sandyford.
However, further take-up from the financial sector is expected in H2 as Brexit strategies emerge, potentially rewarding current speculative development drives.
Media reports suggest that US recruiter Indeed is searching for around 250,000 ft2 (23,200 m2) of space, which would effectively double its Irish workforce. It is understood that the company is considering Kennedy Wilson's new Capital Dock scheme (pictured), comprising three, LEED Gold office blocks, where JP Morgan purchased 135,000 ft2 (12,540 m2) of space earlier this year.
