Thomson Reuters' London offices sold to China group

The buyer of the 10-storey building at 30 South Colonnade (photo) is HNA Investment Holdings, a unit of Hainan Airlines Group which grew from a local aviation transportation operator to a multinational conglomerate encompassing aviation, airport management, financial services, real estate, retail, tourism and logistics.

Hi China News, reporting the purchase, said the deal for the “iconic London building” was signed on Friday. The price was not disclosed.

"London is Europe's largest economic centre and has always been a springboard for multinational companies to enter the European market,” the news service said. "The successful acquisition by HNA of the Reuters headquarters building lays the foundation for the expansion of operations in Europe and will further enhance the international reputation of Hainan Airlines Group.”

London property media reported earlier this year that the asking price was £215 million. Thomson Reuters rents the building for £11.9 million a year.

Reuters moved its global headquarters to 30 South Colonnade from 85 Fleet Street in 2004. The building has been owned since December 2005 by KanAm grundinvest Fonds of Germany whose website says "The lease with Reuters runs until 2020.”

Thomson Reuters was reported in January 2014 to be looking for a new London base. ■