Heathrow the dearest for office space

HEATHROW is the world's property hotspot for industrial warehousing and offices, easily outstripping nearest rivals New York and Tokyo for rents.

Tenants pay on average $25.53 (£13.75) per square foot for large industrial property around Heathrow, the world's largest international airport, compared with $18 for equivalent space in the Big Apple and $16.46 in Tokyo.

Property agent King Sturge's 2004 survey of industrial and office space shows businesses also pay dearly for offices around the West London airport - at $73.68 per square foot, more than any other out-of-town space in the world.

That cost is also higher than any in-town equivalent office space bar London's City and West End districts, and Tokyo.