Knightsbridge flagship for H&M

H&M has taken a major store on London's Knightsbridge as the new flagship for its UK business.

The 22,000 sq ft (2,045 sq m) outlet will rank alongside the New York, Milan and Paris stores in H&M's global hierarchy, and its design is expected to reflect the ground-breaking New York launch.

The Swedish fashion retailer has taken all of the former Brompton Arcade, on the south side of Brompton Road between Harvey Nichols and Harrods.

Landlord Ropemaker Properties, the property arm of the BP Pension Fund, has decanted all tenants from the arcade and is converting it into a single unit.

H&M will trade from basement, ground and first-floor levels, with a return frontage to Basil Street at the rear.

The retailer has agreed a lease with a rent bill of more than£1 million a year, and fit-out will begin at the end of the year. Managing director Richard Din's brief to his designers is to create a store that reflects the international stature of the location.

Cushman & Wakefield Healey & Baker acted on behalf of H&M. CB Richard Ellis is the letting agent.