London CNN —London’s office market has plunged into a “rental recession,” with the share of empty space hitting its highest level in three decades, investment bank Jefferies said in a note Wednesday. Packing upOn Monday, British Land said Meta had agreed to pay £149 million ($181 million) to break its lease on a 310,000-square-foot office near London’s Regent’s Park. More bankers are reportedly leaving the area as UBS (UBS) begins relocating staff working for Credit Suisse to its main London office in the City. Regulators have been watching the commercial real estate market closely for any sign that spiraling vacancy rates and falling rents could become the source of the next financial crisis. The downturn in office rentals stands in stark contrast to London’s residential rental market where demand is high and supply chronically low.

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Persons: London CNN —, Jefferies, Michael Prew, Meta, Clifford Chance, Banks Organizations: London CNN, The, City of, Jefferies, CNN, Derwent London, “, HSBC, UBS, Credit Suisse, City . Credit Suisse, Regulators, Investment, Hamptons Locations: The New York, City, City of London, London, Canary Wharf, London’s, Canary