HFW signs deal to new London skyscraper

HFW signs deal to new London skyscraper

This UK-based company reduced its footprint by 25 percent by implementing flexible working regimes

With flexible working and the use of space more efficiently, HFW plans to reduce its footprint by 25 percent by moving into a new building in its hometown of London next year.

In comparison to the 80,000 sq ft space at Friary Court, where the firm has been since 2008, the new offices at 8 Bishopsgate will cover 60,000 sq ft. Before that, the firm was located at Lloyds Avenue for almost 100 years.

Our London offices have been designed to house our entire London workforce, including 250 lawyers, across three floors of the 50-storey tower that will become London's fourth tallest building when complete later this year. The building also has a private roof terrace with stunning views across the City of London.

Among the features of the new building include solar panels, advanced air filters and light-responsive blinds that will reduce cooling demands as well as rainwater gathering and greywater recycling to reduce carbon emissions. Nearly 1,000 bicycles can be parked there, making it one of London's largest bicycle parks.

As with many law firms that moved to new offices during the Covid-19 pandemic, HFW is taking advantage of the enhanced flexibility provided by the new working arrangements. The firm announced last summer it would allow all London-based employees to work from home 40 percent of the time.

HFW managing partner Jeremy Shebson said the move would transform the firm's London office. It will give HFW a modern, agile and progressive space that will allow them to adapt to the changing needs of both their people and their customers. This includes giving them room to continue to grow in London, which is part of the plan.

8 Bishopsgate is in keeping with our corporate social responsibility goals; it has impressively low carbon emissions as well as outstanding facilities for active travel and wellbeing.

HFW will move into the capital's second tallest building at 22 Bishopsgate, where it will stand next to law firms such as Cooley, Covington & Burling and Skadden.

Hogan Lovells noted in February that it signed a 20-year lease to move into the 266,000 sq ft redevelopment opposite the company's current 320,000 sq ft office on Holborn Viaduct. At the time, a firm spokesperson said the new office would allow for more efficient space utilization since many of the firm's people worked in a hybrid workforce.

Allen & Overy announced in November that it plans to move its London headquarters to offices being constructed at 2 Broadgate, a move that will reduce its floor space by 246,000sq ft and make achieving its sustainability goals easier.