Global law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP (Akin) has signed for 77,000 sq ft of office space at British Land and GIC’s 155 Bishopsgate in London.
Akin, which is currently sub-letting 73,000 sq ft at Ten Bishops Square, will occupy floors nine to 12 at 155 Bishopsgate on a 15-year lease, with a 10-year break clause.
The building has undergone a significant refurbishment in recent years, including a total revamp of the reception and communal areas. The refurbishment of Akin’s office space is scheduled for completion in summer 2025, with the law firm taking occupation in 2026.
Brian Sprague, chief operating officer at Akin, said: “We’re looking forward to moving into 155 Bishopsgate. With its modern amenities and prime location, the building will be an ideal environment for our team and clients.”
Alex Colvin, head of development leasing at British Land, added: “We welcome Akin to Broadgate as the very latest addition to our roster of market leading occupiers from the financial, professional and creative sectors. We have made huge investments in the infrastructure, leisure and retail offering to ensure Broadgate remains the location of choice in London, underlined by other recent pre-leasing success to anchor tenants such as Citadel and A&O Shearman.”
Jack Tomlin, head of City tenant advisory at CBRE, which acted for Akin, said: “An increasingly constrained development pipeline of new and refurbished office stock calls for a greater level of lateral thinking to unearth genuine off-market opportunities such as this. We have worked tirelessly with both Akin and British Land to dissolve existing lease interests, whilst simultaneously agreeing a refurbishment specification to unlock a fantastic new workspace with a strong embodied carbon narrative.”
British Land and GIC were advised by CBRE and JLL.
