'Cooling walls' and barista coffee: Addleshaw Goddard moves into new London HQ

Addleshaw Goddard has officially opened its new London headquarters at 41 Lothbury, a move that cements the City as the centre of gravity for the firm’s long-term growth strategy.

The new premises - directly opposite the Bank of England - brings together more than 800 lawyers and staff in a seven-floor workspace designed to support AG’s expanding City ambitions. The firm leaves behind its long-standing Milton Gate home opposite Slaughter and May after 16 years.

London focus

The relocation reflects how central London has become to AG’s strategy, despite the firm’s strong Northern roots.

This year the firm has landed a run of high-profile City mandates, including advising the National Wealth Fund on the £36 billion debt financing for nuclear plant Sizewell C and acting for The Beauty Tech Group on its £300 million London Stock Exchange listing.

AG has also been scaling its presence across the UK more widely. In Scotland the firm is taking significantly larger offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh as part of an office shake-up.

Inside the new HQ

The Grade II listed building was once the headquarters of London & Westminster Bank (now NatWest) and balances "neo-classical period features with the latest contemporary office design". The office includes roof terraces, a "barista coffee bar" in the entrance hall, "heritage" meeting rooms and even a basement fitness studio.

Among the more eye-catching additions is a "cooling wall" in the changing rooms, designed for "rapid temperature reduction" after workouts or cycling into work.

AG’s managing partner Andrew Johnston said the move "marks a significant milestone in our AG2030 strategy, reinforcing our position as a London-headquartered, international law firm committed to delivering excellence to our clients in the City, nationally and across all of our international markets."

Sarah Egbu, head of the London office, said the new premises "provide a fantastic opportunity to strengthen relationships with clients and contacts, enhance our brand presence in London, and to help continue attracting and retaining the very best talent."

Big Law on the move

AG’s move comes amid a broader shifting of Big Law’s London footprint.

Kirkland & Ellis left the Gherkin earlier this year for new offices at 40 Leadenhall Street. A&O Shearman will relocate from Bishops Square in Spitalfields to Broadgate, by Liverpool Street, in 2026, while Linklaters is preparing to leave its Silk Street home for 20 Ropemaker Street, also next year.

Long-time Canary Wharf resident Clifford Chance is moving to new City premises at Aldermanbury Square in 2028.