Linklaters joins City office reshuffle with move to new global HQ

Linklaters has opened its new global headquarters at 20 Ropemaker Street in the City after 30 years at its office at One Silk Street.

The 360,000 sq ft office development offers state-of-the-art facilities over 17 floors, including collaborative workspaces, a fitness centre, yoga and spin studios, event space and a terrace café with City views.

The firm said the new headquarters has been designed to support collaboration across its global business, providing space for teams to work together on complex, cross-border mandates.

What they said

Paul Lewis, firmwide managing partner, said: “Our strategy is to support the world’s leading corporates, banks, funds and financial sponsors on their most complex, cross-border mandates. Our new headquarters at 20 Ropemaker Street is key to that, providing a global hub for our teams to collaborate, innovate and deliver outstanding results for our clients as one global team.”

Aedamar Comiskey, senior partner and chair at Linklaters, said: “Our move is an investment in our people and our clients. A terrific modern space designed to support and promote our culture of high performance and teamwork – which are key to being able to deliver stand-out service to our clients.”

A new City map

The move places Linklaters among a growing group of elite firms upgrading or relocating their London offices, often after decades in the same buildings, as they invest in premium space.

Among its Magic Circle peers, Clifford Chance is set to leave its long-time Canary Wharf base for new City premises at Aldermanbury Square in 2028, while A&O Shearman is preparing to relocate from Bishops Square in Spitalfields to Broadgate next year.

US firms have also been active at the top end of the City market. Kirkland & Ellis left the Gherkin last year for new offices at 40 Leadenhall Street, and Gibson Dunn has announced plans to double its square footage with a move to One Exchange Square.

UK firms are also on the move. Addleshaw Goddard recently moved into a new City headquarters at 41 Lothbury, opposite the Bank of England, while Simmons & Simmons has confirmed it will leave Citypoint for 25 Finsbury Circus in 2030 after more than 30 years in the building.

Not all firms are doubling down on the City. McDermott has opted instead for a larger West End headquarters in Mayfair, with a planned relocation in 2028.