Reed Smith secures new London HQ

Reed Smith Richards Butler has ended its search for a new office building, signing up to take almost 40 per cent of London's Broadgate Tower.

The firm, which was formed in January following a merger between US firm Reed Smith and the UK's Richards Butler, has been operating from Beaufort House in the City and Minerva House by London Bridge.

The merger gave the firm around 640 staff in London, with neither office large enough to house the entire payroll.

Roger Parker, Europe and Middle East managing partner at Reed Smith, said the move will be positive for the firm as it will place it in the heart of the City.

The new office, which is currently being developed by British Land, is due to complete in summer 2008, with the firm looking to move in by the second quarter of 2009.

The Broadgate Tower is 35 stories high and Reed Smith will occupy levels 23 to 33, representing a total area of 155,000sq ft. The firm, which is the first to sign up for space in the building, has signed a 15.5-year lease.

In addition to being one of London's landmark tall buildings, the tower has been designed to be as energy efficient as possible with 20 per cent of the development containing recycled materials, while emissions are expected to be around 50 per cent below average due to heat recovery equipment and an efficient cooling plant.