International law firm Clifford Chance is to leave its Aldersgate Street home in the City for a new building in Canary Wharf. The firm will take 65,000 sq m (700,000 sq ft) of office and ancillary space in a new 93,000 sq m (1m sq ft) tower currently under construction immediately to the south of the Jubilee Line station at Canary Wharf.

Clifford Chance is to move to a new office tower at Canary Wharf in 2003

The main reason behind the firm’s decision to move is its strong growth in London. Clifford Chance currently has over 2,500 lawyers and staff in London and is growing at more than 5% per year. The decision to move was taken following very strong support in a vote by the firm’s London based Partners earlier this week.

Peter Charlton, London Managing Partner of Clifford Chance, said: "This is not only the best option for meeting our space needs in London but also a very desirable one. Canary Wharf will provide our clients and people with world class facilities, including state of the art technology, and a superb modern working environment. A number of our major clients are located at Canary Wharf and more are likely to follow, and the size and design of the building and the facilities it can offer really gives us the flexibility we are looking for."

Clifford Chance's new home will be a 30 storey stainless steel and glass tower on the southern side of Canary Wharf, designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox. The building will overlook a new four acre park above the Jubilee Line station and a new shopping mall with extensive car parking.

The new building will connect directly to the retail space and via a covered link to the Canary Wharf Jubilee Line underground station and to the Docklands Light Railway station at Heron Quays.

Clifford Chance expects to be able to move in to the new building in the third quarter of 2003. The firm will retain an "important transactional base" in the City with an office comprising client meeting rooms and appropriate support facilities. Canary Wharf is currently working with Clifford Chance on disposal of the Aldersgate Street offices.

Richard Byatt