Covington & Burling heads for 22 Bishopsgate

Washington-based law firm Covington & Burling is believed to have gone under offer for 85,000 sq ft at 22 Bishopsgate, EC2. The firm shortlisted 60 London Wall, EC2, and AXA Investment Management – Real Assets’ 22 Bishopsgate earlier this year as it looked to leave 265 Strand, WC2. It is one of a slew of law firms eyeing London office moves, including White & Case and Slaughter & May, which appointed JLL and Knight Frank respectively towards the start of the year. In February, magic circle law firm Linklaters confirmed it would be moving from One Silk Street to 20 Ropemaker where it will occupy more than 300,000 sq ft in the 25-storey building on which construction is soon to commence. If the deal proceeds, Covington & Burling will join insurer THB Group, Nasdaq and Norway’s Statkraft at 22 Bishopsgate, which will also house the first non-US offering from serviced office group Convene. In January, following the deal with THB Group, 22 Bishopsgate had around 800,000 sq ft of its 1.275m sq ft of space prelet, including expansion options. AXA IM Real Assets declined to comment. Covington & Burling have been contacted for comment. To send feedback, e-mail louise.dransfield@egi.co.uk or tweet @DransfieldL or @estatesgazette