Why we’ve chosen the Arbor building as our new London home

On 15 May we will be moving from Chancery Lane to the Arbor building within the Bankside Yards development. We’ve selected the Arbor building as our new London home because it reflects our culture – the brief was to find an office fit for the 21st Century. 

Arbor has very strong sustainability credentials. It is net zero carbon in operation (as will be the whole of Bankside Yards), and is powered entirely by renewable energy. Heating is delivered via high-tech air source heat pumps as part of an energy sharing network across the development, resulting in Arbor using 30% less energy than comparable workspaces. Arbor is rated ‘Excellent’ by BREEAM, the leading certification system for built environment sustainability.

In relation to hybrid working, everything has been set up to enable our team to get the most from the days they spend on the office. There are a wide range of collaboration spaces and seating areas, making it easy for colleagues to work together productively and enjoyably. The office features high ceilings, impressive views over London, an outdoor terrace and our own stylish café, The Forks of Justice. All this will mean that time spent in the office will be a genuinely positive experience.

As a location, Bankside Yards benefits from easy access to the world-class cultural facilities (including the Tate Modern, the Southbank Centre and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre) as well as its exceptional transport connectivity.

The firm has set ambitious carbon reduction targets for the coming years, including a target to reduce emissions from gas and electricity by 21% between 2019 and 2025, and has committed, as part of the Legal Renewables Initiative, to source 100% of electricity for UK offices from renewable sources by 2025. The new office will play a major role in achieving this ambition.

From 15 May our address will be Lewis Silkin LLP, Arbor, 255 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 9AX.