International firm Kennedys has become the latest practice to announce a City office upgrade as part of a hybrid working plan. It has signed a 10-year lease on 50,000 square feet in the Fenchurch Building - popularly known as the Walkie-Talkie.

Kennedys is currently based in nearby Fenchurch Avenue. It declined to say how much space it occupies there. The announcement coincides with new figures showing that investment in London offices has returned to pre-pandemic levels as City firms upgrade their working spaces in the hope that prestige premises will make staff happier about attendance.  

Kennedys introduced hybrid working earlier this year, enabling lawyers to 'work from anywhere at any time'. Suzanne Liversidge, global managing partner, said: 'We’ve spent the last six months speaking to people at all levels of the business to find out what was most important to them, and it is that feedback which will help shape our future workspace.'

She said it was 'important to remain in the heart of the London market close to many of our clients and contacts'.

Built in 2014 and designed by world-renowned architect Rafael Viñoly, the Fenchurch Building comprises 34 floors of offices topped with three floors of bars and restaurants and the Sky Garden, offering panoramic views of the London skyline.

Kennedys has 43 offices across the world and says it has continued to grow throughout the pandemic, opening new offices in Leeds, Muscat, Perth, San Francisco and Tel Aviv.