Private French bank Edmond de Rothschild is to move its UK HQ to the wartime headquarters of former French president Charles de Gaulle.
The finance company has shortlisted 4 Carlton Gardens, SW1, as the preferred option for its new West End base, and is looking to relocate by summer 2013.
It is in talks to sublet around 16,000 sq ft from ferry operator P&O. Quoting rents are between £75 and £90 per sq ft.
Patrick Maddision, a director in Rothschild’s UK arm, said: “We have a few plans to expand and so have been looking for larger premises. 4 Carlton Gardens is a significant and stylish building, and is the sort of image we are after for the company.”
Edmond de Rothschild is currently based in 12,000 sq ft at WELPUT’s Orion House, WC2, where it has 90 staff. However, a number of French employees are understood to be transferring to London, which could bolster headcount to 120 in the next 12 months.
Rothschild is the latest in a line of financial services firms looking to relocate to prime Mayfair or St James’s premises, including hedge fund Brevan Howard and investment group Sapinda UK, which took the top floor of 23 Savile Row, W1, paying the highest rent this cycle – £110 per sq ft.
Accrue Capital and DTZ are advising Edmond de Rothschild; Cluttons is representing P&O; Strutt & Parker is acting for WELPUT.
joanna.bourke@estatesgazette.com
