In a major office restructure, PwC UK has agreed heads of terms for 350,000 sq ft of new office space at One Eden in Canary Wharf, with plans to move thousands of staff to the new building in 2030, which will become headquarters for the global accounting giant. Building work on the retrofit of One Eden is due to complete this autumn.

The decision to relocate follows an extensive review by PwC of potential sites across London, triggered by an expected major refurbishment of the current Embankment Place offices, which is due to start in 2030. Currently 5,500 staff are in the office by Charing Cross station as well as some of the senior board members. 

The new Canary Wharf office will have space for around 3,500 people, and will address PwC’s immediate space requirements from 2030, taking into account changing working patterns. However, PwC is reviewing future office requirements for the business as the lease on the More London building near London Bridge station expires in 2035. For the time being, PwC said it will ‘continue to occupy More London’. 

In terms of staff moves, PwC said the decision to take the new office space ‘does not mean that all staff currently based at Embankment Place will move to Canary Wharf in 2030’.

‘Future occupancy arrangements will be considered as part of the wider London property strategy over the coming years,’ PwC confirmed. 

The PwC move to Canary Wharf will not take place until 2030, and marks a strategic decision to move out of the absolute heart of London, shifting east to the financial district where the likes of fellow Big Four firm KPMG and the audit regulator the FRC are already based, as well as many leading financial institutions and banks. There is also pressure in the City to find large scale, high quality office space with high demand for space.

One Eden has more than 580,000 sq ft of workspace and building amenities including winter gardens in the full height atria. The building is currently undergoing a major retrofit which is scheduled to complete this autumn with the highest sustainability credentials. It is located next to the Jubilee line station, and is integrated with Eden Dock and surrounded by Jubilee and Canada Square Parks.

Marco Amitrano, senior partner of PwC UK, said: ‘We’re excited by the prospect of expanding our London property footprint to include One Eden at Canary Wharf in 2030. The capital’s enduring status as a fulcrum of professional and financial services means it will always be absolutely core to our business.  

‘At the heart of Canary Wharf, One Eden will provide a fantastic environment for our people and clients, broadening our London presence and accessibility. It also gives us the quality facilities, flexibility and sustainability we're looking for in a workplace.’  

Shobi Khan, CEO of developers CWG, said: ‘PwC’s decision to locate at One Eden reflects growing demand for high-quality, sustainable office space that supports collaboration, innovation and growth.’

One Eden will join PwC UK’s property portfolio including offices in Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, East Midlands, Cambridge, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Reading, Southampton and Watford.