Slaughter and May starts fitting out custom-built officesCity giant Slaughter and May hastaken possession of its new offices, said to be the first custom-built property for a law firm in the Square Mile for many years.The 260,000 sq ft building at 1 Bunhill Row is in the process of a 50-week fit out so that the firm can vacate its offices in Basinghall Street and Coleman Street - which provide 200,000 sq ft - by Christmas.According to Slaughters partner David Beales, who acted for the firm on the letting, notable features will include a lighted external staircase, a glass lift and a blue light at the top similar to the Tate Modern.

'Very un-Slaughter and May,' Mr Beales said.He said the firm was paying an open market rate of around 40 per square foot.

The landlord, Helical Bar, is contributing to the fit-out cost.The 150 million project, which has taken 18 months to build, was funded by German investment bank Despa and built by Helical Bar, which is also planning to construct a 100,000 sq ft office building on the adjoining land.Norton Rose was initially acting for Helical Bar, but the instruction moved to Clifford Chance with partner Jonathan Solomon last October.

Simmons & Simmons acted for Despa.Neil Rose