Allen & Overy has begun a search for a new home for its New York office, as its lease in the city nears completion.

The Magic Circle firm's New York base is currently housed on the Avenue of the Americas, close to the Rockefeller Center.

It currently houses more than 160 lawyers, according to the firm's website.

The lease for its space ends in October 2021 and the firm has now appointed a real estate agent to search for new space.

A spokesperson for Allen & Overy said in a statement: "With over 40 offices around the world, we have leases in effect with various expiration dates and always plan ahead appropriately.

"The lease on our New York office expires in October 2021, so we have begun our planning process, the timing of which is in line with lead times in the New York real estate market."

The firm has grown its New York offering in recent weeks following the breakdown of its merger talks with U.S. firm O'Melveny & Myers.

It hired senior managing director Julian Moore from investigative and advisory service firm K2 Intelligence as a partner last month.

Earlier in the summer, it also expanded with the addition of a counsel from U.S. firm Cahill Gordon & Reindel. Jin Hee Kim joined the Magic Circle firm's New York office leveraged finance practice as a partner.