Manchester law firm JMW is moving into a new landmark Manchester head office in what’s been called one of the “largest and most complex transactions” in the city office market this year.
JMW has signed a 15-year lease with Worthington Mancap to move into floors 8-11 of the new 125 Deansgate development, with its eye-catching terracotta facade opposite the John Rylands Library.
The move will mean the firm’s Manchester workforce of more than 800 will be working in the same premises for the first time in 11 years. Its teams, currently based in both Byrom Place and Hardman Street in Spinningfields, are set to move into the Grade A office space in Deansgate by next summer.
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JMW’s managing partner Chris Sutton said: “This is a seminal move for JMW, and one which Warren Martin and I, together with the wider board, have been considering for some time, as the firm has grown to more than 800 people, 614 of them based in Manchester. Deansgate is the main artery in the city and to have our new entrance looking out at the iconic John Rylands library is something I am sure all our people will appreciate.
“We knew we needed a new home that would accommodate, and showcase, our growth and continued success, and 125 Deansgate offers us exactly that. As a leading national law firm, we are delighted to invest in this new office space for our people as we look towards the next chapter for JMW.”
The interiors are set to be designed by John Williams, founder of Manchester-based workplace design specialist SpaceInvader, while Oliver Thomas of CBRE will project manage the redesign. JMW has in the past year also redesigned its Kings House offices in the City of London, where it employs more than 150 people.
JMW was advised on the lease by Andrew Timms, head of office agency at Edwards Property Consultants, and the landlord was represented by Dominic Pozzoni of Colliers.
BT has recently moved from floors 7-11 at 125 Deansgate and the landlord has hired Claremont to carry out works on those floors and to redesign the ground floor reception.
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Mr Timms said: “In what is one of the largest and most complex transactions within the Manchester office market this year, this landmark acquisition marks a bold move by JMW as it secures the long-term future of its workplace.
“Having built a strong and trusted relationship over the years, Edwards worked collaboratively with JMW to undertake a comprehensive review of the city centre’s most high-profile office opportunities to find a workplace solution that aligns with the firm’s long-term ambitions.”
Dominic Pozzoni, head of national offices for Colliers and acting for the landlord Revcap, added: “We are delighted to have agreed a new long-term lease with JMW, at 125 Deansgate. The landlord has worked in partnership with the JMW team to close the transaction and very much looks forward to welcoming them to their newly refurbished home. 125 Deansgate provides phenomenal office workspace in a prime and highly sought-after city centre location.”
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