Magic circle law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has taken a 40,000 sq ft short-term lease at M&G and Intu’s Arndale House in Manchester while it selects an option for its main requirement in the city.
Freshfields has the largest live requirement in Manchester, having launched a 100,000 sq ft office search to move several hundred staff out of its Fleet Street, EC4, base, as revealed by Estates Gazette.
As part of the plan, codenamed Project Green, staff are to be moved in phases starting next year and completing in 2018.
Freshfields has earmarked several new-build options for long-term occupation in early 2017.
The law firm has shortlisted Argent’s One St Peter’s Square, Ask Developments’ 101 Embankment, English Cities Fund’s One New Bailey, Mosley Street Venture’s Two St Peter’s Square, and Allied London’s Cotton Building.
The temporary space at Arndale House – a 23-storey block within the Arndale Shopping Centre (pictured) – would be vacated to occupy the new building.
Freshfield’s London lease, at Malaysian Employees Provident Fund’s 65 Fleet Street, EC4, runs until 2020.
JLL and TSG Property Consultants advise on leasing at Arndale House.
