Law firm Clarke Wilmott wants to more than quadruple the amount of office space it has in Birmingham’s central business district.
The solicitor, which is currently housed in 15,000 sq ft at 138 Edmund Street, is looking for up to 70,000 sq ft in the city.
Clarke Wilmott said it needed the extra space as it planned to treble its staff numbers over the next few years, from around 100 staff to 300.
Senior partner David Hayes said: “It’s a complex requirement as we are looking for 30,000-35,000 sq ft initially, and then the same again as the firm grows. We’re looking at the latter part of 2010 for occupation.”
The firm is considering both new developments and existing space, and is in detailed talks with Opus Land about its 84,000 sq ft scheme at 1-6 Waterloo Street, just off the prime office pitch at Colmore Row. The project is scheduled for completion in mid-2010.
Hayes said Ballymore’s £450m Snow Hill scheme was a “big pull”, and that Carlyle’s Colmore Plaza was also a “possibility”.
He added: “We want our own front door, and a location in the city centre is crucial. We don’t want to be in an obscure floor of a large building. We may even consider Wragge & Co’s existing offices at 55 Colmore Row when it moves to Snow Hill.”
A decision will be made by the end of the year. DTZ is advising the lawyer.
