Stephenson Harwood signs for 128,000 sq ft City HQ

  Stephenson Harwood has signed for 128,000 sq ft at Hermes Real Estate’s 1 Finsbury Circus in the City of London, EC2.   The deal, which will see the law firm paying £33 per sq ft with four years rent free, is the first major letting for Hermes in the 187,000 sq ft office building.   Stephenson Harwood had gone under offer in January at St Martins Property Group’s 150 Cheapside, EC2, before the landlord ended negotiations.   The deal is the latest in a series of major lettings to complete in the Square Mile this year.   BlackRock Investment Management signed in January for the whole of Canary Wharf’s and Exemplar Properties’ 292,000 sq ft Drapers Gardens, EC2.   Shortly after, Australian bank Macquarie took 217,000 sq ft at British Land’s Ropemaker, EC2.   Earlier this month, law firm Pinsent Masons finalised its deal to occupy Greycoat’s 197,000 sq ft Crown Place office development, EC2.    Knight Frank advised Stephenson Harwood; King Sturge and CB Richard Ellis acted for Hermes.   james.buckley@estatesgazette.com