28 September 2005
Ground breaking day for Manchester law firm
A traditional ground breaking ceremony is being held today at the site of a new 180,000 sq ft Grade A office building within the popular Spinningfields scheme, located off Deansgate, known as 3 Hardman Square. Top Manchester law firm, Halliwells has already agreed a pre-let for the relocation of its new offices and is set to occupy 120,000 sq ft with an option to expand.
The ceremony, which will be attended by representatives from developers Allied London, Manchester City Council, contractors Bovis Lend Lease and Halliwells, also marked the ground breaking of neighbouring building 4 Hardman Square – a 50,000 sq ft speculative office building.
3 Hardman Square is the next phase of the Spinningfields scheme which is a joint venture between Allied London Properties and Manchester City Council. The ceremony also marked the ground breaking of neighbouring 50,000 sq ft speculative office building, 4 Hardman Square.
Ian Austin, managing partner of Halliwells’, said: “The move to Spinningfields will be a fantastic springboard for us to move forward as the region’s dominant law firm. We are delighted that work has now commenced on our impressive new building.”
Ian continues: “Spinningfields is ideally located in what is set to become one of Europe’s most popular business destinations and will provide a first class working environment. It will also be a big boost to recruitment as we continue to expand across every area of the firm.”
Halliwells has enjoyed a phenomenal year wining a record number of new clients and awards as it continues to expand. The firm was recently named ‘Corporate Law Firm of the Year’ at the 2004 Dealmakers Awards and also topped this year’s turnover table in the Manchester Evening News annual law review.
Michael Ingall, chief executive of Allied London, said: “This is a highly significant letting for Spinningfields and we are delighted that work has now started. Halliwells is a major force in the professional legal sector and as one of Manchester’s premier legal partnerships is just the kind of occupier for which Spinningfields has been designed.”
London based architect, Lord Foster designed the building.
