Freshfields exchanges at One New Bailey

Law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has exchanged contracts with English Cities Fund and will be moving to the recently completed Salford office by the end of the year.

It was first announced at the end of 2015 that the firm would be taking 80,000 sq ft at One New Bailey on the banks of the River Irwell, which completed in June this year.

Moving from its temporary 40,000 sq ft base at Arndale House, the new Freshfields offices will accommodate legal services staff and elements of HR, IT, marketing and business development, office management, document specialists and change management.

The signing comes after the opening of Menagerie, One New Bailey’s first restaurant tenant, on 12 August.

ECf’s development director, Phil Mayall, said: “Now that the paperwork has officially been signed, we are delighted to confirm that Freshfields intend to move in to One New Bailey before the end of the year.

“With Menagerie now open to the public and the deal with Freshfields agreed, our aim for New Bailey to become a vibrant business and leisure destination is really coming to life. The success of One New Bailey helps to build momentum for the delivery of Two New Bailey Square, which we hope to start early next year.”

Freshfields’ move to One New Bailey represents the largest city centre inward investment letting in over a decade.

There are now two floors of space available at One New Bailey.

ECf is a partnership between Muse Developments, the Homes & Communities Agency, and Legal & General.