Hill Dickinson makes St Michael’s move
Work has now completed on the fit-out of the law firm’s 18,200 sq ft Manchester office, meaning staff can now relocate from Fountain Street, its base in the city for 30 years.
Occupying the ninth floor at No 1 St Michael’s – the highest office floor of the 10-storey building – Hill Dickinson’s 230 Manchester staff will enjoy the perks of one of Manchester’s newest office buildings, developed by Gary Neville’s Relentless Developments.
Designs for the office were led by Incognito and delivered by DENTON. Avid Property Consultants, Kennedy Redford, Heatons Group, David Eagle, and Rider Levett Bucknall each contributed expertise.
Hill Dickinson set to work on the fit out in February after signing a 10-year lease on the space – setting what was then a new headline rent for the city at £43/sq ft – in July 2023.
Craig Scott, chief executive, Hill Dickinson, said the move was a “transformational step forward” in the firm’s history, adding the “remarkable legal minds” that the company will add to the Manchester office are Hill Dickinson’s “greatest assets”.
He continued: “This move also supports us in becoming a responsible business and reducing our operational emissions. St Michael’s is setting the standard for net zero in Manchester, and we are proud to be one of the first businesses to join them on this journey.
“St Michael’s is another step in our strategy of maintaining our deep connection and presence within our regional markets, all the while delivering a fantastic national and international offering for our clients’ needs.”
No 1 St Michael’s has seen significant interest from prospective tenants, and is fully let, with Channel 4 taking the last space in October last year. Others signed on include microchip designer Arm, law firm Pinsent Mason, and S&P Global.
Gary Neville, director, Relentless Developments, added: “I’m proud to see one of our earliest pre-let commitments now thriving in the building.
“The decision to join us at such an early stage was a strong vote of confidence in the vision for this development, and it’s fantastic to see that confidence come to fruition as they take occupation.”
Designs for the office were led by Incognito and delivered by DENTON. Credit: via MC2
Barry Gibb, partner and head of the Manchester office, Hill Dickinson, said: “Manchester has become one of the most exciting and fastest-growing cities in the UK, and it’s no surprise that we’re seeing more people looking to live and work here.
“Not only has the city’s skilled talent pool deepened, but client demand has also surged with new opportunities and projects springing up every day.”
He added that the office marks a “defining moment” in the firm’s growth strategy, which symbolises its “long-term commitment” to the North West.
In May, it was announced that the firm had bought the naming rights for Everton’s Bramley-Moore Dock stadium – known now as the Hill Dickinson Stadium – cementing the brand’s commitment to the North West.
Credit: via MC2
Without doubt Everton’s new stadium will quickly be called ‘The Hill ‘ Liverpool citizens have a knack of shortening names . I’ll meet you at the Hill on Saturday to watch the match
By David Bush