JMW fires starting gun on 45,000 sq ft Manchester office hunt

The law firm is looking to exit the 50,000 sq ft it occupies at 1 Byrom Place and 3 Hardman Street and is on the lookout for a new city centre base.

JMW Solicitors, which has 600 staff in Manchester, has appointed consultancy Edwards Property to find it a 45,000 sq ft office in the city.

The law firm’s leases on its existing space in Spinningfields expire in 2026. JMW has occupied all seven floors at 1 Byrom Place since 2006 and has had a presence within 3 Hardman Street since 2017.

In 2021, the firm expanded its footprint at Mapletree’s 3HS, taking an additional 5,200 sq ft on the fourth floor and increasing its presence in the building to almost 20,000 sq ft.

Chris Sutton, chief executive of JMW said the proposed move marks “the next exciting chapter for JMW in Manchester”.

“We are committed to working hard to find a great working space for our people where they can continue to develop and thrive,” he said.

“The firm has grown significantly in Manchester over the last decade, and this is an opportunity to create a fantastic new office environment for us in Manchester. The move will provide a platform for the firm to enter a new era, and we will aim to find the best new office space for our clients and staff.”

Edwards Property has advised JMW on various deals over the years, including the 3HS lettings.

Andrew Timms, director at Edwards, said: “Having recognised the changing working expectations of its employees and determined to provide the most efficient workspace, JMW felt the time was right to make the strategic decision to consolidate its existing Manchester offices into a single, more dynamic office environment.

“This forward-thinking approach is a significant milestone for JMW as it continues to build on its strong reputation and a positive step for the firm.”