JMW signs 15-year lease at 125 Deansgate

The law firm is moving its Manchester team from offices at 1 Byrom Place and 3 Hardman Street to 42,000 sq ft across four floors in the Revcap-owned building.

JMW has signed a 15-year lease on its new space within 125 Deansgate, a short distance from its existing Spinningfields sites that together total 50,000 sq ft.

The space was most recently occupied by BT, which has now relocated to a new HQ at New Bailey.

JMW, which is headquartered in Manchester and has offices in London and Liverpool, began the search for a new office just under a year ago.

The firm appointed Edwards Property Consultants to find it a new Manchester office after almost 20 years in Spinningfields.

“This is a seminal move for JMW,” said the firm’s managing partner Chris Sutton

“It is one that [senior partner] Warren Martin and I, together with the wider board, have been considering for some time, as the firm has grown to more than 800 people, 614 of them based in Manchester.”

JMW’s new HQ will boast its own entrance and private roof terrace on the 10th floor. CBRE is project manager for the fit-out, which has been designed by SpaceInvader to be modern, functional and collaborative. JMW plans to make the move by next summer, when its current leases expire.

The location of the office was key to the decision-making, Sutton added.

“Deansgate is the main artery in the city and to have our new entrance looking out at the iconic John Rylands library is something I am sure all our people will appreciate.

“We knew we needed a new home that would accommodate, and showcase, our growth and continued success, and 125 Deansgate offers us exactly that.

“As a leading national law firm, we are delighted to invest in this new office space for our people as we look towards the next chapter for JMW.”

In the past 12 months JMW has redesigned its City of London offices, Kings House, to better accommodate its now 158 members of staff.

Andrew Timms, director at Edwards Property Consultants described deal as “one of the largest and most complex transactions within the Manchester office market this year”.

“This landmark acquisition marks a bold move by JMW as it secures the long-term future of its workplace,” he said.

“Having built a strong and trusted relationship over the years, Edwards worked collaboratively with JMW to undertake a comprehensive review of the city centre’s most high-profile office opportunities to find a workplace solution that aligns with the firm’s long-term ambitions.”

Colliers and CBRE advised landlord Revcap on the deal.

Dominic Pozzoni, head of national offices for Colliers, added: “We are delighted to have agreed a new long-term lease with JMW, at 125 Deansgate.

“The landlord has worked in partnership with the JMW team to close the transaction and very much looks forward to welcoming them to their newly refurbished home. 125 Deansgate provides phenomenal office workspace in a prime and highly sought-after city centre location.”