HBJ completes Ship Canal House deal
Law firm HBJ Gateley Wareing has confirmed it will move from its current Manchester location in former Halliwells offices at 3 Hardman Square to King Street on 25 September.
Rod Waldie, senior office partner of HBJ Gateley Wareing in Manchester, said: "We are delighted to announce that we will be moving to new premises in Manchester. The firm is taking just over 31,000 sq ft over four floors of Ship Canal House, which is one of the city's very best business locations.
"The building has recently been completely refurbished and HBJ Gateley Wareing will become the largest occupier. The space includes at third-floor level the listed boardrooms which were originally used by The Ship Canal Company and which will now form a very impressive reception area and seminar room for HBJ Gateley Wareing."
HBJ Gateley Wareing has been operating from 3 Hardman Square since its acquisition of corporate departments of Halliwells at the end of July.
Sarah Cooper at Catalyst Capital, asset manager for Ship Canal House, said: "We are delighted to welcome HBJ Gateley Wareing to Ship Canal House and look forward to them taking occupation in September."
Chris Cheap, director of GVA Grimley, who advised Catalyst Capital, said: "HBJ Gateley Wareing undertook a detailed search of the market and quickly identified that Ship Canal House provided not only a first class address but a highly effective, modern and efficient working environment. GVA Grimley is extremely pleased that the firm has chosen Ship Canal House and that we were able to complete the transaction so quickly."
HBJ Gateley Wareing now has seven UK offices, in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leicester, London, Manchester and Nottingham as well as an office in Dubai. The firm has 140 partners and is expected to turnover around £65m for the year ending 30 April 2011. The recent Manchester move has brought an additional 200 fee earners and staff to the firm, bringing total numbers to 800.
King Sturge in Manchester advised HBJ Gateley Wareing on the office move. CB Richard Ellis acted as joint agents. No rent was disclosed. HBJ is understood to be paying about £20/sq ft.
