M20 lets Deansgate Chapel to Pannone

Pannone Corporate has taken a 10-year lease on the 11,800 sq ft former Chapel at 378 Deansgate in Manchester.

The law firm's move is scheduled to take place at the end of January or early February 2015.

Landlord M20 Property Group bought the grade two-listed Chapel earlier this year from Bluetree Estates and refurbished the building to include a large outdoor area for occupiers. The former Knott Mill Chapel, designed by Edward Waitress who also designed Manchester's Free Trade Hall, was converted into offices in 2009. The building was used in the 1980s by pop music producers Stock, Aitken and Waterman.

Pannone Corporate was formed in February after the sale of Manchester-based Pannone's private client business to Slater & Gordon. Pannone Corporate is made up of corporate, commercial, debt recovery, pensions, construction teams and part of the dispute resolution, insolvency and banking teams.

Paul Jonson, managing partner at Pannone Corporate, said: "Castlefield Chapel is a landmark building that has a long and proud history in Manchester. We considered several other options but decided that the chapel best fitted our needs and identity. It will be a great environment for clients to visit and for our staff to work in."

Manchester-based OBI Property advised Pannone Corporate.

Will Lewis, director of OBI Property said: "It is great to see an exciting new firm match its ethos and culture with a complimentary style of building. I'm positive this move will impress clients, support the new brand and offer the existing team a fantastic working environment."

OBI Property is joint agent with Matthews & Goodman.