Law firm confirms move to Paradise
ONE of Birmingham’s largest law firms has agreed a deal to move to the new Paradise development.
DLA Piper is set to relocate its 150-strong team to the new Two Chamberlain Square in 2020, just a stone’s throw from its current base in Victoria Square House.
It has signed a 15-year lease for 40,000 sq ft of space across the top two floors of the eight-storey building which will include a panoramic terrace overlooking the new-look Chamberlain Square and allow it to grow its team in the city.
The confirmation of the letting brings to an end months of rumours surrounding the firm’s possible move to the second office building at the £700 million project which is nearing completion.
DLA Piper is only the second occupier to sign a tenancy for office space at the scheme after PwC agreed to take all of One Chamberlain Square in 2017, a move it is expected to complete next year.
Trevor Ivory, managing partner of DLA Piper’s Birmingham office, said: “Birmingham is a strategically important location for DLA Piper, with some of our biggest clients based in the West Midlands.
“The next decade is one of opportunity for Birmingham and the region, with the arrival of HS2 and the Commonwealth Games being just two of the most obvious opportunities ahead.
“Our global clients have recognised this and are looking to invest in the region and we are investing in our business to make sure that we can continue to support them.
“We pride ourselves on having the best people in the city and we shall soon have an outstanding office and the best address in the city as well which will help us to continue to attract the brightest talent from the region and beyond.”
Rob Groves, regional director with Paradise’s project manager Argent, added: “Having a major international law firm like DLA Piper on board at Two Chamberlain Square demonstrates the interest in the scheme from top calibre occupiers.
“With PwC taking all the commercial space in the neighbouring One Chamberlain Square and positive momentum on our next building One Centenary Way, we are confident of further office occupier announcements in due course.”
Wine bar and restaurant operator Vinoteca has been named as the first confirmed leisure operator at Paradise and is due to open on the ground floor of Two Chamberlain Square early in 2020.
Earlier this year, Irani Indiain restaurant Dishoom was also linked with the project.
Two Chamberlain Square was designed by Birmingham-based practice Glenn Howells Architects.
The second phase of Paradise will comprise the 280,000 sq ft One Centenary Way, scheduled to open in 2022, a hotel and another office building. The overall scheme is due to have ten buildings.