Pinsent Masons advises Leeds City Council on largest office pre-let in Leeds
16 Oct 2013 | 11:57 am |
International law firm Pinsent Masons has advised Leeds City Council on the largest office pre-let deal in Leeds city centre in more than 20 years. The Council has agreed a 25-year lease for c.170,000 sq ft at the new and refurbished Merrion House building owned by Town Centre Securities. The building will undergo a complete refurbishment and addition of a new 50,000 sq ft, six-storey extension.
Additionally, the Council’s existing long-term lease arrangement on Merrion House will be replaced by a new 25-year agreement. As part of the new deal, the building will become jointly owned by Leeds City Council and Town Centre Securities PLC.
The agreement, which is subject to planning approval, would see staff numbers in the new Merrion House increase from 1200 to 1900 and allow the council to retain a maximum of four key city centre office buildings with the others being Civic Hall, Enterprise House and St George’s House.
Council staff will vacate at least 13 other buildings within the city, bringing the number at Merrion House from 1,200 to 1,900. This is being achieved under the council’s changing the workplace programme, adopting flexible and modern new working methods and environments to improve efficiency.
The Pinsent Masons team, led by property partner Anne Bowden, comprised Arthur Lovitt (Property), Michael Walby and Catherine Hemsworth (Corporate), John Christian (Tax), Jo Falencka and Laura Tetlow (Construction).
Commenting on the deal Anne Bowden said: "We are delighted to have advised the Council on this landmark deal. It ticks many boxes for Leeds: enabling the Council to provide enhanced access for the public to all the main council services, further development of the Arena Quarter, as well as efficiencies and long term cost savings."
Key Contacts
Latest press releases
Show me all press releasesPinsent Masons is successful with City of Munich landmark Oktoberfest appeal
Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons is advising the City of Munich in appeal proceedings brought by the organisers of a planned Oktoberfest event in Dubai. The organisers provided cease-and-desist undertakings, thereby in effect accepting a preliminary injunction issued in this landmark case by the District Court in favour of the City of Munich.
Pinsent Masons advises Northern Gritstone on £215m fund raising
Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has advised the new investment business Northern Gritstone, founded by the Universities of Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield, on its £215m fund raising.
Pinsent Masons appoints new head of China
Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has appointed financial services partner Kanyi Lui as Head of China following the implementation of a refreshed leadership structure for the firm’s Asia Pacific network.
People who viewed this press release also viewed
Show me all press releasesNeil Black named as head of Pinsent Masons’ Manchester office
Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has appointed employment partner, Neil Black, as the new head of its Manchester office.
Pinsent Masons advises on major housing investment in London Borough of Newham
Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has advised on an £83 million investment to fund the construction of 161 homes in the London Borough of Newham (LBN) – a key step forward as the borough seeks to tackle it’s housing gap.
Pinsent Masons advises University of Birmingham on major student accommodation project
Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has advised the University of Birmingham on a 1,200-bed student accommodation project which will provide nearly 500 new student bedrooms and upgrade over 700 existing student bedrooms at Pritchatts Park Student Village.
For all media enquiries, including arranging an interview with one of our spokespeople, please contact the press office on
Location contacts
Europe: [email protected]
Asia: [email protected]
Middle East: [email protected]
Australia: [email protected]