Leading law firm Wake Smith has signed a formal agreement to lease for its new 12,500 sq ft headquarters in Sheffield city centre, making it the largest occupier of the V1 Velocity building.
The company, which announced its intention to move from its historical bases on Clarkehouse Road and Campo Lane in August, has now formally agreed to enter into a 15 year tenancy on two floors at the state-of-the-art V1 Velocity offices in the city’s West Bar district.
The deal makes Wake Smith the largest single tenant in the 36,500 sq ft commercial element of building V1, when it joins existing tenants Brewster Pratap, Chase Medical, DLP Planning and Anytime Fitness in the early part of 2016.
Nick Lambert, Chairman of Wake Smith, said: “We are delighted to have entered into a formal agreement to lease on our new offices at Velocity after many years of operating from premises at Clarkehouse Road and Campo Lane.
“The decision to move comes at a very busy period for the company and in anticipation of further growth. Part of the strategy behind our move is to enable that growth to happen in an environment which is better suited to our needs and the needs of our clients.
“We will also gain eight meeting rooms, kitchen facilities on each floor and parking in the site’s multi-storey car park.
“The operation to consolidate our two current offices is well underway and the floorplates at Velocity are ready for final fit-out. The move will position us centrally, alongside other legal practices, many of our clients and contacts and minutes from the law courts.”
Velocity, which is located on Tenter Street and Solly Street, is jointly marketed by the Sheffield offices of BNP Paribas and Knight Frank.
Guy Cooke, director at BNP Paribas, said: “Velocity is proving to be a great commercial success and following Wake Smith’s agreement on 12,500 sq ft, there is only one suite left to market at V1, measuring 4,000 sq ft.
“The offices have been pre-fitted to Grade A standard and boast floor to ceiling glazing, comfort cooling and flexible floorplates, 24 hour access, on-site car parking, shower facilities and extensive courtyard amenity space.”
“The Velocity estate has benefited from a multi-million pound refurbishment and as a result, has attracted strong interest, supported by its superb location close to city centre amenities, the law courts and the inner ring road.
“This announcement by Wake Smith follows The University of Sheffield’s decision to relocate its International College to Velocity with the purchase of building V2 earlier this year.”
Wake Smith has been established in Sheffield for more than 200 years and became a limited company earlier this year, employing more than 100 staff including 46 fee earners and 18 directors and was founded in 1802 by Bernard John Wake as Wake & Sons.
