Reed Smith announces Global Solutions relocation to Globe Point securing larger and sustainable office space in city

Global law firm Reed Smith has today announced that it will be moving Global Solutions Leeds (GSL) to Globe Point, a new office development in the Temple district of the city, completed by longstanding client CEG.

In July, the firm will move just a five minutes’ walk away from its current base at Platform, to the striking flat iron building, Globe Point, which forms part of the wider Temple masterplan. Reed Smith will be based on the fourth floor comprising 6,479 square feet, a 37 per cent increase in size from its current space.

The building’s 40,430 sq ft is laid out over seven floors across dual aspect floorplates incorporating office space with ground floor break out space, as well as on site café, Butler’s.

In addition to Reed Smith, the building is home to Jaywing, Robot Food and Butlers café restaurant, with strong interest on the remaining floors. Designed to BREEAM Excellent, the workspace maximises natural daylight to deliver healthy, flexible workspaces and the tenants also benefit from great quality amenities on site.

The all-electric low carbon building uses 27 per cent less energy consumption than an average building. Its iconic design by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios makes it the first flat iron building to be built in Leeds since the design was conceived in the city in 1875.

GSL was first launched in 2018 at the Platform building near to Leeds train station, and was set up as a start-up environment where lawyers, analysts and business services professionals could collaborate with a shared services mentality in the open plan space on improvements to legal services delivery. Today the team comprises 111 staff, made up of 66 in business services and 45 in legal services.

Tamara Box, Reed Smith’s managing partner, EME, said: “I knew that Global Solutions Leeds would be a huge success from its inception and I’m delighted that in under five years we have outgrown our current space and are moving into a larger and purpose built space, designed with collaboration in mind, so that we can continue providing cutting-edge legal and business services to our global network and our clients.”

Barry Spenceley, GSL centre director, said: “We are extremely excited for the move to Globe Point. This iconic building will provide us with more flexibility to grow and innovate. We set up our first office in Leeds with the vision of creating a space that encourages collaboration, and while the current office has been a wonderful first home, Globe Point will provide more dedicated space to work together.”

“With the move to hybrid working, we also understand the need to make the office a more attractive offering – Globe Point provides everything we are looking for. The vibrant space will complement the collaborative culture we have fostered here in Leeds.”

Antonia Martin-Wright, director, commercial development at CEG, said: “We are delighted to welcome Reed Smith to the fast-growing business community at Globe Point. It is fantastic to secure such a high calibre tenant to this exemplary development.

“Globe Point has been designed to set the highest quality benchmark for the Temple district. The business lounge, café and event space has created a buzz on the ground floor and the workspace captures all of the contemporary features occupiers and their staff are seeking. This unique flat iron building, so close to Leeds City Station southern entrance at Leeds City Station, has delivered a popular new landmark for the area.”

The development is within Temple, a new district within the city centre which forms a key part of the South Bank Regeneration Area of Leeds and includes the historic Grade I listed Temple Works.