Reading: Clarkslegal latest professional firm to move to Thames Tower
The joint venture between Landid and Brockton Capital has reached agreement with yet another occupier to take space in the partnership’s landmark office development in Reading town centre. Law firm Clarkslegal has taken 8,550 sq ft on the fifth floor of the 15-storey tower, which sits on the town’s pedestrianised piazza, directly opposite the newly rebuilt £800m Reading station.
Clarkslegal, which was founded in Reading over 100 years ago and now has offices in London and Cardiff, will move its Reading office from Forbury Square. The firm will also relocate Forbury Tech, its spin off legal service for small and start-up tech firms, into Thames Tower.
Clarkslegal joins five other occupiers in the 195,000 sq ft building that have agreed lettings, with more to follow.
Other occupiers at Thames Tower include banking giant HSBC which signed up for 9,500 sq ft earlier this year ; professional services firm BDO taking the whole of the 12th floor; award-winning recruitment firm Austin Fraser taking 14,040 sq ft on the 11th floor; and natural food specialist Pret A Manger signing up for space on the ground floor.
James Silver, Landid Development director, said: “It’s really exciting to welcome a business with the pedigree of Clarks into Thames Tower to join our growing community of forward-thinking businesses in the building. Thames Tower is a workplace like no other in Reading and this deal further underlines the building’s appeal.
“Thames Tower is a fantastic building right in the heart of Reading and offers an array of amenities that modern businesses demand – including the fabulous rooftop café and sky garden. Just a stone’s throw from Reading station, Thames Tower’s connectivity is a huge draw, as is the town centre location, which gives employees access to all that Reading has to offer.”
Monica Atwal, managing partner of Clarkslegal, said: “The way of work is fundamentally changing and all service provision including the legal service market is undergoing rapid transformation. To excel in this landscape, we need to continue to invest in our environment, the latest technology, and efficient systems and practices that encourage collaborative, flexible working with a local, national and international mindset.
“ The transition to Thames Tower allows us to fulfil our goals of providing exemplary, advanced and novel solutions that delight clients and meet their needs in these changing times. This move represents the next chapter of Clarkslegal’s long legacy. We are proud to have been in Reading for over 100 years, serving clients not only in the Thames Valley but also nationally and globally. The move is an investment in our own future and marks our confidence also in the future economic success of Reading as our historic base.”
It has also been shortlisted for office of the year at the prestigious Blueprint Awards, an international architecture competition, with Thames Tower competing against offices from around the globe.
The project, designed by dn-a architects, saw the original 10-storey 1970s building stripped back to its frame, floor plates were extended and four floors added – creating an additional 62,000 sq ft of space.
Landid/Brockton was represented by Parkinson Holt and JLL . Clarkslegal was represented by Hicks Baker.
