Ralli Courts tenants move as demolition looms
RALLI Solicitors and Zeus Capital have left Ralli Courts in Salford ahead of the office complex’s demolition and replacement with a new 120,000 sq ft block.
The law firm has split its 100 staff across two locations, with the corporate team taking 2,800 sq ft at 64-72 Spring Gardens, Manchester, and the personal injury department going to a 7,800 sq ft office at Jackson House, Sale.
Corporate finance adviser Zeus Capital has just taken space at 82 King Street and barristers set Exchange Chambers has already agreed a lease on 10,000 sq ft at 201 Deansgate.
Other business based at the building include Robert Lizar Solicitors, JD Spice Zeb Solicitors, and Giles Insurance Brokers.
Ralli Courts was the subject of a compulsory purchase order issued by Salford City Council in 2011 which covered a large area of land around Chapel Street and the River Irwell.
The aim was to give the developer, the English Cities Fund (ECf) – a joint venture between Legal & General Property, Muse Developments and the Homes and Communities Agency – the freedom to pull together a £600m regeneration programme for the area.
Ralli Courts will be cleared, followed by the neighbouring City Wharf to make way for One New Bailey. ECf expects to have gained planning permission by July and wants to be on site in September. Legal & General is forward funding the development which will also include a 620-space car park.
Ralli Solicitors led the opposition against the CPO arguing that it would unnecessarily displace around 30 businesses. Law firm Stephensons has around 3,500 sq ft at City Wharf and expects to sign for a new office in the area within several months.
The site is the former location of the New Bailey prison.
