Majestic move for acquisitive legal and professional services business

Knights has announced it is taking 22,000 sq ft of Grade A office space in the heart of Leeds city centre.

The firm, which acquired Leeds-based Shulmans in March for £20m is set to join Channel 4 in the completely refurbished Majestic, taking a 15-year lease.

The deal, which is one of the largest office deals done in the city over the past 12 months, will see the UK’s fastest growing legal and professional services business take two floors in the six-storey building. The office will see 100 employees from Shulman’s make the move from Wellington Place Place to Majestic, with space for Knights to recruit a further 150 professionals in the city.

David Beech

David Beech, CEO of Knights, said the move, “reflects Knights’ ongoing commitment to provide a high-quality and collaborative working environment for colleagues and will support our expansion in the region through recruitment as we continue to scale our presence across the UK.”

The transformation of site which has been both a cinema and a nightclub, is due to be completed next month with Channel 4 taking the top three floors. Meaning only the ground and lower ground floors equating to 17,000 sq ft, remains in the landmark building

This is the second new site for Knights in Yorkshire, which in February agreed a record rent for a new office at Hudson Quarter in York , as part of the firms plans to further increase its presence in the city.

Eamon Fox, partner and head of office agency at Knight Frank in Leeds, who advised Knights, commented: “This is a very significant letting for Leeds and a resounding endorsement both of the quality and design of the Majestic building and of the strength of the legal sector in the city.

“Rushbond have transformed this superbly located building into an exciting workplace at the forefront of the Leeds market.

“I am confident that this flight to quality will lead to further significant office lettings at Majestic in the near future.”

Richard Baker from Rushbond commented: “We are delighted to welcome a flourishing firm like Knights to the Majestic. Our redevelopment has been a labour of love and we have been rewarded by attracting occupiers of the highest calibre. The Majestic has been designed to meet the needs of the modern business and its future will be defined by those who will occupy it.

“It is very exciting to announce this significant office deal, especially in this difficult climate. As the building nears practical completion, it is time to look forward to a brighter future for the city of Leeds. Creating much-needed Grade A office space in the heart of the city is our way of supporting the city’s economy.”

The Leeds office of property consultancy JLL advised Rushbond on this deal.

Click here to sign up to receive our new South West business news...
Close