Regional heavyweight law firm Howes Percival has announced it is to move its Norwich office from Colegate – home for over 25 years – to a brand new 15,000sq ft development in the city’s historic Cathedral Close district.
Construction work has just begun on the £3m development on Bedding Lane, just off Palace Street on the site of the former Busseys Ford dealership, and the new Palace Plain development is expected to be completed by the end of quarter one, 2016.
The project includes the construction of a new three story building and the refurbishment of the adjacent Grade II listed 1 – 2 St Martins building, which dates back to the 17th Century. The new St Martin’s House will be exclusively for Howes Percival’s use, on a 15 year lease and will feature a modern open plan layout, with state-of-the-art conference and meeting room spaces. The original features and façade of the historic building will be maintained.
Construction and infrastructure company Morgan Sindall has been appointed by the landlord Bussey & Sabberton Bros. Limited for what will be the largest new office development in the centre of Norwich for over five years.
Andrew Barnes, Howes Percival’s senior partner said; “This is a fantastic new development, right in the historic heart of the city. While Colegate has been our home since we opened the Norwich office in 1989, this will completely transform our day-to-day working environment. It will be a more modern and efficient space, which will enable better team working as well as being more accessible for clients and staff. St Martin’s House gives us exactly what we need to continue providing a first class service for our clients for years to come, plus room for us to continue growing in Norwich.
“We’re a forward looking firm with a proud, independent tradition and I think this office reflects our strong personality perfectly. It combines the best of both worlds with original features and character, alongside contempory design and purpose-built office space. It will be a really prominent building, in an outstanding location.
Andrew Barnes concluded: “This is very exciting time for the firm with two new offices opening this year and significant property upgrades for three other locations.”
The building was designed by Norwich architects Chaplin Farrant. Commercial property specialists Roche Surveyors advised Howes Percival in their search for new offices and the leasing of St Martin’s House, while REAL Consulting acted as client project manager and tenant’s surveyor.
The new office will be the latest in a series of significant property moves for the firm. In February 2015 Howes Percival opened a new Milton Keynes office. The Leicester office moved to new premises in 2013 and the Northampton team will be moving to a modern development in the next 12 months. The firm has also announced plans to open a brand new office in Cambridge in 2015.
