Herbert Smith Freehills’ Brisbane office relocates after 20 years in one premises

Herbert Smith Freehills will relocate to new office premises in Brisbane on Monday 1 August, 2016.

The firm, which has been a tenant at Central Plaza in Queen Street for almost 20 years, will join other high profile tenants in the newly constructed premium office tower at 480 Queen Street, occupying the top four levels of the building.

Brisbane office Managing Partner Michael Back said the move will support the firm’s growth in the Brisbane and Asia Pacific markets over the next decade, and will provide an innovative and connected environment for clients and staff to enjoy.

“We opened our doors in Brisbane 25 years ago. Since then we have grown from a small office where we held Christmas parties around the dining room table to having a headcount of over 200 people. We are now the sixth-largest office in the Herbert Smith Freehills network globally.

We have grown into a team that not only services Brisbane’s – and Australia’s - corporate community, but also the Asia Pacific region, with Brisbane integral to the firm’s presence in Asia. We act as a key pathway into Australia for Asia businesses and investors.

“We have a solid foothold in the local market, and we remain on an exciting growth trajectory regionally, in alignment with the firm’s recently announced Beyond 2020 Vision and Strategy. The flexibility, innovation and forward thinking that is embodied in our new premises underlines that Vision and Strategy,” Mr. Back said.

480 Queen Street was selected by the firm as its new premises for many reasons, including its excellent location in Brisbane’s ‘golden triangle’, offering views of the Brisbane River, the Story Bridge, and St John’s Cathedral. Developed and constructed by Grocon in partnership with DEXUS Property Group, the building and surrounding precinct has exceptional amenities, including an in-built public parkland on level 4, world-class restaurants and cafes, a market-leading commuter centre, and a spectacular rooftop entertaining area. The building also boasts some of the largest floor plates in Brisbane. And, with a 6 star green star design rating and a 5 star NABERS energy rating, it is a market leader in sustainability.

Herbert Smith Freehills partner, and Chair of the Brisbane Premises Steering Committee, Kerry Heilbronn, said the new offices reflect the firm’s position in the market and suit the Brisbane team’s every need now and into the future, fostering a collaborative and flexible working environment and allowing staff the ability to change the way they work depending on what they are doing at any one time. He also said that clients have been front-of-mind during the design phase of the new space.

“480 Queen Street is a world class building in so many respects - there is truly nothing like it in Brisbane and it will be a wonderful place for our staff and clients to work in together.

“Our new workspace has new technology that enables us to be more mobile, flexible and efficient. This ranges from state-of-the-art meeting room technology, to desktop technology that truly allows for freedom of movement throughout the office.

“Being able to offer our staff an exceptional working environment will help us achieve our aim is of attracting and retaining the very best people. Clients will also benefit from our new environment with our new client space which offers state of the art technology, to ensure we can effectively connect and collaborate with them,” said Mr Heilbronn. 

About Herbert Smith Freehills

Operating from over 26 offices across Asia Pacific, EMEA and North America, Herbert Smith Freehills is at the heart of the new global business landscape providing premium quality, full-service legal advice. We provide many of the world’s most important organisations with access to market-leading dispute resolution, projects and transactional legal advice, combined with expertise in a number of global industry sectors, including energy, natural resources, infrastructure, technology and financial services. www.herbertsmithfreehills.com

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