National law firm Geldards LLP has agreed a deal to relocate its Cardiff based head office to Capital Quarter, an exciting new development in the heart of the Welsh capital.

Currently residing in Dumfries House, Dumfries Place, the move will see Geldards occupy over 30,000 sq.ft. of No.4 Capital Quarter on a ten-year lease. The highly sought-after space is one of only two grade A buildings being delivered in Cardiff before the end of 2019. The offices will be ready in 2019 and the firm will then fit out from January 2020 with a view to move-in early in the summer of the same year.

Capital Quarter is a ten-acre mixed use city centre development with planning for over 1,025,000 sq.ft. of development to include offices, hotels, student housing and education uses. Geldards will be working alongside many other high-profile brands, a number of which are clients, when it moves into its new home including Admiral, Which?, Network Rail, Development Bank of Wales and the Home Office.

All the firm’s Cardiff based legal and support teams will move to the new premises, including the firm’s corporate, commercial, real estate, charity and private client law teams. The decision to move is based on Geldards continued success and growth in the capital supported by a confidence in future growth.  The move is a strong statement from Geldards that its presence will only get stronger in the Welsh market, and reinforces its commitment to its clients, staff and supporting systems.

Jeff Pearson, Chief Executive of Geldards, said:

“We are very excited to be relocating our Cardiff office to Capital Quarter. As our head office, this significant investment will ensure we remain at the centre of the thriving business community in the Welsh capital. The new premises are designed to deliver the high quality environment that clients expect from Cardiff’s leading and most established law firm as well as providing the right infrastructure and environment to deliver an effective service from a specialist and highly qualified workforce.

“I would like to thank Cooke & Arkwright for their advice and also the team at JR Smart for the good natured manner of the negotiations and, of course, for the terrific building which we look forward to moving into in 2020.”

Ben Bolton, Director of Cooke and Arkwright, said:

“We have been working with Geldards on their property strategy and monitoring opportunities for them for some time. Our longstanding experience of significant acquisitions meant that we were able to deliver the right solution for the firm in a fast-paced market where stock reduces month-on-month.  We’re delighted to have played a role in Geldards securing genuinely excellent space in an outstanding  city centre development. ”

JR Smart were represented by Knight Frank LLP.

Mark Sutton Office Agency Partner at Knight Frank said:

“The construction and 2019 delivery of Number 4 Capital Quarter has attracted significant occupier interest from existing Cardiff businesses and inward occupiers alike –  we are delighted to have secured Geldards as the first tenant. The high quality offices in an urban campus environment are an attractive proposition for businesses wanting to reside in the heart of the Capital and Geldards join Admiral Insurance and Which? Publishing as the most recent arrivals on the Development.”