Headquarter Moves
Our award-winning real estate team has over seven decades of experience in helping companies to relocate.
When a business decides to re-locate, it is a major decision and involves significant capex. In many cases, this may be the first time that a company, or individuals within it, will take on the responsibility for delivering an HQ move. It can be daunting and there are a lot of moving pieces to manage. What a business needs at this time is pragmatic, commercial advice from an experienced team; a team that can shoulder the burden and guide you through - helping you to make decisions and supporting you every step of the way. That team needs to understand how important the move is for you and flag the headline areas of risk at the earliest opportunity. The office market is changing, and it will be imperative for you to build in as much flexibility as possible so that you can respond, adapt and thrive.
We are market leaders, commentators and specialists in the field, managing not only the move to the new building - or multiple buildings - but also the related dovetailing of a property portfolio around it.
Typically we advise on:
- extending the terms of existing leases
- serving break notices or negotiating a variation or extension of a break right
- disposing of surplus premises by way of assignment or subletting
- holding over existing leases under the 1954 Act
- negotiating surrenders
- negotiating dilapidations settlements
- negotiating the terms of urgent short-term temporary accommodation
- the acquisition and disposal of freehold and leasehold assets, including complex agreements for lease and lease where premises are under construction
- controlling the common parts and branding of a building
- unusual structures such as acquiring premises in conjunction with a serviced office provider
- procurement and negotiating contracts for your consultants and contractors involved with your fit out works
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The HQ move FAQ – Tom Merrick comments for Estates Gazette
22 February 2024The use of office space has changed dramatically. Economic and political pressures have forced many businesses to re-evaluate their strategies and adapt to hybrid working models.
Thinking ahead - Tenant considerations when finding new premises
11 January 2024For a corporate occupier, committing to a multi-year lease with a substantial rent as well as added service charge liability is a significant financial commitment.
Exiting Office Leases: On the Move
12 December 2023In an article for PLC Magazine, Rachel Francis-Lang, Tom Merrick, Patrick Brown and Kate Davies discuss the key considerations for a business that wishes to exit its leased office space.
Exit Series part 4: Navigating lease surrenders
14 August 2023Exiting an office space can have implications for your business. By being well prepared and understanding your legal position, you can get it right first time and avoid any costly delays. In the final part of this series we explore lease surrenders and the issues surrounding them.
Exit Series part 3: The power of subletting for corporate occupiers
26 July 2023Exiting an office space can have implications for your business. By being well prepared and understanding your legal position, you can get it right first time and avoid any costly delays. In part three of this series, we discuss subletting, a flexible solution for corporate occupiers.
New space, new opportunities: are you hybrid working ready?
13 July 2023A move to a new headquarters is the ideal time to instil an improved workplace culture and working patterns. It’s vital not to miss the opportunities a new office can provide and to avoid mistakes of the past. With only a quarter of employees thinking that their company is ‘very prepared’ for a hybrid work future, this article looks into what needs to be considered ahead of the move.
Exit Series part 2: Consolidating satellite offices into one HQ
26 June 2023Exiting an office space can have implications for your business. By being well prepared and understanding your legal position, you can get it right first time and avoid any costly delays. In part two of this series, we look at the implications of consolidating satellite offices into one HQ.