Law firm moves but stays on Mall

A commercial law firm with roots going back to 1870 is to leave its historic Cork City South Mall offices — but is keeping faith with the South Mall location, moving 40 doors away to a building 100 years younger.

James Riordan and Partners, which evolved out of one of Cork’s oldest surviving practices at 50 South Mall, is taking 7,000 sq ft on the ground floor and first floor of 89/90 South Mall, on a new, long lease.

The firm has 12 lawyers, plus support staff, and says having a ground floor presence was important to their client approach — and as important was staying city centre.

“We are delighted to be staying on the South Mall, it is home to us,” said a spokesperson for the firm, adding they are looking forward to increasing their profile and image, as well as recruiting more staff.

The news will be welcomed along this most traditional of business boulevards, home for centuries to the city’s bank HQs, law firms, insurance firms and estate agents. In recent years some businesses have relocated to the suburbs, or new offices on places like Lapps Quay.

The spokesperson for James Riordan and Partners said they felt it was important given their own ethos of friendliness and personal contact to have their own reception and profile. They are due to take up occupancy on June 16 and will rebrand with new logos, signage, etc. The practice covers all commercial law areas such as corporate, conveyancing, employment law, insolvency, mediation and taxation and property law.

The deal was negotiated by Declan Hickey of Downing Commercial, whose offices are directly across the South Mall from 89/90, and covers 2,000 sq ft at ground level previously occupied by Aviva, with 5,000 sq ft at first floor level, previously occupied by risk/insurance firm Willis.

Rental terms haven’t been divulged, but guideline rents within the 1970s-built building are €12 psf.

“This is one of the largest lettings on the South Mall in recent years and it is great to see that James Riordan and Partners expansion requirement could be accommodated on the Mall,” commented Declan Hickey.

* Details: Downing Commercial, 021-4270000; www.jrap.ie