Reed Smith Exits Brickell to Sign Downtown Miami Lease
"When considering relocation, we prioritized a space that allowed for continued and sustained growth and served as a physical representation of Reed Smith’s reputation in the market — thriving, soaring, energetic and well-connected."
International law firm Reed Smith has swapped Brickell for Downtown Miami, signing a lease in Miami’s Southeast Financial Center and joining a host of other firms at the city’s largest and tallest office tower.
The firm has expanded its office space with the 22,495-square-foot lease. It will occupy the 26th floor of the 55-story office tower, which is also home to Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, K&L Gates, DLA Piper and Goldman Sachs & Co.
It’s a move that will aid Reed Smith’s sustained growth since it entered Miami in 2017, according to office managing partner Constantine Karides, who said, “In the four years since establishing a presence in Miami, we have built a formidable team with strong relationships within the region’s business and legal communities and the state and local government, while also advising domestic and global companies currently or seeking to do business in South Florida.”
“As a result, when considering relocation, we prioritized a space that allowed for continued and sustained growth and served as a physical representation of Reed Smith’s reputation in the market — thriving, soaring, energetic and well-connected. Southeast Financial Center met each of those criteria and I speak for all of my Miami-based colleagues in expressing our excitement in making the move,” Karides said.
Reed Smith’s previous office was at 1001 Brickell Bay Drive.
JLL South Florida’s managing director Barbara Liberatore Black and executive vice president Jeff Gordon represented Reed Smith in the transaction. Black said the move “represents an expansion for Reed Smith and positions this leading law firm for further business growth in the region.”
The parties declined to disclose how much the lease was or how long the deal took to finalize.
“The JLL team worked to understand the global law firm’s operational footprint and plans for sustained growth as it evaluated office space options in Miami,” Gordon said. “Reed Smith evaluated a number of office options across Miami’s urban core and ultimately selected an office tower that aligned with its growth plans long term.”
‘Tower of Choice?’
JLL’s managing director Eric Groffman and senior vice president Cameron Tallon represented building owner Ponte Gadea Biscayne, who noted he’s continuing to see an influx of businesses moving to or expanding in Miami, with Southeast Financial Center “being one of the most sought-after office addresses.”
“Southeast Financial Center is the tower of choice because it puts its tenants door-to-door with some of the city’s leading financial and professional services firms and provides access to residential towers, major retail lifestyle destinations and numerous cultural and performing venues,” Groffman said.
The Southeast Financial Center is 1.2 million square feet and has a 30,000-square-foot outdoor plaza with a seating area, cafe and dining options. It’s all well-connected, close to the Metromover and the I-85.
The Am Law 50 firm has 30 offices internationally, and its Miami team focuses on commercial disputes, entertainment and media, finance, insurance recovery, and international arbitration.
Melea VanOstrand contributed to this report.