The firm moves to a new premium office tower in the city where its original partnership was formed in 1853
Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) is moving to new premises in Melbourne in 2021.
The firm will move to the South Tower at the 80 Collins Street precinct in the Victorian capital. Dexus, which owns the precinct, said that HSF has agreed to a 12-year lease that commences on 1 July 2021.
HSF has agreed to lease about 10,300sqm and will occupy levels 21 to 28 of the South Tower. The building will also house Macquarie Bank, McKinsey & Company, and DLA Piper, which Dexus said are “premium tenants.”
The South Tower is a new 35-level premium office tower in the precinct that also features the North Tower, a 47-level A-grade office tower; a new retail podium with 21 tenants; and a new 255-room boutique hotel. The South Tower, which topped out in August, is expected to be completed by the middle of next year.
“The 80 Collins precinct offers a premium location at the Paris end of Collins Street – where our customers want to be,” said Chris Hynes, head of office leasing at Dexus.
“We are excited to be moving to a state-of-the-art building, which will support our plans and aspirations for our staff and clients. We believe that 80 Collins Street will enable us to promote greater collaboration and innovation. All of this aligns with our vision to be a world class professional services firm,” said Rodd Levy, HSF Melbourne managing partner.
HSF has a long history in Melbourne, with its original partnership that became Freehills being formed in the city in 1853. The firm has also been part of the commercial community in the Victorian Capital since it advised in the incorporation and listing of BHP in 1885. HSF still acts for BHP Billiton to this day.
South Tower at 80 Collins Street (Image courtesy of Dexus)
