Moving to River Point Building in West Loop in 2012

Chicago, IL, September 19, 2008 – Global law firm Baker & McKenzie has signed a tenant lease with Hines at River Point  (444 W. Lake Street) in Chicago’s West Loop for occupancy by early 2012.  The Firm will lease 300,000 sq. ft over twelve floors of premium office space in the building.  Baker & McKenzie will be a co-anchor tenant along with Chicago-based investment company William Blair & Company L.L.C.  Baker & McKenzie was advised on the transaction by Jones Lang LaSalle.  The terms of the lease are not discloseable.    

Designed by Pickard Chilton Architects, the building—a state-of-the-art, 52-storey office tower—will feature 1,125,000 sq. ft of space and first-class amenities such as a one-acre, landscaped riverfront plaza with extraordinary views of the Chicago River and Wacker Drive, 170-car garage, a restaurant, fitness center, conference center and a 3,600 sq. ft pavilion.  Hines, the developer and owner of the building, is scheduled to break ground by the end of calendar year 2008.

Philip Suse, Managing Partner of the Chicago office, said: “Our new office building is expected to become an icon on Chicago’s renowned skyline. We are very excited to be a part of this new development for Hines, which understands the legal professions’ office space needs.  The newly designed space will support our collaborative culture, and will enable us to continue to deliver more efficient and exceptional legal services to our clients in Chicago and around the world for decades to come.” 

The Chicago office of Baker & McKenzie has more than 600 attorneys and professional staff, including Baker & McKenzie Global Services LLC, which coordinates the Firm’s operations worldwide.