Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance advises Helical on their first two lettings at 55 Bartholomew Close

Leading international law firm Clifford Chance has advised Helical Plc ("Helical") and their joint venture partner The Baupost Group LLC on their first two lettings at 55 Bartholomew Close, a six-storey office building and part of the three-acre Barts Square mixed-use development in the City of London.

The first letting to Shadowfall Capital & Research LLP, a leading short-focused hedge fund, was completed in February 2020. Shadowfall has agreed a five-year lease with a tenant break option in year three for the top floor of the new building.

The second and most recent letting at 55 Bartholomew Close which completed this week is to Clevertouch, a global leader in audio visual solutions. Clevertouch has agreed a five-year lease for the entire ground floor.

Clifford Chance has a long-term relationship with Helical and has been involved in the Barts Square development for over nine years. In April it advised the joint venture on the sale of 90 Bartholomew Close to La Francaise Real Estate Partners International, having previously advised on the leasing of the office and retail elements of this part of the development.

Real Estate partner Ian Painter who led on the lettings commented "We are excited to see the fruits of Helical's labour coming to market. 55 Bartholomew Close is the third office building in this new urban quarter for London to be snapped up by tenants. Although the office market is still coming to terms with the effect of COVID-19 there are still corporate occupiers who need space, in which circumstances there is an obvious flight to quality properties with excellent facilities such as 55 Bartholomew Close."

The Clifford Chance team supporting Ian included lawyers Ivan Yuen, Melissa Sykes and Rose Laitner with planning input provided by Head of London Real Estate, Environment & Planning Nigel Howorth and Senior Associate Elizabeth Hardacre.