International law firm CMS will move to a new office located in Varso Tower – the highest office building in the European Union. The law firm has signed a lease for 7,000 sqm in the Varso Tower, developed by HB Reavis. On five floors connected by a staircase, the CMS team will occupy modern space to collaborate and develop relationships within the team and with the firm’s clients. The firm will occupy floors 39 to 43, including an over 450 sqm private terrace located at the height of 177 metres.
CMS was advised by JLL in the site search and lease transaction process. Trzop Architekci is responsible for the office design. JLL is also advising on the design of all the functionalities that make up the new working environment and coordinating the project.
“The greatest asset of any organisation is the people who make it up. It is our team that builds the firm’s position in the market. Strengthening our organisational culture, at the centre of which is the creation of development opportunities for our team, is the best possible way to increase value for our clients. When planning the move to the new office, we decided to choose the best building on the market and to work with partners who will provide us with the highest possible standard of design and services. Together, we will create a culture place – a space for developing relationships within the team and with our clients, not just a workplace,” said Andrzej Pośniak, Managing Partner of CMS law firm in Poland.
CMS has decided to lease 7,000 sqm of top-class office space in the highest building in the EU. According to the date of signing the agreement, it is the highest located office in Poland. The firm will occupy space between the 39th and 43rd floors. The office space will support CMS’s organisational culture, so all floors will be connected by a specially designed staircase, around which there will be spacious communal areas for formal and informal meetings. A unique part of the office is the over 450 sqm terrace located at the height of 177 metres.
“We have made an ambitious move and are looking to the future. We want to invest in innovation and attract the best talent in the legal services market. Until now, we rented an office of 4,500 sqm, and we decided to go for almost twice as much space. However, given the goal of providing the best conditions for growth, we planned an office that will provide comfortable common spaces for the entire CMS team of more than 300 people. We want it to be one vibrant organism that takes into account our style of work and our culture,” said Andrzej Pośniak, Managing Partner of CMS law firm in Poland.
Varso Tower is the final showpiece of Varso Place mixed-use development by HB Reavis consisting of offices, a hotel, an innovation hub and a retail ground floor. Designed by Foster + Partners studio the skyscraper is the tallest building in the European Union. It is situated in the heart of Warsaw near the Warsaw Central Station. Construction is to be completed in 2022.
“CMS’s decision to move its office to Varso Tower proves that leading organizations regard offices, their comfort and quality, to be an important element in attracting new talents and maintaining a motivated team. It is especially true in industries where relationships and teamwork are key. We are very glad that CMS chose our Varso Tower – a well-connected and friendly place known for its focus on sustainability and user wellbeing. Such a centrally located workplace means easy access to work and meetings as well as many amenities available nearby,” Marcin Klammer, President of the Management Board of HB Reavis in Poland.
Creating a workplace to meet CMS’s aspirations requires a holistic site selection and an innovative approach to space creation. The firm is advised of this by JLL. The consulting agency is responsible for negotiating the contract terms, workplace advisory and finding optimal solutions for the office’s functions that would fit in with the firm’s culture. In addition, JLL coordinates the implementation of the detailed design project.
“The lease transaction between CMS and HB Reavis marks the next stage in the development of the office market in Poland. CMS’s approach to redefining a work environment is built around people’s needs and was done with the team’s participation. It will be a benchmark for many companies who are about to decide on a workplace strategy that supports their employees in achieving their career goals. It is also a great example of how complex the process of creating a new work environment is – from analysing the specifics of the organisation and its long-term development plans, through change management, to designing and developing the space. Of all the buildings we analysed, Varso Tower offers the most opportunities to shape a space that supports the creation of company culture and matches the vision of CMS. For our client nurturing relationships is a crucial part of business, as all parties involved have seen during the transaction process,” commented Ida Stankiewicz, Senior Director, Tenant Representation, JLL.
JLL’s workplace experts are advising CMS in the process of finally defining the necessary functions and solutions needed by the law firm’s employees and business partners. The CMS law firm plans to move into the new space in late 2022/early 2023.
