The Edgeworth Building will house the new corporate headquarters of Richmond law firm, Hirschler Fleischer

Hirschler Fleischer Secures New Richmond Offices

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA – The Richmond law firm Hirschler Fleischer will celebrate two milestones in 2006.  The first, the 60–year anniversary for the 75-attorney legal practice, and the second, thanks to the assistance of Divaris Real Estate, Inc. (DRE), the debut of its new office in Richmond’s Historic Tobacco Row District.

            In anticipation of the November 2006 expiration of Hirschler Fleischer’s current lease in Richmond’s Federal Reserve Bank Building, the firm began to search for Class A office space, initially within the downtown market.  However, at the suggestion of some of the practice’s younger partners, the city’s historic Tobacco Row District became a serious consideration, largely due to the area’s recent revitalization.  DRE’s senior vice president, Brett Womack, represented Forest City in the transaction, which is responsible for turning the Tobacco Row District into one of the largest urban renewal projects in the country.  Womack worked closely with Hirschler Fleischer.  The architectural firm of Baskervill & Sons worked both with Forest City and Hirschler Fleischer throughout the selection process.

            Having represented clients in previous negotiations with DRE, Michael Terry, executive vice president of Hirschler Fleischer, held a great deal of respect for Womack and the Divaris team.  “My experience of working with Brett and Divaris [on this deal] was very, very positive,” said Terry, whose specialty is commercial real estate law.

            Hirschler Fleischer’s ultimate choice was the 147,000-square-foot Edgeworth Building, located at the corner of 21^st and Cary Streets in Richmond’s Tobacco Row District.  Built in 1920, the five-story structure originally served as a warehouse for the Larus & Brother Company.  The top two floors, and a portion of the third floor (totaling 67,334 square feet), as well as a soon-to-be-installed roof garden, will be under lease by Hirschler Fleisher, beginning December 1, 2006.

            “We were looking for something that was conducive to our needs, and secure and convenient for both our staff and our clients,” says Terry.  He also concluded that the Edgeworth Building’s facility and its environment fulfilled the firm’s immediate need for additional space, with the added opportunity for future expansion.  The Tobacco Row District has experienced many successful renovations and has become a hub of high-end housing and entertainment activity for the region.

The interior of the Edgeworth Building is adorned with columns and floor-to-ceiling windows, overlooking the James River.  Hirschler Fleischer, along with the vision of its architectural firm Baskervill, plans to integrate this spectacular vista into the overall look of the renovated space.  Additionally, the design will create depth and dimension with the use of different elevations, curves and angles throughout the space.  Amenities will also include an entertainment and social events space, once the rooftop garden is complete, and onsite parking for employees and clients.  Several well known eateries and stores are located within walking distance of the Edgeworth Building.

As Hirschler Fleischer makes plans not only to commemorate its 60^th year in business, but also to christen its new headquarters in the months to come, Terry is complimentary of his firm’s dealings with DRE: “Divaris is definitely one of the real estate firms we will always consider and recommend to folks.”

 DRE’s Womack is experienced in identifying and negotiating office leases to meet the specific needs of a law practice in this market.  She and Debbie Wake, also of DRE, represented the law firm of LeClair Ryan in their 2004 negotiations for a new 68,550-square-foot headquarters location in Richmond’s Riverfront Towers, located at 951 East Byrd Street.