October 12, 2018 Ethan Rothstein, East Coast Editor
Shiny new construction is still the king of the D.C. office market. This week, two law firms signed leases to relocate their offices to new or effectively new space in Washington, with Michael Best moving to The Wharf and Buckley Sandler moving to the Golden Triangle. Michael Best is consolidating its two business lines, law and political consulting, in a 30K SF office at The Wharf's trophy office building, 1000 Maine Ave. Savills Studley represented the firm, which will move to the fourth floor of the building next year, and JLL's Brian Dawson and Amy Bowser represented landlords PN Hoffman and Madison Marquette. “Newly constructed properties continue to be in high demand for law firms considering a move,” Savills Studley Corporate Managing Director Greg Scheipers said in a statement. “With its close proximity to Capitol Hill, prominent waterfront location and modern amenities, The Wharf provides an ideal new home.” Also on the move is Buckley Sandler LLP, which will decamp from its home in the World Wildlife Fund building in the West End for 2001 M St., the Washington Business Journal reports. Brookfield converted a formerly brick KPMG office building into a glassy, 285K SF law firm magnet. Buckley Sandler will join Bracewell & Giuliani and Weil Gothsal in the building, which reopened last year. The 65K SF lease for Buckley Sandler is an expansion from its digs at 1250 24th St. NW, the building where former President Barack Obama established his post-White House office.