Wilson Elser to relocate after 25 years in Curtis Center

Other law firms occupy space in the Commerce Square office complex.

After 25 years in the Curtis Center, Wilson Elser has decided to relocate to a new part of Center City and has signed a lease at Two Commerce Square.

The law firm took a 10-year lease on 14,600 square feet and will be shrinking from a total of 23,000 square feet. It will move in June. Chris Tarzon and Greg Soffian of Savills Studley represented Wilson Elser in its search and lease negotiations. Brandywine Realty Trust was represented in-house by Brian Orr.

When Jonathan Dryer, regional managing partner, started looking at its options, he thought the firm would likely stay at the Curtis Center but that soon changed.

"Once we got out and looked around at what was available, the idea of moving up to the other end of town was appealing," Dryer said.

While it toured Penn Mutual Towers near its current digs at the Curtis Center, the firm looked at United Engineers, 1601 Market St., Two Logan Square and Two Commerce Square. In its search for a new space, the firm wanted to balance finding a building that would offer good access to public transportation but away from the congestion of City Hall, amenities, and get it closer to clients. Two Commerce at 20th and Market streets seemed to fit what the firm was looking for, Dryer said.

Its reduction in square footage is being driven mostly by the inefficiency of its current space. "Our office under the most favorable build out has a lot of empty space," he said.

Other issues are also playing into it taking fewer square feet. The firm has gone paperless and therefore reduced the amount of storage it needs and is going to a one-size fits all office concept for its 25 attorneys.

"It's something different for us," Dryer said. "We're really looking forward to making the move."

Source: Philadelphia Business Journal