ALG to retool D1 HQ for virtual/physical work life

A&L Goodbody LLP (ALG) is to completely redevelop its existing offices at North Wall Quay in Dublin, and has planned to create at least 50 new jobs.

In partnership with IPUT, the law firm will create a unique, best-in-class, sustainable building that will cater for the firm’s ambitious growth plans and facilitate a new way of agile working.

The redeveloped HQ will have an additional 36% capacity, and the updated building will support climate goals by being Ireland's first true net zero carbon office, as defined by the World Green Building Council.

ALG currently has over 930 people with over 420 lawyers, including 112 partners, working across six office locations.

Strong trading in 2021 has carried through to 2022. The firm expects excellent growth opportunities ahead, and the redeveloped building will support this growth. 

In the last 12 months, the firm has appointed seven new partners and increased its lawyer numbers by 10%.

New roles will include lawyers, project and programme managers, business and data analysts, marketing and client development professionals, and operational support.

Trainee intake

The firm has also increased its annual trainee intake by 10% and will hire 150 trainees over the next three years.

The majority of additional roles will be in the Dublin office, but ALG expects to see expansion in its Belfast and London offices as well.

The new office will be specifically designed to promote a new way of agile working which will embed the best of working from home and the office.

It will incorporate the latest interior design and technology to build an office that fosters productivity, collaboration and innovation. 

It will also provide enhanced facilities and services to clients to reflect the physical and virtual world that now exists, the firm says.

Quadrupled

Managing partner Julian Yarr (small picture) said: "Our office in the IFSC has been our home for over 20 years. In that time we have quadrupled in size. 

“We now have the unique opportunity to rebuild our home for the future – for our clients, for our people and for the community we work in.

"We are staying in our home in the commercial heart of Dublin. We have built fantastic relationships with our local community through our responsible business and pro-bono initiatives. It was important to us and our people that we maintain those links.

“It was important to us and our people that we maintain those links.

"To support our broader climate goals, it was also essential to have the most sustainable building possible and we're delighted we can achieve this with a net zero carbon rating.

Efficiency  

Niall Gaffney of IPUT Real Estate, commented: "Our focus is to provide our occupiers with the most-sustainable real estate in the Irish market that meets the highest global standards for efficiency and environmental performance.

"In line with this ambition, we are delighted to work closely with A&L Goodbody to create Ireland's most sustainable building at North Wall Quay.

"This new headquarters will set the new standard for low-carbon office development in the market, while also significantly enhancing the workplace experience for A&L Goodbody employees," he said.

North Wall Quay highlights:

• Building size will increase by 36% to 155,000 sq ft, adding two new floors,
• Rooftop landscaped terraces,
• Atrium to encourage collaboration,
• Entirely new client floor at penthouse level.

Two levels of landscaped terraces will give panoramic views over the Liffey.

Focused on sustainable transport and workforce well-being, the building will include electric car charging stations, 200 bicycle spaces, 200 lockers, fitness room and changing facilities. 

North Wall Quay will achieve leading global sustainability standards including:

• BER A3 energy rating,
• LEED Platinum,
• Wired Score Platinum,
• Well Gold,
• NZEB Compliance,
• Cycle Score.

Completion by 2024

The re-development of North Wall Quay will begin in the summer of 2022 and is due for completion in 2024. 

During the re-development period, IPUT will accommodate ALG within its existing portfolio, principally at No 3 Dublin Landings and at The Exchange in the IFSC.

IPUT has been a long-standing client of ALG for over 50 years.

Delivering a landmark office building in the IFSC and will further cement this strong relationship, ALG has said.