Arnold & Porter is set to significantly expand its presence in Seattle less than a year after opening its first office in the city. The Washington, D.C.-based law firm is more than doubling its downtown footprint as it prepares to relocate within the central business district.
The firm has signed a lease for the top two floors of One Union Square, a 36-story office tower located at 600 University St. in downtown Seattle. The new premises total 39,000 square feet, and Arnold & Porter plans to complete its move into the space by the end of the year, according to reporting from the Puget Sound Business Journal.
Arnold & Porter entered the Seattle market with a 15,000-square-foot lease at U.S. Bank Center, marking its first office in the city. That initial commitment was later expanded to 25,000 square feet as the firm grew its local team. The new lease at One Union Square represents a substantial step up from both the original and the expanded footprint at U.S. Bank Center.
Ownership of One Union Square is held by Washington Holdings. In the lease transaction with Arnold & Porter, the tower was represented by Mick Newell and Tim Holt of Washington Holdings, who acted on behalf of the property in securing the new tenant for the top two floors.
Beyond the Seattle expansion, Arnold & Porter has a large national and international platform. The firm is the 49th-largest law firm in the United States, with a network of 16 offices globally and a roster of more than 1,000 attorneys. Its decision to commit to a larger downtown Seattle office reflects the firm’s growing operational needs in the market and positions it for additional client and practice growth in the region.
The move to One Union Square will shift Arnold & Porter from its current location at U.S. Bank Center while keeping the firm anchored in Seattle’s core business district. The combination of a larger floorplate, a high-rise location and a prominent downtown address underscores the firm’s long-term investment in the Seattle market and its role within the city’s legal and professional services community.
