CIARÁN HANCOCK,

Business Affairs Correspondent

DUBLIN-BASED law firm BCM Hanby Wallace has agreed a deal with developer Joe O'Reilly to move its offices to Dublin's south docks in what will be one of the biggest commercial property deals this year.

BCM will rent 150,000 sq ft at Grand Canal Square from Chartered Land, controlled by O'Reilly. Commercial property sources said the rent roll will be about €6 million a year.

The firm will occupy about two thirds of the facility within the next 18 months. The offices are being designed by leading architect Daniel Libeskind.

The offices will be located next to the planned 2,000-seat theatre, which will be operated by Harry Crosbie. These are part of a €300 million retail, office and leisure development at Grand Canal Square by Mr O'Reilly.

BCM is currently based in offices in Harcourt Street and High Street in Dublin's city centre and employs 300 staff.

BCM's managing partner Paul McGennis said the firm expected to complete the move in early 2010. "We remain very confident about the medium-term outlook for the economy in general and for the continued growth of our firm in particular," he said. "This move will provide us with the flexibility to expand further into key growth sectors throughout the next decade."

Mr O'Reilly, one of Dublin's busiest developers, was responsible for the Dundrum Town Centre and is undertaking a €60 million revamp of the Ilac Centre.

He is completing a new retail and office block beside the Gaiety Theatre, which is scheduled to open in 2009. He is also behind a €1.2 billion plan to build apartments and shops on the site of the old Carlton cinema on O'Connell Street. Called Dublin Central, it is due to be completed in 2013.