WINNIPEG, Manitoba, July 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Winnipeg’s leading independent law firm is the first tenant to move into the city’s newest office tower True North Square this week, with a 360-degree view of Winnipeg.
Thompson Dorfman Sweatman (TDS), the official law firm of the Winnipeg Jets, is making the move from its 28-year home at Portage and Main because it believes the new True North Square is the most important downtown development in Winnipeg in a generation, says TDS CEO and Managing Partner, Keith LaBossiere.
“We know that by collaborating with True North and other partners, we are part of a once-in-a-lifetime project for downtown Winnipeg. At TDS we’ve had a long history of investing in our downtown. We can see that Winnipeg has gained a new sense of confidence and energy that extends throughout the downtown, which is no longer defined by one intersection. We know that the next generation of lawyers at our firm wants to continue that legacy by investing in downtown and True North Square”, LaBossiere said today from the 17th floor of True North Square.
“Being a proudly local firm based in Manitoba, allows us to be free to make good decisions that are focused on the community where we live and where our clients live”, LaBossiere added.
TDS lived up to that promise when it hired local technology firms to outfit its new office, and a local architecture firm to do the interior design with furniture that was locally sourced. Manitoba Tyndall stone is featured in the reception area and a new TDS brand, videos and refreshed web site were created by local marketing firms. A large brass gate in the lobby created by local blacksmiths includes a design that spells out TDS in Morse Code.
Suspiciously absent from TDS’s new state-of-the-art law office are the usual walls of law books, replaced by the latest and best technology and highly efficient meeting rooms for collaborative teamwork.
“An office with more meeting space frees our people up to be better leaders and collaborators. We are also very proud that every day our clients and staff will be inspired by made-in-Manitoba art all around them, including Indigenous art and pieces from the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s Inuit collection”, LaBossiere added.
As TDS prepared to move from the old offices, it auctioned off older art and donated those proceeds to ArtCity, which teaches art to youth in the West Broadway neighbourhood. Office supplies and dishes that were not moved to True North Square were donated to the Salvation Army.
See Fact Sheet attached.
TDS FACTS
- Head office in Winnipeg.
- The largest geographic reach in Manitoba, including eight other offices in Boissevain, Brandon, Gladstone, MacGregor, Morden, Portage la Prairie, Steinbach and Winkler.
- 130 years as Winnipeg’s leading independent law firm.
- 25 areas of legal practice, from litigation, labour and employment law and all forms of advocacy to corporate and commercial law, taxation and estate planning and Indigenous and environmental law.
- Almost 100 lawyers and over 120 support staff with services in six languages.
- TDS is the exclusive Manitoba law firm (and a founding member) of Lex Mundi, the world’s leading network of independent law firms, with in-depth experience in 100+ countries worldwide.
- TDS is the only law firm in Manitoba to offer corporate development services, which are offered through their strategic partner, Acumen.
- Each year TDS contributes over $250,000, supporting more than 100 community initiatives.
- TDS lawyers contribute hundreds of hours volunteering their expertise pro bono.
TRUE NORTH SQUARE FACTS
- True North Square is a cutting-edge mixed-use development that, upon completion, will feature four towers, one million square feet of office, hotel, residential, retail, parking and public plaza space, creating a new dynamic epicentre for Winnipeg’s downtown.
- True North Square will house offices for up to 1,500 workers, 288 hotel suites and 324 rental apartments and condominiums.
- 242 Hargrave, where TDS occupies the top three floors, is the first privately-developed office tower built in downtown Winnipeg since 1990 and is 365,000 square feet.
- Over 50 percent of 242 Hargrave is now leased and confirmed tenants include Scotiabank, MNP, and a number of retail tenants that will form part of an exciting, unique food hall concept.
- The apartment building at True North Square, 225 Carlton, will be ready for renters in the spring of 2019.
- Sutton Place Hotel and Residences is expected to be completed in 2021.
- The plaza and surrounding streets have been designed to accommodate a host of exciting public events, including potential Winnipeg Jets Street Parties.