Baker McKenzie relocates and transforms its Singapore office

As a leading global law firm, Baker McKenzie has built a legacy in the legal industry that draws both top-tier clients and high-calibre talent. In 2025, Baker McKenzie’s Singapore office engaged JLL to support its next cycle of workplace upgrades for its Singapore office as part of its forward real estate planning to meet the evolving needs of the business and its employees.

JLL has partnered with Baker McKenzie on multiple real estate projects since 2009, guiding the firm through multiple transitions, including the Singapore office’s initial move from Millenia Tower to Marina Bay Financial Centre (MBFC). When changing work patterns presented an opportunity to reimagine a new way of working, Baker McKenzie turned to JLL again for a comprehensive solution across Office Leasing Advisory, Workplace Strategy and Project Management services.

Drawing from 16 years of partnership with Baker McKenzie, JLL's Office Leasing Advisory team worked closely with the firm to evaluate their stay-or-go options. When the conversation turned to office relocation, Baker McKenzie recognised that the new space had to best represent its culture and brand. South Beach Tower was selected for its prime location, proximity to amenities and suitability for the firm’s operational needs.

JLL's Workplace Strategy team conducted an in-depth study to closely understand what everyone in the organisation needed to deliver the best for clients, including identifying opportunities to improve cross-team collaboration, privacy and client engagement on the day-to-day.

Based on these findings, JLL’s Workplace Strategy team recommendations include collaborative and communal areas, secure zones for sensitive or confidential work, and an impressive front-of-house area for clients.

JLL's 16-year partnership with Baker McKenzie really showed throughout this transformation. They understood exactly what we needed, a premium location that reflects our brand, a workplace strategy that enhances collaboration and flawless execution under near impossible timelines. The result is a new workplace that not only meets our current needs but positions us perfectly for the future.

James Huang, Former Country Managing Principal, Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow

One unique challenge was moving out of the previous office space and into the new space simultaneously to ensure no operational downtime. The project was delivered on an accelerated schedule, requiring careful coordination and a structured, phased approach.

JLL’s Project and Development Services (PDS) team worked closely with Baker McKenzie to maintain progress across workstreams and ensure the relocation proceeded smoothly.

To support efficient decision‑making, the PDS Project Management team established clear communication channels with Baker McKenzie’s key stakeholders and implemented an integrated delivery model that restructured the sequence of milestones, enabling certain activities to progress in parallel. This approach helped streamline approvals and maintain steady momentum throughout the project.

The team’s methodology also incorporated phased occupancy planning, allowing Baker McKenzie to transition into their new space while work continued on other areas. This ensured continuity and minimised disruption to daily operations.

Through proactive planning, regular alignment with stakeholders and adaptive scheduling, JLL successfully met the required delivery timeline.

By enabling greater collaboration and a stronger reflection of the firm’s brand and culture, Baker McKenzie’s new Singapore office at South Beach Tower supports its evolving operational and workplace needs.