PITTSBURGH — For six years, the Pittsburgh business community buzzed over whether K&L Gates would move from its namesake building. On Monday, the giant law firm confirmed that it is staying put at 210 6th Ave., aka K&L Gates Center, albeit with multi-million dollar upgrades, as K&L Gates extends its lease for another 15 years at the 12th-largest downtown office building.
It was always an option, but given recent twists and turns in the downtown real estate market, it seemed increasingly a toss-up. But firm leadership said it’s a decision that makes sense for multiple reasons.
“We wanted to demonstrate our commitment to the downtown market, and we view ourselves as the doorway for local companies to compete on a global scale,” said Thomas Ryan, managing partner of K&L Gates’ Pittsburgh office. “Being in the center of downtown is important for us.”
The news makes as big a splash as when the firm decided to move from its original home in the Henry Oliver Building and brand 210 6th Ave. as K&L Gates Center. It’s been home since 2010, but the building is also in foreclosure. The firm had originally signed a 15-year lease in 2007 and took around 200,000 square feet.
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