Manatt, which provides legal and consulting services, plans tooccupy the Costa Mesa space by early September. Seven Manattlawyers, including the firm's co-founder Thomas D. Phelps, willbase their practices in Orange County.

"Opening the Orange County office is a significant step in ourgrowth plans," says Paul H. Irving, chief executive and managingpartner of Manatt. "The lease provides multiple options to expandand we project substantial growth there by mid-2002," he adds. Thelease term, including extensions, is 7 years and 6 months.

Manatt will take space on the 12th floor of Center Tower, whichstands at 650 Town Center Dr. The 21-story building is located inThe Offices of South Coast Plaza, which includes around 1.4 millionsf of landmark office properties. "Our dynamic location as OrangeCounty's Central Business District combines the finest business,cultural, restaurant, shopping, hospitality and fitness amenities,"says John Barganski, who brokered the deal.