AMEC Developments has successfully let all available space at its Quayside scheme in Newcastle upon Tyne.

This £170m flagship development has transformed the derelict riverside into a thriving business and leisure quarter in just over a decade.

Dickinson Dees, one of the North-East's leading law firms, already located in St. Ann's Wharf, Quayside, has announced further major expansion into the final office space in neighbouring Rotterdam House, currently under construction.

The success of companies locating in Quayside has mirrored the achievements of the scheme, which has won several awards for design, environment, facilities management, public art, car parks and landscape.

Peter Connolly of AMEC said: "This is the final piece in the jigsaw. With this agreement signed, we have achieved our objective of creating the right mix of business and leisure to bring jobs, prosperity and renewed vitality to a once derelict part of the city centre.

The Quayside development continues to win awards and is held up as an example of what can be achieved in partnership with public and private sectors.

"We have seen several of the companies who took the bold and visionary decision to move into top quality office accommodation go from strength to strength," said Mr Connolly. "We believe that the quality environment at Quayside has helped companies achieve success here."

Dickinson Dees will take a further 13,061 sq ft in Rotterdam House. The additional space will give the firm a total of more than 65,000 sq ft, room for 500 staff in its Quayside base which currently has a staff of 50 partners and 396 staff in all. It is now the largest law firm in the North of England and its turnover has increased by about 70 per cent over the past three years to about £21 million.

"Our move to Quayside followed on from consistent growth over the last ten years," said managing partner Neil Braithwaite. "The move to Quayside just over two years ago has proved extremely successful for our business in all areas and taking the available space in the neighbouring building to St Ann's Wharf is obviously the way forward."

The firm was recently shortlisted in the prestigious national law awards run by The Lawyer magazine in the categories for both Law Firm of the Year and Project Team of the Year. Dickinson Dees has also recently finalised its plans to open an office in Tees Valley, which will eventually be headed by Robin Bloom and Nigel Williams.

The main occupier of Rotterdam House will be Regus, Europe's largest serviced office provider, (23,0000 sq ft).

Solicitors Ward Hadaway is also expanding and a new 24,000 sq ft building.

Shipping insurers, The North of England Protection Indemnity Association, has also extended its Quayside headquarters