Greenberg Traurig's expanded presence in Atlanta will help anchor a new Buckhead office building.

The Miami-based law firm has signed for 48,000 square feet at The Forum, the 12-story, 212,000-square-foot office component of the Piazza at Paces mixed-use project on Northside Parkway near Howell Mill Road. It is the first lease signed at the building, which is under construction.

Ben Carter Properties is developing the office building; the company's Sharon Altenbach negotiated the lease on behalf of the project's owners, Ronus Inc. and Ben Carter Properties.

"Demand for space has exceeded our expectations," Altenbach said.

Greenberg Traurig, which has 15 offices in the United States and Brazil, merged with Atlanta's Minkin & Snyder earlier this year, adding 26 lawyers and nine practice areas to its Atlanta office. The firm's Joel Katz is well known locally for his work with more than 50 recording artists. The Piazza at Paces also includes a 64-unit condominium project, The Borghese, which is being developed by Southeast Capital Partners.