Law firm extends 172,301-square-foot office lease in Houston’s Central Business District
HOUSTON, Texas, August 9, 2022 – Cushman & Wakefield and Savills announced today that the commercial real estate services firms have arranged an extension of a 172,301-square-foot, 8-floor office lease for Baker Botts L.L.P. at 910 Louisiana, located in the Houston Central Business District. Hines professionally manages the asset on behalf of the ownership, Busycon Properties LLC.
Winfield Haggard, Jr. and Chip Colvill of Cushman & Wakefield represented the landlord, Busycon Properties LLC, in the lease negotiations. Mark O'Donnell, Jennifer Meehan, and Lizzie Prochazka of tenant advisory firm Savills represented Baker Botts.
“We are pleased to continue our long-standing relationship with Baker Botts. This lease extension follows the firm’s 50th anniversary of being a tenant in 910 Louisiana, which they celebrated in 2021,” said Darrell Kainer, Vice President at Busycon Properties LLC.
“Baker Botts has been an integral part of downtown Houston since its founding and the firm has had a long-standing relationship with the 910 Louisiana building where it has resided since 1971,” said Savills Vice Chairman Mark O’Donnell. “The law firm has grown in tandem with the city, and it made sense for Baker Botts to keep its current headquarters in the heart of the Central Business District. The transaction is on track to be one of the largest office deals of the year in Houston and we are grateful to Baker Botts for trusting Savills to oversee its real estate strategy.”
“Baker Botts is excited to extend our long-term relationship with Hines and Busycon Properties at 910 Louisiana,” said Russell Lewis Partner-in-Charge Houston. “910 Louisiana has consistently offered our lawyers, staff and valued clients excellent service and amenities. We will be extensively modernizing our space to meet the needs of our firm and to continue to provide first-class service to our clients. We are delighted to be a valued tenant in such an iconic building in Houston’s Central Business District.”
Located on Louisiana Street between McKinney Street and Walker Street, 910 Louisiana is a 1.2 million-square-foot, Class A office property that has been continuously managed by Hines. The 50-story office tower is located in the heart of Houston's Central Business District. As one of Hines'
first high-rise office towers, 910 Louisiana set the standard of excellence for the many projects that followed.
The building has undergone multiple major renovations totaling over $80 million all while occupied. The first renovation was between 1991 and 1993, followed by a renovation between 2009 and 2012, and the third, most recent renovation in 2020. The scope of the renovations included architectural changes to the lobby and plaza, new graphics, elevator modernization, major upgrades of the building's electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems, new lighting, new windows, curtainwall restoration, asbestos abatement, ADA modifications and all new life safety systems. These comprehensive capital improvements to 910 Louisiana have ensured the permanent Class A status of the property’s operating systems, technology and aesthetics. These extensive renovations were instrumental in Baker Botts reaffirming the firm’s long-term commitment to the property.
“Ownership and Hines have done an amazing job at 910 Louisiana, certainly one of the most identifiable buildings in the Houston market with its strong position in the Central Business District,” said Chip Colvill, Executive Vice Chairman of Cushman & Wakefield. “Baker Bott’s decision to remain in the building under this long-term lease is strong recognition that these major renovation efforts have proven to be successful in our ability to attract and retain the top tenants in the Houston market.”
Located on the building's 49th floor is the exclusive Houston Club, which offers a full complement of fine dining, entertainment, and meeting facilities. 910 Louisiana is LEED Gold certified.
About Baker Botts
Baker Botts is an international law firm whose lawyers practice throughout a network of offices around the globe. Based on its experience and knowledge of its clients' industries, Baker Botts is recognized as a leading firm in the energy, technology and life sciences sectors. Since 1840, Baker Botts has provided creative and effective legal solutions for our clients while demonstrating an unrelenting commitment to excellence. For more information, please visit bakerbotts.com.
About Hines
Hines is a privately owned global real estate investment firm founded in 1957 with a presence in 285 cities in 28 countries. Hines oversees investment assets under management totaling approximately $90.3 billion¹. In addition, Hines provides third-party property-level services to 373 properties totaling 114.2 million square feet. Historically, Hines has developed, redeveloped or acquired approximately 1,530 properties, totaling over 511 million square feet. The firm currently has more than 198 developments underway around the world. With extensive experience in investments across the risk spectrum and all property types, and a foundational commitment to ESG, Hines is one of the largest and most-respected real estate organizations in the world. Visit http://www.hines.com for more information. ¹Includes both the global Hines organization as well as RIA AUM as of December 31, 2021.
About Savills Inc.
Savills helps organizations find the right solutions that ensure employee success. Sharply skilled and fiercely dedicated, the firm’s integrated teams of consultants and brokers are experts in better real estate. With services in tenant representation, workforce and incentives strategy, workplace strategy and occupant experience, project management, and capital markets, Savills has elevated the potential of workplaces around the corner, and around the world, for 160 years and counting.