HOUSTON – EDF Trading North America leased 60,000 SF of office space at 601 Travis Street in downtown Houston and will relocate from its Sam Houston Parkway offices in northwest Houston.
The lease is a bit of positive news in downtown Houston, which has been hurt by a decline in the energy industry. The overall availability rate of office space in downtown is approaching 20 percent, according to CBRE.
CBRE’s Matt Dickson and Kevin Kushner represented EDF in lease negotiations with the landlord, Texas Tower Limited Partnership. Paula Bruns and Michael Anderson, with Colvill Office Properties, represented Texas Tower Limited Partnership.
“EDF asked CBRE to find a new office that could accommodate its high-density trading floor. We identified several creative options throughout Houston and 601 Travis fit the best with EDF’s goals,” Dickson said.
601 Travis Street is a 20-story, 407,896-SF building located on a block bounded by Capitol,Travis, Texas and Main Street. The building, which was designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei, features other notable tenants such as Dynegy, Bank of New York Mellon and NextEra.
The 601 Travis building, which has several levels of parking, was completed in 1982 to accompany the 75-story JPMorgan Chase Tower across the street.
The EDF companies provide a complete suite of energy services including wholesale energy trading, generation services, retail and renewable energy.
“With this transaction, EDF has made a significant investment in Houston and its employees,” Kushner said.
The 601 Travis building has a 280-set auditorium and a 7,000-SF fitness center. The building was renovated in 2011 to include a new lobby design by Ken Harry and the lobby’s focal point, an illuminated glass wall designed by Paul Housberg.