HOUSTON – (Realty News Report) – Williams, one of the nation’s leading natural gas infrastructure operators, has renewed its 353,944-SF lease in Williams Tower, a 64-story office building adjacent to the Galleria.
Dave Hanusa, Bonnie Kelley-Dienna and Jason Presley of CBRE’s Houston office represented the landlord, Invesco Real Estate. Ronnie Deyo and Beau Bellow of JLL represented the tenant.
Headquartered in Tulsa, Okla., Williams has nearly 700 employees based in the Houston Williams Tower — the highest employee total in any location outside of Tulsa. The company’s subsidiary, Transcontinental Gas Pipeline, has been lead tenant in the 1.5-million-SF building since the tower was developed in 1983.
“We are very proud that the Williams Companies elected to continue their long relationship and identity with the building,” said Hanusa. “This lease is a very strong endorsement of the building and its ownership; and confirms that Williams Tower continues to be at the pinnacle of the very best office buildings in Houston.”
The tower was developed by Hines and for years it was considered the nation’s tallest building not located in a downtown proper. The building was designed by the architectural team of Philip Johnson and John Burgee.
The tower is adjacent to the three-acre Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park with its 64-foot U-shaped fountain. Many long-time Houstonian continue to call the building the “Transco Tower.” Williams acquired Transco Energy Co. in 1995.
Invesco Real Estate acquired Williams Tower in 2013 from Hines REIT. The tower is 92.3 percent leased.
“As one of Houston’s largest tenants, Williams has long played a significant role in the city’s economy and the vibrancy of the Galleria. This renewal is a tremendous vote of confidence for the iconic Williams Tower and the submarket as a whole,” said Deyo. “The company’s commitment to their namesake tower helps ensure the Galleria will continue to be a dynamic place to conduct business for years to come.”
