HOUSTON – EDF Trading North America has signed a lease for 60,000 square feet of office space at 601 Travis Street in downtown Houston and will move from its current offices near Sam Houston Parkway in northwest Houston.
This lease represents a welcome bit of positive news for downtown Houston, which has faced challenges amid a downturn in the energy sector. According to CBRE, the overall availability rate for downtown office space is approaching 20 percent.
CBRE brokers Matt Dickson and Kevin Kushner represented EDF in the lease negotiations with landlord Texas Tower Limited Partnership. Paula Bruns and Michael Anderson of Colvill Office Properties represented Texas Tower Limited Partnership.
“EDF asked CBRE to identify an office that could accommodate its high-density trading floor. We evaluated several creative options around Houston, and 601 Travis best met EDF’s requirements,” Dickson said.
601 Travis Street is a 20-story office tower totaling 407,896 square feet, occupying the block bounded by Capitol, Travis, Texas and Main streets. Designed by noted architect I.M. Pei, the building houses prominent tenants such as Dynegy, Bank of New York Mellon and NextEra.
Completed in 1982, 601 Travis includes multiple levels of parking and was developed to complement the nearby 75-story JPMorgan Chase Tower across the street.
The EDF group offers a full range of energy services, including wholesale energy trading, generation services, retail energy and renewable energy solutions.
“With this lease, EDF has made a meaningful investment in Houston and in its local workforce,” Kushner said.
Building amenities at 601 Travis include a 280-seat auditorium and a 7,000-square-foot fitness center. The lobby was redesigned during a 2011 renovation by designer Ken Harry and features a prominent illuminated glass wall by artist Paul Housberg.