Brookfield Lands 2-Floor Lease and Renewal at Houston Center

The recently renovated Houston Center office complex has secured a new lease and a tenant expansion.

Houston-based MRC Global signed a lease for almost 50,000 square feet in 3 Houston Center at 1301 McKinney Street for its new headquarters, the Houston Business Journal reported. Meanwhile, Houston-based Ahmad, Zavitsanos & Mensing, also known as AZA Law, added 11,000 square feet lease in LyondellBasell Tower at 1221 McKinney Street, bringing it to 58,000 square feet.

MRC, which offers services and products for the energy industry, was represented by Trey Strake, Chris Oliver and Scott Wegmann of Cushman & Wakefield, while the AZA Law was represented by John Luck, Andy Iversen and Audrey Selber of Newmark. Doug Little, Kelli Gault, Jack Scharnberg and Parker Burkett of Transwestern represented landlord Brookfield Properties in both deals.

Brookfield Properties started the final phase in March ’22 of its renovation plan for the downtown campus, which was built in the 1980s. Houston Center includes the 46-story LyondellBasell Tower, 2 Houston Center, 3 Houston Center, 4 Houston Center and the Highlight retail center.

The first phase of renovations, completed in 2021, covered the retail center, outdoor spaces and some office buildings. The upcoming phase will focus on the 51-story 3 Houston Center building, also known as Fulbright Tower. Brookfield will upgrade the main lobby, improve pedestrian access, add efficient lighting, redo the floors and walls, and add all-new furniture and art.

— Victoria Pruitt