NBA player James Harden’s Houston restaurant, Thirteen, has been locked out by its landlord over unpaid rent. Midtown Scouts Square Property posted a notice on the door of the establishment, stating that Thirteens Hospitality Group owes $2.2 million in rent. The sign, dated September 1, informed the owners they could retrieve a new key once the debt is paid.
The landlord had previously notified the restaurant of lease violations on August 21 before proceeding to terminate the lease and secure the premises. In addition to locking out the restaurant, Midtown Scouts Square Property filed a lawsuit against Harden and his hospitality group seeking at least $1 million in damages. According to court documents, the original lease ended in July but was extended through October; however, monthly payments were reportedly not made after this extension.
Thirteen opened in 2021 at 1911 Bagby Street as a steakhouse and hookah lounge spanning 15,000 square feet and serving Southern-inspired dishes. Harden launched the venue near the end of his time with the Houston Rockets and continued to oversee its operations after moving to play for Brooklyn and now for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Midtown remains one of Houston’s prominent nightlife districts due to its walkability and ongoing redevelopment efforts. Recent changes include demolishing an old McDonald’s location and relocating a Greyhound station. The area stands out in Houston’s multifamily real estate market with average rents around $1,800 per month, according to data from the Greater Houston Partnership (https://www.houston.org/). Investment activity has also been notable; for example, Bow River Capital acquired Camden Midtown at 2303 Louisiana Street in June and rebranded it as Hadley Midtown Apartments (https://www.bowrivercapital.com/).
