Downtown Houston’s office market saw a new development reach more than half occupancy after Third Coast Infrastructure signed a lease for 20,800 square feet at the Norton Rose Fulbright Tower. The move will see the midstream operator relocate its headquarters from Hess Tower in 2026. With this lease, the 28-story building at 1550 Lamar Street is now 62 percent occupied, according to the Houston Business Journal.
The tower’s main tenant, law firm Norton Rose Fulbright, occupies about one-third of the building’s total 375,000 square feet. Other tenants include Boston Consulting Group and Hicks Johnson. Hicks Johnson recently moved into a 21,000-square-foot space following a $4.3 million build-out.
Third Coast Infrastructure cited several reasons for choosing the location: advanced technology infrastructure, floor-to-ceiling glass windows, landscaped terraces, and a 9,600-square-foot amenity center on the top floor. Griff Brandy of Partners Real Estate represented Third Coast in the transaction.
The building was designed by Bjarke Ingels Group and features a side-core structure intended to maximize natural light. It overlooks Discovery Green park and has attracted ground-floor retail tenants such as Tenfold Coffee. Chef Hugo Ortega plans to open Zaranda restaurant in the building later this year.
Norton Rose Fulbright Tower is downtown Houston’s first new high-rise office tower since Texas Tower opened in 2021. Skanska has promoted it as Houston’s first pre-certified LEED Platinum, WELL Platinum, and WiredScore Platinum office project and is also seeking Fitwel certification.
Third Coast Infrastructure’s lease represents a long-term commitment of 13 years to an office market that continues to face high vacancy rates and landlord concessions.
