Jackson Walker partner Michael Kuhn represented Union Investment Real Estate GmbH in an agreement with Shell Trading & Supply North America to renew its lease at 1000 Main, located in Houston’s Central Business District. At 259,000 square feet, the transaction was named the largest lease deal in Houston in 2021.

Opened in 2003, 1000 Main boasts approximately 837,000 square feet of office and retail space across 36 stories. Germany-based Union Investment Real Estate acquired the office tower in 2015 and completed major renovations in June 2021, including the addition of a 12,500-square-foot amenity center. The tenant amenity center features a lounge area, a conference center that can accommodate up to 144 people or be split up into three rooms, and a gaming area with two golf simulators, a pool table, shuffleboard, and multiple TVs. The building also has a fitness center and training studio.

Originally, Shell’s lease was set to expire at the end of 2025. The company will continue to inhabit eight floors, which is about 30% of the office tower’s space, under a long-term lease.

For more information about the transaction, view the following articles:

• Houston Business Journal | “Shell renews lease at 1000 Main downtown early”
• Houston Chronicle | “Shell Oil inks major office renewal in downtown Houston”
• BisNow | “These Are The Largest Office Leases Signed In Houston In 2021”

Meet Michael

Michael K. Kuhn is a board-certified commercial real estate attorney with a particular emphasis on office and retail leasing. Over his career, Michael has developed a particular niche for negotiating office, retail, and restaurant leases on behalf of landlords. His practice is not limited to either Houston or Texas, and he routinely handles office and retail leasing matters throughout the country. Since 2008, he has been named among The Best Lawyers in America in the area of Real Estate Law.

In addition to negotiating leases for 1000 Main, Michael has handled negotiations involving Hines’ Texas Tower, Brookfield Properties’ The Shops at Houston Center, Moody National’s Village Towers, Radom Capital and JPMorgan’s Montrose Collective, and the Rice Village Shopping Center. Beyond Houston, Michael routinely handles restaurant leases across the country, from Top Pot Doughnuts & Coffee in Seattle, Washington, to the acclaimed Haymaker Restaurant in downtown Charlotte, North Carolina.

Meet JW

Since 1887, Jackson Walker has represented some of the most influential companies and business leaders in the world. Today, we remain firmly rooted in Texas while serving clients around the globe. With more than 400 attorneys across seven offices, we are the second-largest law firm in the state and have been recognized by Law360 as a “Texas Powerhouse” and an “elite law firm” that regularly provides counsel to industry-leading clients on highly complex transactions ranging from millions to billions. To explore the Firm’s experience assisting clients with leasing, developing, buying, selling, and operating properties, visit the Real Estate practice page.