(HOUSTON) – Hines, the international real estate firm, formally announced today that Chicago-based United Airlines has signed a 225,000-square-foot lease at 609 Main at Texas, the firm’s new downtown office tower. Located at the corner of Main and Texas streets in downtown Houston, the 48-story, 1,050,000-square-foot office tower will be complete in early 2017. United will consolidate its Houston office employees in the building from two separate locations.
The airline will be occupying floors 12 – 19, which include the signature garden balconies on floors 12 and 13. United was represented in lease negotiations by Sanford Criner, Charles Gordon, Brandon Clarke, Ryan Roth and John Curtis with CBRE. Michael Anderson and Damon Thames with Colvill Office Properties represented Hines, the building developer, owner and manager. With this lease, 609 Main at Texas stands at 50 percent committed.
Designed by the internationally recognized architectural firm Pickard Chilton, the project’s north and south façade will extend skyward, culminating in a dramatic diagonal crown, creating a new, highly visible downtown landmark. The property is pre-registered LEED®, and is expected to attain Platinum certification upon completion.
Hines Senior Managing Director John Mooz said, “We are thrilled to welcome United Airlines, downtown Houston’s 11th largest employer, to their new home at 609 Main at Texas.”
“609 Main at Texas enjoys a prominent location in Houston’s central business district, but it is the tenants that truly make the building great,” added Philip Croker, managing director at Hines. “Adding one of the most prestigious airlines in the world to the tenant roster is truly an honor for the firm.”
“As a brand new building, 609 Main gives us an opportunity to design spaces ideally suited to the needs of our employees and global operations, while continuing our commitment to the Houston community,” said Gavin Molloy, United’s vice president of corporate real estate.
Hines is a privately owned global real estate investment firm founded in 1957 with a presence in 182 cities in 20 countries. Hines has $89.1 billion of assets under management, including $42.5 billion for which Hines provides fiduciary investment management services, and $46.6 billion for which Hines provides third-party property-level services. The firm has 109 developments currently underway around the world. Historically, Hines has developed, redeveloped or acquired 1,126 properties, totaling over 351 million square feet. The firm’s current property and asset management portfolio includes 457 properties, representing over 193 million square feet. With extensive experience in investments across the risk spectrum and all property types, and a pioneering commitment to sustainability, Hines is one of the largest and most-respected real estate organizations in the world. Visit www.hines.com for more information.
United and United Express operate more than 4,500 flights a day to 339 airports across five continents. In 2015, United and United Express operated more than 1.5 million flights carrying more than 140 million customers. United is proud to have the world's most comprehensive route network, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.
United operates more than 720 mainline aircraft, and this year, the airline anticipates taking delivery of 21 new Boeing aircraft, including 737 NGs, 787s and 777s. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 192 countries via 28 member airlines. For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter or connect on Facebook.
