The IBC Plaza, situated at 5615 Kirby Dr. near the Medical Center, is 93% occupied due to the leasing activity. Barbara Richey of Senterra Real Estate Group LLC tells GlobeSt.com that the three newcomers are backfilling a floor vacated a year ago in a building owned by the International Bank of Commerce.

The largest deal, 7341 sf, in the stack was signed by Identigene Inc., a Houston-based DNA testing firm. Greg Cizik and Coy Davidson, a team in Colliers International's Houston office, represented Identigene.

Richey, the IBC's broker, says Identigene moved from another leased spot at nearby 7500 Fannin so it could expand. But, she admits the economics on the table helped to sway the deal although she won't discuss the convincing terms. The building's quoted rate is $19 per sf.

Hitachi American Ltd. moved into 4,829 sf in the building. Hitachi's terms were negotiated by an in-house representative, Roland Gomez, from the corporate real estate office in New York City and Connie Dando in Senterra's Houston office. Hitachi relocated from northwest Houston.

Richey says Hitachi's new contract with the Medical Center inspired the move. The office will house the firm's power generation products division.

The law firm of Townsend & Jones LLP took over a 1,189-sf office. According to Richey, the building's location near the home of one of the principals weighed heavily on its selection. Chip Hubbard with Houston-based Commercial Real Estate Services represented the law firm.