Steve Steinmeyer, Don Schulz and Luanne Reedy, all with JLL,represented Microsoft in the lease transaction. Smith and MikeCurran, SVP, represented building owner Piedmont Realty Trust. Thelease included a tenant improvement allowance and some free rent,Smith says.

Microsoft is relocating from 77 W. Wacker, where it occupiesabout 48,000 sf, Smith says. The company will occupy the 30th and31st floors of the 83-story building and will have client showroomspace on the mezzanine on the second floor, which has tallerceilings. "They wanted something that was a little bit moreimpressive and a little bit non-traditional, in terms of typicaloffice space," he says.

The tenant will have a Microsoft Technology Center in the space,which is one of only eight across the country. At the center,clients can learn about Microsoft's software and technologies,according to a company brochure. Microsoft chose the building for acouple of reasons, including the location near Lake Michigan andMillennium Park, and the 32,000-sf floor plates of the building,Smith says.