CHICAGO-The Consulate General of France has signed a 10-year extension at the 1.9-million-square-foot Michigan Plaza office complex. The governmental agency leases more than 19,000 square feet.

The lease will keep the tenant, which promotes the interests of French businesses, residents and tourists in Chicago and the Midwest, at the 205 N. Michigan building until 2023, said Mark Buth, SVP and managing director of leasing services for MB Real Estate. Buth and Kathleen Bertrand represented the building owner, a partnership of Loeb Partners Realty Development Corp. and Sir Joseph Hotung, a British investor. Robert Sevim with Studley represented the tenant in the lease deal.

Hotung and Loeb reportedly refinanced the building for more than $200 million in December. The new loan from Morgan Stanley replaces about $232 million in CMBS loans arranged by the financier in 2005, after the partnership purchased the building in 2004 for roughly $274 million. The prior Morgan Stanley loans were to mature in April of this year.

Other tenants at the complex include Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, MCI, Omnicom and Fox Television. The complex is more than 81% leased, with rates in the $16 to $20 per square foot range, net, according to Buth.