DUBLIN, OH-Alcatel-Lucent has leased more than 120,000 square feet at the Atrium II building here, owned by Duke Realty Corp.. The communications technology firm is relocating its 600-employee North American headquarters from its offices on East Broad Street.

The 291,445-square-foot property had been only 20% occupied, now this lease takes the building to about 60%, says Jim Clark, SVP with Duke. He says the building had lost large leases by Nationwide Insurance and Cardinal Health.

Alcatel-Lucent will make its move in August, Clark says. He would not comment on the lease rate or term at the building, which is composed of two five-story towers connected by a five-story atrium. The tenant’s headquarters is in Paris.

To accommodate the new tenant’s delivery and shipping needs, Duke will build a new loading dock on the north side of the North Tower, as well as a new 21,000-square-foot computer and equipment testing laboratory.

Clark tells GlobeSt.com that there are some more large tenants kicking the tires in the Columbus suburbs, following moves such as Bob Evans recently announcing it is moving its headquarters from the downtown to a new office in New Albany, OH. “There’s significant activity out there now, though absorption has been quiet,” Clark says.

Rick Nash with Equis represented Alcatel-Lucent in the transaction. Ben Struewing, VP of leasing with Duke, represented ownership.