LOS ANGELES—The University of SouthernCalifornia has expanded its currentoffice lease by 20,000 square feet at theWorld Trade Center in Downtown Los Angeles,doubling the university's presence in the building. USC's charterhigh school, Hybrid High School, occupies thespace, and the lease expansion will be used for additionalclassrooms for the junior and senior classes.

“USC already had 20,000 square feet at the project and needed togrow to accommodate the sophomore class moving into its junior andsenior years over the next two years,” ChrisRunyen, senior managing director at Charles DunnCo., tells GlobeSt.com. “There were four years left on theinitial lease, and I believe they intend to buy or develop aproperty for this use within the next few years.” Runyenrepresented the landlord in the lease transaction, JamisonProperties, while Dennis Smith,Howard Feuerstein and CoryCampbell of Travers Realty representedUSC.

Because USC already had a lease in place at the building, thelease transaction was relatively smooth. “The initial lease in 2012was much more difficult to gain approvals, but this is now a provenlocation for them and the school has been a success, which helpedmove this most recent lease along,” Runyen explains. USC's original20,000-square-foot space was located on the ground floor of thebuilding, and housed administrative offices and classrooms. The newspace is located on the second floor. The university performed mildrenovations so that the space could accommodate their needs for the2014/2015 school year.