The University of Phoenix will open its first Texas campus inOctober, selecting the 280,000-sf Churchill Tower at 12400 Coit Rd.Dale Ray, vice president for Capstar Commercial Real EstateServices in Dallas, negotiated the seven-year lease for buildingowner and general partner Today Realty Advisors, also based inDallas. Mark Bailer, vice president of Trammell Crow Co.'s Tampaoffice and Warren Willey, vice president for Trammell Crow, andRebecca Tudor, senior associate, both in Dallas, represented thetenant. The University of Phoenix also is building out a satellitecampus site in Houston, Ray tells GlobeSt.com.

The university lease represents the first large signing for thetower, which delivered in October 2000. There are three othertenants, with total occupancy now riding at 20%. The universitywill occupy all of the part first floor and all of the second. Rayconfides negotiations are under way for two other pacts, totaling60,000 sf. Churchill Tower's lease rate is quoted at $24 per sfplus electric.

"We're glad to get the first major tenant in the building," saysRay. "We're hoping this tenancy will continue and we're lookingforward to a more active third and fourth quarter."