Seismic Firm Corners 18,992 SF in City Hotspot

HOUSTON-Geokinetics Inc., a Houston-based seismic services company, is following the lead of other upscale, professional services firms of late that have signed for spots in the prestigious Uptown-Galleria submarket.

The firm, now located at 8401 Westheimer Rd., has sealed a long-term lease for 18,992 sf at One Riverway. in the city’s Uptown-Galleria submarket. Jon Silberman of NAI Partners Commercial in Houston tells GlobeSt.com that the Geokinetics is atypical of the firms being attracted to the submarket. Although some larger companies have moved out of the Galleria submarket in recent quarters, Silverman says many high-end office users are taking advantage of the area’s competitive terms. Geokinetics checked out the western suburbs, but settled on the Galleria high-rise because its more centrally located to its staff, says Silberman who, along with Cathleen Morgan, negotiated the pact for the tenant. Eric Johnson of Chicago-based Transwestern Commercial Services’ Houston office represented building owner, GLIC/SAR.

Johnson says the commercial tenants enjoy the proximity to the high-end residential neighborhoods that flank the Galleria. The closeness of luxury residential properties to class A product make it ideal for high-end professionals. Johnson says that while the class A space in the Galleria is commensurate to class A space in the CBD, the suburban variety often does not always live up to the same standards.