The firm has worked out a seven-year lease for 13,000 sf or thetop two floors with some spillover onto the 14th floor in theSinclair Building at 512 Main St., Kenneth P. Jaffe, vice presidentfor Swearingen Realty Group in Dallas, tells GlobeSt.com. He saysthe key to the decision was the ability to get contiguous space inthe 77-year-old art deco building, which was made possible by therelocation from the 14th floor by long-time tenant, the StricklandGroup.

"We contemplated expanding where they were," Jaffe says. "But,they were enamored with being in a historic building." Thefive-partner firm, which totals 35 employees, will move from 9,000sf in City Center at 201 Main St., right in step with a leaseexpiration.

The office finish-out will get under way this month as willwindow replacements on the 95,000-sf building's Fifth and Mainstreet sides. The class B office building's street-level retailconsists of Tobacco Lane and two restaurants. Office space isquoted at $16.50 per sf plus electric.