Grubb & Ellis senior vice president Mark Preston tells GlobeSt.com the building is particularly appealing to medium-size companies. He says the building is filling up quickly, attracting the likes of Sanchez Oil & Gas Corp., SalvageSale.com, Zilkha Energy Co. and Franklin, Cardwell, Jones. Contour Energy Co. recently signed a 27,167-sf pact. Preston, who negotiated the deal, says it takes occupancy to 70%.

Preston says the building's scale is manageable relative to the tenants. He cites law firms, investment management companies, intermediate energy firms and some tech companies as the target market. The building's size combined with its classic, high-end look gives smaller users more stature than they would have in a larger, less personable building, he says. Preston and the Grubb & Ellis team began the leasing assignment in third quarter 2000.

According to the Levcor-USAA team, project completion and leasing will be finished by year-end. Preston agrees. "1001 McKinney is a prime redevelopment in a burgeoning part of Downtown Houston," says USAA president T. Patrick Duncan. "We believe conditions are excellent for bringing the project up to full occupancy with proximity to Enron Field, the convention center, the new arena and light rail. The project is standing in the path of the central business district's upswing."