Jim Adams, with the Codman Cos., tells GlobeSt.com that the firm, one of the largest architectural, engineering and consulting firms in the nation, will relocate from about 10,000 sf at 7 Winthrop Sq. in Downtown Crossing to the second floor in the 173,000-sf building on Feb. 1.

The building, formerly the Essex Hotel, was built in the Beaux Art style of architecture in 1899 across the street from South Station and renovated in 1987 and again in 2004. "The space itself is unique because the building was originally a hotel and the second floor was a ballroom and meeting space so it has high ceilings and large windows," Adams says. "The ability to have that and control a whole floor just a minute's walk from South Station was a deciding factor."

Under its five year lease agreement, HDR Engineering will pay about $30 per sf, which includes an allotment for renovations, says Adams, who represented the tenant. The landlord, 695 Atlantic Avenue Co. LLC, was represented by Jeremy Roy, with Jones Lang LaSalle's Boston office.