David Hudson, senior vice president in Houston for Indianapolis-based Duke, tells GlobeSt.com that the location was the dealmaker, taking the first tract of land in an off-market deal from a partnership, led by John McCormack of Houston, who's planning an 80-acre business park for the rest of the land between Mason Road and Grand Parkway, about a half-mile from Interstate 10. The 6.83-acre site at 22535 Colonial Pkwy. is across the street from Simon Property Group Inc.'s Grand, 1.2 million sf of retail in two under-construction projects.

"We bought this land specifically for this deal," Hudson says. "It's a great location, great site with really good office potential." He says Jackson & Cooksey Ltd. senior vice presidents Andy Iverson and John Beach and principal Jim Cooksey looked at several sites in the Energy Corridor in a goal to put the company closer to amenities and energy-related clients and still maintain a convenient commute for its employees in Katy and northwest Houston. "That was really the impetus for the move," Hudson says, adding "they liked the fact that Simon controlled the land next door."

Powers Brown Architecture of Houston is designing the shell, with 45,000-sf floor plates and a 4:1,000 parking ratio, while Ziegler Cooper Inc., also from Houston, will do the interiors. Hudson says the building is being designed for LEED Silver certification. "It's designed to be functional in the event DNV moves out in 10 years," Hudson adds.