Markel Service Inc., a Glen Allen, VA-based property and casualty insurance company, is planning an Oct. 1 opening of its first Texas office, securing its 16,988 sf with a seven-year lease at 7500 Dallas Pkwy., according to Charlie Otte, an associate with Dallas-based Stream Realty Partners LP. The second long-term lease was inked by Altair Global Relocation, which tapped 60,084 sf on part of the first floor and all of two and three for its headquarters. Altair is planning a first quarter 2009 move-in.

"Technically, we were the first to get the lease signed, but they were close behind," Otte tells GlobeSt.com. He adds that Markel included expansion rights for the balance of the fourth floor in its lease, which went full circle in less than 60 days.

Otte says Markel's search initially was for a 10,000-sf to 15,000-sf office, confining the hunt along the North Dallas Tollway. But, he says the requirement was increased because "it was important to them to have an ability to expand." Although the corridor presented a number of options, Otte says the dealmaker was Legacy's mix of hotels, shops and fitness club beside the mid-rise, which was completed earlier this year.