Software firm signs lease with Heights M-K-T
The developers of M-K-T in the Heights will welcome a new tech tenant to the mixed-use project being developed in a collection of former industrial buildings along Shepherd Drive, just north of Interstate 10.
SmartVault, a provider of cloud-based document storage and secure file-sharing solutions, signed a lease for 8,500 square feet of office space in the development, a joint venture of Triten Real Estate Partners, Radom Capital and Long Wharf Capital. The company will relocate there this fall.
“As a tech company with a diverse employee population, the biggest driver for us for moving to the M-K-T space were the amenities outside of a ‘traditional’ office suite, which is what we have in our current location,” Dania Buchanan, global head of SmartVault said in an e-mail. “The most important to our team was proximity to outdoor space plus walkable to restaurants to try and deliver more of a balance between work and wellness for our team. The timing of our move allows us to re-imagine the interior office design keeping employee safety and wellness at the center of our design.”
Founded in Houston in 2008, SmartVault was privately owned until it became part of GetBusy, a London-based software company in 2017. GetBusy, which trades on the London Stock Exchange, also own other document management and client collaboration brands.
SmartVault, which has a global workforce of 120 employees, expects to grow its Houston office to about 50 employees by the end of 2020, Buchanan said.
“Our plans include desk configurations that allow employees a minimum of 6-foot distance from teammates, open meeting areas where we can collaborate safely, sanitization stations, and multiple options for ‘flex’ space — again to fuel collaborative work but in a less dense, enclosed footprint,” she said. “Our team has been fully remote since March 13, and we will continue to support a liberal telecommute policy when it becomes safe for our team to return to an office environment.”
Bordered by White Oak Bayou and Heights Hike and Bike Trails, M-K-T was designed by Austin-based Michael Hsu Office of Architecture in conjunction with landscape architect SWA Group and local architect of record Method. The project is walking distance to Heights Mercantile and other shops.
The offices at M-K-T have a modern design with 10- to 24foot exposed ceilings, providing the option for tenants to build out custom mezzanine spaces. Features include large windows and skylights, private outdoor spaces and functional glass overhead doors that help bring the outdoors inside. Tenants are expected to start moving in ater this year.
Russell Hodges, Bubba Harkins and Jenny Mueller of JLL are handling office leasing on behalf of the developers.
With the deal, the office portion of M-K-T is about 50 percent leased, with 50,000 square feet remaining, according to JLL. Miller Grossbard Advisors and XCL Resources have also signed up for office space.
Approximately 100,000 square feet of retail space will complement the office space, with shaded walking paths and plazas interspersed throughout the development. M-K-T, located at 6th Street and Shepherd Drive, is designed to house some 30 restaurant, retail and health and fitness tenants. Among those that have leased space are Mendocino Farms, Da Gama Cantina, Burdlife, Honeychild’s Sweet Creams and Pedego Electric Bikes.