One of the 50 highest-grossing law firms in the U.S. has signed an anchor lease at a planned Washington, D.C., trophy office redevelopment three years before its anticipated completion.

Law firm Sheppard signed for 107,224 square feet at In-Rel Properties’ 2033 K Street NW, CBRE announced Tuesday. The firm, which has more than 1,200 attorneys across 16 offices, will move in after the building’s expected completion in July 2029. The brokerage did not disclose the value of the lease or the asking rent.

In-Rel is expanding and updating the existing building, located along K Street near the intersection of D.C.’s Central Business District, West End and Dupont Circle. The developer will retain the property’s concrete structure while expanding it vertically and horizontally, including adding three floors and a penthouse.

The renovations are another example of owners betting on Washington’s bifurcated office market, where distress coexists with a shortage of large, new trophy spaces, particularly for law firms and other high-end tenants.

“We all know D.C. has plenty of office space, but what it doesn’t have is enough large-block, trophy-quality product that leading law firms like Sheppard demand,” In-Rel CEO Jackson Siegal said in a statement. 

Sheppard Chair Luca Salvi said the new office would provide a more modern and efficient workplace as the firm approaches its centennial and continues growing its Washington operation. 

CBRE’s Dimitri Hajimihalis, Emily Eppolito and Carroll Cavanagh represented In-Rel. Savills’ Gary Stein, David Lipson, Jon Glass and Owen Jaccard represented Sheppard.

Gregory Cornfield can be reached at gcornfield@commercialobserver.com.

Keywords: 2033 K Street NW, Carroll Cavanagh, David Lipson, Dimitri Hajimihalis, Emily Eppolito, Gary Stein, Jackson Siegal, Jon Glass, Luca Salvi, Owen Jaccard, CBRE, In-Rel Properties, Savills, Sheppard