- BXP and Sidley Austin have finalized a 240K SF lease for a new office tower at 2100 M St. NW in Washington, DC, marking the city’s largest private-sector lease in 2025.
- The project will rise on the site of a vacant building previously slated for residential conversion, showcasing a shift back toward trophy office development amid growing demand from top-tier tenants.
- This deal follows another major BXP-led law firm development at Metro Center, where a 320K SF office tower is already 90% preleased.
BXP Secures Another Win
Boston Properties (BXP), one of the nation’s largest office landlords, is expanding its development pipeline in Washington, DC, reports Bisnow. The company is moving forward with a new high-end office building backed by a major lease from Sidley Austin. The law firm leased 240K SF at 2100 M St. NW, spanning floors four to ten and the penthouse.
The deal was first reported by Bisnow and later confirmed by the Washington Business Journal. It positions the West End property as a rare example of new office construction in a market otherwise grappling with high vacancy.
A Rare Development Bet In A High-Vacancy Market
The building will replace a vacant 1960s-era structure previously targeted for residential redevelopment by Post Brothers. After foreclosure earlier this year, the property was taken over by lender AllianceBernstein. BXP’s acquisition and pivot toward office use come at a time when trophy-level office space remains in demand—even as the broader DC office market sits at a 22.4% vacancy rate.
Sidley’s lease is reportedly valued near $100 PSF, underscoring the premium pricing that top-tier spaces can command. According to CBRE, vacancy for trophy properties in DC is just 10.2%.
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Sidley’s Next Chapter
Sidley Austin, the sixth-largest US law firm, will relocate from its longtime office at 1501 K St. NW. The firm’s existing lease there runs through 2031, suggesting it may negotiate an early exit or maintain a split footprint.
“This move represents the next overall chapter for Sidley as we continue to grow in DC and globally,” said firm partner Kristen Kohler.
BXP’s Strong Momentum
The Sidley deal is BXP’s second major law firm-anchored project in DC this year. In January, the REIT announced plans for a 320K SF tower at Metro Center, anchored by McDermott Will & Emery. Cooley LLP later joined the project, bringing preleasing to 90% before construction even began.
Both developments reflect BXP’s proven strategy in DC. The company has historically secured some of the region’s most prominent tenants. These include Marriott, Fannie Mae, and WilmerHale, through large-scale build-to-suit office projects.
Why It Matters
Office construction has slowed, but Sidley’s deal shows demand remains strong when location and building quality meet top standards. Trophy assets are becoming harder to find in DC, making top-tier developments more competitive, even in a high-vacancy landscape.
Only one other major office project is currently under construction—the 398K SF redevelopment of WMATA’s former HQ. BXP continues to lead the pack in delivering new, preleased office inventory.
What’s Next
The new West End building adds to a growing list of high-end legal office hubs reshaping DC’s core. As demand for premier space remains concentrated in the legal and professional services sectors, expect more selective but impactful office developments to emerge.
With vacancy in the broader market high but trophy assets tightening, BXP appears well-positioned to keep capitalizing on DC’s flight-to-quality trend.
