CBRE Arranges 120,000 Square Foot Headquarters Lease at Iconic Landmark Office Complex Recently Rebranded as Waterfront at Washingtonian

CBRE today announced it has completed a 120,000 square foot office headquarters lease at the iconic Waterfront at Washingtonian office complex, a newly repositioned property located at 9801 Washington Boulevard in Gaithersburg, MD. X-Energy, a private American nuclear reactor and fuel design engineering company, has made a large commitment to the property and the Maryland region by inking a long-term lease in the top five floors of the 325,455 square foot Class A office property owned by landlord Prime US REIT.

The CBRE team of Brian McCarthy, Niel Beggy, and Tim Connolly spearheaded the leasing campaign for the iconic office property and represented the ownership in the lease negotiations. Lease terms were not disclosed, but this long-term lease and other recently completed transactions at the property have taken occupancy from 46% to 90% leased.

“We worked closely with our colleagues at CBRE Calibre Creative Group to fully reimagine and rebrand the property that for over 20 years was known as the Sodexo Building,” said McCarthy. “The newly rebranded and renovated Waterfront at Washingtonian is now positioned as one of the best business addresses in all of Montgomery County, with an address amidst Rio Lakefront, a dynamic mixed-use center featuring various dining, entertainment, shopping, and hotel options. This sizable commitment from X-Energy speaks to the competitive advantage this property provides for recruiting and retaining talent.”

“We are truly delighted to welcome X-Energy to Waterfront at Washingtonian and to have collaborated with CBRE on this exciting milestone,” said Mr. Rahul Rana, Chief Executive Officer of Prime US REIT. “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to delivering spaces that elevate how tenants work – spaces designed and curated not just for productivity, but for culture and community.  X-Energy’s decision to select Waterfront at Washingtonian as their headquarters reaffirms the distinctive value of the property and we look forward to supporting their future achievements here.”

The reimagined and reenergized Waterfront at Washingtonian is a Class A, LEED Certified office building situated within The Washingtonian Center, a one-million square foot retail complex in the heart of Gaithersburg, MD. The property was the former North American headquarters for Sodexo, which vacated in late 2023. At the time, the ownership committed to a major capital improvement campaign that created a dramatic new lobby and lounge, best-in-class conference center, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a Grab & Go market on the ground floor.

“Waterfront at Washingtonian is one of the most iconic buildings in the area,” says Luke Hamagiwa, asset manager for Waterfront at Washingtonian and senior vice president at KBS, which serves as the U.S.-based asset manager for Prime US REIT. “The hospitality-inspired renovations Prime US REIT recently implemented at the property have been very well-received by tenants and prospective tenants alike. We’re pleased to welcome X-Energy to Waterfront at Washingtonian’s community of vibrant tenants.”