White & Case Signs 196,000-SF Office Lease at 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Global law firm White & Case LLP has executed a 196,000-square-foot office lease at 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., in what JLL and building owner Grosvenor described as the most significant office lease in the capital in recent years. The transaction was announced May 6, 2026.

Under the terms of the agreement, White & Case will occupy approximately 196,000 square feet across 12 floors of the building, representing roughly 94 percent of the property's total office space. The deal will serve as the catalyst for a comprehensive repositioning of the approximately 208,000-square-foot building, situated steps from the White House at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and 17th Street NW.

Law Firm Demand Drives DC Office Activity

The transaction arrives against a backdrop of surging law firm demand in the Washington, D.C. office market. According to JLL research, law firms are now the single largest demand driver in the capital, accounting for nearly 30 percent of all office space leased in 2026 to date and expanding their footprints by an average of 11 percent year-over-year. The supply of high-quality office product in the market remains constrained.

White & Case's Washington, D.C. office is described by the firm as a cornerstone of its global network, providing legal services to multinational corporations, financial institutions, and sovereign clients worldwide. The firm operates from 43 offices across 29 countries and relies on its U.S., English and local law capabilities in each of its regions to serve complex cross-border transactions, arbitration, and litigation matters.

"We're pleased to reaffirm our long-term commitment to Washington, D.C. with this landmark lease that reflects strong client demand and a continued investment in our people," said Hansel Pham, Office Executive Partner at White & Case. "This modernized space will be designed to foster collaboration and enable our lawyers and business services professionals to act as true connectors to our global network, to bring the full strength of our Firm to clients. Our presence in Washington, D.C. is critical and this move underscores our confidence in the opportunities ahead."

Grosvenor to Undertake Comprehensive Building Repositioning

In connection with the lease, Grosvenor will undertake a capital improvement program to reposition 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW to a superior standard over the next 24 months. The scope of work includes full exterior window replacement, elevator modernization, construction of a new structural rooftop and penthouse amenity, lobby and common area enhancements, HVAC upgrades, and a new fitness center. Renovation is targeted for completion by November 2028, ahead of White & Case's planned move-in by December 2029.

"1701 Pennsylvania Avenue has always had the bones of a great building on one of Washington's most iconic corridors — a remarkable address in an unmatched location," said Mark Purdy, Executive Vice President of Investment at Grosvenor. "This transaction gives the opportunity to realize that potential fully. With White & Case as the long-term tenant and a comprehensive renovation program, the delivery of this remarkable asset will set a new standard for the Pennsylvania Avenue corridor."

Upon completion, the property will offer approximately 208,000 square feet of premium office space in the heart of the capital, well-served by public transportation and within blocks of Lafayette Square.

Brokerage Teams and Transaction Details

JLL's Bobby Blair, Vice Chairman, and Greg McCavera represented White & Case in the transaction. Cushman & Wakefield's John Skolnik and Michael Katcher represented Grosvenor. Financial terms of the lease, including rent rate and lease duration, were not disclosed.

"In today's demanding real estate environment, transactions of this scale require exceptional partnership and commitment," said Bobby Blair of JLL. "The collaboration to reimagine 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue exemplifies White & Case's strategic investment in its DC presence and Grosvenor's expertise in delivering a bespoke and innovative workplace in the nation's capital's most coveted business address."

Market Context

The White & Case lease underscores a broader trend in Washington, D.C. office real estate, where law firms are driving absorption of premium space. JLL research indicates that law firms have accounted for nearly 30 percent of all leased office space in the capital in 2026, with appetite for best-in-class product showing no signs of slowing, while the supply of genuinely high-quality product remains acutely constrained.

JLL, which reported annual revenue of $26.1 billion and a global workforce of more than 113,000 as of March 31, 2026, represented the tenant in the transaction. Grosvenor is an international organization with activities spanning urban property, food and agtech, rural estate management, and philanthropic support.