Sovereign Bank, the Dallas-based financial services institution, has signed a 7,265-square-foot lease at 777 Post Oak Boulevard as it seeks to expand in the Houston market, international commercial real estate services firm Studley announced today.

The office – Sovereign Bank's first in Houston – will serve as the bank's regional headquarters. Locations for future retail banking facilities in the area are currently being identified.

Founded in 2004, Sovereign Bank provides a wide range of depository services, commercial and industrial lending, SBA loans, specialized lending for the energy industry, private banking, real estate lending, treasury management and more. Sovereign Bank is headquartered in Dallas with eight branch locations in the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area and two branches in the Austin region.

777 Post Oak Boulevard is an eight-story Class A office building located across Post Oak from Uptown Houston in the Galleria/West Loop submarket. It was re-developed by Songy Partners in 1998 and later acquired by Gateway Ridgecrest, the current owner.

The long-term lease was negotiated by Studley Senior Managing Director Kevin Hodges. Gateway Ridgecrest was represented by Bill Stone of Cushman & Wakefield.