NBA player James Harden’s Houston restaurant, Thirteen, has been locked out by its landlord over unpaid rent. Midtown Scouts Square Property posted a notice on the restaurant’s door stating that Thirteens Hospitality Group owes $2.2 million in rent. The sign, dated September 1, says the owners can retrieve a new key once the debt is paid.
Prior to terminating the lease and securing the premises, Midtown Scouts Square Property notified the restaurant of its lease violations on August 21. The landlord has also filed a lawsuit against Harden and Thirteens Hospitality Group, seeking at least $1 million in damages. According to court documents, the lease for Thirteen ended in July but was extended through October by mutual agreement; however, monthly payments reportedly were not made after this extension.
Thirteen opened in 2021 at 1911 Bagby Street as a 15,000-square-foot steakhouse and hookah lounge offering Southern-inspired dishes. Harden launched the venture toward the end of his time with the Houston Rockets and continued to be involved after moving to play for other teams.
Midtown remains one of Houston’s most active nightlife districts due to its walkability. The area has seen redevelopment efforts recently, including demolition of old establishments and relocation of transportation hubs. Midtown is notable for having some of Houston’s highest multifamily rents—averaging about $1,800 per month—and has attracted strong investment activity. For example, Bow River Capital purchased Camden Midtown apartments earlier this year and rebranded them as Hadley Midtown Apartments (https://www.houston.org/news/midtown-houston-sees-new-investment-and-growth).
