Nike to Culver City landlord: Just do it.
The Oregon sportswear brand sued Samitaur Constructs earlier this month seeking $1 million in damages for failing to complete construction of an office space at a Samitaur-owned building in Culver City.
Nike says that its lease with Samitaur stated that the construction firm would complete the space at 5860 Jefferson Boulevard by December 2017. But Nike says the property still isn’t suitable for occupancy.
The suit was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on September 18. Nike is suing both Samitaur directly and 5860 Jefferson Boulevard LLC, the entity that controls the building.
Frequent collaborator Eric Owens Moss Architects designed the 49,000-square-foot building. Marketing materials describe it as a “development by” Samitaur.
Nike claims it’s losing out on business. Along with $1 million in damages, the sportswear maker is demanding a period of free rent to be determined by a judge. It also wants Samitaur to complete the space at its own expense.
Nike’s attorneys and Samitaur did not return calls requesting comment.
Nike alleges the space “presently suffers from numerous incomplete and/or defective aspects of construction” including incomplete and unsafe staircases, incorrectly built floor slabs, incomplete staining and painting, and missing bathroom fixtures.
Nike signed a lease for the unbuilt space with Samitaur and the LLC in April 2016. Construction started in August 2017, according to Urbanize.
The lease stipulated that Samitaur would complete the space in a timely manner.
The building on Jefferson Boulevard is near Samitaur’s distinctive (W)rapper building, which is architecturally unique. It is a narrow warehouse-like building with a ground floor and a mezzanine area that runs its length. It also features large metal bifold doors and skylights.
Monthly rents were advertised at $3.60 per square foot.
Samitaur and Eric Owens Moss Architects are major developers in Culver City, particularly in the Hayden Tract area. They are known for their creative, twisting office buildings.