A large-scale redevelopment in the heart of D.C.'s central business district has landed a popular national steakhouse chain for its corner retail space.

Ruth's Chris Steak House signed on for 9,247 SF at Alexander Court, the trophy office project at 21st and L streets NW, Rockrose Development Corp. Director Ted Traum tells Bisnow.

The restaurant plans to open in the second half of 2019, Traum said. It would be the third D.C. location for Ruth's Chris, which has one restaurant in the East End and one in Dupont Circle. It also has steakhouses in Crystal City, Bethesda and Tysons.

The chain was founded in 1965 in New Orleans and now has 150 locations worldwide. It serves USDA Prime steaks cooked in a 1,800-degree boiler, family-style side dishes, cocktails and over 200 wines.

Papadopoulos Properties' Tom Papadopoulos and John Gogos represented Rockrose in the deal, while Ferrara Jerum International's Douglas Jerum and H&R Retail's Bryan David and Ray Schupp represented the restaurant chain.

Office tenants have already begun moving into Alexander Court, the trophy office development from Rockrose and Spitzer Enterprises. The 825K SF redevelopment combined two office buildings at 2000 L St. NW and 2001 K St. NW into a single property with a 13-story atrium connecting the towers. The office space is 80% leased to tenants including law firms Akin Gump, Paul, Weiss and Clifford Chance, plus consulting firms Bates White and Cornerstone Research.

The complex has about 18K SF of retail space. It has also signed a Bright Horizons day care center for roughly 3K SF and it is in talks for a coffee shop user for the remaining space, Traum said.

"We really wanted an upscale restaurant that was in keeping with the architecture and design at Alexander Court," Traum said. "We view this as curating to make sure we're complementing our existing amenity package."