James Harden’s Houston restaurant locked out over alleged $2.2 million in unpaid rent

James Harden’s Houston restaurant, Thirteen, was locked out of its premises after the building’s landlord posted a notice on Sept. 1 alleging more than $2.2 million in unpaid rent.

The notice, filed on behalf of Midtown Scouts Square Property, states that Thirteen Hospitality Group LLC owes $2,217,430.05 in delinquent rent and that the locks were changed because the sums had not been paid. It indicated a new key would be provided once delinquent rent and other amounts due under the lease are paid.

Court documents cited by local media say the landlord also alleged the restaurant breached the lease by failing to maintain the premises in accordance with city regulations. According to those documents, the landlord requested payment on Aug. 21; the request was denied, and the landlord subsequently moved to terminate the lease.

Thirteen opened in 2021 and is one of several business ventures associated with Harden, who played last season for the Los Angeles Clippers and earned more than $33 million. The dispute centers on the management entity named in the lease, Thirteen Hospitality Group LLC.

The lockout prompted temporary closure of the restaurant, according to the posted notice. The landlord’s action and the amount claimed reflect unpaid rent and other sums the landlord says are due under the lease; the notice directs the tenant to pay to secure access.

Neither Harden nor representatives for Thirteen Hospitality Group LLC immediately responded to requests for comment. The landlord’s notice and the court documents set out the landlord’s position that the lease was breached and terminated; they do not represent a judicial determination of liability.

Legal and commercial disputes over leases and property maintenance frequently involve multiple steps, including requests for payment, notices of default, lease termination, and, in some cases, court filings to resolve claims or seek remedies. The posted notice suggested a resolution could be reached if the tenant remitted the amounts described.

The lockout adds to a series of off-court matters involving high-profile athletes investing in restaurants and hospitality ventures, where operating costs, rent obligations and regulatory compliance can produce disputes between tenants and property owners. Any further legal filings or statements by the parties may provide additional detail on the landlord’s claims and the tenant’s defenses.

Updates will be provided as more information becomes available and as parties make formal filings or statements regarding the alleged unpaid rent and the status of the lease.