James Harden's Houston restaurant reportedly locked out over $2.2 million in unpaid rent

James Harden's Houston restaurant, Thirteen, has been locked out of its leased space after the building's landlord posted a notice alleging more than $2.2 million in unpaid rent.

A sign placed on the property on Sept. 1 by Midtown Scouts Square Property states that Thirteen Hospitality Group, LLC owes $2,217,430.05 in delinquent rent and that locks on the premises have been changed. The notice says a new key will be provided only when "delinquent rent and other sums due under the lease" are paid.

Court documents cited by Click2Houston and referenced in local reporting say the restaurant also breached the lease by failing to maintain the premises in accordance with city regulations. According to those filings, the landlord requested payment on Aug. 21; the request was denied, and the landlord subsequently terminated the lease.

Thirteen opened in 2021 and has been associated with Harden, the NBA star who led the league in scoring at various points during his career and earned more than $33 million last season while playing for the Los Angeles Clippers. The business operates under Thirteen Hospitality Group, LLC, according to the notice posted by Midtown Scouts Square Property.

Local outlet CultureMap Houston first reported the posted notice. Other local reporting cited court documents and lease language to describe the alleged violations and the landlord's actions. The notice and court filings reflect the landlord's position; the amounts and allegations have been reported as claimed by the property owner and in court papers.

There was no public statement from Harden or representatives for Thirteen Hospitality Group in the reports cited. The posted notice indicates a condition for returning access to the premises, tying provision of a new key to payment of the sums claimed.

The dispute adds to a trend of high-profile athletes branching into hospitality and the legal and financial complexities that can accompany commercial leases. The matter could lead to further legal filings or negotiations between the landlord and the hospitality group; court documents cited in local coverage were the source of the lease-breach assertion.

Further developments, including any filings to contest the landlord's actions or statements from Harden's team, were not contained in the reports cited. The posted notice and accompanying court references represent the current publicly reported status of the property and the landlord's claims.