Sample Business Contracts


Illinois-Chicago-333 West Wacker Drive Lease - Vantas West Wacker Inc. d/b/a Vantas and Bolt Media Inc.

Lease Forms

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  • When a tenant vacates commercial property before the lease term has expired, it may be able to rent the premises to a third party. The tenant would be the sublessor and the third party would be the sublessee. Besides preparing a sublease, both parties will want to review the provisions for assignment or subletting in the original lease agreement between the landlord and the sublessor.
  • Tenants of residential property should prepare a sublease agreement if they are seeking to sublease a room or the entire apartment or house to a third party. All parties should review the original lease agreement to see if there are any restrictions on subletting or assigning the premises.
  • Triple net leases are a type of commercial leases where the tenant has to pay for property taxes, insurance, utilities, and maintenance, in addition to the monthly rent.
  • When renting an office space, tenants should understand the amount of the rent and duration of the lease. Other important terms include whether the space can be subleased, which parties are responsible for maintenance, and whether any furniture and furnishings will be provided.

                            OFFICE SERVICE AGREEMENT

      This Agreement is made this 29th of October, 1999, by and between Vantas
West Wacker, Inc. d/b/a VANTAS ("Center") having offices known and numbered as
Suite 700 (the "Facility") in the building located at 333 West Wacker Drive,
Chicago, IL 60606 (the "Building") and Bolt Media, Inc. ("Client") a(n)
corporation, with an address of 304 Hudson Street, 7th Floor North, New York, NY
10013 for a term of twelve (12) months, commencing on the 15th day of November,
1999, at 9 a.m. (the "Commencement Date") and ending on the 31st day of
December, 2000, at 5 p.m. (the "Initial Term") unless renewed in accordance with
Paragraph 3.

      In consideration of the foregoing, the parties for themselves, their
heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns, agree as follows:

      1.    CENTER'S OBLIGATIONS.

      a. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Center hereby
agrees to provide Client for the Term (as defined below in Paragraph 3): (a) the
exclusive use of Furnished Private Office(s) number(s) 752 & 788 located in the
Facility (the "Premises"); and (b) non-exclusive use of the following services:

      -     Furnished, Decorated, Reception Room with Professional Receptionist

      -     Personalized Telephone Answering During Office Hours

      -     24-hour Voicemail

      -     4 hours of Conference Room per month subject to prior scheduling and
            use by other Clients

      -     Corporate Identity on Lobby Directory where Available

      -     Receipt of Mail and Packages

      -     Complete Kitchen Facilities with Coffee Service

      -     Utilities and Maintenance

      -     HVAC During Normal Business Hours

      -     Janitorial Services

      -     8 hours per month courtesy of other VANTAS affiliated facilities.
            Locations subject to current affiliation and availability.



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      b. If, for any reason, Center cannot deliver possession of the Premises to
Client on the Commencement Date, this Agreement will remain in full force and
effect; however, there will be an abatement of the Monthly Office Charge for the
period between the Commencement Date and the date that the Premises are
delivered to Client.

      2.    USE.

      The Premises will be used by Client solely for general office use and such
other normally incident uses and for no other purpose, in strict accordance with
the Operating Standards, which are annexed hereto as Schedule A. Client will not
offer at the Premise any services which Center provides to its Clients,
including, but not limited to those services described in Paragraph 1. Client
will not make nor permit to be made any use of the Premises, Facility or
Building which would violate any of the terms of this Agreement or which,
directly or indirectly, is forbidden by law, rule or regulation, which may be
dangerous to life, limb or property or which could in any way impair, interfere
or tend to impair or interfere with the high quality character, reputation or
appearance of the Building or the Facility or with any services performed by
Center for Client or for others. The foregoing provisions will also apply to
Client's Users (as defined in Paragraph 9).

      3.    RENEWAL.

      Upon expiration of the Initial Term and on any subsequent renewal term
(each, a "Renewal Term" and together with the Initial Term, the "Term") of this
Agreement, the Agreement automatically will be extended for the same period of
time as the Initial Term and upon the same terms and conditions as herein
contained except for the amount of the Monthly Office Charge (as defined in
Paragraph 4) then in effect, which will each be increased by seven percent (7%),
unless either party notifies the other in writing within the period hereinafter
specified that the Agreement will not be extended. If Client has less than three
offices, such notice will be given at least sixty (60) days prior to the
expiration of the Initial Term or the Renewal Term, as the case may be. If
Client has three or more offices, such notice will be given at least ninety (90)
days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or the Renewal Term, as the
case may be.

      4.    MONTHLY OFFICE CHARGE.

      a. For and during the Term of this Agreement, Client will pay to Center,
on or before the first day of each month after the Commencement Date, the sum of
$2,422.00 as Monthly Office Charge (subject to increase in accordance with
Paragraph 3 above) for the Premises. If any payment of Monthly Office Charge or
other charge due under this Agreement is not received within five (5) calendar
days after its due date, the Client will also pay, in addition to Monthly Office
Charge, a late payment charge which will be an amount equal to ten percent (10%)
of any amount owed to Center or Fifth Dollars ($50.00) whichever is greater. The
financial terms of this Agreement are strictly confidential and Client agrees
not to knowingly or willfully divulge this information to any other Client or
potential Client of Center.

      b. The Monthly Office Charge payable during the Term of this Agreement is
subject to increase following notification of any increase in the rent,
operating expenses or taxes which


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the Center might receive under the Main Lease (as defined in Paragraph 20),
including any increase in respect of post periods under the Term. Center will
promptly notify Client in writing of any such increase, and will bill Client for
its pro rata share thereof.

      c. The Monthly Office Charge is based on the value of the use of the
Premises and services to be used by three (3) person(s) only. If more than said
number of person(s) regularly use the Premises or services, the Monthly Office
Charge will be increased in an amount equal to One Hundred Fifty Dollars
($150.00) for each such additional person.

      d. If a Client check is returned for any reason, Client will pay an
additional charge of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per returned check and, for
the purpose of considering default and/or late charges, it will be as if the
payment represented by the returned check had never been made.

      5.    REFUNDABLE RETAINER.

      a. Client will deposit with Center $3,633.00 in good or certified funds,
as a non-interest bearing refundable retainer. Center may use the refundable
retainer to cure any default of Client under this Agreement, to restore the
Premises, including any and all furniture, fixtures and equipment, provided by
Center to its original condition and configuration, reasonable wear and tear
excepted, to pay for repairs to any damage to the Premises, Facility and/or
Building, caused by Client or Client's guests, or to pay any Monthly Office
Charge or other charges that Client owes Center at or prior to the expiration of
the Term of this Agreement.

      b. The refundable retainer (less any sums used by Center in accordance
with the terms and conditions of this Agreement) will be returned within sixty
(60) days after the termination of any services rendered or expiration of the
Term. Client may not direct or request that the refundable retainer be applied
in lieu of the final payment(s) of Monthly Office Charge or service charges
under this Agreement.

      c. In the event that Center applies any of the refundable retainer
deposited pursuant to this Agreement, Center will have the right to charge the
Client, and Client will pay, in addition to any Monthly Office Charge, such sums
as are necessary to cause the refundable retainer to be returned to its entire
original amount.

      6.    SERVICES.

      a. Provided Client is not in default of this Agreement, Center will make
available certain services to Client as more particularly described in Paragraph
1. Charges for such services will be included as part of the Monthly Office
Charge.

      b. Client shall pay a monthly amount equal to One Hundred Twenty Dollars
($120.00) per office in respect of the monthly service package (the "Monthly
Service Package"). Payment of such amount will be on the same terms and
conditions as those governing the payment of the Monthly Office Charge. The
Monthly Service Package will entitle the Client to receive upon request an
aggregate of four hours per month of clerical and/or word processing services
from the center.


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      c. In addition to the Monthly Service Package, upon request, Center will
make available to Client additional services as Center may make generally
available, the charges for which will be established as per Center's then
scheduled rates as determined by Center. Payment for these services will be
subject to the same terms and conditions as those governing the payment of the
Monthly Office Charge. Center will have no obligation to provide such services
if Client is in default of this Agreement or if the anticipated charges exceed
the amount of the refundable retainer. When providing services to Client that
involve third panics, Center will have the right to require Client to pay, or to
reimburse Center for, the fees and expenses of such third party in advance.

      7.    TELEPHONE SERVICES.

      a. Provided Client is not in default of this Agreement, Center will make
available to Client a telecommunications package, the charges for which will be
established as per Center's then scheduled rates as determined by Center.
Payment for these services will be subject to the same terms and conditions as
those governing the payment of the Monthly Office Charge. All telephone numbers
used by Client will remain at all times the property of Center and Client will
acquire no rights in the components of the telecommunications package
whatsoever.

      b. Client hereby agrees to indemnify, hold harmless and to reimburse
Center for all charges associated with (1) any toll fraud traceable to
telecommunications services provided by Center to Client including, but not
limited to, unauthorized use of calling cards or telephone lines, and (2) any
advertising costs of Client involving the telephone number assumed to it,
including, without limitation, yellow pages advertising (it being understood
that Center is under no obligation to procure such advertising and that any such
advertising by Client is subject to the Operating Standards).

      c. It is expressly acknowledged and agreed that Center will be the sole
aid exclusive provider of telecommunication services to Client. Client hereby
agrees and covenants that it will not use any other telephone service or
telephone carrier to provide it service in the Premises.

      d. Center shall not be liable for any interruption or error in the
performance of its services to Client under this Paragraph "7." Client waives
any recourse against Center arising from the provision of such services,
including, without limitation, any claim of business interruption or for any
indirect, incidental, special, consequential or punitive damages, except for
claims arising out of willful misconduct by Center.

      8.    LIMITATION OF LIABILITY/INSURANCE

      a. Client will indemnify and hold harmless Center from and against any
loss, damage, injury, liability or expense to or of personal property occasioned
by or resulting from any willful misconduct or grossly negligent act on the part
of Client or Client's Users. Center will not be liable to Client or to any other
person on account of loss, damage or theft to any business or personal property
of Client. Center will not be liable for any loss, damage, injury, liability or
expense to or of person or property except as may result from Center's willful
misconduct or grossly negligent acts. Center will indemnify and hold harmless
Client from and against any loss, damage, injury, liability or expense to or of
person or property occasioned by or


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<PAGE>   5
resulting from any willful misconduct or grossly negligent act on the part of
the Center, its agents, employees, or invitees, or persons permitted on the
Premises by Center.

      b. Center will not be liable for any claim of business interruption or for
any indirect, incidental, special, consequential exemplary of punitive damages
arising out of any failure to furnish any service or facility, any error or
omission with respect thereto, or any delay or interruption of same. Neither
Center nor any of its agents, employees, officers or directors will be deemed to
be making any representations or warranties, whether express or implied, as to
the ability of any systems, including, without limitation, computer and
electronic based equipment relating to the Building, Facility or Premises or to
any services to be provided hereunder to process date fields relating to the
Year 2000 nor will any of them be liable for the failure of such systems to
process such date fields. Center's liability under this Agreement will in no
event exceed the amount paid by Client for the services for which the claim
arose. The parties agree to the allocation of risk contained herein.

      c. Client will, prior to the Commencement Date of this Agreement provide
Center with a certificate of insurance evidencing General/Public Liability
coverage with liability limits of not less than One Million Dollars
($1,000,000.00) per occurrence for Bodily Injury and/or Property Damage
Liability and One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) per occurrence for
Fire/Legal Liability. Said insurance coverage will remain in force during the
Term of this Agreement. VANTAS Incorporated and Vantas West Wacker, Inc., will
be named as an additional named insured on each of these policies. Client's
failure to provide or maintain such insurance will not reduce or otherwise alter
Client's liability or responsibility to pay any judgment rendered against Client
for any liability or damages. All insurance required to be maintained by Client
shall include a waiver of subrogation in favor of Center and the landlord under
the Main Lease. Center will not have any obligation to maintain insurance for
Client's benefit.

      d. The provisions of this Paragraph 8 will survive the expiration or
earlier termination of the term of this Agreement.

      9.    OPERATING STANDARDS.

      The Operating Standards attached to this Agreement as Schedule A are
hereby made an integral part of this Agreement. Client, its employees, agents,
guests, invitees, visitors and/or any other persons caused to be present in and
around the Premises by the Client ("Client's Users") will perform and abide by
the Operating Standards then in effect.

     10.   EMPLOYMENT OR CENTER'S EMPLOYEES.

      Client agrees that it will not, during the Term of this Agreement and for
a period of one year thereafter, directly or indirectly, employ or offer to
employ any person who is or has been an employee of Center without prior consent
from Center. If Client hires either an employee of Center or any person who has
been an employee of Center within six months prior to the time such person is
hired by Client, Client will be liable to Center for liquidated damages equal to
six months wages of the employee, at the rate last paid that employee by Center.
The provisions of this paragraph will survive the Term of this Agreement.


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      11.   ACCESS.

      Center and its agents will have the right of access to the Premises at any
time for the purpose of (i) making any repairs, alterations and/or inspections
which it deems necessary in its sole discretion for the preservation, safety or
improvements of the Premises, or (ii) to show the Premises to prospective
Clients, without in any way being deemed or held to have committed an eviction
(constructive or otherwise) of or trespass against Client.

      12.   RELOCATION.

      Client agrees that the Center may, in its sole discretion, relocate the
Client from its present Premises to a like or similar office space within the
same Facility upon ten (10) days' notice to the Client. In the event that the
Center requires the Client to relocate, the Center will bear the reasonable
moving costs of any such relocation. All of terms and conditions of this
Agreement, other than the designation of the Premises provided herein, will
remain unaffected and in full force and effect.

       13.  ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLETTING.

      No assignment or subletting of the Premises, this Agreement or any part
thereof will be made by Client without Center's prior written consent, which
consent may he withheld in Center's sole discretion. Center may assign its
rights and its obligations under Agreement in whole or in part without Client's
consent.

      14.   TERMINATION.

      a. On expiration or earlier termination of the Term, Client will, without
demand, promptly surrender and deliver the Premises, including any furniture,
fixtures and equipment provided by Center, to Center in its original condition
and configuration, reasonable wear and tear excepted. If Client fails to so
surrender and deliver the Premises, Client agrees to pay Center, as liquidated
damages, a sum equal to twice the Monthly Office Charge for each month or
portion thereof that the Client retains possession of the Premises.

      b. If Client vacates the Premises and leaves behind any property,
whatsoever, such property will be deemed abandoned by Client and may be disposed
of by Center at Client's expense and without liability to Center.

      c. In the event the Premises, the Facility or the Building is damaged,
destroyed or taken by eminent domain, either party may terminate this Agreement
without liability on (30) days' written notice to the other party.

      d. Upon early termination of the Main Lease, this Agreement will terminate
without liability to any party unless the Landlord under such Main Lease elects
to have this Agreement assigned to such Landlord or another entity as provided
in such Main Lease.



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      15.   DEFAULT AND REMEDIES.

      a. Client will be deemed to be in default of this Agreement if Client
fails to fulfill any of its terms, conditions, covenants or provisions of this
Agreement, including but not limited to (1) payment of Monthly Office Charge
and/or any other charges hereunder within ten days of the date such charges
become due: or the abandonment and/or vacatur of the Premises by the Client
prior to expiration of the Term, or (2) if Client becomes insolvent, makes an
assignment for the benefit of creditors or files a voluntary petition, or has an
involuntary petition flied against it, under any bankruptcy or insolvency law.

      b. In case of such default, the Center may, at its sole discretion,
terminate this Agreement upon five (5) days' notice to the Client. Upon the
expiration the five day period, Client will vacate the Premises. Should Client
fail to vacate the Premises, the Center may:

      i. re-enter and remove property therefrom; and

      ii. disconnect any telephone lines installed for the benefit of Client;
and

      iii. cease supplying Client with the services described in Paragraph 1
hereof.

      If Client defaults and Center takes any of the foregoing action, or
changes the locks, removes Client's property, or otherwise denies access to
Client, Center will not be liable for any damages to the Client.

      c. In addition to the foregoing, Center may elect to accelerate all of
Client's obligations hereunder, including without limitation, Monthly Office
Charge and other monthly recurring charges, for all or part of the term. Center
is under no obligation, implied or otherwise, to mitigate its damage(s) under a
default by Client.

      d. Should Center be unable to enter into another office service agreement
relating to chic Premises, or should Center enter into another office service
agreement relating to the Premises for less than the Monthly Office Charge which
Client is obligated to pay under this Agreement, Client will pay the amount of
such deficiency, plus the expenses of entering into such other service agreement
relating to the Premises, immediately in one lump sum, to Center upon demand
and/or at Center's option as such obligations accrue hereunder.

      e. In connection with any default by Client under this Agreement, if
Center incurs attorney's fees and/or costs of collection or of ensuring
performance, Client will pay all such sums with interest, and such sums will be
deemed to be owed by Client in addition to the Monthly Office Charge hereunder,
and if the Term has expired at the time of incurring such sums, such sums will
be recoverable by Center as damages.

      16.   MAIL & TELEPHONE FORWARDING.

      Upon expiration of the Term, Center will, unless otherwise instructed by
Client in writing no later than thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the
Term, forward mail to Client at its new address and give out Client's new
telephone number via a voice mail message for a period of three (3) months at
the rate of One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150.00) per month, which sums will be
deducted from any amounts deposited with the Center from the refundable retainer
deposited hereunder or will otherwise be paid to the Center in advance. Unless
the Client pays the Charge


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set forth herein to the Center in advance, Center will have no obligation to
provide the services set forth herein. Except as expressly provided herein,
Center will have no obligation to notify any person or entity of Client's new
telephone number and address.

      17.   NOTICES.

      Any notice under this Agreement will be in writing and will be either
delivered by hand, first-class mail or by overnight courier to the party at the
address set forth below. Center hereby designates its address as:

      Vantas West Wacker, Inc.
      333 West Wacker Drive, Suite 700
      Chicago. II. 60606
      Phone: (312) 444-2000
      Fax:  (312) 641-3096
      Attn: Management

Client hereby designates its address (which address must be addressed within the
United States), as:

      Bolt Media, Inc.
      Attn:  Jeanne Sachs
      304 Hudson Street, 7th Floor North
      New York. NY 10013
      Phone:  (212) 620-5900 ext. 291
      Fax:  (212) 620- 4315

If such mail is properly addressed and mailed as above, it will be deemed notice
for all purposes, given when sent or delivered, even if returned as undelivered.

      18.   SEVERABILITY.

    The invalidity of any one or more of the sections, subsections, sentences,
clauses or words contained in this Agreement or the application thereof to any
particular set of circumstances, will not affect the validity of the remaining
portions of this Agreement or of their valid application to any other set of
circumstances. Regardless of whether or not either party has elected to consult
with legal counsel in reviewing this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties
that in no event will the terms, conditions or provisions of this Agreement be
construed against either party as the drafter of this Agreement.

    19. EXECUTION BY CLIENT.

    The party or parties executing this Agreement on behalf of the Client
warrant(s) and represent(s): (i) that such executing party (or parties) has (or
have) complete and full authority to execute this Agreement on behalf of Client;
and (ii) that Client will fully perform its obligations hereunder.


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      20.   MISCELLANEOUS.

      a. Failure of the Center to insist upon the strict performance of any term
or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy available for
a breach thereof, or acceptance of full or partial payment during the
continuance of any such breach, will not constitute a waiver of any such breach
or any such term or condition. No term or condition of this Agreement required
to be performed by Client and no breach thereof, will be waived, altered or
modified, except by a written instrument executed by Center.

      b. Time is of the essence as to the performance by Client of all
covenants, terms and provisions of this Agreement.

      c. This Agreement embodies the entire understanding between the parties
relative to its subject matter, and will not be modified, changed or altered in
any respect except in writing signed by all parties.

      d. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of
which will be deemed to be an original, but all of which together will
constitute one and the same instrument.

      e. This Agreement is subject and subordinate to the Building lease
governing the Facility, under which Center is bound as tenant (the "Main Lease")
and the provisions of the Main Lease, other than as to the payment of Monthly
Office Charge or other monies, are incorporated into this Agreement as if
completely herein rewritten. Client will comply with and be bound by all
provisions of the Main Lease except that the payment of Monthly Office Charge
will be governed by the provisions of this Agreement, and Client will indemnify
and hold Center harmless from and against any claim or liability under the Main
Lease arising front Client's breach of the Main Lease or this Agreement.


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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Center and Client have executed this Agreement as of the
date first above written.

CENTER: VANTAS WEST WACKER, INC.

By:
   ---------------------------------------------


CLIENT:         BOLT MEDIA, INC.

(If a corporation)

By:             /s/ Jeanne Sachs
   ---------------------------------------------
Name:           Jeanne Sachs
     ---------------------------------------------
Title:                        VP Sales
      ---------------------------------------------
            [Corporate Seal]

CLIENT:

(If an individual or partnership)

By:
   ---------------------------------------------
By:
   ---------------------------------------------


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