A glass of beer at 8th Wonder in Houston, Texas. The brewing company has filed a lawsuit against its landlord, accusing it of trying to push the company out ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Credit Becca Wright, Courtesy of 8th Wonder
One of Houston’s more popular breweries is fighting for its home in Harris County District Court. Heady Brewing Company, LLC, which does business as 8th Wonder Brewery, has filed a lawsuit against its landlord, accusing the latter of attempting to force them out of their longtime digs in East Downtown.
According to 8th Wonder, it all has to do with the incoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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The beginning of the lease
In its lawsuit, 8th Wonder said they dutifully paid their rent and followed all of its lease obligations before trouble began with the new owners of the property.
8th Wonder Brewery/Handout
8th Wonder filed its lawsuit May 11. In it, the brewing company detailed its 11-year history at the 47,500-square-feet property at 2200 Polk and 2210 Lamar streets, referred to as “Block 464.” From 2015 to ’16, 8th Wonder moved in and said it made improvements to the property, dutifully paying its $7,500 a month rent to the original owners, All-Star Parking, Inc., according to court documents.
Between 2016 and ’21, 8th Wonder and All-Star Parking entered into two amendments. The first extended the initial terms through 2019 and “significantly increased the rent,” according to court documents. The second amendment extended the leasing term through April 30, 2021, and, again, modified the rent. Both times, 8th Wonder noted, it paid the rent on time and, per the agreement, had a 30-day window to resolve any issues involving non-monetary obligations under the lease.
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On April 7, 2021, All-Star Parking and 8th Wonder agreed to a six-year lease extension. According to 8th Wonder, there was a typo in the agreement that described Block 464 as 37,500 square feet when it should have read 47,500. The property was still labeled Block 464 as it was when All-Star Parking and 8th Wonder first came together in 2015.
In June 2022, Macy Family Properties, the defendant in the case, acquired the property, according to the lawsuit. 8th Wonder said the deed still described Block 464 as a 47,500-square-foot property.
The dispute escalates
A promotional photo of a pack of 8th Wonder’s S.L.A.B. IPA. The Houston brewery, in a lawsuit, said its relationship with a recent landlord deteriorated after the latter accused it of breaching the lease agreement and indicated it would evict the brewery.
8th Wonder Brewery
Tensions between the two first arose on Jan. 14, 2026. According to the lawsuit, Macy sent 8th Wonder a formal notice, accusing the latter of defaulting on the lease. “This was the first time in over 10 years that 8th Wonder had ever received a notice letter accusing it of failure to comply with the lease,” the brewing company alleged.
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In the notice, Macy alleged that a “transfer of control or operation may have occurred,” resulting in a default. 8th Wonder purported that Macy did not elaborate on what that meant. The landlord also alleged 8th Wonder had not complied with the insurance requirements of the lease and owed $3,300 in late fees. The brewing company denied the charges, pointing to the lease agreement.
At the end of its notice, Macy reiterated its rights to terminate the lease and would do so on Feb. 16, 2026. 8th Wonder formally responded to the notice, answering each of Macy’s allegations and promised to remedy any of the issues within the appropriate window as detailed in the lease agreement. The brewing company claimed they even paid the $3,300 under protest.
On March 4, 2026, Macy sent a notice of termination to 8th Wonder, stating its intent to terminate the lease on the same day, according to the lawsuit. In the notice, the landlord clarified its initial “transfer of control” allegation, saying the brewing company had made an “unauthorized sale/assignment to Bayou City Hemp Co.” 8th Wonder denied that ever happened.
On April 14, 2026, 8th Wonder accused Macy of changing its story again when the latter sent a letter to the former about terminating the brewing company’s rights to possession of the leased premises without actually terminating the lease. In that same letter, Macy also accused 8th Wonder of occupying around 10,000 square feet of unleased property that was not included in the lease agreement. 8th Wonder said Macy did not identify what or where the 10,000-square-foot area of the property was, noting that a landlord can only terminate the right of possession or evict a tenant with respect to leased property.
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The fight for the World Cup
Workers prepare Houston Stadium (temporarily renamed from NRG Stadium) for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Houston, Texas, on May 11, 2026. Houston Stadium will host seven soccer matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP via Getty Images
In its lawsuit, 8th Wonder alleged it believes its relationship with Macy deteriorated because of the incoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is set to begin June 11 with Houston hosting its first match June 14. The brewing company, by virtue of its location, will likely capitalize on the games and festivities that are being held at the nearby FIFA Fan Zone. The “once in a generation event” is expected to draw as many as 500,000 people to the city and generate $1.5 billion in economic impact.
The brewing company alleged in its lawsuit the landlord is trying to seize the property to potentially profit from the event. “… Defendant’s sudden and fabricated effort to terminate the lease and recapture the premises is not motivated by any genuine default, but rather by Defendant’s greed and desire to capitalize on the extraordinary economic opportunity presented by the FIFA World Cup,” 8th Wonder wrote. 8th Wonder is asking the court to declare the following:
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The lease is still in effect and not terminated
8th Wonder still has the right of possession of the property
8th Wonder hasn’t materially breached its lease
No default has occurred under the lease
Macy has no right or ability to terminate the lease
The entirety of Block 464 is 47,500 square feet
8th Wonder is entitled to use and possess the entirety of the property.
8th Wonder asked for the court to intervene and applied for a temporary restraining order against Macy to preserve the status quo, stopping the latter from evicting it or changing anything while the lawsuit works its way through the court. The judge agreed and signed the TRO, which took effect the same Monday the brewing company filed the lawsuit. The next court hearing is scheduled for May 21.
Chron reached out to both parties for comment. Macy declined and 8th Wonder did not respond by the time of publication.
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