At least a few of those swirling rumors about Royce Builders appear to have been on target. Yesterday, Fox 26 reporter Isiah Carey camped out in the parking lot of the company’s offices across Beltway 8 from the Sam Houston Race Park — as a stream of just-laid-off employees loped out of the building carrying boxes.

We’ve also learned Royce has had at least 70 [liens] placed on their properties and homes that have been sold.

Court records indicate the company has failed to pay a contractor for work done. Tax records also show Royce owes the tax assessors office at least $95,000.

How extensive were the layoffs?

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The company hasn’t made any public announcements, and it hasn’t returned Carey’s calls. But one poster on the Implode-Explode forums reports that

All but about 10 key people from corporate and all of construction except for 2 people have been laid off. Sales counselors haven’t been told anything yet.

What comes next? And here’s another question: A listing at the Caldwell Companies’ website for 7850 N. Sam Houston Pkwy West (linked to from the Implode-Explode forums) indicates that 28,244 sq. ft. of office space in the Royce Builders building’s 2nd and 3rd floors is already available for lease. Is this space that Royce is vacating?

• Royce Builders Lays Off Some Employees [MyFox Houston]
• Available Properties [Caldwell Companies]
• Royce Builders in Trouble? [Implode-Explode Forums]
• The Rumors Circling Around Royce Builders [Swamplot]

Photo of Royce Builders offices at 7850 N. Sam Houston Pkwy. West: Stewart Title