Outgoing House Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland, didn't just lose one of the state's most powerful posts when he couldn't gather enough support for another term. He lost the perks of the job, too.

"The move will have to happen soon," said Steve Adrian, the House business manager.

The next legislative session gavels in on January 13th, and members are expected on that day to elect State Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, as speaker. After Craddick and others withdrew their bids, Straus is the only remaining contender.

Since Straus didn't emerge as a candidate or as speaker-designate until just days ago, it leaves very little time for an office move to occur.

"I don't recall ever seeing a transition this short, so this will be interesting to watch," said State Rep. Corbin Van Arsdale, R-Tomball.

And there's a lot to move out. The House speaker not only gets an entire wing for his personal office and his staff offices, he also lives in a 2,000 square foot apartment right inside the State Capitol, behind the House chamber.

"Texas has the only speaker's apartment in a capitol building in the United States," said Nadine Craddick, the speaker's wife, to the UT Center for American History.

Capitol real estate is hard to come by, with limited space in newer office spaces going to newer members. The most senior members get the first choice on bigger digs, and they've already moved into their spots. That leaves only State Rep. Straus' office available for Craddick to move into. With Straus' relative newness as a member, his office is not even in the Capitol building -- but downstairs in the underground area known as the extension.

"He's used to much more spacious offices, and I'm sure he got really used to a 2000 square foot apartment, so I'm sure it's going to be hard for him to adjust to that," said state Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, D-Austin.