Triton Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 (edited) http://zieglercooper.com/800-bell/ Ziegler Cooper won an invitation-only competition for the extensive renovation of the Humble Oil Headquarters building. The 44 level structure, completed in 1962 and located in the southernmost portion of Houston’s Skyline District at Milam and Bell Streets, was once the tallest building west of the Mississippi River. When the original tenant – now ExxonMobil – vacates in the second quarter of 2015, a complete transformation of the building will begin, bringing it up to compete with other Class A+ properties in downtown Houston. Edited November 11, 2013 by Triton 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Very nice, much better than the Kirksey design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bachanon Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 it's losing the historical significance. it could have been a very mid-century chic renovation. the owner and the market rule the day; not a negative statement. i hoped for a sensitive reno that would capture the spirit of 60's modern and update simultaneously. at least it doesn't suck. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triton Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Agreed, this is much better and I'm glad they won! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asubrt Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 I like it. I think the Mickey Leland building renovation shows that transformations like this can be extremely successful. That one is looking great, and hopefully this one will too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monarch Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 ...oh my, success at last! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alec Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Such a beautiful rendering. My only complaint is that someone was so insecure with it they felt the need to neuter the Chevron tower in the background. It's okay that your building isn't the only tall one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfastx Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Wow, that is gorgeous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wxman Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 I think I'm in love.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 That a sweet looking building. Too bad it is not brand new and destroying the original facade... But this is Houston, and you can't stop progress. Love the plaza too!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgriff Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 It loses it's significance in this redesign but if that's what it takes to get it leased then that's what they should do. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Snore! Houston needs its 60s brutal buildings! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClutchCity Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Swamplot explains why they took away the sunshades. They are increasing the square footage to 1.4 mil. There's the potential for a lot of empty space downtown.http://swamplot.com/redo-of-classic-exxonmobil-tower-downtown-will-eat-fins-fatten-up/2013-11-11/#more-73776 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 (edited) Symbolizes the transformation of Exxon from the slender member of the "Seven Sisters" in the 60's to the hulking superpower it is today. Looks good. Loses the elan of the original with its slender proportions, but the surface treatment is very eye-catchey. The inverted slant of the top seems a little uninspired. Why do they say 44 floors - I thought it was 50? Could make it very difficult for another tower (besides Hines, Chevron, and Hilcorp) to get off the ground with this much space coming on the market. Edited November 11, 2013 by H-Town Man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moore713 Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 So this is the second building that will have a open air access point to the tunnels ? I am glad to see some of these building getting on board with the city attempt to open the tunnels up to the street level. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Snore! Houston needs its 60s brutal buildings! Exxon, Sheraton-Lincoln, Astrodome....Houston is quickly losing its mid-century mojo. Is anyone aware of another skyscraper remodeling of this massive a scope? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purdueenginerd Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 (edited) theyre fattening the tower. Interesting. I'd expect new exterior columns for that Edited November 11, 2013 by Purdueenginerd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 woah.. i actually really like this. im going to miss the 60s shades/"razor blades", but the building came out looking much nicer than i expected from our sneak peek at the PDF/slide show a couple weeks ago. and underground plaza connecting into the tunnel system! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triton Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Exxon, Sheraton-Lincoln, Astrodome....Houston is quickly losing its mid-century mojo. Is anyone aware of another skyscraper of emodeling of this massive a scope?Yes, it is still in its early phases but Brookfield Properties is going to have One Allen Center completely remodeled inside and out. I only know about it because my client is the head of an architecture firm that is working with Brookfield for the redesign and he is currently the head supervisor of the JWMarriot renovations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 also a light up roof! does anyone know what will happen to the Petroleum Club? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt16 Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 my company has a membership, and they claim to be staying put last time we asked. I don't know how, but that's what they are saying. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt16 Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Correction - moving to total plaza Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Yes, it is still in its early phases but Brookfield Properties is going to have One Allen Center completely remodeled inside and out. I only know about it because my client is the head of an architecture firm that is working with Brookfield for the redesign and he is currently the head supervisor of the JWMarriot renovations. It seems odd that they would do One Allen Center and not its twin, Two Allen Center. and underground plaza connecting into the tunnel system! I'm guessing the connection would be through the Wedge Building. Hard to say if an underground plaza at 800 Bell would generate or receive much tunnel traffic. Correction - moving to total plazaI'm a little sorry to hear that. I had been in the Petroleum Club a couple of times a while back, and it definitely had that 1960s vibe going. Sort of like visiting the set of 'Mad Men'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 (edited) Correction - moving to total plazaUgh, almost 10 floors lower than their place at ExxonMobile. So much for having my wedding reception there... Maybe they will move back after renovations? HehThey still have the 2 upper floors distinguished from the rest of the tower in the new renovations like something would go up there Edited November 11, 2013 by cloud713 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 I'm guessing the connection would be through the Wedge Building. Hard to say if an underground plaza at 800 Bell would generate or receive much tunnel traffic.Wedge tunnel access sounds right.. Agreed the outdoor underground plaza won't receive much traffic except from the Exxon building tenants. Maybe some new office or residential tower will eventually be built on one of the vacant lots around Exxon and bring more people to use that area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Exxon, Sheraton-Lincoln, Astrodome....Houston is quickly losing its mid-century mojo. Still have Tenneco/El Paso, MFAH, First City, Jones Hall - the better looking ones of the era. But the less dazzling stuff is disappearing quick. I haven't given up on the Astrodome though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClutchCity Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 I'm just hoping all the redevelopments/new developments help light up our downtown skyline! I love Wells Fargo's light strip when it color changes like it was the other night. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 I'm just hoping all the redevelopments/new developments help light up our downtown skyline! I love Wells Fargo's light strip when it color changes like it was the other night.agreed.. Hines new tower has a light up crown and lighting down 2 sides of the building, this one will have a light up crown, International Tower (if/when it gets off the ground) will have an almost 700' span of LEDs down the side, Hines residential tower at Market Square seems to have a light up section at the top. and hopefully the inner/taller box of Capital Tower lights up. im still waiting to see if Chevrons new tower will feature any lighting. its about time downtown steps up their lighting game and doesnt treat lighting as an afterthought. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Question regarding the four floating purple rectangles in the middle of the facade... is there any reason why they start and stop where they do, or why there are four of them and not 3 or 2 or 7? Or is it completely arbitrary? Wouldn't this design look better if they were combined into one continuous purple rectangle running top to bottom? Or if they were removed altogether? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbannizer Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 The more I look at the design, the more I love it. I think this project for downtown is now the one I'm most excited about.agreed.. Hines new tower has a light up crown and lighting down 2 sides of the building, this one will have a light up crown, International Tower (if/when it gets off the ground) will have an almost 700' span of LEDs down the side, Hines residential tower at Market Square seems to have a light up section at the top. and hopefully the inner/taller box of Capital Tower lights up. im still waiting to see if Chevrons new tower will feature any lighting. its about time downtown steps up their lighting game and doesnt treat lighting as an afterthought.I believe the Marriot Marquis will have a lit top as well. Skyhouse will have lighting too, but not as noteworthy as the others. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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