TowerSpotter Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 I counted 50 stories not counting the bottom part Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nix Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Today Chevron announced plans to construct an office building downtown to accommodate its business growth and expanding workforce in the Houston area. The 50-story, 1.7 million-square-foot building will be located at 1600 Louisiana at Pease. Together with Chevron U.S.A.’s existing properties at 1500 Louisiana and 1400 Smith, the buildings will comprise an expanded urban campus with indoor and outdoor common areas, enhanced dining facilities, a fitness center, training and conference facilities, and additional parking. Groundbreaking will follow final investment decision for the project – expected in the second quarter of 2014 – and phased occupancy is anticipated to begin in the fourth quarter of 2016 and end in 2017. Houston-area supervisors will be engaged to determine staffing needs, and announcements about who is moving and when will follow final investment decision. There are no plans to move Chevron Corporation’s headquarters to Houston. Also, there are no plans to sell or vacate our Bellaire or Briarpark properties at this time, though Chevron intends to consolidate its leased spaces into the downtown campus by the time of its completion in 2017. This announcement underscores Chevron’s long-term commitment to Houston and its role as the epicenter of the global energy industry. Houston plays a vital and growing role in Chevron’s global business, and the expanded urban campus will provide a first-rate work environment for its workforce and help us remain the employer of choice. To learn more, visit the Houston Urban Campus website.Greg VeseyHouston Leadership Committee Chair Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arndthwrld82 Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Great news!!! Should be a great addition to the skyline from the west and south! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triton Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Funny how it didn't even show up on the list of projects that was just posted yesterday on the forums: http://downtownhouston.org/site_media/uploads/attachments/2013-06-26/dt_current_projects_130626_FOR_PRINT.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barracuda Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Just going by the rendering, the floor count of the tower maybe 50 stories. But it looks like it is sitting on top of a 7 story garage or lobby and the top floor looks twice as high as the other floors. This tower might actually look like a 59-60 floor building. It looks like the base levels may also contain the urban campus..."dining facilities, a fitness center, training and conference facilities, and additional parking." I wonder if they will build a tunnel connection to get between this and the other two buildings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Today Chevron announced plans to construct an office building downtown to accommodate its business growth and expanding workforce in the Houston area. The 50-story, 1.7 million-square-foot building will be located at 1600 Louisiana at Pease. Together with Chevron U.S.A.’s existing properties at 1500 Louisiana and 1400 Smith, the buildings will comprise an expanded urban campus with indoor and outdoor common areas, enhanced dining facilities, a fitness center, training and conference facilities, and additional parking. Groundbreaking will follow final investment decision for the project – expected in the second quarter of 2014 – and phased occupancy is anticipated to begin in the fourth quarter of 2016 and end in 2017. Houston-area supervisors will be engaged to determine staffing needs, and announcements about who is moving and when will follow final investment decision. There are no plans to move Chevron Corporation’s headquarters to Houston. Also, there are no plans to sell or vacate our Bellaire or Briarpark properties at this time, though Chevron intends to consolidate its leased spaces into the downtown campus by the time of its completion in 2017. This announcement underscores Chevron’s long-term commitment to Houston and its role as the epicenter of the global energy industry. Houston plays a vital and growing role in Chevron’s global business, and the expanded urban campus will provide a first-rate work environment for its workforce and help us remain the employer of choice. To learn more, visit the Houston Urban Campus website.Greg VeseyHouston Leadership Committee Chair The link does not work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urban909 Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 (edited) Awesome! Edited July 3, 2013 by urban909 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brijonmang Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 That is massive! Agree with others that the design is pretty...eh but considering it's a year away from breaking ground it may leave time for some tweaks? Wishful thinking but it is definitely exciting and the best part is it's already "fully leased". 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Funny how it didn't even show up on the list of projects that was just posted yesterday on the forums:http://downtownhouston.org/site_media/uploads/attachments/2013-06-26/dt_current_projects_130626_FOR_PRINT.pdfThey only post information that has been released through the media usually. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nix Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Policy, Government and Public Affairs Chevron U.S.A. Inc. 1400 Smith Street Houston, TX 77002 www.chevron.com Chevron Announces Plans to Construct a Downtown Houston Office Building Company will expand urban campus to accommodate growing Houston workforce HOUSTON, July 3, 2013 – Chevron U.S.A. Inc. today announced plans to construct an office building in downtown Houston to accommodate its business growth and expanding workforce in the world’s energy capital. The 50-story, 1.7 million-square-foot building will be located at 1600 Louisiana Street at Pease. Together with Chevron’s existing properties at 1500 Louisiana and 1400 Smith, the buildings will comprise an urban campus with indoor and outdoor common areas, enhanced dining facilities, a fitness center, training and conference facilities, and additional parking. “This announcement underscores Chevron’s long-term commitment to Houston and its role as the epicenter of the global energy industry,” said Bereket Haregot, president of Chevron’s Business and Real Estate Services division. “Houston plays a vital and growing role in Chevron’s global business. The new building and expanded urban campus will provide a first-rate work environment for our employees and help us remain the employer of choice.” The headquarters of Chevron Corporation, the parent company of Chevron U.S.A., will remain in California, where they have been located for more than 130 years. Final investment decision for the project, designed by HOK, is expected in the second quarter of 2014. Groundbreaking will follow final investment decision, and occupancy is anticipated to begin in the fourth quarter of 2016. Chevron employs approximately 9,000 employees and contractors in Houston, where nine of its businesses are headquartered. In addition to its downtown buildings, the company has locations in Bellaire and the Westchase District. Chevron invests millions in the greater Houston community, including programs that focus on education, economic development and other community needs. The company’s employees also donate thousands of hours annually volunteering to help improve the lives of people throughout the area. -2- Chevron Corporation is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies, with subsidiaries that conduct business worldwide. The company is involved in virtually every facet of the energy industry. Chevron Corporation, through its subsidiaries, explores for, produces and transports crude oil and natural gas; refines, markets and distributes transportation fuels and lubricants; manufactures and sells petrochemical products; generates power and produces geothermal energy; provides energy efficiency solutions; and develops the energy resources of the future, including biofuels. Chevron Corporation is based in San Ramon, Calif. More information about Chevron Corporation is available at www.chevron.com. # # # Contact: Russell Johnson -- +1 713-372-1841 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moore713 Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Going to have to change the name since it no longer rumored ..lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xsatyr Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Underwhelming but at least it's big. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KinkaidAlum Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 It's rather bland at first glance, but it's going to make an impact on the skyline. 50 stories + a potential 7 story base would put this tower over 700 feet if the rendering is close to accurate. More importantly though, I totally appreciate Chevron's commitment to downtown. 1,700,000 square feet = thousands of workers being added to the downtown workforce. A huge building like this, 100% leased, has the potential to spur nearby development too... Here's my dream, with Chevron occupying 3 huge towers, it seems like a perfect place to erect a new, high-end, hotel/condo tower. Those folks doing work at Chevron, especially the Bay Area brass, would love to own a few corporate units in, say, a Ritz-Carlton or Mandarin Oriental. And the folks traveling on high end biz travel would book those rooms in a heart beat. So, some developer out there, come give us a sleek, 30+ story modern marvel on the Southern end of downtown near Chevron's campus. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Everyone should be giving a big thanks to Tangledwoods, King Owl and whothrewpoo for kick starting the rumors. They were all pretty much spot in. Sadly, someone questioned whothrewpoo too strongly and ran her off. Hopefully she'll come back. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'Stonian Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Strange that the HBJ got the scoop on how many additional employees will be hired for this expansion but Nancy Sarnoff from the Chronicle only posted the press release stating: "Chevron U.S.A. is planning to build a new downtown skyscraper for its growing Houston workforce" FROM THE HBJ ARTICLE: http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2013/07/03/chevron-plans-new-houston-building.html "Chevron Corp., which already has a presence of about 9,000 employees and contractors in Houston, is planning a new downtown office tower to accommodate its expansion in the city, which includes hiring another 1,752 workers." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Everyone should be giving a big thanks to Tangledwoods, King Owl and whothrewpoo for kick starting the rumors. They were all pretty much spot in. Sadly, someone questioned whothrewpoo too strongly and ran her off. Hopefully she'll come back.Jt16 had accurate intel a few weeks ago, too. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moore713 Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Strange that the HBJ got the scoop on how many additional employees will be hired for this expansion but Nancy Sarnoff from the Chronicle only posted the press release stating: "Chevron U.S.A. is planning to build a new downtown skyscraper for its growing Houston workforce" FROM THE HBJ ARTICLE: http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2013/07/03/chevron-plans-new-houston-building.html "Chevron Corp., which already has a presence of about 9,000 employees and contractors in Houston, is planning a new downtown office tower to accommodate its expansion in the city, which includes hiring another 1,752 workers." which is great not just for Down town getting a new building. but the residental market.. the high level execs will have the new condos places downtown, and the other employees, will be a big boost for areas like midtown, east end,heights ,etc. That is assuming that most or half will be transfers from out of town. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wxman Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 So this thing isn't even going to break ground for almost another yeat at least. What's the usual timeline for a building this big to go from surface lot removal to occupancy? 2 years? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'Stonian Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 (edited) I see Nancy has updated her article with the statement from the Governors office: UPDATE – The tower project is set to reap a nice financial boost from state. Gov. Rick Perry said the Texas Enterprise Fund will contribute $12 million to the Chevron project. The development, he said, will create 1,752 jobs. Those new jobs, according to Chevron spokesman Russell Johnson, will be new hires to support the company’s growth in Houston over the next several years. The public incentive deal requires Chevron to receive a “local incentive,” as well, the state said. Chevron is in discussions with the city of Houston about the availability of economic development programs for the property, Johnson said, adding: “There are no details to share at this time.” Still, Chevron is being very careful not to ruffle any feathers in the San Ramon, CA headquarters. In the letter to their employees they state: "There are no plans to move Chevron Corporation’s headquarters to Houston. Also, there are no plans to sell or vacate our Bellaire or Briarpark properties at this time, though Chevron intends to consolidate its leased spaces into the downtown campus by the time of its completion in 2017. I clearly expect a headquarters move to Houston sometime in 2017! Edited July 3, 2013 by HOUSTONIAN (N-ATL) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ig2ba Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Other things that the building will have (that were not described in the original release):Will be a LEED Platinum Building"around 4,000 new offices"4 levels of common areasOutdoor green spaceApparently, another skywalk across Bell right next to Louisiana. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moore713 Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 I see Nancy has updated her article with the statement from the Governors office: UPDATE – The tower project is set to reap a nice financial boost from state. Gov. Rick Perry said the Texas Enterprise Fund will contribute $12 million to the Chevron project. The development, he said, will create 1,752 jobs. Those new jobs, according to Chevron spokesman Russell Johnson, will be new hires to support the company’s growth in Houston over the next several years. The public incentive deal requires Chevron to receive a “local incentive,” as well, the state said. Chevron is in discussions with the city of Houston about the availability of economic development programs for the property, Johnson said, adding: “There are no details to share at this time.” Still, Chevron is being very careful not to ruffle any feathers in the San Ramon, CA headquarters. In the letter to their employees they state: "There are no plans to move Chevron Corporation’s headquarters to Houston. Also, there are no plans to sell or vacate our Bellaire or Briarpark properties at this time, though Chevron intends to consolidate its leased spaces into the downtown campus by the time of its completion in 2017. I clearly expect a headquarters move to Houston sometime in 2017! was'nt this the same thing exxon did where they deny that they would be moving people for almost a years ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ig2ba Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 was'nt this the same thing exxon did where they deny that they would be moving people for almost a years ? I'm not sure about all of the reasons for not moving from Bellaire. The two big groups out there either have a reason for remaining separate (the auditing group) or no compelling reason to collaborate with others downtown (the pipeline company). It could go either way. However, the Briarpark facility has a lot of research laboratories, most of which you would not want anywhere near your downtown building. I could see them finding another new surburban low-rise facility before they ever go downtown. In either case, that's only a couple hundred employees anyway. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
infinite_jim Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 (edited) Does Chevron also own the block with the daycare center across Louisiana St.? Is it part of a masterplan? Edited July 3, 2013 by infinite_jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moore713 Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 I'm not sure about all of the reasons for not moving from Bellaire. The two big groups out there either have a reason for remaining separate (the auditing group) or no compelling reason to collaborate with others downtown (the pipeline company). It could go either way. However, the Briarpark facility has a lot of research laboratories, most of which you would not want anywhere near your downtown building. I could see them finding another new surburban low-rise facility before they ever go downtown. In either case, that's only a couple hundred employees anyway.Thats my motto "till they pour the first slam of contrete its still a maybe in this day and age" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shasta Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 It's amazing how, with few exceptions, downtown is turning into two downtowns. You have the area around Discovery Green that is really aiming to be designed 'around the pedestrian' with new hotels, entertainment, tourism centers, residential, sporting venues etc.and then you have the 'skyline district' which still likes the big boxy glass skyscrapers with little urban connectivity. the only break I see to this is the proposed Hines apartment building near Market Square. Other than that, most of that part of that part of downtown will not be as kind to the pedestrian, especially after hours. They always have the option to drop down into the tunnels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimenez Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 ... says: . More rumors??? Another one !! July 3, 2013 at 11:43 amcome on chevron…why not a 100 story tower as Houston needs to have tallest building west of mississippi——————————-Don’t worry my friend. I have reliable sources that tell me a 100+ story tower is coming to DTHouston very soon. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
infinite_jim Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 It's amazing how, with few exceptions, downtown is turning into two downtowns. You have the area around Discovery Green that is really aiming to be designed 'around the pedestrian' with new hotels, entertainment, tourism centers, residential, sporting venues etc.and then you have the 'skyline district' which still likes the big boxy glass skyscrapers with little urban connectivity. the only break I see to this is the proposed Hines apartment building near Market Square. Other than that, most of that part of that part of downtown will not be as kind to the pedestrian, especially after hours. They always have the option to drop down into the tunnels.I brought this up in the downtown residential incentives thread (i.e. mirroring the boundary line)and nobody seemed to care about mixed-use in that scale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Other things that the building will have (that were not described in the original release):Will be a LEED Platinum Building"around 4,000 new offices"4 levels of common areasOutdoor green spaceApparently, another skywalk across Bell right next to Louisiana. Good catch on that new skywalk. Make sense -- Chevron recently acquired that additional parking garage. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClutchCity Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Here's my dream, with Chevron occupying 3 huge towers, it seems like a perfect place to erect a new, high-end, hotel/condo tower. Those folks doing work at Chevron, especially the Bay Area brass, would love to own a few corporate units in, say, a Ritz-Carlton or Mandarin Oriental. And the folks traveling on high end biz travel would book those rooms in a heart beat. So, some developer out there, come give us a sleek, 30+ story modern marvel on the Southern end of downtown near Chevron's campus. I think Brookfield is in a good position to do a mixed-use project like you're suggesting, with their 1500 Smith Street property. They could have a hotel/condo tower that could serve(and be directly connected to 1400 and 1600 Smith) both the Allen Center Complex and Chevron's campus. Two birds with one stone! Although that would require Brookfield building something! Don’t worry my friend. I have reliable sources that tell me a 100+ story tower is coming to DTHouston very soon. I hope those sources aren't just some voices in your head! We don't play around with stuff like that here 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purdueenginerd Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 ... says: . More rumors??? Another one !! July 3, 2013 at 11:43 am come on chevron…why not a 100 story tower as Houston needs to have tallest building west of mississippi ——————————- Don’t worry my friend. I have reliable sources that tell me a 100+ story tower is coming to DTHouston very soon. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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