I had been looking to see if a thread had been created for this and somehow and missed this one.
Near the end of last year, there was a fair amount of interest in the building locally as a photographer named Leonid Furmansky had captured the many "moods" of the structure and it's surroundings.
https://magazine.texasarchitects.org...century-tower/
https://apalmanac.com/potw/check-out...o-years-179187
https://www.ricedesignalliance.org/800bell-lf
The photographer's section of their website on the tower:
http://leonidfurmansky.com/800-bell-...crane-anderson
It seems that there is even more positive news for this tower as of the start of this year.
Shorenstein sold the property recently and the new owners will likely keep the 60's era exterior and will convert the tower from office to residential.
Given the proximity of this location to the rail line and more recent residential developments as well as the activity to redevelop the other side of the Pierce Elevated freeway before it is likely to be decommissioned, there are expectations the surrounding blocks will also benefit from what happens here.
https://realtynewsreport.com/exxon-s...nt-conversion/
Quote:
Exxon Skyscraper Sold for Apartment Conversion
by Realty News Report
January 17, 2023
HOUSTON – (Exclusive Story from Realty News Report) – The 45-story former headquarters of Humble Oil, a predecessor to Exxon, has been sold to a developer that plans to convert the vacant office building to residential units – a redevelopment that could supercharge downtown revitalization.
The 1.2 million-SF building, located at 800 Bell, has been empty since the oil company relocated to its new campus about eight years ago.
The buyer, a New York investment group affiliated with CMI Developers, has experience in historic redevelopment and apartment conversions. The tower was completed in 1962. The age and prominence of the Exxon building might enable the developers to obtain tax credits designated for redeveloping historic buildings.
When the Exxon tower opened it was considered the tallest building west of the Mississippi River. At one time the top two floors of the building were the home of the Petroleum Club, a place where thousands of oil and gas plays were discussed and deals were struck.
The large scale of the Exxon tower raises the opportunity for placing a significant amount of retail or restaurants in the lower levels of the building, located between Milam and Travis. The old Exxon parking garage, located nearby, comes with the deal. A number of surface parking lots, owned by others, are located in the area, carrying the potential for new development in the neighborhood.
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