 Photograph © Wayne Lorentz  Photograph © Wayne Lorentz  Scroll down for more pictures  Photograph © Wayne Lorentz  Photograph © Wayne Lorentz  Photograph © Wayne Lorentz  Photograph © Wayne Lorentz  View of downtown Houston from the unfinished building, 1981. Photograph courtesy of Ian Ralston.  View of downtown Houston from the unfinished building, 1981. Photograph courtesy of Ian Ralston.  Building 75th floor under construction, 1981. Photograph courtesy of Ian Ralston.  Ian Ralston dropping a one cent Australian coin into the concrete being poured for the tower's 75th floor, 1981. Photograph courtesy of Ian Ralston.  Building under construction, 1981. Photograph courtesy of Ian Ralston.  Building under construction, 1981. Photograph courtesy of Ian Ralston. |
JPMorgan Chase TowerFormerly: | Chase Tower | Formerly: | Texas Commerce Tower | Because of its location it often gets lost in the background of skyline photos, but this structure rises to 75 stories, making it the tallest building in Houston. It was the tallest building west of the Mississippi until the First Interstate World Center (now known as Library Tower) was built in Los Angeles. That building is 16-feet taller. The Chase Tower was originally designed to be 80-stories, but the Federal Aviation Administration felt the extra five floors would be a hazard to air traffic out of Hobby Airport. The observation deck is on the 60th floor, and offers a panoramic view of downtown from behind glass. It is one of the best views in the city, and is completely free. Just use the elevators on the right side -- they provide an express trip to the 60th floor. In the photo above you can see the sky lobby; it's the level with the extra-tall windows. This building is still occasionally referred to as the Texas Commerce Tower, even though it has been taken over by Chase. Chase Bank actually has more than a dozen substantial buildings in Houston where it has moved many of its financial departments from New York. Quick Facts
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