Heritage Plaza
Formerly:ChevronTexaco Heritage Plaza
Formerly:Texaco Heritage Plaza
Formerly:Heritage Plaza
1111 Bagby Street, Houston, Texas, Downtown 77002 United StatesPrint this page   •   Share this page

One of Houston's landmark buildings, the Heritage Plaza's broad shoulders and perfect location put it at the center of the best views of the city skyline. In many photographs and videotapes, the shape of an eagle is outlined in white neon at the top of the building. But it hasn't been fully lit up since 1998. There have been one or two segments illuminated, but never the whole thing.

The odd stepped formation at the top of the building was actually inspired by the architect's trip to the jungles of Mexico. A similar, less elaborate, form exists at the bottom of the building. But this is not so much to complement the top, as to provide structural reinforcement since there is a 16-stories parking garage resting above the lobby.

Quick Facts
Statistics
  • Floor space: 1,150,000 square feet.
Timeline
  • January, 2004: In honor of Super Bowl XXXVIII being played in Houston, workers left their office lights on at night in a pattern that spelled out '38' on the side of the building facing Eleanor Tinsley Park.
  • July 21, 2005: Goddard Investment Group purchased this building for an undisclosed amount of cash. The Houston Chronicle estimated the price at $125-$130,000,000.
  • November, 2010: This building was sold for $325 million.
Your Thoughts

There are five comments.

  Love this building. It reminds me of the Miracle on the 8th Street (Batteries not included) movie. Also I like to call it the "Old meets New", because is like the old bouilding was dressing up with a modern look.

Sandra Flores - Thursday, September 3rd, 2015 @ 4:19pm  

  This has long been my favorite building here in Houston as well as anywhere in the US. I just love the whole image and watching the clouds reflecting off of the glass sides. I understand the styling was reminiscent of Mexico for the designer but to me it has always been more of a symbol of the modern century building on the generation before. My second favorite building in Houston has to be the Bank of America building.

Michele Binkley - Friday, July 31st, 2015 @ 4:03pm  

  Looks like one of the transformers. Even has two eyes at the top. I always think this building will look around and then rise up and start walking. Pretty cool.

Ryan - Thursday, September 13th, 2012 @ 4:47pm  

  We moved to the Houston area last year. The first time I drove around downtown I was instantly attracted to this building. My first impression of it was that it looked like an Empire State era building covered by a 20th century building. As a photo buff I will be taking pictures of it to enlarge for my own personal collection. It's not like I haven't seen skyscrapers before as I grew up outside Chicago & went to college in Boston. With that said, I think it is the most impressive building I have ever seen.

Nick Berbes - Saturday, January 5th, 2008 @ 1:02am  

  I enjoy looking at it on the way to and from work. Very unusual looking building. My favorite.

carole kennedy - Tuesday, February 27th, 2007 @ 10:27am  
  HAI Community   HAI Tools   HAI Sister Sites