Chevron Tower For Downtown: 58-Stories At 1600 Louisiana St.

[capnmcbarnacle]

That was the plan until they announced cost cuts last month. The cuts included delays in the new downtown Houston, Bakersfield, Covington, and Pittsburgh offices.

 

I don't mean to imply that anyone is pulling the plug. The project already has money to do preliminary engineering and this will continue, though at a slower pace than expected before. The final decision will determine whether and when they get the remaining 90% of the money for the project to proceed.

 

FWIW, I heard that the final decisions on the offices you mentioned, Bakersfield, Covington, and Pittsburgh (i.e., the extent of eventually moving part of those operations to Houston and obviating the necessity of new construction there), is what delayed the Houston tower, and that the Houston tower will be appropriately funded once those decisions are made.  It's worth noting that Chevron is moving forward with its Midland campus (uh-oh, a campus!), presumably because their future presence and needs have been well-settled.

[Triton]

So much conflicting information here. That's why I tried contacting Nancy Sarnoff but with no response back.

[ig2ba]

FWIW, I heard that the final decisions on the offices you mentioned, Bakersfield, Covington, and Pittsburgh (i.e., the extent of eventually moving part of those operations to Houston and obviating the necessity of new construction there), is what delayed the Houston tower, and that the Houston tower will be appropriately funded once those decisions are made.  It's worth noting that Chevron is moving forward with its Midland campus (uh-oh, a campus!), presumably because their future presence and needs have been well-settled.

 

I think there is very little to no work that could be moved from Bakersfield to Houston or Pittsburgh to Houston. They could always sell their assets in those locations, in which case people would be transferred to the purchasing company or have to return to home base. I think that's pretty unlikely since Chevron only exists in PA because they bought Atlas very recently (in 2011 I think).

 

I suspect Midland is going forward because the Permian is booming right now. A suburban campus in Midland means 4 miles from downtown, not 35 like Camp Strake is.

[cloud713]

A suburban campus in Midland means 4 miles from downtown, not 35 like Camp Strake is.

lol seriously? 4 miles away would be like that campus being in uptown Houston vs downtown.

[LTAWACS]

lol seriously? 4 miles away would be like that campus being in uptown Houston vs downtown.

I wonder if the midlandians are howling at chevron for building their campus in the middle of nowhere ...

[JJxvi]

Its probably a better location for Chevron. They should move everybody in Houston to Midland before Conroe.  Its West of Midland so its also closer to Odessa.  Midland is roughly the size of the Woodlands and Odessa is larger than Conroe. So an argument can be made that the "suburban Midland" campus is more "somewhere" than Camp Strake. The idea of moving to Camp Strake for a company that occupies 2 skyscrapers in downtown Houston  and is considering building a 3rd is ludicrous. Its not going to happen.

[Sellanious Caesar]

I work for Chevron. They will build downtown, the last I was told the tower broke 855 feet and was going to be possibly 52 stories and they are thinking about a few more floors but nothing official yet. The towers details aren't final yet, there's still a while before they get to it but just wanted to share.

If Chevron gets approved to build their campus they will not be building their campus near the Woodlands over downtown.

Edited January 31, 2014 by Sellanious Caesar

[bobruss]

Thanks for the positive update. There are so many projects going up in Houston right now that by the time the fans come to the Superbowl that were here for the last one in 2000, will think they're in the wrong city. The whole city is getting a major overhaul and I think its going to blow everyone away. What a great time to be in Houston especially if you are into this kind of thing.

Were going to look like a spread out Dubai with all of the cranes all over town. There's not an area of town that won't be affected in a positive way.

[arche_757]

^Well actually Bob, Galveston has seen very little impact from this current building boom.  I just thought I'd rain on the parade a little.

 

Good to hear that Selanious.  Infill!  And I'm thinking the new Chevron tower will be quite a nice building, even if it stays somewhat simplistic in its geometry?  I would also hope we will someday hear about some hospitality work near Chevron's downtown campus.

[ArchFan]

What Sellanious says rings true to me, also.  My guess is that the rumors about a Woodlands-area campus probably have to do with "Chevron Phillips", which is a joint-venture between those 2 companies that is limited to producing chemicals.  It is already based in The Woodlands.

 

I used to work for Chevron and my boss there used to compare it to a large ship:  it makes course changes very slowly.  Consequently, it seems unlikely to me that they would suddenly decide to move most of their Houston employees to The Woodlands just because ExxonMobil is doing that, after planning it for years.

Edited January 31, 2014 by ArchFan

[HoustonIsHome]

Were going to look like a spread out Dubai with all of the cranes all over town. There's not an area of town that won't be affected in a positive way.

A Spread out Dubai?

Like Dubai s towers are not spread out in random places?

Dubai builds more in line with Houston than NY when it comes to layout. Give them their due, they do have style. The developments are usually cutting edge

[LTAWACS]

The burning question for me is - what are Dubai's zoning ordinances?

[HoustonIsHome]

The burning question for me is - what are Dubai's zoning ordinances?

Its whatever Sheikh Mohammed says it is

[LTAWACS]

Its whatever Sheikh Mohammed says it is

Oh? Pardon, but who is that?

[Triton]

Oh? Pardon, but who is that?

https://www.google.com/search?q=Sheikh+Mohammed&oq=Sheikh+Mohammed&aqs=chrome..69i57&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8

[HoustonIsHome]

https://www.google.com/search?q=Sheikh+Mohammed&oq=Sheikh+Mohammed&aqs=chrome..69i57&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8

Nice!!!! You know how to work the googler.

[Urbannizer]

Colbert said Chevron, too, is paying attention to what its employees find valuable at the office.

She said that includes a fitness center, health care clinic, child care and as much green space as possible.

The California-based oil giant has been expanding in Houston. It had plans to start construction this year on a 50-story office tower near its downtown campus, but recently put the building on hold. The company has said it still plans to build the tower.

Colbert did not address the project during the panel, but when asked about where the company will be in 10 years, she said it is committed to downtown.

"We're excited about the infrastructure and renewal projects in downtown," she said.

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/columnists/sarnoff/article/Right-design-can-help-with-office-space-5257706.php

 

[democide]

That's wonderful news.  I got a question though, is this project going to include the creation of more parking spaces or will the parking garage that exist now (for Chevron) be sufficient?  

 

If they need more parking, why not add a multi-story parking garage below the 50+ office floors to make this tower even taller.  I'm just wondering if that's possibly in the plans.  If not, I assume a separate parking garage will get created (if it's needed) but not sure if that's been mentioned before.

Edited February 23, 2014 by democide

[longcat]

Hopefully this strategic review of their midstream business (that's M&A-speak for "deciding whether to sell") does not impact the timeline any further or the tower sizing.

 

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-02-24/chevron-said-to-be-exploring-options-for-u-s-midstream-business.html

[lockmat]

Per the link below, 609 Main is 1M sqf at 48-stories, 5 Allen is 50-stories w/ 1M sqf and the Chevron tower is only 50-stories at 1.7M sqf?

 

6-Houston is 30 stories and 600k sqf. 

 

Something is not adding up. If the Chevron tower is really 1.7M sqf, it should be closer to 55-stories, unless the floor plates are like 27k sqf or something.

 

http://www.downtownhouston.org/site_media/uploads/attachments/2014-03-05/140303_Downtown_Houston_Development_Map_11x17.pdf

 

What am I missing?

[cloud713]

the giant podium.. which is 3 stories that arent included in the 50 story count (at least not in the renderings). and/or Chevron tower takes up a large chunk of the block compared to 609 Main being half the block.

[H-Town Man]

Per the link below, 609 Main is 1M sqf at 48-stories, 5 Allen is 50-stories w/ 1M sqf and the Chevron tower is only 50-stories at 1.7M sqf?

 

6-Houston is 30 stories and 600k sqf. 

 

Something is not adding up. If the Chevron tower is really 1.7M sqf, it should be closer to 55-stories, unless the floor plates are like 27k sqf or something.

 

http://www.downtownhouston.org/site_media/uploads/attachments/2014-03-05/140303_Downtown_Houston_Development_Map_11x17.pdf

 

What am I missing?

 

It's not as svelte as the others. A little disappointing, since the BoA tower in Atlanta is the tallest outside New York or Chicago with only 1.2 million sf. The US Bank Tower in LA, "tallest west of the Mississippi," is only 1.3 million sf. It seems Chevron would rather have a skybumper than a skyscraper.

[Ross]

The Exxon building is 28000 sq ft per floor, at 1.2 million sq ft on 43 floors. There's plenty of room for Chevron to get 1.7 million from 50 floors. That's 34,000 sq ft per floor, or 200x170.

[lockmat]

The Exxon building is 28000 sq ft per floor, at 1.2 million sq ft on 43 floors. There's plenty of room for Chevron to get 1.7 million from 50 floors. That's 34,000 sq ft per floor, or 200x170.

That's a pretty huge floor plate. The rendering makes it look kinda thin.

[Avossos]

I would not go off the renderings provided. Those look very basic honestly. I wouldn't be surprised if this ended up 60 stories, but we will see. I think when they do it, they are going to go for something really cool and imposing

[Montrose1100]

Per the link below, 609 Main is 1M sqf at 48-stories, 5 Allen is 50-stories w/ 1M sqf and the Chevron tower is only 50-stories at 1.7M sqf?

6-Houston is 30 stories and 600k sqf.

Something is not adding up. If the Chevron tower is really 1.7M sqf, it should be closer to 55-stories, unless the floor plates are like 27k sqf or something.

http://www.downtownhouston.org/site_media/uploads/attachments/2014-03-05/140303_Downtown_Houston_Development_Map_11x17.pdf

What am I missing?

Their gigantic podium.

[fernz]

That's a pretty huge floor plate. The rendering makes it look kinda thin.

It's not that big. Standard floor plates are 25,000 sf

[ClutchCity]

I'm interested to see how Chevron's future contracts with Pemex effect their space needs here. Also happened to see the other week that they had taken down an additional 100k sq ft in 1600 Smith. Anyone know how much space they are renting now? It's got to be over 700k in Brookfield's properties alone! Can't wait for more info on this one. :]

Edited May 18, 2014 by ClutchCity

[houstontexasjack]

I'm interested to see how Chevron's future contracts with Pemex effect their space needs here. Also happened to see the other week that they had taken down an additional 100k sq ft in 1600 Smith. Anyone know how much space they are renting now? It's got to be over 700k in Brookfield's properties alone! Can't wait for more info on this one. :]

I recall Chevron bought another block Downtown last November. Their CEO has been adamant the HQ will stay out in California, but I would like to see more folks employed in Houston. I am hopeful we might get something bigger and taller as a result of the delay to this project.

[nativehoustonion]

I cannot believe this building is on hold.  Chevron got money from the state and the city, then they put it on hold.  They should be sued from the state and city because they already received the money.

[H-Town Man]

I cannot believe this building is on hold. Chevron got money from the state and the city, then they put it on hold. They should be sued from the state and city because they already received the money.

Wasn't the money for relocating jobs? And they're paid in installments over years.

[fernz]

Wasn't the money for relocating jobs? And they're paid in installments over years.

That's what I thought as well.

[ArchFan]

I wonder who's in line to be the next CEO?  I would imagine that is not determined yet, but the personal preferences of people at that level have a lot to do with HQ relocations.

[cloud713]

I wonder who's in line to be the next CEO?  I would imagine that is not determined yet, but the personal preferences of people at that level have a lot to do with HQ relocations.

i was wondering the same thing.. hopefully the new CEO is more inclined to relocate.. heh

[Houston19514]

I cannot believe this building is on hold.  Chevron got money from the state and the city, then they put it on hold.  They should be sued from the state and city because they already received the money.

 

Sorry to muddy up a good rant with facts, but the incentives (both state and city) were based on job creation (not necessarily relocation).  The incentives were not based on the construction of a new building. 

 

Further, the city's incentive is a tax abatement on a portion of the increased value of the property arising out of the construction of the new building.  No new building -- no abatement.

[nativehoustonion]

Thanks for the info.  It still sucks it's on hold.

[Urbannizer]

http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2014/06/chevron-makes-major-land-buy-in-katy/

 

As it continues to boost its Houston-area presence, Chevron Corp. has signed an agreement to buy 103 acres off the Grand Parkway and Clay Road in Katy.

 

The land  gives the company “future research and development facilities flexibility,” spokesman Justin Higgs said. “No specific use or employee decisions have been made,”  he added.

 

The deal cements Chevron’s commitment to Houston.

 

While the San Ramon, Calif.-based oil giant recently shelved plans to build a 50-story tower downtown, Higgs said the company is still committed to building the office project.

 

[houstontexasjack]

http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2014/06/chevron-makes-major-land-buy-in-katy/

 

"Shelved" is a strong word to use here. "Delayed" seems to more accurately match what the Chevron execs are saying with respect to their tower. The delay could end up being a blessing--particularly if the current CEO leaves and future execs wish to move the HQ from San Ramon to Houston.

[Houston19514]

But... wait...  weren't we told they were going to build a campus in Conroe?   ;-)

[Timoric]

-

Edited July 8, 2019 by Timoric

[Naviguessor]

103 acres?  How Big is that, really?  ExxonMobile is somewhere close to 400 acres, right?   "Research and Development Facilities" are not likely to be located in High-rise buildings downtown, anyway."  I don't think that this land purchase has anything to do with the downtown campus or tower.  If "Shelved" is different than "Delayed" then its a separate issue, IMO.

[Triton]

But... wait...  weren't we told they were going to build a campus in Conroe?   ;-)

 

That was Shell.

[houstontexasjack]

Naviguessor--I tend to nitpick the verbiage used in articles. I agree with you that it is unlikely an R&D facility would have been located Downtown. My understanding was that the new tower would mainly house corporate employees. 

[Houston19514]

That was Shell.

 

We were also told the same thing about Chevron.   You remember. . .  a very wealthy father of a friend of a friend ...  Chevron woke up one day and noticed that Exxon had recently invented the suburban campus, which was already wildly successful months before the first people moved in...  In a panic, Chevron shopped their downtown buildings and started plans to move to Conroe.  LOL  

Naviguessor--I tend to nitpick the verbiage used in articles. I agree with you that it is unlikely an R&D facility would have been located Downtown. My understanding was that the new tower would mainly house corporate employees. 

 

There is nothing to be gained by presuming that a Houston journalist has chosen his/her words carefully.  ;-)

 

Edited June 9, 2014 by Houston19514

[Houston19514]

It seems unlikely to me this will get built.

1. Most people and businesses follow a Herd mentality - others (Energy companies around Houston) are building campus settings near where people live so we should too, says the team we have looking at the options.

2. Since these companies all compete for talent, that would be another incentive not to build downtown so we can chase the same limited pool of labor the others are going for.

3. Pendulum swing? as downtown gains residential that could change, but not for 20 years, I suspect. Houston needs to look at ways of waging a PR battle to get these companies to look downtown again I think. The biggest game-changer to me would be reliable transport from distant points to downtown which takes decades and a visionary leader to accomplish, I haven't seen that except for the glimmer in the Downtown Living Initiative.

4. I am sure the campus makes a lot of sense for the folks they want to attract. I would like to compare the average employee demographics at an energy firm in Houston to a technology company in San Francisco. Say compare Andarko to Pinterest. I would suspect there is a one to two decade difference in ages, and that the energy company staff is looking to set up a house in the suburbs near good schools not be a hipster in an urban setting.

5. I wish it weren't so, do we really need to recreate Los Angeles and be spread out so much?

6. Was the height of the 1980's in Houston an aberration based on ego, optimism, and trophy tower building and now we are returning to what actually fits all the land we have around us, more moderate height buildings? I actually prefer the tall stuff but am not seeing much of it these days.

 

In spite of all that, there is almost zero reason to think this will not be built.  Remember, Chevron also recently bought an additional block of downtown land.

 

[arche_757]

We were also told the same thing about Chevron.   You remember. . .  a very wealthy father of a friend of a friend ...  Chevron woke up one day and noticed that Exxon had recently invented the suburban campus, which was already wildly successful months before the first people moved in...  In a panic, Chevron shopped their downtown buildings and started plans to move to Conroe.  LOL  

 

There is nothing to be gained by presuming that a Houston journalist has chosen his/her words carefully.  ;-)

 

You may have been refering to some one else's past post..?  I posted (and much fuss was raised over this) that an architect working on a "large" project up in the north part of town reported that he heard directly from his boss about a "large energy company" project also up in the north part of town that would commence when the other "large" project ended.  Supposing that was about Chevron/Phillips?  Could have been Shell?  Could have been Anadarko?  I don't know, and my friend did not elaborate further because he was not 100% sure?  I then surmised that "perhaps Chevron would scrap the plans for the tower downtown?", to which I added - "I did not know what they planned on doing!"  Assuming that maybe they were the "large energy company?"

 

I haven't a clue what Chevron will do, but I think it would be silly to have such big plans announced and then cancel them.

 

[mollusk]

IIRC, there was another thread out there concerning another of the majors doing some R & D rearranging of facilities.  Some commenters described why the physical needs of an R & D facility are not particularly conducive to being crammed into a regular downtown office highrise - which sounded sensible to me.

 

Which is a roundabout way of saying that having an R & D campus out in the burbs and a corporate office building or three downtown are not inherently mutually exclusive.

[ArchFan]

Well, I can relate some personal experience, albeit not very recent.  I used to work in R&D at Chevron, about the time they were moving people downtown.  

 

I think most of the R&D work they do could be done downtown.  The most likely exception would be work that requires laboratory equipment, but frankly, most of the work I was close to involved software development and/or field work that involved actually being out where the oil is.

 

Chevron still has a very nice campus in San Ramon, CA.  A very nice work environment.  But, they have moved most of the upstream R&D people there to downtown Houston (well, at least the ones who didn't quit or retire because they didn't want to come to Houston).  

 

I don't have any special insider knowledge, but it seems to me that Chevron would be likely to continue downtown and not build a big suburban campus.  If they did, it would be a major course change from the direction they've been going in the last 10 or so years.

Edited June 10, 2014 by ArchFan

[Urbannizer]

[HoustonIsHome]

Shut up!!

I like it.

So wish it was going up now