LTAWACS Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Chevron could go either way? I understand they are looking to build a suburban campus like Exxon out near Spring Woods/The Woodlands - if that happens perhaps they move from Downtown? If that does happen, then perhaps they will vacate both fromer Enron buildings? That would leave 2 40 floor towers virtually empty and place little need for something like Stream to move forward.So the rumblings are true, then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 What in blue are you yapping about, the last interview they did they keep going on about creating a urban campus ,nothing about being like exxon"Together with Chevron's existing Houston buildings, the new tower will become part of a campus-like environment with indoor and outdoor common areas, dining facilities, a fitness center and training and conference rooms." That is the only mention they ever made about a campus style. Well.... I'm "yapping" about what a friend who works for one of the major architectural firms here in town told me about working on a campus for Chevron up near the Exxon campus. He said that's the next major project planned. Now, Chevron could be consolidating a campus up there for all of its researchers and training departments etc? I'm not sure. Its just a rumor - since I can't actually substantiate it as I'm not sure how many square feet they are building out there (or plan to), or if it is "plan b" or some other idea they are floating around. Chevron's moves are a mystery. It does seem odd that they would back out of so much square footage downtown - but I can imagine the security concerns for a company like an Exxon or Chevron would perhaps move the needle towards a more controlled campus in a more suburban setting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 What? That is entirely the opposite of what is going on. Chevron is already committed to their new shiny 50 story building downtown which will start up in about 9 months. There has even been talk of them occupying the 800 Bell after Exxon leaves. I will say though that I agree that this (International Tower) is probably the least likely to go up of all the proposed downtown buildings. As stated in the above post - I have a friend who is well connected in a major architectural firm downtown - and what he said is that its a possible big Chevron project out near The Woodlands. Personally I think its probably some sort of training and research facility (though they have a research facility on Buffalo Speedway if I'm remembering correctly). I doubt they would bother with even paying a firm the money to develop plans for a 55 floor building and then go in the opposite direction. Besides, they have a nice little cluster of buildings in Downtown and I'd imagine that allows their workers to live anywhere in Houston and not just in The Woodlands or Klein/Spring areas. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Probably should move those last posts to the Chevron Tower thread? Sorry for going off topic... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wxman Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 (edited) Of all the proposed buildings potentially going up around downtown, this is the one I have the least amount of faith in. Hines got out in front (which they were always in the front with 609), and Skanska is likely not going to spend the millions tearing down the Houston Club building and not build something there. Chevron could go either way? I understand they are looking to build a suburban campus like Exxon out near Spring Woods/The Woodlands - if that happens perhaps they move from Downtown? If that does happen, then perhaps they will vacate both fromer Enron buildings? That would leave 2 40 floor towers virtually empty and place little need for something like Stream to move forward. Well first things first: Enron 1 (1600 Smith?) is 50 stories. Enron 2 is 40 stories. Second, the Chevron spokesperson was on every tv channel in the city doing interviews about how they are excited to see this project rise and that it'll be a premier ubran-style campus downtown. Finally, I'm not going to call you out or call you a liar. If you say you have a friend in a big architecture firm, then by all means, I'm all ears. However, what you say doesn't make any sense so perhaps you can keep us updated? As for the renderings of the Chevron tower, it's not like Chevron spent a ton of money on their rendering. It was one rendering and it's a glass box that looks like it was brushed with water paint. How much thought could possibly go into it? Edited October 30, 2013 by wxman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 (edited) Look, I'm not saying the Chevron building won't happen - far from it - I'm only saying that I've heard they plan some sort of campus (again not clear on size or square footage) up near The Woodlands. It may only be 500,000 sq ft for training purposes? I have no clue. But if it is supposed to be near the size of Exxon's campus that would indeed preclude any real need for a 1.3 million square foot tower downtown. And by golly you are right -- Chevron probably didn't spend much money on that very schematic looking tower did they? Which to me means they may have several options to present their board/shareholders/who-ever-is-voting-on-moving-forward. As we all know a company the size of Chevron isn't going to ONLY present an option for a tower and just leave every other possibility off the boards, are they? Don't be angry with me if Chevron decides to go the route of Exxon. I'm certainly not the one in charge, and if I was in charge I'd hire someone better than HOK to do the tower. Lastly, Chevron can say what ever they want to people in and around town. They may be publicly traded, but they are not the government and as such can do whatever they want, whenever they want to. They could very well build the tower and a campus - they certainly have the resources. Edited October 30, 2013 by arche_757 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wxman Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Look, I'm not saying the Chevron building won't happen - far from it - I'm only saying that I've heard they plan some sort of campus (again not clear on size or square footage) up near The Woodlands. It may only be 500,000 sq ft for training purposes? I have no clue. But if it is supposed to be near the size of Exxon's campus that would indeed preclude any real need for a 1.3 million square foot tower downtown. And by golly you are right -- Chevron probably didn't spend much money on that very schematic looking tower did they? Which to me means they may have several options to present their board/shareholders/who-ever-is-voting-on-moving-forward. As we all know a company the size of Chevron isn't going to ONLY present an option for a tower and just leave every other possibility off the boards, are they? Don't be angry with me if Chevron decides to go the route of Exxon. I'm certainly not the one in charge, and if I was in charge I'd hire someone better than HOK to do the tower. Lastly, Chevron can say what ever they want to people in and around town. They may be publicly traded, but they are not the government and as such can do whatever they want, whenever they want to. They could very well build the tower and a campus - they certainly have the resources. They have the resources but not the people to fill a 1.7 million sq. ft. brand new, 50-story tower, plus both Enron buildings PLUS a campus consisting of 20 buildings and 3 million sq. ft. of office space in a suburban campus. Seems silly to have both. Who knows. I'll take what you say as rumor for now. Perhaps at the end of the day you DO know something the rest of us don't but your credibility is on the line if it all falls apart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
htownproud Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 This is a silly conversation. Chevron tower is being built. Notably Chevron sent an email to all Houston employees stating that the Bellaire location would not be consolidated downtown. I suppose it could move that location and Westpark up North, but it would seem odd and against what it is telling/suggesting to its employees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Perhaps at the end of the day you DO know something the rest of us don't but your credibility is on the line if it all falls apart Usually an opinion or information most reviled is that which you don't want to hear... Like I said - my friend who is with a major architectural firm had a talk with one of his bosses about future projects and Chevron was mentioned. Just how big, how many square feet, how many workers are involved is unknown to me. Whether or not this supposed project costs the proposed tower downtown is absolutely unknown to me (I'm merely speculating)? I really don't know. All I know is that my friend (who I trust - as I've known him for many years, and he never lead me wrong about another big project currently under contruction also up north) said that there is a Chevron project down the pipeline that will be big. This should be moved to a different thread as it has nothing to do with Stream/Essex. And forgive me if I'm not as up to date on the status of the Chevron tower downtown. I don't live or work in Houston so my knowledge is more specific towards what gets done on the island. And like any project in my profession - until a dedicated contractor is on board and preliminary site-prep is underway the project is just on paper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Owl Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 You can't have the chevron hq too close to the plebeians... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 You can't have the chevron hq too close to the plebeians...Exactly why it should be in DT (all hqs should be) instead of up north in some woodlands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nativehoustonion Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 What a mess. Chevron will break ground in March 2014. They received tax abatements from the state and city. The board already voted on it. Y'all need to chill, I have a friend that's works for them in the 1600 Smith building. He was told they are moving in the new building in late 2016. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 I think my original post got taken a bit out of hand - or I didn't explain myself correctly? Either way I'm pleased they are in Houston, and even more pleased they are absolutely moving forward with the highrise downtown. I'll refrain from posting any "insider" information in the future since everyone gets so worked up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invisibletrees Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 (edited) Chevron is indeed moving forward with this tower. I think you guys will like the design even more once new renderings are released. As to Arche, I would say that you should gather more information from your friend before spreading a rumor that's incorrect. I understand why others here are getting worked up, this is something pretty big for downtown. Edited October 30, 2013 by invisibletrees Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livincinco Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 I think my original post got taken a bit out of hand - or I didn't explain myself correctly? Either way I'm pleased they are in Houston, and even more pleased they are absolutely moving forward with the highrise downtown. I'll refrain from posting any "insider" information in the future since everyone gets so worked up. Chevron has a chemical division that's headquartered in The Woodlands? Could your source potentially be referencing that entity? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 (edited) All I know is that he told me that his firm is working on a campus for Chevron that is very large. He said they are well into the design of the campus. I never meant to imply that they will build a campus in place of a tower, but according to my friend the scale and scope of Chevrons campus is quite large. Again - he didn't know about Chevrons plans for a downtown tower until I told him. I think others have misunderstood what I said "Chevron could go either way? I understand they are looking to build a suburban campus like Exxon out near Spring Woods/The Woodlands - if that happens perhaps they move from Downtown? If that does happen, then perhaps they will vacate both fromer Enron buildings? That would leave 2 40 floor towers virtually empty and place little need for something like Stream to move forward." [that is from post 256] I never said "The tower is off" or "They won't build the tower because of the campus" I was just speculating that they may perhaps do one or the other. That was all. Sorry for mentioning anything... but since this is a forum and most of the posts on here are just speculation and opinions I felt I could maybe mention it. Boy was I wrong. Edited October 30, 2013 by arche_757 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 I understand why others here are getting worked up Doesn't take much. If you doubt a project, question a project, don't like something about a project, wish a project were in a different location, or just about anything else other than cheering for the project as-is and hoping it gets done fast, people will get worked up. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nativehoustonion Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 The older Enron building is 50 floors, and the other one is 40 floors. They purchased the buildings for a steal. They are not going anywhere. They are committed to downtown. Urbannizer will confirm it, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 If they purchased them for a steal, then they can sell them for a nice profit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brijonmang Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Arche_757 has done a good job of breaking down his original post to make perfect sense as to what he meant. No need to keep dogging him for something that was taken out of context. I make a motion to return this thread back to its rightful purpose...speculating on why or why not this tower will get built and why the floor height keeps changing. Also, how it looks sort of like a head and shoulders shampoo bottle as was referenced before. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 This should be moved to a different thread as it has nothing to do with Stream/Essex. Done! Carry on. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tangledwoods Posted October 30, 2013 Author Share Posted October 30, 2013 This conversation is downright hilarious. Chevron has already selected a Contractor to build the tower. Design is well into the Design Development Phase. They have already added to the scope previously discussed here. If anything happens to this building it will only get taller. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 I think anyone who thinks I said that Chevron WOULD cancel this towe should go and re-read my first post. It has been misconstrued to the point of being hilarious. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swtsig Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 down with arche_757 and his fearmongering! that said, your friend is likely referring to ChevronPhillips who currently has something like 200K SF in the woodlands, i believe took an additional 50K in either hughes landing or research forest and is rumored to be considering a 200-300K sf build-to-suit in the area. chevron is committed to downtown houston for a very long time - trust that much to be true. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 ConocoPhillips? Its possible - Like I said - I'm just going off of what he told me. I've contacted him for more details this afternoon, we shall see? But what he said was something really big - like Exxon or FMC sized. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClutchCity Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 (edited) They have already added to the scope previously discussed here. If anything happens to this building it will only get taller.Is there a possibility that it will get taller? I don't want to blow this out of proportion like the rest of the thread has just because someone mentioned that Chevron(Phillips) might have a BTS near Exxon, but that would be pretty sweet if true. Regardless, this tower is awesome and the fact that a 2nd one might be in the works nearby is good enough for me. Edited October 30, 2013 by ClutchCity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
htownproud Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 ChevronPhillips is a chemical company, not to be confused with the former ConocoPhillips. ChevronPhillips is headquartered in the Woodlands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wxman Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Exactly why it should be in DT (all hqs should be) instead of up north in some woodlands. Envy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Exactly why it should be in DT (all hqs should be) instead of up north in some woodlands.LOL! And I mean literally. You really ought to think about hitting the comedy club circuit with this stuff. Utterly Clueless. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naviguessor Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Literally just got off the phone with an exec at Chevron/San Ramon, CA. She was discussing the new building, downtown and the move of lots of employees from there to here. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golyadkin Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 This tower is DEFINITELY happening. Why is this even being debated?Source: my father is a Chevron VP. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bachanon Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 This tower is DEFINITELY happening. Why is this even being debated?Source: my father is a Chevron VP.We're past that. People misunderstood a post. Separate from the tower, a Chevron company has shown interest and possibly has plans for property in The Woodlands or north of The Woodlands. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'Stonian Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 No one misunderstood arche_757's comments. He/she was pretty clear in saying exactly what they meant - that Chevron could "go either way" - as in possibly not doing the downtown tower in favor of a Woodlands campus. So yeah they invited scrutiny of those speculative comments based on a silly rumor they supposedly heard from a "friend". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Owl Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Chevron is indeed moving forward with this tower. I think you guys will like the design even more once new renderings are released. As to Arche, I would say that you should gather more information from your friend before spreading a rumor that's incorrect. I understand why others here are getting worked up, this is something pretty big for downtown. Have you seen the new renderings? Can you provide us any description? I was one of those who were most disappointed by the initial rendering... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nolaboy Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 ChevronPhillips is a chemical company, not to be confused with the former ConocoPhillips. ChevronPhillips is headquartered in the Woodlands. Correct but just to clarify, ConocoPhillips split into Conoco (upstream) and Phillips66 (downstream) last year. ChevronPhillips (CP Chem) is a joint venture between Chevron's and Phillips' chemical divisions and has been around for over a decade (a few years before Conoco and Phillips originally merged). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Envy?Negative. I have no emotions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 LOL! And I mean literally. You really ought to think about hitting the comedy club circuit with this stuff. Utterly Clueless.Maybe I will. I'm sure commoners will find your insightful posts downright hilarious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 No one misunderstood arche_757's comments. He/she was pretty clear in saying exactly what they meant - that Chevron could "go either way" - as in possibly not doing the downtown tower in favor of a Woodlands campus. So yeah they invited scrutiny of those speculative comments based on a silly rumor they supposedly heard from a "friend".I hardly find it silly. My source is an architect who is working on a large corporate campus in town - his boss told him about it, and he told me. So I guess since I'm third down the pike it can be easily misunderstood? I didn't mean to cause so many people heart attacks about this project. However, I did not ever say the tower was cancelled - far from it. I said that in my opinion "If Chevron decides to build a very large campus up north in the Woodlands then they may rethink their idea about a tower in downtown" That's it. I never said I heard from someone they are building the campus, and not the tower. I only said "They are possibly building a campus up near the woodlands. And that maybe they will rethink the tower" & "it could go either way" - again that was me interjecting my opinion into a statement. I'm really at a loss how to make that more clear? And I'm a "he" as my profile states. I'm a pessimist by nature. And that is quite common being an architect - you have no idea just how many projects that sound great and would be a huge addition to the city that come along and never even make it out of the office to a media source. Very few. And of those that do make it - how often do we see them cancelled? Often. So in my professional experience I have found that until a contractor is moving dirt and work is actually underway a project is not a go in this town. That is what I was alluding to in my opinionated post. I have to see it to believe it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Correct but just to clarify, ConocoPhillips split into Conoco (upstream) and Phillips66 (downstream) last year. ChevronPhillips (CP Chem) is a joint venture between Chevron's and Phillips' chemical divisions and has been around for over a decade (a few years before Conoco and Phillips originally merged). To clarify your clarification ;-) The upstream portion of the former ConocoPhillips is actually still named "ConocoPhillips", not "Conoco." So we now have: ConocoPhillips (an independent e&p company)Phillips 66 (a refining, marketing & pipeline company)Chevron (an integerated super major)Chevron Phillips (a chemical company) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nolaboy Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Haha nice! Thanks for the correction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
htownproud Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 To clarify your clarification ;-) The upstream portion of the former ConocoPhillips is actually still named "ConocoPhillips", not "Conoco." So we now have: ConocoPhillips (an independent e&p company)Phillips 66 (a refining, marketing & pipeline company)Chevron (an integerated super major)Chevron Phillips (a chemical company)Correct (and your space between Chevron Phillips is correct as well). Now we can get back to name dropping about how some executive at Chevron allegedly told X that this was a for sure deal in downtown. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 How certain is this info? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 How certain is this info? How certain? I'll tell you how certain. I was just playing golf this morning with John S. Watson, whom you may know as the CEO of Chevron, over at the Gus Wortham, and he was laughing about all the doubting on this forum, where he is a longtime lurker. Says not only is this a done deal, but the building is actually already being constructed as we speak in a top-secret location in the Arctic, and will be flown into Houston by helicopter already finished next May as a big surprise and thank you to Houston for being such a great city. And hanging from the building will be a giant banner that says "Houston, the Eagle Has Landed - New Chevron Corporate HQ!" 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 BUT - he added one caveat. He said he doesn't like to hear that some of us have been doubting this. We must drive the doubters from our midst. Chevron doesn't want to put its new building in a city of doubters. Chevron building will only come to the city that is most sincere. One false word and it could fly back and land in San Ramon. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 I don't live in Houston - so you can tell him next time you see him that he can go ahead and do what is needed to spend money in our city. But tell him to hire a more prestigious firm while you are at it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jackwood Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBooze Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 H-Town Man your story of the Chevron CEO telling you of the construction in a secret location in the Arctic, then flying the building in to Houston is totally believable. However, I gotta call BS on the playing golf this morning part. There's no way you could have made it to the golf course........ with all the traffic and all. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-Town Man Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 (edited) Edited October 31, 2013 by H-Town Man 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wxman Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 The nicest thing about the picture above is the peanuts. Anybody else think the first and only rendering we've seen is cheesy at best? Somebody said they saw more updated, realistic renderings! Please elaborate!!!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tangledwoods Posted October 31, 2013 Author Share Posted October 31, 2013 most everyone with access to renderings are under NDA agreements. What we really need is a disgruntled intern at HOK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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