JPMorgan Chase Tower At 600 Travis St.

[The Pragmatist]

Well, darn. I went up there with my mom two or three weeks ago during lunch. Her fear of heights made it extra enjoyable.

[intencity77]

So dumb of them to close. We need a proper observation tower. 

[samagon]

Sky lobby is shut down to the public until further notice.

 

I asked the front desk about it and they said the problem was that large groups were creating issues for the tenants. Basically, the people in the lobby would ask the group to stage outside, or in a specific location, and the groups were not following those instructions. They also mentioned that tenants were complaining of room in the elevators to access the upper floors that are only accessible via the express elevator to the sky lobby.

 

They left it open ended that it might be re-opened to the public again at a later date.

 

For the groups of 1 to 4 (mom, dad and kids) it sucks that larger groups have taken away this really cool feature. It was always fun to be in the elevator and hear the expressions a young child would make as the doors would open at the sky lobby.

[j_cuevas713]

This is stupid. Houston needs something like this. How can the Sears tower in Chicago handle tons of tourists, yet a few tenants here in Houston are complaining?

[Triton]

Stupid.. do we have any other lobbies left?

[Montrose1100]

The one cool, family friendly thing to do Downtown... 

 

Oh well, Wells Fargo is still accessible. Could always pretend to be interested in booking an event on top of 1 Shell Plaza for a "tour" and sneak some pics.

[samagon]

53 minutes ago, j_cuevas713 said:

This is stupid. Houston needs something like this. How can the Sears tower in Chicago handle tons of tourists, yet a few tenants here in Houston are complaining?

 

Hopefully it isn't permanent. the way they said it made me think they were going to close it till they came up with a solution to the complaints.

 

It is stupid, but it's also annoying needing to get on an elevator and walking into either the lower lobby, or the sky lobby and having it so packed that you can't get to an elevator. and the people blocking you aren't even trying to get on an elevator, they're just standing there. They do need to come up with a solution. They chose to close it while they are coming up with that solution. Hopefully the end solution isn't to leave it closed.

[Houston19514]

1 hour ago, j_cuevas713 said:

This is stupid. Houston needs something like this. How can the Sears tower in Chicago handle tons of tourists, yet a few tenants here in Houston are complaining?

 

Sears Tower was designed and built specifically to handle tourists going to an observation level, with separate elevators and separate building entrances.  And the Sears Tower observation level was designed as just that. It's not an elevator lobby doubling as an observation room.

 

Edited June 22, 2016 by Houston19514

[Houston19514]

46 minutes ago, Montrose1100 said:

The one cool, family friendly thing to do Downtown... 

 

Oh well, Wells Fargo is still accessible. Could always pretend to be interested in booking an event on top of 1 Shell Plaza for a "tour" and sneak some pics.

 

Seriously?  There are now no cool family friendly things to do downtown?  Get a grip, dude.

[adr]

Is this the first time anyone can think of where tourism ruined something in Houston for the rest of us?  We've arrived!  Also, if it's the tour group company I am thinking of, this doesn't surprise me at all that they didn't follow instructions and were generally a hassle.    

[Montrose1100]

23 minutes ago, Houston19514 said:

 

Seriously?  There are now no cool family friendly things to do downtown?  Get a grip, dude.

If there was a pie chart of my opinion (get a grip if you don't agree), of cool things to do Downtown, and family friendly things, the only small sliver in the middle would be the sky lobbies.

 

aquarium? Sports games? Water feature in Disco Green? Bowling? City Hall Visitor's center? Uncool.

 

Sky Lobbies? Cool.

 

 

[The Pragmatist]

1 hour ago, Montrose1100 said:

The one cool, family friendly thing to do Downtown... 

 

Oh well, Wells Fargo is still accessible. Could always pretend to be interested in booking an event on top of 1 Shell Plaza for a "tour" and sneak some pics.

http://www.chron.com/homes/commercial/article/Some-of-Houston-s-best-views-are-going-private-4735971.php

Quote

At Wells Fargo Plaza, 1000 Louisiana, two-story "sky lobbies" on the 34/35th and 57/58th floors are no longer open to the public.

Did they reverse course on that?

[Triton]

2 hours ago, samagon said:

 

Hopefully it isn't permanent. the way they said it made me think they were going to close it till they came up with a solution to the complaints.

 

It is stupid, but it's also annoying needing to get on an elevator and walking into either the lower lobby, or the sky lobby and having it so packed that you can't get to an elevator. and the people blocking you aren't even trying to get on an elevator, they're just standing there. They do need to come up with a solution. They chose to close it while they are coming up with that solution. Hopefully the end solution isn't to leave it closed.

I don't know the elevator traffic amount but perhaps a solution is to have one elevator dedicated to tourists and have it clearly marked. Perhaps they can block all elevators to tourists during peak hour usage... morning hours, noon, and afternoon hours.

 

Quote

Sears Tower was designed and built specifically to handle tourists going to an observation level, with separate elevators and separate building entrances.  And the Sears Tower observation level was designed as just that. It's not an elevator lobby doubling as an observation room.

Even if you're trying to play devil's advocate for the lobby closing, you have to admit it is a big loss not to have this lobby open to the public. This is by far one of the top spots I take out of towners to awe them with the size and landscape of Houston. Brought a client from Boston here just 2 weeks ago and she just had to take photos of it all. Besides the tunnels and Discovery Green, that was one of her big moments in downtown. Even after I posted this news on my Facebook, a lot of people told me they were pissed off about this... I feel like they even redesigned this lobby to impress more people. Can't see why this place cannot function as both.

 

[samagon]

definitely complain to the building management, it was their choice, ultimately.

[mollusk]

8 hours ago, adr said:

Also, if it's the tour group company I am thinking of, this doesn't surprise me at all that they didn't follow instructions and were generally a hassle.    

 

That's exactly what I was thinking.  We were above 60 for a decade or so before the tour companies started up, and the tourists weren't really a problem then - even the senior groups put together by various county commissioners or the occasional bunch of students.  OTOH, some of the commercial tour groups are a nuisance even on the streets - they just don't seem to know how to share.

[Montrose1100]

Here's an idea, close the lobby to the public during business hours, and open it a few extra hours on the weekdays and general hours on the weekend!

 

During winter, I went right before it closed and snapped some awesome twilight pictures. A night view is equally as cool as a daytime.

 

edit: charge a small fee. Nothing outrageous like the Shard. Should cover the costs of security and such. They keep big towers like this A/C'd on the weekends right?

Edited June 23, 2016 by Montrose1100

[Houston19514]

9 hours ago, Montrose1100 said:

They keep big towers like this A/C'd on the weekends right?

 

No. But they can be.  Typically, if a tenant wants A/C on a weekend or holiday, it has to be scheduled and costs extra.

Edited June 23, 2016 by Houston19514

[lockmat]

While Houston's tallest tower closes its observation deck, LA's tallest does this:

 

Is Cali really out can-doing us?

 

 

[cloud713]

You've got to be freaking kidding me.. The one "legitimate" observation deck this city still has left, and they decide to close it? Ugh.

I used to not really care for the idea of building an observation tower in Houston, but at this point I would welcome one.

[Triton]

Coworker at Williams Tower told me the observation deck there is still open to the public... didn't know that...

[brijonmang]

1 minute ago, Triton said:

Coworker at Williams Tower told me the observation deck there is still open to the public... didn't know that...

....There's an observation deck at Williams Tower?? Am I the only one on here who didn't know this?

[Triton]

8 minutes ago, brijonmang said:

....There's an observation deck at Williams Tower?? Am I the only one on here who didn't know this?

I haven't been there either so cant confirm it's actually open to the public. I've only been to our offices there.

[The Pragmatist]

There used to be an observation deck on the 51st floor that faced towards the west. It was later closed to the public, and I think the space has been leased out. The only observation deck I can think of around town isn't really even in the city: the San Jacinto Monument.

Edited June 24, 2016 by The Pragmatist

[MarkHouston]

Was driving 45s bound from 610 north last night, and notice a strip of white lights and a bigger blue light on top of Chase tower. My eyes are bad, but I thought they finally put the Chase logo on the top.....they were just regular bulbs. Wishful thinking 

[tigereye]

On August 7, 2016 at 10:59 AM, MarkHouston said:

Was driving 45s bound from 610 north last night, and notice a strip of white lights and a bigger blue light on top of Chase tower. My eyes are bad, but I thought they finally put the Chase logo on the top.....they were just regular bulbs. Wishful thinking 

 

I saw it myself the other night on the drive in from 45. Not sure what is going on. 

[RudyU]

I am sad that I don't get to see these things you all talk about now that I've moved from the east side to near Cypress. The only view of downtown I get to see now is when I'm taking 249 to Beltway 8 east, and then I can barely make out an image similar to the opening of Gilligan's Island lol. Been here 6 years and having a massive downtown withdrawal. I will take that trip down there and make it an all day trip so I can visit each building, hug it and give it a big ol' slippery kiss. 

[cfewell22]

The Chase Tower has finally replaced the old Christmas lights with some nice bright LED lights. It looks so much better! I will try to post a pic. 

[cfewell22]

[RudyU]

Nice shot, cfewell22! Is that 609 Main going up in lights, as well? I really need to get down there and see the construction process in person. The webcam every hour just don't cut it. Thanks for posting!

[SyuzVR]

It's funny 

[BeerNut]

Go up to the sky lobby for a good cause.

[EllenOlenska]

I was just planning on going to an observation deck. What is open? Any suggestions? 

 

[Triton]

Quote

The closing of the branch in December will mark Chase's final departure from its namesake tower. Opened in 1982, the 75-story JPMorgan Chase Tower, formerly the Texas Commerce Tower, is both the tallest building in downtown Houston and the tallest building in Texas, according to the World Atlas. The company moved its offices from the building over a decade ago, Hassell said.

 

Seeing how we've had the prospect of renovations at other towers when major companies have left, I wonder if we'll see a renovation of the JP Morgan Chase Tower. 

 

I know Hines owns the building and they are building a brand new tower next door so they'll probably not want to compete with that. But it makes me wonder if Hines will consider in a few years if renovating their existing inventory would be cheaper than building a new tower.

 

 

(I personally wish the facade will change. Make it all glass but that's just a dream.)

[rechlin]

At the very least I'd like to see them power wash the façade.  It's starting to look very grimy and black, and it's an embarrassment to the architect in this neglected state.

[H-Town Man]

12 hours ago, Triton said:

 

Seeing how we've had the prospect of renovations at other towers when major companies have left, I wonder if we'll see a renovation of the JP Morgan Chase Tower. 

 

I know Hines owns the building and they are building a brand new tower next door so they'll probably not want to compete with that. But it makes me wonder if Hines will consider in a few years if renovating their existing inventory would be cheaper than building a new tower.

 

 

(I personally wish the facade will change. Make it all glass but that's just a dream.)

 

Their offices left there a decade ago, this is just a branch bank. Only a decline in occupancy or weak rent growth typically sparks a renovation. You still have the best views of anywhere from inside there, plus an ideal location, so I imagine they are doing well.

[Triton]

3 hours ago, H-Town Man said:

 

Their offices left there a decade ago, this is just a branch bank. Only a decline in occupancy or weak rent growth typically sparks a renovation. You still have the best views of anywhere from inside there, plus an ideal location, so I imagine they are doing well.

Then perhaps a name change?

[H-Town Man]

51 minutes ago, Triton said:

Then perhaps a name change?

 

I am pretty sure the official name of it now is 600 Travis.

 

[HoustonIsHome]

They need to stop with those numbered names. So many buildings downtown are now referred to by numbers and now I'm completely lost 

[swtsig]

On 10/20/2018 at 5:35 PM, HoustonIsHome said:

They need to stop with those numbered names. So many buildings downtown are now referred to by numbers and now I'm completely lost 

 

you mean having a building referred to by its address confuses you?

[j_cuevas713]

On 10/23/2018 at 4:58 PM, swtsig said:

 

you mean having a building referred to by its address confuses you?

Haha I was thinking the same thing lol

[HoustonIsHome]

On 10/23/2018 at 4:58 PM, swtsig said:

 

you mean having a building referred to by its address confuses you?

Yes. Yes it does.

I mean if I'm going there I can just look up the address. But in haif if someone says Chase, BOA, Wells Fargo, I know exactly what building they are taking about. Tell me 600 Travis and I have to break out the Google maps

[intencity77]

3 hours ago, HoustonIsHome said:

Yes. Yes it does.

I mean if I'm going there I can just look up the address. But in haif if someone says Chase, BOA, Wells Fargo, I know exactly what building they are taking about. Tell me 600 Travis and I have to break out the Google maps

 

I agree. I feel the same and don’t get me started on downtown block numbers. Those are even more confusing to me.

[Triton]

6 hours ago, HoustonIsHome said:

Yes. Yes it does.

I mean if I'm going there I can just look up the address. But in haif if someone says Chase, BOA, Wells Fargo, I know exactly what building they are taking about. Tell me 600 Travis and I have to break out the Google maps

 

Wow, I actually see what you mean.

[kbates2]

21 hours ago, HoustonIsHome said:

Yes. Yes it does.

I mean if I'm going there I can just look up the address. But in haif if someone says Chase, BOA, Wells Fargo, I know exactly what building they are taking about. Tell me 600 Travis and I have to break out the Google maps

 

Often times they don't even include the street name.  "Where are you going?"  "6141"

[Montrose1100]

I think a recladding would do wonders. Overall the interior is pretty timeless. Doesn’t need to be renovated into all glass.

[ArchFan]

It's not one of I.M. Pei's most eye-catching buildings, but it's nice.   (Earlier on, didn't he design the Brutalist Boston City Hall?)  Perhaps the people who don't like the Houston building would prefer one of his group's later buildings in Dallas, which I think is/was named Fountain Place -- more glass and a non-flat top.  I always rather fancied his building in Hong Kong that (I think) was named after the Bank of China, at least for a while.  I was told that it was designed with Chinese feng shui principles in mind ... i.e., glass facing both the mountainside and the ocean, such that (supposedly) a dragon could pass through it coming down to the ocean.    

[Triton]

Quote

Report: Chase Tower to be sold to Hines, Cerberus for $627 million

Hines is buying Houston's tallest office tower and an adjacent building in a partnership with Cerberus Capital for an estimated $627 million, according to a report from industry publication Real Estate Alert.

In a deal that will give Cerberus a 90 percent interest in the complex and Hines a 10 percent stake, the companies have agreed to buy the 75-story, 1.7 million-square-foot 600 Travis (formerly known as JPMorgan Chase Tower) and the adjacent 20-story, 407,000-square-foot Chase Center at 601 Travis, the report said, citing anonymous sources.

 

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/Report-Chase-Tower-to-be-sold-in-627-million-14028442.php

 

Here's to still hoping for that reclad of this building.

[swtsig]

Not sure about recladding but I’ve been told the building will undergo major renovations. 

[Avossos]

7 minutes ago, swtsig said:

Not sure about recladding but I’ve been told the building will undergo major renovations. 

 

Very cool. Seems like the owners of these downtown buildings are worried tenants will leave for newer buildings forcing these to renovate.

 

why would they reclad? Seems fine to me.

[mollusk]

Since big common spaces are all the rage these days, if there's anything that will be done outside it would likely be taking up part of the plaza for... IDK, "creative space" or even more food options?...