TxDave Posted February 3, 2006 Share Posted February 3, 2006 This topic has likely been raised before, but Houston has such great architecture I think it is worthy of more discussion.What is your favorite Houston skyscraper, and why?For me it is a tough question to answer, but I have to settle on Pennzoil Place. Its significance in "breaking the box" is something we still see today. Its view is different from every angle, yet it is generally simple in its design.I have a lot of runner-ups in mind: One Shell Plaza, Bank of America, Tenneco Building (or El Paso or whatever it is called today). However my second choice is probably less architecturally significant, but one I still really enjoy: Williams Tower (still called that? I still know it as Transco). I love its simplistic, yet elegant retro (art deco?) design. There is really no reason for such a tower to be where it is, but that is part of the charm of Houston.Please share your favorite skyscrapers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great Hizzy! Posted February 3, 2006 Share Posted February 3, 2006 It depends on the day, but...1) BoA Tower2) Williams TowerSome days, they flip-flop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groovehouse Posted February 3, 2006 Share Posted February 3, 2006 Texaco Building (Heritage Plaza) downtown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Posted February 3, 2006 Share Posted February 3, 2006 I have come to really like the Esperson building alot. Next would be Williams tower, I mean how can you not love this building? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted February 3, 2006 Share Posted February 3, 2006 hmm...state national buildinggreat southwest lifeniels espersontexaco (1914) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WesternGulf Posted February 4, 2006 Share Posted February 4, 2006 I like lot of the old ones, but modern ones:WilliamsEnron IISt Lukes (night tme only, its quite beautiful when the spire is lit and the sun is setting behind it. The best view is from North Macregor east of 288)Bank of America (sometimes) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted February 4, 2006 Share Posted February 4, 2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted February 5, 2006 Share Posted February 5, 2006 Pennzoil and Tenneco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted February 5, 2006 Share Posted February 5, 2006 Two favorites are 1500 Louisiana (Enron II) Cesar Pelli & Associates and Bank of America (formerly Republic Bank-NCNB Center) Philip Johnson/John Burgee Aside from being striking buildings in their own right, what especially impresses me is the way in which they relate to surrounding buildings. BOA is especially brilliant in its massing, as it permits views of Johnson/Burgee's earlier triumph (Pennzoil Place), while making the most of a difficult site (an exisiting building could not be demolished to build BOA, and is contained within it). 1500 Louisiana not only reflects (literally) the design of the rather banal original Enron building; it grants it some credibility. The sight lines from Louisiana and Smith Streets factor into the design - the 1963 Exxon Building harmonizes beautifully with its more modern neighbor. This is one of the few modern buildings in Houston which is enjoyable at street level as well as from a distance, in part due to the sweeping skywalk over Smith Street. These buildings are to be admired not only for their intrinsic beauty, but also because the architects considered the context in which they're seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dallasboi Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 Enron Towers ...Hands down.The newest of the two is my very favorite in the whole world.I am a true dallasite if there is a such thing,but Dallas Has nothing that tops them IMO. Excellence!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bachanon Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 both former enron buildingspennzoil placebank of americawilliams tower Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 I agree about 1500 Louisiana (Enron 2). Pelli did a great job of relating it to the older Enron building without copying. One of the nicest touches is the way that the tower is aligned to the east-west street grid of the Fourth Ward, just like Enron 1, while the base aligns to the northwest-southwest downtown grid. This kind of detail adds to the visual interest of the complex. I love BOA in that it has become a landmark for our skyline. My one small complaint about it is that the design is dated and it seems very much of the 1980s. To me, what makes Tenneco and Pennzoil classics is that even though they were built in the early 1960s and 1970s respectively, the designs are still fresh. Either one could be built today and still look new, which is quite an accomplishment. Tenneco especially amazes me with the articulation and quality of its facade design, although don't think the proportions of the building are great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TxDave Posted February 12, 2006 Author Share Posted February 12, 2006 I find it a little interesting that no one has mentioned Chase Tower.It has significance in being an IM Pei project and a pleasant simplicity.Although aside from it height, I do find it mostly unremarkable.Perhaps it just has too much competition nearby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riverrat Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 I find it a little interesting that no one has mentioned Chase Tower.It has significance in being an IM Pei project and a pleasant simplicity.Although aside from it height, I do find it mostly unremarkable.Perhaps it just has too much competition nearby.Why do you people punish me this way...all this talk about Skyscrappers...don't you realize that when you're only 3/32" tall, a blade of grass is a skyscrapper? I warn you...cease this attempt to humiliate me with such trivial trivialities or I shall unleash the full wrath of my EVIL GENIUS....but right now the Mrs. is making hologram pancakes....gotta go! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 Why do you people punish me this way...all this talk about Skyscrappers...don't you realize that when you're only 3/32" tall, a blade of grass is a skyscrapper? I warn you...cease this attempt to humiliate me with such trivial trivialities or I shall unleash the full wrath of my EVIL GENIUS....but right now the Mrs. is making hologram pancakes....gotta go!Not to be rude, or anything, but why did you respond to that? It wasn't directed at you, he was just making a generalization. And why do you consider yourself a cartoon character in every post?TxDave:I love to JPMCT. I just find some other towers appeal to me more, making it not my #1 favorite. I think its significant in the skyline, and while its not the belle of the ball, it looks good to me. Its hard to realize how tall it is, unless you can see it from the base to the roof. I love the cut in the southwest corner, it adds character. But many people are not fans of the 70s/80s box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovernorAggie Posted February 20, 2006 Share Posted February 20, 2006 My favorite is the Wells Fargo Tower--by far. It's just so simple yet cool. Also, the night lighting is very simple, yet it highlights the building well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
infinite_jim Posted February 20, 2006 Share Posted February 20, 2006 Rice Hotel, I like the traditional, yet still functional, porch/patio that provides one of the most vibrant public places downtown on any given night. It's an older bldg too so it's contrast with the modern skyscrapers gives it a charm onto itself. I see this building as the literal "heart" of downtown. 2nd would be the Reliant Bldg for merely ephemeral reasons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spencer Street Posted February 20, 2006 Share Posted February 20, 2006 agree with rice hotel, now a loft remodeled by psp(?). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zaphod Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 BoA bldg. Its the building that really defines the houston skyline. all the boxy or cylindrical towers behind are just filling, while the BoA building is what people see and think of the houston skyline as. Probably second would be the Pennzoil builing. its sort of the same way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TxDave Posted April 17, 2006 Author Share Posted April 17, 2006 I think the consensus to be derived from this thread is that Houston has several impressive buildings, many that may be overlooked or, perhaps sometimes, forgotten. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 Heritage Plaza. Great mixture of modern skyscraper with primitive geometry. One of the few skyscrapers I've never seen cloned anywhere else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trophy Property Posted June 2, 2006 Share Posted June 2, 2006 Heritage Plaza. Great mixture of modern skyscraper with primitive geometry. One of the few skyscrapers I've never seen cloned anywhere else.I agree with so many on this list. Williams is so cool the way it towers over the galleria skyline. My downtown favorites are the BoA and Heritage Plaza. If we are talking smaller buildings I love 5 Houston Center. It is very simple, but elegant at the same time. I think it is the showpiece of Houston Center if even if it is towered by the other Houston Center complex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted June 2, 2006 Share Posted June 2, 2006 for details....Niels Esperson hands down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double L Posted June 2, 2006 Share Posted June 2, 2006 The Williams Tower. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rio Grande Valley Posted June 6, 2006 Share Posted June 6, 2006 1) Williams Tower2) Wells Fargo3) Bank of America4) JP Morgan Chase5) Fulbright Tower (Chevron Tower) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyechas Posted July 22, 2006 Share Posted July 22, 2006 Bank of America has an edgy character. It's my favorite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MexAmerican_Moose Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 Williams TowerFormer Gulf Oil building (the one that looks orange at night)Enron Towers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Marty Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 #1 Fulbright Tower #2 Bank of America #3 JPMorgan Chase Tower #4 Wells Fargo Building #5 Exxon Mobile Building 1963. #6 Pennziol Place 1975 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmainguy Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 #1: 2 Houston Center for fit and finish inside and out. Absolutly the epitone of classic corporate style in Houston.#2 tie: Esperson and Gulf exteriors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaTrain Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 1. Williams Tower a.k.a Transco Tower a.k.a Willie T. This one dominates any Houston skyline regardless.2. Wells Fargo Plaza3. BofA. Houston has a unique gothic piece of the skyline, and its right here.4. The Ex-Enron Twins (1400 Smith and 1500 Louisiana)5. Eleven Hundred Louisiana. Kinda reminds me of BofA SF in its design. This one is truly underrated because Heritage Plaza sits in front of it. Am I the only one that likes this building? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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