High on Houston: A Guide to the City’s Tallest Buildings
- JpMorgan Chase Tower
- Wells Fargo Plaza
- Williams Tower
- TC Energy Center
- Heritage Plaza
- 609 Main at Texas
- Enterprise Plaza
- CenterPoint Energy Plaza
- Texas Tower
- 1600 Smith Street
- Fulbright Tower
- One Shell Plaza
- 1400 Smith Street
- Three Allen Center
- LyondellBasell Tower
- First City Tower
- 811 Main
- San Felipe Plaza
- ExxonMobil Building
- 1500 Louisiana Street
Ever looked up and wondered what stories the towering giants of Houston have to tell? These soaring structures are more than just concrete, glass, and their towering heights – they’re histories and architectural designs are chapters in the city’s evolving narrative.
In this guide, we’ll take you on a journey through the clouds, introducing you to Houston’s tallest buildings. From architectural feats to the historic landmarks that shaped the skyline, let’s unlock the secrets behind these urban titans.
JpMorgan Chase Tower
Address: 600 Travis Street Houston, Texas, United States
Phone Number: +1 713-223-0441
Height: 1,002 feet
Floors: 75
As the tallest building in Texas, the JPMorgan Chase Tower stands tall at a staggering 1,002 feet. Designed by renowned architect I. M. Pei & Partners, this architectural marvel was completed in 1982, with a distinctive trapezoidal crown that sets it apart.
Originally designed to house the Texas Commerce Bank’s headquarters, the tower now serves as a dynamic corporate hub. The glass facade allows light to cascade through, creating an ever-changing play of reflections.
The observation deck on the 60th floor offers an unparalleled panoramic view of Houston’s urban skyline. The tower is also connected to the Houston underground tunnels if you want to explore them!
| Pro Tip: Head to the observation deck during sunset for an enchanting transition from daylight to the city’s sparkling lights at night. Make sure you stand on the west side of the deck for a clear view of the sun dipping into the skyline. |
Wells Fargo Plaza
Address: 1000 Louisiana St, Houston, TX 77002, United States
Phone Number: +1 713-654-2100
Height: 992 feet
Floors: 71
At a soaring height of 992 feet, the Wells Fargo Plaza commands attention with its sleek lines and modern design. Constructed in 1983 as the Allied Bank Plaza and, this 71-story skyscraper is the tallest all glass building in the Western hemisphere.
Once a pinnacle of Texaco’s empire, the building has evolved into a bustling center of business and commerce. Its reflective glass exterior makes it great for photography during clear skies! The building looks almost invisible as it reflects the blue.
It also houses the Houstonian Lite Club which offers exercise equipment and studios to visitors. They also host classes like pilates, yoga, and zumba if you’re into more active fun!
| Pro Tip: After you visit the Houstonian Lite Health Club for a quick workout on the 14th floor, reward yourself by going to the 34th and 35th floors, as well as the 58th and 59th floors that are open to the public to view Downton Houston. |
Williams Tower
Address: 2800 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056, United States
Phone Number: +1 713-850-8841
Height: 901 feet
Floors: 64
The Williams Tower stands as a testament to architectural ingenuity at 901 feet and is the tallest skyscraper in the city outside of Downtown Houston. Designed by Philip Johnson and John Burgee, this skyscraper was completed in 1983.
Often referred to as the “Transco Tower,” it has a unique structure with setbacks and a distinctive crown. The granite archway at its entry that towers at 88 feet and the revolving light on its roof add to the grandeur of the tower.
Once envisioned as the headquarters of Transco Energy Company, the tower now houses various corporate offices and a diverse range of businesses like real estate firms like Hines.
| Pro Tip: For a serene moment amidst the city’s buzz, explore the beautifully landscaped Water Wall located nearby at the Gerald D. Hines Waterwall park. The man-made waterfalls is really something to get excited about, plus the park offers a great view of the building. |
TC Energy Center
Address: 700 Louisiana St, Houston, TX 77002, United States
Phone Number: +1 713-224-0181
Height: 780 feet
Floors: 56
The TC Energy Center, reaching an impressive 650 feet, is a standout in Houston’s urban landscape with its postmodern design that mirrors the canal houses in the Netherlands.
Completed in 1983, this 53-story skyscraper showcases a blend of architectural elegance and contemporary design with 3 tower setbacks that add a gothic touch to the tower, while the red granite used on the exterior gives it a pink shade.
Originally known as the Bank of America Center, it now houses a mix of corporate offices and business establishments.
| Pro Tip: The TC Energy Center has an art gallery in the lobby that is usually stocked with art installations year round curated by the highly in demand art specialist group, Kinzelman Art Consulting, so if you’re into art, you should definitely check that out! |
Heritage Plaza
Address: 1111 Bagby St Houston, TX 77002, United States
Phone Number: +1 713-651-3440
Height: 762 feet
Floors: 53
The Heritage Plaza, standing tall at 762 feet, adds an element of architectural grandeur to Houston’s downtown with its postmodern design.
Designed by the renowned architectural firm M. Nasr & Partners, this 53-story skyscraper was completed in 1987. The tower’s setbacks create an silhouette that mimics that of a Mayan pyramid, so make sure you get a head on shot from the front!
The top of the building is referred to by the locals as a bald eagle that’s about to take flight. Initially left mainly vacant during the economic collapse in Texas, it now hosts a mix of offices and businesses like Texaco.
| Pro Tip: The inside of the Plaza is as equally interesting as the exterior, so try to take a peek inside and observe the Mexican-inspired details of the lower floors. There’s also a huge food court on the first floor in case you get hungry! |
609 Main at Texas
Address: 609 Main St, Houston, TX 77002, United States
Phone Number: +1 281-833-3636
Height: 757 feet
Floors: 48
Rising to an impressive height of 755 feet, 609 Main at Texas was constructed in 2017 with architecture and sustainability in mind. This 48-story skyscraper boasts a striking glass exterior that’s always kept immaculately shiny.
It was designed by Pickard Chilton, a well-known architecture firm in Connecticut and was awarded a platinum certification on the LEED rating system on sustainability by USGB.
The building, which is also called Hines North Tower, is one of the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly buildings in the city. The asymmetrical design of the building’s shape lends a more interesting look to the structure than other buildings.
| Pro Tip: The 609 Main has private rooftop gardens that you can rent out for functions and special events with a 360 degree view of Downtown Houston. |
Enterprise Plaza
Address: 1100 Louisiana St, Houston, TX 77002, United States
Phone Number: +1 713-381-6500
Height: 756 feet
Floors: 55
Standing tall at 756 feet, the Enterprise by Hines, this 55-story skyscraper features a design that combines sleekness with classic lines and a wide space totalling 1.3 million square feet.
The building’s prominent facade is adorned with alternating bands of glass and aluminum that adds a touch of sophistication to the cityscape. The shine of both metal and glass strike a contrast against the Spanish Rose granite of the walls.
Enterprise Products holds their headquarters at the plaza, so the building is always buzzing with activity.
| Pro Tip: The Enterprise Plaza hosts great restaurants with our favorite being the Southern local cafeteria style food offered in Treebeards. You can’t leave the building without getting a taste of their shrimp etouffee and their chicken and sausage gumbo! |
CenterPoint Energy Plaza
Address: 1111 Louisiana St, Houston, TX 77002, United States
Phone Number: +1 713-207-2222
Height: 741 feet
Floors: 53
The CenterPoint Energy Plaza, soaring to a height of 741 feet, stands as a symbol of Houston’s corporate vitality. Built in 1974, this 53-story skyscraper exhibits a very blunt design that resembles a perfect rectangle.
The building’s exterior combines dark-tinted glass with aluminum, creating a sleek and timeless appearance.
When the building was first finished, it only stood 651 feet tall, but a canopy was added to the top adding 5 more floors to the tower which now serves as the headquarters for CenterPoint Energy and other businesses.
| Pro Tip: If you head on over to the nearby Discovery Green park for a leisurely stroll, you can catch a picturesque view of the CenterPoint Energy Tower and other skyscrapers in the area. |
Texas Tower
Address: 845 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002, United States
Phone Number: +1 346-440-1845
Height: 734 feet
Floors: 47
At a commanding height of 1,076 feet, the Texas Tower is a recent addition to Houston’s skyline, making it one of the tallest buildings in the city. Completed in 2021, this 47-story skyscraper stands as a testament to modern engineering and design innovation.
Its sleek glass exterior is accentuated by angular lines, adding a contemporary touch to the downtown area. Designed to accommodate a mix of office spaces and amenities, the building has quickly become an iconic part of the city’s landscape.
The lobby and common area were also designed mindfully to be conducive to socializing and networking.
| Pro Tip: The Texas Tower has gardens open to the public on the 12th floor with views of the city and a wide variety of plants on display that offer a unique blend of nature and modernity in the heart of the city that you should really see. |
1600 Smith Street
Address: 1600 Smith St, Houston, TX 77002, United States
Phone Number: +1 713-951-7400
Height: 732 feet
Floors: 51
Soaring to a height of 691 feet, 1600 Smith Street stands as a prominent fixture in the city’s skyline. Constructed in 1984 by Morris Architects, this 51-story skyscraper is another addition to the line of buildings that follow the postmodern style.
Its facade looks grayish white from a distance and is made of concrete with smaller windows and minimal glass that gives it a more toned-down feel.
The building was formerly known as the Continental Center and the Cullen Center Plaza and has played host to Continental Airlines before they merged with United.
| Pro Tip: For movie buffs out there, 1600 Smith Street was actually largely featured in RoboCop 2 which was released in 1990, so if you have watched the movie, you can spot the places or angles of the building that was featured in the film like the exterior and the main lobby. |
Fulbright Tower
Address: 1301 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010, USA
Phone Number: +1 713-425-4444
Height: 725 feet
Floors: 52
The Fullbright Tower which was known as the 3 Houston Center stands as a commanding presence, reaching a height of 725 feet.
Completed in 1982, this 52-story skyscraper showcases a sleek facade composed of glass and aluminum panels, embodying modern architectural aesthetics.
The tower was designed by Caudill Rowell Scott with the first 7 floors structured to be trading areas for gas and electricity. Now, the Fullbright Tower serves as a Class A office space in the Houston area.
| Pro Tip: The FullBright Tower is tagged as a city within a city because of the full-service collection of amenities inside. Try to explore the skybridge or the mini shopping mall if you’re in the spending mood! |
One Shell Plaza
Address: 910 Louisiana St, Houston, TX 77002, United States
Phone Number: +1 713-225-0565
Height: 714 feet
Floors: 50
With a height of 714 feet, 1000 feet if you include the antenna positioned on the top of the building, One Shell Plaza was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and was named after Shell Oil.
The antenna serves as a broadcast point for many TV and radio signals. Apart from its topper, the building’s main frame is made of reinforced concrete and its facade was constructed with Italian marble from Rome.
The building now serves as an office tower across its 50 storeys after undergoing many renovations that have earned it multiple awards like the 2017 International TOBY Award.
| Pro Tip: If you have friends or family members of the Houston Club, drop by the facility that’s located in the One Shell Plaza and try their pan seared blue crab cakes and grilled swordfish while the Houston city view glitters in the background. |
1400 Smith Street
Address: 1400 Smith St, Houston, TX 77002, United States
Phone Number: +1 925-842-1000
Height: 691 feet
Floors: 50
The headquarters of Chevron Global Upstream & Gas, the 1400 Smith Street in Houston stands at 691 feet and features a design that blends glass and metal for a clean and futuristic look.
The shape of the building is unique because of the curves that made the overall shape more oval than rectangular. The special glass that wraps around the body of the building is energy efficient in keeping the building cool by reflecting the sunlight.
Formerly known as Enron Complex, the building now houses a mix of offices and commercial spaces. Its prime location and striking facade make it a notable landmark in the city’s skyline.
| Pro Tip: Take note of the white band that acts like a sort of crown to the building. The crown lights up on special events like during the New Year’s Eve countdown, so keep an eye out if you want to see it lit up! |
Three Allen Center
Address: 333 Clay St, Houston, TX 77002, United States
Phone Number: +1 713-577-1750
Height: 685 feet
Floors: 50
The Three Allen Center is part of a multi-use skyscraper compound called the Allen Center and is the tallest of the 3. The building itself rises to a height of 685 feet
Built in 1980, this 50-story skyscraper boasts an architectural style that blends sophistication with contemporary flair. The building’s facade features alternating bands of glass and concrete, creating a dynamic visual effect.
The Class A office building now offers premier office spaces and amenities for businesses.
| Pro Tip: If you’re going on a grand tour of all the prominent skyscrapers and buildings in the area, you might want to consider staying at the C. Baldwin Hotel which is housed within the Allen Center. |
LyondellBasell Tower
Address: 1221 McKinney St # 300, Houston, TX 77010, United States
Phone Number: +1 713-309-7200
Height: 678 feet
Floors: 47
Previously known at 1 Houston Center, the LyondellBasell Tower is part of a Downtown Houston complex for office and retail space, Houston Center.
The building, reaching a height of 602 feet was opened in 1978 and was design dby Caudill Rowlett Scott. This 47-story skyscraper currently houses industry giants like Earnst & Young and law firm, Fish and Richardson.
The facade, composed of glass and concrete, adds depth and texture to its appearance that is emphasized by the sharp corners of the building.
| Pro Tip: The Houston Center hosts more than 35 shops and 30 restaurants, so you’ll never run out of things to do. Try the submarine sandwiches and milkshakes from the Potbelly Sandwich Shop for a no frills lunch! |
First City Tower
Address: 1001 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77002, United States
Phone Number: +1 713-877-1550
Height: 662 feet
Floors: 47
The First City Tower in Downtown Houston was designed by Morris-Aubry with influences from late-modernist architecture. The building got its name from its former client, First City National Bank.
Today, the tower offers prime office space and hosts various commercial ventures, blending modern functionality with its rich past.
In terms of design, the building is lauded for the decals that look like staircases on the north and south facades made with green-colored glass and aluminum. These decals look like the letter F from afar as a tribute to the company the building was named after.
| Pro Tip: If you look at the building itself, it looks larger than it actually is because of the way it was angled with respect to Houston’s street alignments. Try to step farther away from the building while walking parallel to the street to see what we mean! |
811 Main
Address: 811 Main St, Houston, TX 77002, United States
Phone Number: +1 832-390-3450.
Height: 632 feet
Floors: 46
A product of the teamwork between architect Pickard Chilton and Hines, this building stands at 632 feet with 46 usable stories. The building design features 10-foot high ceilings with floor to ceiling glass that lets the people inside get an unobstructed view of Houston’s downtown.
On the outside, the massive glass window panels lends a sleek and modern look to the building. The horizontal and vertical glass shades allows for the building to cool down on its own and earned it its LEED Platinum certificate for energy efficiency.
Currently, 811 Main accommodates a mix of offices and amenities, reflecting Houston’s commitment to sustainable urban development.
| Pro Tip: 811 Main is home to a state of the art fitness center that is accessible with monthly memberships or on a walk in one time fee basis. So, if you’re in the area and want to squeeze in a work out, their gym comes equipped with all the latest machines! |
San Felipe Plaza
Address: 5847 San Felipe St, Houston, TX 77057, United States
Phone Number: +1 713-457-2350
Height: 625 feet
Floors: 45
Soaring to a height of 650 feet, San Felipe Plaza is one of the main points of the city’s uptown skyline. Completed in 1984, this 46-story skyscraper features a design by architect Richard Keating that combines glass and steel
This building is the second tallest building that isn’t in the Downtown area and is just 2 miles away from the Houston Galleria shopping and entertainment center.
It has played host to various corporate offices and firms and its location within the Uptown District places it at the heart of Houston’s commercial hub.
| Pro Tip: The San Felipe Plaza is also just a short drive from Memorial which is a high-end neighborhood in Houston filled with great cafes and fine-dining restaurants, but what we always go here for are the mid century houses and community parks! |
ExxonMobil Building
Address: 800 Bell St, Houston, TX 77002, United States
Phone Number: +1 737-272-1452
Height: 606 feet
Floors: 44
The ExxonMobil Building, although not the tallest in the list, is one of our favorite skyscrapers in Houston. Constructed in 1963, this 44-story skyscraper showcases a minimalist aesthetic, marked by its clean lines and reflective glass exterior.
But the stand out element to the architectural design of the building are the protruding awnings installed on every floor which are cantilevered and extend 7 feet from the building’s surface.
As the headquarters of ExxonMobil, the building has played a pivotal role in the city’s corporate landscape. Today, it continues to house office spaces and remains an emblem of Houston’s business heritage.
| Pro Tip: Try to view the building from all angles especially when you are taking photos to see the best way you can make the protrusions stand out. Standing right below the one of the corners of the building makes for a great shot with lots of texture! |
1500 Louisiana Street
Address: 1500 Louisiana Street, Houston, TX 77002, United States
Phone Number: +1 713-890-7900
Height: 600 feet
Floors: 40
Hines was also the leading partner in developing the tower measuring 600 feet at 1500 Louisiana Street. Built in 2002, this 40-story skyscraper was designed by Cesar Pelli with modern and sleek lines in mind.
The building itself is covered in a glass curtain wall design with metal panels and sunshades on the southside.
The building’s strategic location places it in close proximity to various downtown attractions, making it a central hub for corporate activities.
| Pro Tip: Take note of the building’s topper which really sets it apart from all the more rectangular shaped skyscrapers and buildings in the area. The topper is a great point of focus when you’re taking shots of the tower and the holes make for great spaces where sunlight can filter through. |
