ExxonMobil Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids ExxonMobil Building |
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| Former names | Humble Building Humble Oil Building |
| Alternative names | Exxon Building |
| General information | |
| Status | Complete |
| Type | Commercial offices |
| Location | 800 Bell Street Houston, Texas |
| Coordinates | 29°45′13″N 95°22′10″W / 29.7535°N 95.3694°W |
| Completed | 1963 |
| Height | |
| Roof | 184.71 m (606.0 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 44 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Welton Becket and Associates George Pierce-Abel B. Pierce Golemon & Rolfe Associates |
| Developer | Del E Webb Corporation |
| Structural engineer | McClelland Engineers |
| Main contractor | W. S. Bellows Construction |
The ExxonMobil Building (also known as the Exxon Building) is a famous skyscraper in Houston, Texas. It was finished in 1963 and was once called the Humble Building. This tall building is located at 800 Bell Street in downtown Houston.
When it was built, the ExxonMobil Building was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River. It stood at 606 ft (185 m) (about 185 meters) tall. This made it taller than the Southland Center in Dallas. However, it only held this record for a short time. In 1965, Elm Place, another building in Dallas, became even taller.
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What Makes the Building Special?
One cool thing about the ExxonMobil Building is its unique design. Each floor has special shades that stick out about seven feet (about 2 meters) from the side. These shades are called cantilevers. They help block the bright daytime sun and keep the building cooler inside.
The building was designed in the International style of architecture. The main architect was Welton Becket and Associates.
Who Owns the Building?
As of 2011, the company ExxonMobil owned the building. However, in 2013, a company called Shorenstein Properties bought it. ExxonMobil then rented the whole building back from Shorenstein until 2015. Shorenstein Properties planned to make big improvements to the building after ExxonMobil moved out.
A New Home for ExxonMobil
In 2011, ExxonMobil announced that all its employees working in the building would move. They were going to a brand new ExxonMobil office in Spring, a town near Houston. ExxonMobil did not say what would happen to the old building after their employees left.
City Plans and Safety
In 2015, Houston's Mayor Annise Parker suggested a new idea. She thought the city's municipal court and Houston Police Department (HPD) could move into the ExxonMobil Building.
However, Charles McClelland, who was the head of HPD, had some worries. He said that having so many law enforcement groups in one building could be a safety risk. In September 2015, Mayor Parker's team announced that the plan would not go forward. They were concerned about how much it would cost.
Fun Fact: Astros Lights!
During the Houston Astros baseball team's playoff run in 2004, the building showed its team spirit! Hundreds of tiny blue lights lit up the very top of the building. Also, a giant Astros star logo, made of white lights, was hung on the south side of the building. It was a bright way to cheer on the team!
Former Tenants: The Petroleum Club
For many years, the top two floors of the ExxonMobil Building were home to the Petroleum Club of Houston. This club had been there since 1963. People could reach the club using special elevators on Bell Street. Because the building was sold and going to be renovated, the Petroleum Club had to find a new place. In early 2015, it moved to a building called Total Plaza.
