View source for Architecture of Houston

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[[File:Three Eras - Houston.jpg|alt=Three skyscrapers visually overlap each other. The simple, rectangular tiers of JPMorgan Chase Building contrast with the five-sided tower of the Pennzoil building and the stepped rows of spires of the Bank of America building.|thumb|Three eras of buildings in Houston - [[JPMorgan Chase Building (Houston, Texas)|JPMorgan Chase Building]], 1920s, [[Pennzoil Place]], 1970s, and [[Bank of America Center (Houston)|Bank of America Center]], 1980s]]

The '''architecture of Houston''' includes a wide variety of award-winning and historic examples located in various areas of the city of [[Houston]], [[Texas]]. From early in its history to current times, the city inspired innovative and challenging building design and construction, as it quickly grew into an internationally recognized commercial and industrial hub of Texas and the United States.

Some of Houston's oldest and most distinctive [[architecture]] is found downtown, as the city grew around [[Allen's Landing]] and the Market Square historic district. During the middle and late century, [[Downtown Houston]] was a modest collection of mid-rise office structures, but has since grown into the third largest [[skyline]] in the United States. The [[Uptown Houston|Uptown District]] experienced rapid growth along with Houston during the 1970s and early 1980s. In the late 1990s Uptown Houston saw construction of many mid and high-rise residential buildings. The Uptown District is also home to other structures designed by architects such as [[I. M. Pei]], [[César Pelli]] and [[Philip Johnson]].

Houston has many examples of residential architecture of varying styles, from the mansions of [[River Oaks]] and Memorial to row houses in the several wards. A number of Houston's earliest homes are located in what is now [[Sam Houston Park]]. Homes in the [[Houston Heights|Heights]] have varied architectural styles, including [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]], [[American Craftsman|Craftsman]] and [[Colonial Revival]]. Post-war housing constructed throughout Houston reflects many architectural styles.

==Skyscrapers==
{{wide image|Panoramic Houston skyline.jpg|800px|align-cap=center|The [[Downtown Houston]] skyline}}
{{Further|List of tallest buildings in Houston}}

Some of Houston's oldest and most distinctive [[architecture]] are found in the northern sections of downtown, as the city grew around [[Allen's Landing]] and the Market Square historic district,<ref name="Map: Main Street">{{cite web | title = Map: Main Street Market Square Historic District | work = houstontx.gov | url = http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/historic_pres/maps_of_districts/Main_Str.pdf | access-date = 2007-05-04 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070620082631/http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/historic_pres/maps_of_districts/Main_Str.pdf |archive-date = June 20, 2007}}</ref> where several representations of 19th-century urban architecture still stand.<ref name="Market Square">{{cite web|title=Market Square Historic District |work=houston.com |url=http://www.houston.com/attractions/marketsqhistoricdistrict.html |access-date=2007-05-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070328084618/http://www.houston.com/attractions/marketsqhistoricdistrict.html |archive-date=28 March 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The Hilton Houston Post Oak (formerly Warwick Post Oak) Hotel was designed by I. M. Pei. Its twin towers are joined by a spacious lobby with a curved glass ceiling that by day lights up the entire space.<ref>{{Cite web | title = Houston Hilton Post Oak | work = Pei Cobb Freed & Partners | access-date = 2009-11-29 | url = http://www.pcfandp.com/a/p/7815/s.html}}</ref> The hotel has more than <span style="white-space:nowrap">30,000&nbsp;sq&nbsp;ft&nbsp;(2,800&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup>)</span>. of meeting space and 448 guestrooms, including two <span style="white-space:nowrap">3,000&nbsp;sq&nbsp;ft&nbsp;(280&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup>)</span>. presidential suites and is only one block from the [[The Galleria (Houston, Texas)|Galleria]]. In 2005, the hotel was renovated to reflect a more contemporary style that mirrors the original design.

[[File:RiceHotel-2.jpg|alt=High rise brick, flat-roofed hotel with three wings of equal size resting on the base provided by the first two floors.|thumb|left|The Rice Lofts (formerly the [[Rice Hotel]])]]

The [[Rice Hotel]], built in 1912 on the former site of the old Capitol building of the [[Republic of Texas]], was restored in 1998, after years of standing unused.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.houstonchronicle.com/local/history/article/Allen-brothers-The-wheeling-dealing-duo-who-7722822.php |title= Allen brothers: The wheeling-dealing duo who turned mud into gold |first= Joe |last= Holley |work= [[Houston Chronicle]] |date= May 19, 2016 }}</ref> The original building was razed in 1881 by Colonel A. Groesbeck, who subsequently erected a five-story hotel named the Capitol Hotel.<ref name="The Historic Rice Hotel, Shuttered for 20 Years, Again a Houston Landmark">{{cite web | title=The Historic Rice Hotel, Shuttered for 20 Years, Again a Houston Landmark |work = hotelonline.com |url = http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PressReleases1998_4th/Oct98_RiceHotel.html#Rice | access-date = 2007-05-04| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070419073642/http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PressReleases1998_4th/Oct98_RiceHotel.html| archive-date= 19 April 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref> [[William Marsh Rice]], the founder of [[Rice University]], purchased the building in 1883, added a five-story annex, and renamed it the Rice Hotel.<ref name="The Historic Rice Hotel, Shuttered for 20 Years, Again a Houston Landmark"/> Rice University then sold the building in 1911 to [[Jesse H. Jones|Jesse Jones]], who demolished it and built a 17-story structure on the site.<ref name="The Historic Rice Hotel, Shuttered for 20 Years, Again a Houston Landmark"/> The new Rice Hotel building opened on May 17, 1913. This historic hotel now serves as an apartment building known as The Rice Lofts, designed by [[Page (firm)|Page]].<ref name="The Historic Rice Hotel, Shuttered for 20 Years, Again a Houston Landmark"/>

The Texas State Hotel was built in 1926 from a design by architect Joseph Finger, who also created the plans for Houston's City Hall.<ref name="Texas State Hotel">{{cite web | title = Texas State Hotel | work = Preservation Progress, Greater Houston Preservation Alliance (1998-2007 GHPA) | url = http://ghpa.org/progress/ | access-date = 2007-05-26 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070428182049/http://ghpa.org/progress/ |archive-date = April 28, 2007}}</ref> The hotel has [[Spanish Renaissance]] detailing and ornate metal canopies, which remain largely intact even though the building had, until recently, been vacant since the mid-1980s. The hotel is a designated City of Houston landmark, and with refurbished ornate [[terra cotta]] detailing on the façade, it has been returned to active use.<ref name="720 Fannin">{{cite web | title =720 Fannin Street | work = 2006 Awards, Greater Houston Preservation Alliance (1998-2007 GHPA) | url =http://www.preservationhouston.org/awards/past/ | access-date = 2007-05-04}}</ref>

The [[Gulf Building (Houston)|Gulf Building]], now called the JPMorgan Chase building, is an [[Art Deco]] [[skyscraper]]. Completed in 1929, it remained the [[Tallest buildings in Texas|tallest building in Houston]] until 1963,<ref name="JPMorgan Chase Building Landmark Dedication">{{cite web | title=JPMorgan Chase Building Landmark Dedication | work=Preservation Update, Greater Houston Preservation Alliance (1998-2007 GHPA) | url=http://ghpa.org/update/ | access-date=2007-05-30 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061208052934/http://ghpa.org/update/ |archive-date = December 8, 2006}}</ref> when the [[Exxon Building (Houston)|Exxon Building]] surpassed it in height. Designed by architects [[Alfred C. Finn]] (designer of the San Jacinto Monument), Kenneth Franzheim, and J.E.R. Carpenter, the building is seen as a realization of [[Eliel Saarinen's Tribune Tower design|Eliel Saarinen's acclaimed second-place entry]] to the [[Tribune Tower|''Chicago Tribune'' Tower]] competition. Restoration of the building was started in 1989, in what is still considered one of the largest privately funded preservation projects in American history.<ref>{{Cite web | title = JPMorgan Chase Building, 2004 President's Award | work =Greater Houston Prevervation Alliance | access-date = 2009-11-23 | url =http://www.preservationhouston.org/awards/past/ }}</ref>

[[File:Niels Esperson Building.jpg|alt= A high rise building with many tiers and a ten-columned cupola topping it.|thumb|[[Niels and Mellie Esperson buildings|Niels Esperson Building]]]]

The [[Niels and Mellie Esperson buildings]] are examples of [[Italian Renaissance]] architecture in [[downtown Houston]].<ref name="Esperson, Mellie Keenan">{{cite web | author=Cottrell, Debbie Mauldin | title=Esperson, Mellie Keenan | work=Handbook of Texas Online, Texas State Historical Association (June 6, 2001) | url = https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fes25 | access-date = 2007-05-04}}</ref> Designed by John Eberson, the two buildings were built in 1927 and 1941, respectively.<ref name="Esperson, Mellie Keenan"/> They are detailed with massive columns, great urns, terraces, and a grand [[tempietto (disambiguation)|tempietto]] at the top, similar to one built in the courtyard of San Pietro in [[Rome]] in 1502.<ref>{{Cite web | title = Houston's Historic Esperson Buildings Sold | access-date = 2009-11-23 | url = http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/Building/528/Esperson-Buildings.php}}</ref> Mellie Esperson had the first building constructed for her husband, Niels, a real estate and oil tycoon.<ref name="Esperson, Mellie Keenan"/> His name is carved on the side of the building in large letters at street level. The name "Mellie Esperson" is carved on the accompanying structure, known as the Mellie Esperson building, although it is really just a 19-story annex to the original building.<ref name="Esperson Buildings">{{cite web | title = Esperson Buildings | work = glasssteelandstone.com | url = http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/US/TX/HoustonEsperson.html | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130124083611/http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/US/TX/HoustonEsperson.html | url-status = usurped | archive-date = January 24, 2013 | access-date = 2007-05-04}}</ref>

Designed by [[Fort Worth]] architect [[Wyatt C. Hedrick]], the [[Shamrock Hotel]] was an 18-story building constructed between 1946 and 1949 with a green tile pitched roof and 1,100 rooms.<ref name="TSHAShamrock">{{cite web|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/ccs05|title=The Shamrock Hotel|publisher=Texas State Historical Association, The Handbook of Texas|access-date=2007-11-25}}</ref> The hotel was conceived by [[wildcatter]] [[Glenn McCarthy]] as a city-sized hotel scaled for conventions with a resort atmosphere.<ref name="TSHAShamrock"/> The Shamrock was located in a suburban area three miles (5&nbsp;km) southwest of downtown Houston on the fringes of countryside and was meant to be the first phase of a much larger indoor shopping and entertainment complex called McCarthy Center, anchored alongside the planned Texas Medical Center. At the hotel's north side was a five-story building containing a 1,000-car garage and {{convert|25000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} exhibition hall. To the south was the hotel's lavishly landscaped garden designed by Ralph Ellis Gunn, a terrace and an immense swimming pool measuring 165 by {{convert|142|ft|m}} described as the world's biggest outdoor pool, which accommodated exhibition [[waterskiing]] and featured a three-story-high diving platform with an open spiral staircase.<ref name="TSHAShamrock"/> Despite protests by local preservationists, the Shamrock was demolished June 1, 1987. The [[Institute of Biosciences and Technology]] now stands in its former location.

The 18-story [[Prudential Building (Houston)|Prudential Building]], designed by Kenneth Franzheim, was constructed in 1952 in the [[Texas Medical Center]].<ref name="HooverPrudential">Hoover, Kent. "[http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2002/04/01/story6.html Preservationists oppose plan to demolish historic building]." ''[[Houston Business Journal]]''. Friday March 29, 2002. Retrieved on November 13, 2009.</ref> The ground level walls of the Prudential Building were clad with deep red polished Texas [[granite]]; the upper floors on the northwest and northeast sides were clad in Texas [[limestone]]. The southwest and southeast sides, though, were faced with full-height aluminum arrangements to "utilize solar rays and air circulation to effect economies in air conditioning."<ref name="Most Endangered Moderns">{{Cite web | title = Prudential Building, Houston MOD - Building Detail | access-date = 2009-11-30 | url = http://www.houstonmod.org/bldg_detail.asp?id=20&by=endangered&ss=2 | archive-date = 2016-03-03 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303201243/http://www.houstonmod.org/bldg_detail.asp?id=20&by=endangered&ss=2 | url-status = dead }}</ref> The building was the first local corporate high rise office building in Houston to be located outside of the central business district.<ref name="HooverPrudential"/> The Prudential Building was demolished January 8, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.chron.com/newswatch/2012/01/prudential-building-in-houston-destroyed/|title=Prudential Building in Houston destroyed in 17 seconds|work=Newswatch}}</ref>

In the 1960s, [[Downtown Houston]] was a modest collection of mid-rise office structures, but has since grown into the third largest [[skyline]] in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Houston – a World-class City and Economic Powerhouse |work=The Austin 10 |access-date=2009-11-24 |url=http://austin10.cityspur.com/2009/10/28/houston-a-world-class-city-and-economic-powerhouse/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708161136/http://austin10.cityspur.com/2009/10/28/houston-a-world-class-city-and-economic-powerhouse/ |archive-date=2011-07-08 }}</ref> In 1960, the [[central business district]] had 10&nbsp;million square feet (1,000,000&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup>) of office space, increasing to about 16&nbsp;million square feet (1,600,000&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup>) in 1970.<ref name="CUMP">{{Cite web|title=Office Sprawl: The Evolving Geography of Business |work=Center on Urban & Metropolitan Policy |author=Robert E. Lang |access-date=2009-11-29 |url=http://www.mi.vt.edu/data/files/external%20publications/office_sprawl.pdf }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Downtown Houston was on the threshold of a boom in 1970 with 8.7&nbsp;million square feet (870,000&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup>) of office space planned or under construction and huge projects being launched by [[real estate developer]]s.<ref>{{Cite web| title = 173 Years of Historic Houston| access-date = 2009-11-24| url = http://www.houstonhistory.com/decades/history5q.htm}}</ref>

[[File:OneShellPlaza.jpg|alt=Fifty-floor, rectangular skyscraper with rows of identical windows and minimal ornamentation.|thumb|left|[[One Shell Plaza]]]]

The largest proposed development was [[Houston Center]], originally planned to encompass a 32-block area. However, by 1989, when the company that acquired the original developer sold Houston Center, the complex consisted of three office buildings, a shopping center, and a hotel.<ref name="Hallib">Broidy, Dan. ''The Halliburton Agenda: The Politics of Oil and Money''. [[John Wiley and Sons]], 2004. [https://archive.org/details/halliburtonagend00brio/page/113 <!-- quote="Houston Center" planned 32 blocks. --> 113]. Retrieved from [[Google Books]] on November 11, 2009. {{ISBN|0-471-63860-9}}, {{ISBN|978-0-471-63860-5}}.</ref> Other large projects included the [[Cullen Center]], [[Allen Center]], and towers for [[Shell Oil Company]]. The surge of skyscrapers mirrored the skyscraper booms in other [[sunbelt]] cities, such as [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]] and [[Dallas, Texas|Dallas]]. Houston had experienced another downtown construction spurt in the 1970s with the energy industry boom.<ref name="CUMP"/>

[[File:Chase Tower, a block away.jpg|alt=Tall, steel, five-sided tower, with strong vertical lines broken by rows of horizontal bands on two sides.|thumb|[[JPMorgan Chase Tower (Houston)|JPMorgan Chase Tower]]]]

The first major [[skyscraper]] to be constructed in Houston was the 50-floor, {{convert|714|ft|m|adj=on}} tall [[One Shell Plaza]] in 1971.<ref name="OneShell">{{Cite web |title = Architecture of 1 Shell Plaza | work = Glass Steel and Stone | access-date = 2009-11-29 | url = http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/PrinterFriendlyBuildingDetail.php?BuildingName=1%20Shell%20Plaza&LocationCity=Houston&LocationState=Texas&LocationNation=United%20States| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110607060110/http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/PrinterFriendlyBuildingDetail.php?BuildingName=1%20Shell%20Plaza&LocationCity=Houston&LocationState=Texas&LocationNation=United%20States| url-status = usurped| archive-date = June 7, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title = One Shell Plaza | work = Hines Interests | access-date = 2009-11-29 | url = http://www.hines.com/property/detail.aspx?id=256}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title = One Shell Plaza, Houston | work = Emporis.com | access-date = 2009-11-29| url = http://www.emporis.com/application/?nav=building&id=117759&lng=3| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130409022923/http://www.emporis.com/application/?nav=building&id=117759&lng=3| url-status = usurped| archive-date = April 9, 2013}}</ref> A succession of skyscrapers were built throughout the 1970s, culminating with Houston's tallest, the 75-floor, {{convert|1002|ft|m|adj=on}} tall [[JPMorgan Chase Tower (Houston)|JPMorgan Chase Tower]] (formerly the Texas Commerce Tower), designed by [[I. M. Pei]] and completed in 1982. As of 2010, it is the tallest man-made structure in Texas, the 12th-tallest building in the United States and the 48th-tallest skyscraper in the world.<ref>{{Cite web | title = JPMorgan Chase Tower, Houston | work = Emporis.com | access-date = 2009-11-29 | url = http://www.emporis.com/application/?nav=building&id=117680| archive-url = https://archive.today/20120729000702/http://www.emporis.com/application/?nav=building&id=117680| url-status = usurped| archive-date = July 29, 2012}}</ref>

[[Pennzoil Place]], designed by [[Philip Johnson]] and built in 1976, is Houston's most award-winning skyscraper and is known for its innovative design.<ref name="Pennzoil Place">{{cite web | title = Pennzoil Place | work = greatbuildings.com | url = http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Pennzoil_Place.html | access-date = 2007-05-04| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070518052748/http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Pennzoil_Place.html| archive-date= 18 May 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref> The 46-story [[One Houston Center]], which was built in 1978, is 207&nbsp;m (678&nbsp;ft) tall and was designed by S.I. Morris Associates, [[Caudill Rowlett Scott]], and 3D/International.<ref>{{Cite web | title = 1 Houston Center, Houston | work = Emporis.com | access-date = 2009-11-29 | url = http://www.emporis.com/application/?nav=building&lng=3&id=1houstoncenter-houston-tx-usa| archive-url = https://archive.today/20120728220123/http://www.emporis.com/application/?nav=building&lng=3&id=1houstoncenter-houston-tx-usa| url-status = usurped| archive-date = July 28, 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Wells Fargo Bank Plaza, Houston, from base.jpg|alt=Tall, thin, glass tower with large, rounded outset on one side and strong vertical lines.|thumb|left|[[Wells Fargo Plaza (Houston)|Wells Fargo Bank Plaza]]]]

The Fulbright Tower, built in 1982 and designed by Caudill Rowlett & Scott Architects, is a 52-story tower constructed of steel with suspended concrete on metal deck floor slabs. The exterior wall consists of a ribbon window wall with granite [[spandrel]] panels and aluminum framed windows with insulated glazing. The spandrel panels are polished granite supported by a steel [[truss]] system. The interior wall surfaces are constructed of Italian flame cut Rosa Beta granite, quarried in [[Sardinia]], mixed with Makore wood and stainless steel trim.<ref name="Building Features">{{cite web | title = Building Features | work = fulbrighttower.com | url = http://www.fulbrighttower.com/ft/bildfeat.asp | access-date = 2007-05-04 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061118130834/http://www.fulbrighttower.com/ft/bildfeat.asp |archive-date = November 18, 2006}}</ref>

In 1983, the [[Wells Fargo Plaza (Houston)|Wells Fargo Bank Plaza]] was completed, which became the second-tallest building in Houston and in Texas, and the 11th-tallest in the country.<ref>{{Cite web | title = Wells Fargo Bank Plaza | work = Glass Steel and Stone | access-date = 2009-11-29 | url = http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/2239.php| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100103155153/http://glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/2239.php| archive-date= 3 January 2010 | url-status= usurped}}</ref> It was designed by [[Skidmore, Owings & Merrill]] and Lloyd Jones Brewer and Associates and supposedly resembles an abstracted dollar sign in plan. From street level, the building is 71 stories tall, or 972&nbsp;ft (296&nbsp;m) tall. It also extends four more stories below street level.<ref name="Wells Fargo Plaza">{{cite web | title = Wells Fargo Plaza | work = [[Emporis]] | url = http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=wellsfargoplaza-houston-tx-usa | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070212051615/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=wellsfargoplaza-houston-tx-usa | url-status = usurped | archive-date = February 12, 2007 | access-date = 2007-05-04}}</ref>

[[File:Bank of America Center (Houston).jpg|alt=Large building with three, segmented tower setbacks, each with a steeply pitched roof line topped with a series of spires.|thumb|The [[Bank of America Center, Houston|Bank of America Center]]]]

The [[Bank of America Center, Houston|Bank of America Center]] is one of the first significant examples of [[postmodern architecture]] built in downtown Houston.<ref>{{Cite web | title = Master Builder | work = Texas Monthly | date = 2000-08-01 | author = Michael Ennis | access-date = 2009-11-29 | url = http://www.texasmonthly.com/preview/2000-08-01/art}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title = Bank of America Center Houston, Houston, TX | work = Hines Interests | access-date = 2009-11-29 | url = http://www.hines.com/property/detail.aspx?id=257| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091130174413/http://www.hines.com/property/detail.aspx?id=257| archive-date= 30 November 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> The building, completed in 1984 and designed by Philip Johnson and partner [[John Burgee]], is reminiscent of the Dutch Gothic architecture of canal houses that were once common in The Netherlands.<ref name="Bank of America Center">{{cite web | title = Bank of America Center, Houston | work = [[Emporis]] | url = http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=bankofamericacenter-houston-tx-usa | access-date = 2007-05-04| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070501150733/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=bankofamericacenter-houston-tx-usa| archive-date= 1 May 2007 | url-status= usurped}}</ref> The first section is 21 stories tall, while the whole building reaches a height of 56 stories.
[[File:Heritage Plaza Building Houston Texas.jpg|alt=Tall, glass-block tower with subtle setbacks and granite Mayan flat-topped pyramid at the top. Directly under this is a granite reverse pyramid shape with rows of vertical bars with glass insets.|thumb|left|[[Heritage Plaza (building)|Heritage Plaza]] building as seen from the [[Houston Theater District|Theater District]]]]
[[Heritage Plaza (building)|Heritage Plaza]] is a 53-story, 232&nbsp;m, tower in downtown. The building, designed by M. Nasar & Partners P.C., was completed in 1986. The building is known for the granite [[Maya civilization|Mayan]] temple design on the top, which was inspired by the architect's visit to the Mexican [[Yucatán Peninsula|Yucatán]].<ref name="Heritage Plaza">{{cite web | title = Heritage Plaza | work = glasssteelandstone.com | url = http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/540.php | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20041221225434/http://glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/540.php | url-status = usurped | archive-date = December 21, 2004 | access-date = 2007-05-04}}</ref> Recently renovated at the cost of $6 million, the building was the last major office building completed in downtown Houston prior to the collapse of the [[Texas]] real estate, banking, and oil industries in the 1980s.<ref>{{Cite web | title = Rehabilitation/Renovation: Heritage Plaza | work = Houston Business Journal | date = 2009-04-10
| access-date = 2009-11-29| url = http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2009/04/13/focus15.html}}</ref>

[[File:JPMorgan Chase Tower (Houston).jpg|thumb|left|JPMorgan Chase Tower in Houston, Texas is the tallest composite building in the world]]

Houston's building boom of the 1970s and 1980s ceased in the mid-1980s, due to the [[1980s oil glut]]. Building of skyscrapers resumed by 2003, but the new buildings were more modest and not as tall. During that year George Lancaster, a spokesperson for the Hines company, said "I predict the [[JPMorgan Chase Tower (Houston)|J.P. Morgan Chase Tower]] will be the tallest building in Houston for quite some time."<ref name="EgoBuildings">Bivins, Ralph. "[http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2003_3704259 New towers won't touch `ego buildings' of past]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Sunday November 2, 2003. Business 8. Correction published on November 4, 2003. Retrieved on December 1, 2009.</ref>

In the early 1990s many older office buildings throughout Houston remained unoccupied. At the same time newer office buildings for major corporations opened.<ref>Stuart, Lettice. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20121102063321/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24338632.html?dids=24338632:24338632&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+09,+1992&author=Lettice+Stuart,+New+York+Times+News+Service.&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Houston+still+building+offices+despite+the+glut&pqatl=google Houston still building offices despite the glut]." ''[[New York Times News Service]]'' at the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''. August 2, 1992. Real Estate 1N. Retrieved on May 14, 2010.</ref>

In 1999, the Houston-based [[Enron Corporation]] began construction of a 40-floor skyscraper. Designed by Cesar Pelli & Associates and Kendall/Heaton Associates, and completed in 2002, the building was originally known as the Enron Center.<ref name="Enron Center South">{{cite web | title = Enron Center South | work = glasssteelandstone.com | url = http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/US/TX/HoustonEnronSouth.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20020814040455/http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/US/TX/HoustonEnronSouth.html | url-status = usurped | archive-date = August 14, 2002 | access-date = 2007-05-04}}</ref> The company collapsed in a well-publicized manner in 2001, and the building became officially known by its address, [[1500 Louisiana Street]]<ref>Oppel, Richard A. Jr. and Andrew Ross Sorkin. "[https://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/29/business/enron-s-collapse-the-overview-enron-collapses-as-suitor-cancels-plans-for-merger.html?pagewanted=all Enron's Collapse: The Overview; Enron Collapses as Suitor Cancels Plans for Merger]." ''[[The New York Times]]''. November 29, 2001. Retrieved November 18, 2009.</ref>
[[File:Williamstower.jpg|alt=Tall, symmetrical, glass skyscraper with triangular peak, and setbacks that narrow the building as it rises. A chevron design under the top seems to be pushed upward by a long, thin arrow.|thumb|[[Williams Tower]]]]

One of Houston's most recent downtown landmarks is Discovery Green, a large public park designed by [[Page (firm)|Page]] with Hargreaves Associates.

The [[Uptown Houston|Uptown District]], located on [[Interstate 610 (Texas)|Interstate 610]] West (referred to locally as the "West Loop") between [[U.S. Highway 59 (Texas)|U.S. Highway 59]] and [[Interstate 10 (Texas)|Interstate 10]], boomed along with Houston during the 1970s and early 1980s. During that time the area grew from farm land in the late 1960s to a collection of high-rise office buildings, residential properties, and retail establishments, including the [[Houston Galleria]]. The area is an example of what architectural theorists call the [[edge city]].<ref>{{Cite book | title = The Loops, Chapter 5 | work = Houston Freeways: A Historical and Visual Journey | author = Erik Slotboom | year = 2003 | publisher = O.F. Slotboom | isbn = 0-9741605-3-9 | access-date = 2009-11-29 | url = http://www.houstonfreeways.com/preview_ch5.aspx | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090601171406/http://www.houstonfreeways.com/preview_ch5.aspx | archive-date = 2009-06-01 | url-status = dead }}</ref> In the late 1990s Uptown Houston saw construction of many mid- and high-rise residential buildings of the tallest being about 30 stories.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qremodeling.com/contractors/Texas/remodeling-in-Houston.html |title=The Houston Remodeling Project | publisher=Q Remodeling Houston Group|date=2007-07-16}}</ref>

The tallest structure in Uptown Houston is the {{convert|901|ft|m|adj=on}} tall, Philip Johnson-designed, landmark [[Williams Tower]] (formerly "Transco Tower"), which was constructed in 1983.<ref name = "WilliamsTower">{{Cite web | title = Williams Tower | work = Glass, Steel and Stone | access-date = 2009-11-29 | url = http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/542.php| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20041221225442/http://glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/542.php| url-status = usurped| archive-date = December 21, 2004}}</ref> At the time, it was to be the world's tallest skyscraper outside of a city's [[central business district]].<ref name="Williams Tower">{{cite web | title = Williams Tower | work = [[Emporis]] | url = http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=williamstower-houston-tx-usa | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070307183515/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=williamstower-houston-tx-usa | url-status = usurped | archive-date = March 7, 2007 | access-date = 2007-05-30}}</ref> The building is topped with a rotating [[searchlight|spot light]] that constantly searches the horizon.<ref name = "WilliamsTower"/> Williams Tower was named "Skyscraper of the Century" in the December 1999 issue of ''Texas Monthly'' magazine.<ref>"[http://www.texasmonthly.com/preview/1999-12-01/feature10 The Best of the Texas Century—Business]." ''[[Texas Monthly]]''. December 1999. Retrieved on November 15, 2009.</ref>
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==Landmarks and monuments==
[[File:Merchants and Manufacturers Building (bayou view) Houston.jpg|thumb|Former [[Merchants and Manufacturers Building]] on the campus of the University of Houston–Downtown]]

The [[Merchants and Manufacturers Building]] (M&M Building) was built in 1930 and was the largest building in Houston at the time.<ref name="30th Anniversary">{{cite web|url=http://www.uhd.edu/news/anniversary/onemainhistory.htm |title=One Main Building |publisher=University of Houston–Downtown |access-date=2008-11-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051226193347/http://www.uhd.edu/news/anniversary/onemainhistory.htm |archive-date=December 26, 2005 }}</ref> It featured {{convert|14|mi|km}} of floor space and could accommodate one-third of the city's population. The [[Art Deco]]–style building is recognized as part of the [[National Register of Historic Places]], is a Recorded [[Texas Historical Commission|Texas Historic Landmark]], and considered a Contributing Building in Downtown Houston's [[Main Street/Market Square Historic District]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.houstondeco.org/1930s/mm.html |title=Merchant and Manufacturers (M&M) Building |publisher=Greater Houston Preservation Alliance |work=Houston Deco |access-date=2008-11-06| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081010162337/http://www.houstondeco.org/1930s/mm.html| archive-date= 10 October 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> Since 1974, the M&M&nbsp;Building has been part of the [[University of Houston–Downtown]] and was given an official designation as "One Main Building" by the university.

The historic [[Trinity Church, Houston|Trinity Church]] in [[Midtown Houston|Midtown]] on Main Street, which dates from 1919, is a [[Gothic revival|neo-Gothic]] structure, designed by the [[architecture|architectural]] firm, [[HDB/Cram and Ferguson|Cram and Ferguson]], whose Houston work also includes several buildings at [[Rice University]] and the Julia Ideson Building of the [[Houston Public Library]].<ref>{{Cite web | title = Houston Metropolitan Research Center | access-date = 2009-11-23 | url = http://www2.houstonlibrary.org/hmrc/restoration.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Touch The Sky |work=Rice University Magazine |date=2009-03-01 |access-date=2009-11-23 |url=http://www.rice.edu/ricemagazine/2009/2009_Issue4/features/TouchSky.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091112024105/http://www.rice.edu/ricemagazine/2009/2009_Issue4/features/TouchSky.html |archive-date=12 November 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The church's Morrow Chapel was renovated in 2002 and features [[stained glass]], artwork, and liturgical furnishings by artists such as Kim Clark Renteria, Kermit Oliver, Troy Woods, [[Shazia Sikander]], and Selven O’Keef Jarmon.<ref name="About Trinity">{{cite web | title = About Trinity | work = Trinity Church, www.trinitychurch.net | url = http://www.trinitychurch.net/default.asp?id=49 | access-date = 2007-05-04 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070320062119/http://www.trinitychurch.net/default.asp?id=49 |archive-date = 2007-03-20}}</ref>

The Uptown District is home to structures designed by architects such as [[I. M. Pei]], [[César Pelli]] and [[Philip Johnson]], including [[St. Martin's Episcopal Church (Houston, Texas)|Saint Martin's Episcopal Church]] (with spires and antennae reaching {{convert|188|ft|m}} into the sky), which was designed by Jackson & Ryan Architects and completed in 2004. St. Martin's was featured on the covers of three national magazines: ''Civil Engineering'' (April 2005), ''Modern Steel Construction'' (May 2005) and ''Structure'' (December 2005).<ref name="Award Winning Projects">{{cite web | title = Award Winning Projects | work = Matrix Structural Engineers, www.matrixstructural.com | url = http://www.matrixstructural.com/awardwinning.shtml | access-date = 2007-05-04 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070430121908/http://www.matrixstructural.com/awardwinning.shtml |archive-date = April 30, 2007}}</ref>

<!--[[File:San Jacinto Monument2.jpg|thumb|left|The [[San Jacinto Monument]]]]-->
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Waterwall.jpg|thumb|[[Williams Waterwall]]]] -->

The [[San Jacinto Monument]] is a <span style="white-space:nowrap">570&nbsp;foot&nbsp;(173.7&nbsp;m)</span>-high [[column]] topped with a 220-ton star that commemorates the site of the [[Battle of San Jacinto]], the decisive battle of the [[Texas Revolution]].<ref name="Story of the Monument">{{cite web | title= Story of the Monument | work= San Jacinto Museum, www.sanjacinto-museum.org | url = http://www.sanjacinto-museum.org/Monument_and_Museum/Story_of_the_Monument/ | access-date=2007-05-30| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070705034950/http://www.sanjacinto-museum.org/Monument_and_Museum/Story_of_the_Monument/| archive-date= 5 July 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref> The [[monument]], dedicated on April 21, 1939, is the world's tallest monument tower and [[masonry]] tower, and is located along the [[Houston Ship Channel]]. The column is an octagonal shaft faced with Cordova shellstone. It is the second tallest monument in the [[United States]].<ref name="San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site and Monument">{{cite web | title= San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site and Monument | work = tpwd.state.tx.us | url = http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/san_jacinto_battleground/monument.phtml | access-date=2007-05-30| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070604164748/http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/san_jacinto_battleground/monument.phtml| archive-date= 4 June 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref> The monument was designated a [[National Historic Landmark]] on December 19, 1960, and listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]. It was also designated an [[List of historic civil engineering landmarks|Historic Civil Engineering Landmark]] in 1992.<ref name="Story of the Monument"/>

The [[Williams Waterwall]] is a multi-story [[sculpture|sculptural]] [[fountain]] which sits at the south end of [[Williams Tower]] in [[Uptown Houston|Uptown]]. It and its surrounding park were built as an architectural amenity to the adjacent tower.<ref name="Williams Signs Long-Term Lease">{{cite web | title=Williams Signs Long-Term Lease Renewal At Williams Tower | work=Press Release, Hines Interests Limited Partnership, www.hines.com | url=http://www.hines.com/press/releases/12-02-03.aspx | access-date=2007-05-30}}</ref> Both the fountain and tower were designed by [[Pritzker Prize]] winning architect [[Philip Johnson]].<ref name="LoopDesign"/> Completed in 1983, the semi-circular fountain is {{convert|64|ft|m|adj=on}} tall and sits among 118 Texas Live Oak trees. Approximately 11,000 gallons of water per minute cascades down vast channeled sheets on both sides from the narrower top rim of the circle to the wider base below.<ref name="Williams Signs Long-Term Lease"/>
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===Theater District===
[[File:Houston Jones Hall 2003.jpg|alt=Low, flat-roofed, rectangular, open, marble structure has slender, eight-story, rectangular columns. Visible within is a large, circular, windowless building.|thumb|[[Jones Hall|Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts]]]]

The [[Jones Hall|Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts]], commonly known as Jones Hall, is a performance venue in [[Houston]] and the permanent home of the [[Houston Symphony Orchestra]] and the Houston Society for the Performing Arts. Completed in October 1966 at the cost of $7.4&nbsp;million, it was designed by the Houston-based architectural firm [[Caudill Rowlett Scott]].<ref name="JonesHall">{{Cite web|title=Jones Hall for the Performing Arts |work=City of Houston |access-date=2009-11-29 |url=http://www.houstontx.gov/joneshall/general.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522064337/http://www.houstontx.gov/joneshall/general.htm |archive-date=May 22, 2009 }}</ref> The hall, which takes up a city block, has a white Italian marble exterior with eight-story tall columns. The lobby is dominated by a {{convert|60|ft|m|adj=on}} high ceiling with a massive hanging bronze sculpture by [[Richard Lippold]] entitled "Gemini II." The ceiling of the concert hall consists of 800 hexagonal segments that can be raised or lowered to change the acoustics of the hall. The building won the 1967 [[American Institute of Architects]]' Honor Award, which is bestowed on only one building annually.<ref name="JonesHall"/>

[[File:AlleyHouston.jpg|alt=Concrete building in two sections, each with a five-sided tower on the ends. One is a curved and windowless. The other looks like a theater entrance with rounded marquee shapes and glassed entrance.|thumb|left|The [[Alley Theatre]]]]

The present [[Alley Theatre]] building opened in November 1968 and contains two stages. The main stage has 824 seats and is called the "Hubbard"; the more intimate, 310-seat stage, is the "Neuhaus." Outside, there are nine [[tower]]s and open-air [[Terrace (building)|terraces]]. Inside, a [[staircase]] spirals from the entrance [[Vestibule (Architecture)|vestibule]] to the second-floor lobby.<ref name="Calendar of Events - Alley Theatre">{{cite web|title=Calendar of Events - Alley Theatre |work=City of Houston eGovernment Center (2007) |url=http://www.houstontx.gov/events/alley.html |access-date=2007-05-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070416180503/http://www.houstontx.gov/events/alley.html |archive-date=16 April 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[theatre (structure)|theatre]] was constructed in a large part by a $1.4&nbsp;million grant from the [[Ford Foundation]] to support innovative theater architecture, and the prime architect on the project was [[Ulrich Franzen]].<ref name="A Home of Our Own">{{cite web | title =A Home of Our Own, Celebrating 60&nbsp;years | work = Alley Theatre (2007) | url = http://www.alleytheatre.org/Alley/A_Home_of_Our_Own_EN.asp?SnID=79541398 | access-date = 2007-05-26}}</ref>

[[File:Wortham Center.jpg|alt=Low rise granite building, composed of three large blocks with horizontal banding. It has a large, glassed entrance that is rounded at the top.|thumb|The [[Wortham Theater Center]]]]

The [[Wortham Theater Center]] is a [[performing arts]] center that officially opened in Houston on May 9, 1987.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wortham Center |work=City of Houston |access-date=2009-11-29 |url=http://www.houstontx.gov/worthamcenter/general.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329202905/http://www.houstontx.gov/worthamcenter/general.htm |archive-date=March 29, 2010 }}</ref> The Center was designed by [[Eugene Aubry]] of Morris-Aubry Architects and built entirely with $66&nbsp;million in private funds. The Brown Theater, with 2,423 seats, is named for donors Alice and George Brown. It is used primarily for [[opera]] and large [[ballet]] productions. The Cullen Theater, with 1,100 seats, is named for donors Lillie and Roy Cullen. It is used for smaller ballet productions and other events. The Wortham's signature arching entryway is made of glass and stands {{convert|88|ft|m}} tall. The grand staircase (which is actually a bank of escalators) is surrounded by a site-specific art piece created by New York sculptor Albert Paley.

[[File:LyricCentre.jpg|alt= Two attached concrete and glass office towers, one with an irregular shape. Both have uniform horizontal bands of windows alternating with the concrete.|thumb|left|The Lyric Centre]]

The Lyric Centre sits in the heart of the Theater District, just across the street from the Wortham Center and adjacent to the Alley Theatre. The black-and-white striped office building houses dozens of law firms, but the block on which the tower sits is perhaps best known for the giant [[cellist]] playing outside.<ref>{{Cite web
| title = Lyric Centre | work = Glass, Steel and Stone | access-date = 2009-11-29 | url = http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/533.php| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20041221225406/http://glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/533.php| url-status = usurped| archive-date = December 21, 2004}}</ref> It is the work of [[sculptor]] David Adickes, who also created the statue of [[Sam Houston]] outside [[Huntsville, Texas]].<ref name="Lyric Centre">{{cite web | title = Lyric Centre, Houston, Texas | work = glasssteelandstone.com | url = http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/US/TX/HoustonLyricCentre.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20021009120227/http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/US/TX/HoustonLyricCentre.html | url-status = usurped | archive-date = October 9, 2002 | access-date = 2007-05-26}}</ref>

[[File:HoustonTX HobbyCenter.jpg|alt=Concrete auditorium fronted by a large glass atrium over which is a slightly curved roof supported by narrow, angled poles.|thumb|The [[Hobby Center for the Performing Arts|Hobby Center]]]]

The [[Hobby Center for the Performing Arts]] is a relatively new addition to the Theatre District. It was designed by architect [[Robert A. M. Stern]] and completed in 2002, providing two theaters specifically for theater and musical performances.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hobby Center for Performing Arts |work=Houston, Discover America |access-date=2009-11-29 |url=http://www.discoveramerica.com/ca/texas/hobby-center-for-performing-arts.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720053759/http://www.discoveramerica.com/ca/texas/hobby-center-for-performing-arts.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-07-20 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Hobby Center for the Performing Arts |work=Glass, Steel and Stone |access-date=2009-11-29 |url=http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/530.php |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100115074023/http://glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/530.php |archive-date=2010-01-15 }}</ref> Sarofim Hall, a 2,600-seat theater acoustically designed for touring [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] productions, is home to "Theatre Under the Stars." Zilkha Hall, an intimate 500-seat venue with full orchestra pit, showcases smaller touring groups.<ref name="Hobby Center for the Performing Arts">{{cite web | title = Hobby Center for the Performing Arts | work = Houston - Performing Arts Location (2006), houston.citysearch.com | url = http://houston.citysearch.com/profile/9837090 | access-date = 2007-05-26| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070506222033/http://houston.citysearch.com/profile/9837090| archive-date= 6 May 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref>
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===Museum District===
[[File:Housmfa.jpg|alt=Squat, concrete building, with large drive-through under a wing. A roof for the entrance is attached to the building by angled poles.|thumb|The [[Museum of Fine Arts, Houston|Museum of Fine Arts]]]]
The original building of the [[Museum of Fine Arts, Houston]], designed by William Ward Watkin, was opened in 1924.<ref name="MFALaw">{{Cite web|url=http://www.mfah.org/destination.asp?par1=1&par2=1&par3=1&par4=1&par5=1&par6=1&par7=&lgc=3&eid=&currentPage= |title=About the Law Building |work=[[Museum of Fine Arts (Houston)]] |access-date=November 23, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090707233559/http://www.mfah.org/destination.asp?par1=1&par2=1&par3=1&par4=1&par5=1&par6=1&par7=&lgc=3&eid=&currentPage= |archive-date=July 7, 2009 }}</ref> It was the first art museum built in [[Texas]] and the third in the South.<ref name="Milestones in MFAH History">{{cite web|title=Milestones in MFAH History 1900 - 1959 |work=The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, www.mfah.org |url=http://www.mfah.org/main.asp?target=info |access-date=May 28, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609183404/http://www.mfah.org/main.asp?target=info |archive-date=9 June 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The museum building has continued to evolve throughout the years. Cullinan Hall, designed by [[Mies van der Rohe]] in the [[International style (architecture)|International style]],<ref name="MFALaw"/> opened in 1958.<ref>Vogel, Carol. "The Art Market." ''[[The New York Times]]''. Friday April 9, 1993. [https://www.nytimes.com/1993/04/09/arts/the-art-market.html?pagewanted=2 2]. Retrieved on November 23, 2009.</ref> In the 1970s, that addition received an addition, also designed by van der Rohe. Both additions were statements of modern architecture using an abundance of glass and steel.<ref name="Museum of Fine Arts">{{cite web|title=Museum of Fine Arts, Houston |work=Houston Attractions, The New York Times, travel.nytimes.com |url=http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/north-america/united-states/texas/houston/attraction-detail.html?vid=1154654613631 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110520050834/http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/north-america/united-states/texas/houston/attraction-detail.html?vid=1154654613631 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-05-20 |access-date=2007-05-28 }}</ref>

<!-- Commented out because image was deleted: [[File:Miller Theatre.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Miller Outdoor Theatre]]]] -->

In 1968, the present [[Miller Outdoor Theatre]] building, designed by Eugene Werlin and Associates, won several awards, including the ''American Iron and Steel Institute’s Biannual Award (1969)'', the ''American Institute of Steel Construction’s Award of Excellence'', and the ''James E. Lincoln Arc Welding Foundation Award''.<ref name="Historical Highlights">{{cite web | title = Historical Highlights | work= About Miller - History, Miller Outdoor Theatre | url = http://www.milleroutdoortheatre.com/default.asp?id=164 | access-date = 2007-05-28 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928142202/http://www.milleroutdoortheatre.com/default.asp?id=164 |archive-date = September 28, 2007}}</ref> The 1968 theatre building was refurbished starting in 1996, adding a small stage to the east end of the facility that plays to a newly incorporated open plaza area.<ref name="Historical Highlights"/>

[[File:rothko chapel.jpg|alt=Plain, unadorned granite structure, with minimal features. Only an entrance is visible.|thumb|left|Exterior of [[Rothko Chapel]]]]

Also in the Museum District is the non-denominational [[Rothko Chapel]], founded by John and [[Dominique de Menil]], designed by [[Mark Rothko]] and [[Philip Johnson]] and completed in 1971.<ref name="Rothko">{{Cite web|title=The Rothko Chapel |work=The Menil Collection |access-date=2009-11-29 |url=http://www.menil.org/visit/rothko.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122153950/http://menil.org/visit/rothko.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=2009-01-22 }}</ref> The interior serves not only as a chapel, but also as a major work of modern art. On its walls are 14 black but color-hued paintings by Mark Rothko, who greatly influenced the shape and design of the chapel. Rothko was given creative control, and he clashed with Philip Johnson over the plans. Rothko continued to work first with Howard Barnstone and then with Eugene Aubry, but he did not live to see the chapel's completion. In September 2000, the Rothko Chapel was placed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref>{{Cite web | title = National Register of Historic Places Listings August 25, 2000 | access-date = 2009-11-29 | url = https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/weekly-list-2000-national-register-of-historic-places.pdf
}}</ref>

[[File:Chapel of St. Basil.png|alt=Concrete facade of the building is adorned only with a cross, etched at an angle, and a gold dome on top. Visible are external stairs, halls and lobbies. In the back is a standalone wall that bisects the dome, in which there is a window with bells.|thumb|The [[Chapel of St. Basil]]]]

The [[Contemporary Arts Museum Houston|Contemporary Arts Museum]] occupies a [[stainless-steel]] building in a prominent site on the corner of Montrose and Bissonnet—the heart of Houston's [[Houston Museum District|Museum District]]. The highly recognizable building was designed for the Museum by [[Gunnar Birkerts]] and opened its doors in 1972.<ref name="Contemporary Arts Museum">{{cite web | title = Contemporary Arts Museum | work = Artefaqs Corporation (2007), www.houstonarchitecture.com | url = http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/Building/2073/Contemporary_Arts_Museum.php | access-date = 2007-05-28}}</ref> In 1997, the museum went through its first major facility renovation in 25&nbsp;years.

In addition, the [[Chapel of St. Basil]], on the nearby campus of the [[University of St. Thomas (Houston)|University of St. Thomas]], is a work of [[art]] designed by Philip Johnson that has won many awards for its architecture.<ref name="Theology of the Chapel and its Architectural Elements">{{cite web|title=Theology of the Chapel and its Architectural Elements |work=Catholic Connections, University of St. Thomas |url=http://www.stthom.edu/About_UST/Catholic_Connection/Chapel_of_St_Basil.aqf |access-date=May 28, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070528222104/http://www.stthom.edu/About_UST/Catholic_Connection/Chapel_of_St_Basil.aqf |archive-date=28 May 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Chapel, which was built in 1997,<ref>{{Cite web | title = Historic Campus Architecture Project | work = The Council of Independent Colleges | access-date = November 30, 2009 | url = http://hcap.artstor.org/cgi-bin/library?a=d&d=p1883}}</ref> contrasts with all of the other buildings on campus, as it is made of white [[stucco]] and black [[granite]], rather than rose-colored brick. It is also composed of three geometric forms: the [[cube]], the [[sphere]], and the [[Plane (mathematics)|plane]].<ref name="StBasil2">{{Cite web|title=Chapel Theology and Architectural Elements |work=University of St. Thomas |access-date=November 30, 2009 |url=http://www.stthom.edu/Public/index.asp?page_ID=4933 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527164812/http://www.stthom.edu/Public/index.asp?page_ID=4933 |archive-date=May 27, 2010 }}</ref> The cube makes up the majority of the building, including the main seating area, while a golden semi-sphere dome covered with 23.5 karat gold leaf rises high above the cube.<ref name="LoopDesign">{{Cite web |title=The Loop Design: Towering Legacy |author=Marene Gustin |access-date=2009-11-30 |url=http://marenegustin.com/images/Loop_Design_PhilipJohnson.pdf }}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The granite plane bisects the cube and opens the chapel to light. The cube and plane interplay with the dome, creating a sense that the dome is not a cover for the Chapel, but rather an opening to the heavens.<ref name="StBasil2"/>

Designed by [[Renzo Piano]], the [[Menil Collection]] is a contemporary art museum known for its simplicity, flexibility, open spaces and illumination with natural light located in a small park surrounded by residential housing.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Renzo Piano : architect biography |access-date= 2009-11-30 |url= http://architect.architecture.sk/renzo-piano-architect/renzo-piano-architect.php |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091217041035/http://architect.architecture.sk/renzo-piano-architect/renzo-piano-architect.php |archive-date= 17 December 2009 |url-status= live}}</ref> Opening in 1986, the {{convert|402|ft|m|adj=on}}-long, two-story-high box of steel, wood and glass contains the artwork collection of John and [[Dominique de Menil]].<ref>{{Cite web |title= Menil Collection - Renzo Piano - Great Buildings Online |access-date= 2009-11-30
|url= http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Menil_Collection.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091130195451/http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Menil_Collection.html |archive-date= 30 November 2009 |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web
|title= Architecture View; At Last, A 'Museum Without Walls' |work= The New York Times
|author= Paul Goldberger |date= 1987-06-14 |access-date= November 30, 2009 |url= https://www.nytimes.com/1987/06/14/arts/architecture-view-at-last-a-museum-without-walls-gets-walls-worthy-of-it.html?pagewanted=1 }}</ref>
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==Residential architecture==
{{See also|List of Houston neighborhoods}}
[[File:Kellum-Noble House.jpg|alt=Brick two-storey gambral-roofed house with gracious wrap-around porch and second story balcony with columns. Square columns on first floor porch are of brick.|thumb|The Kellum-Noble House, in a 1936 photograph]]

Houston is home to various styles of residential architecture, from the mansions of New York City and Memorial to row houses in the several wards. A number of Houston's earliest homes are now located in [[Sam Houston Park]], including the Kellum-Noble House, which was built in 1847 and is Houston's oldest brick dwelling.<ref name="Heritage Society">{{cite web|title=Heritage Society in Sam Houston Park |work=heritagesociety.org |url=http://www.heritagesociety.org/ths.html |access-date=2007-05-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070610115218/http://www.heritagesociety.org/ths.html |archive-date=10 June 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> During the late 1930s and early 1940s, the Kellum-Noble House served as a public office for the City of Houston's Park Department, and is listed in the [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Harris County, Texas|National Register of Historic Places]].<ref>{{Cite web | title = The Heritage Society, Houston, Texas | access-date = 2009-11-29 | url = http://www.museumsusa.org/museums/info/1167520 }}</ref>

[[File:Nichols-Rice-Cherry House.jpg|alt=A gambrel-roofed house with large windows, gracious wrap-around balcony and first floor porch with Grecian columns. Sashed windows are framed by shutters.|thumb|left|Nichols-Rice-Cherry House located in [[Sam Houston Park]].]]

The Nichols-Rice-Cherry House (which was moved from San Jacinto Street) is also located in Sam Houston Park. It is an example of [[Greek Revival]] architecture and was built about 1850 by Ebeneezer B. Nichols from New York.<ref>{{Cite web | title = The Heritage Society, Houston, Texas | access-date = 2009-11-29 | url = http://www.heritagesociety.org/nrice.html}}</ref> Between 1856 and 1873 it was owned by financier William Marsh Rice, whose estate helped create Rice Institute (now Rice University) in 1912.

<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:HoustonHeights.jpg|thumb|A [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] house in the [[Houston Heights|Heights]]]] -->

Homes in the [[Houston Heights|Heights]] have varied architectural styles, including [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]], [[American Craftsman|Craftsman]] and [[Colonial Revival]].<ref name="The Architectural History of the Houston Heights">{{cite web | title = The Architectural History of the Houston Heights | author=Fox, Dr. Stephen | work=presentation given on December 5, 1998, Rice University | url = http://community.rice.edu/focusresources/reference/fox.html | access-date = 2007-05-28}}</ref> The neighborhood is composed of several large homes and many smaller cottages and bungalows, many built in the late 19th and early 20th century.<ref name="Architectural Guidelines">{{cite web|title=Architectural Guidelines |work=Houston Heights, www.houstonheights.org |url=http://www.houstonheights.org/architecturalguidelines.pdf |access-date=2007-06-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070627022758/http://www.houstonheights.org/architecturalguidelines.pdf |archive-date=2007-06-27 }}</ref> After 1905, Victorian cottages tended to be replaced by [[bungalow]]s.<ref name="The Architectural History of the Houston Heights"/>

While there are a few examples in the Heights of the columned [[Colonial Revival]], the most popular "elite" house type in the 1910 era, other upscale houses were adapted from specific historical models popular in the 1920s, such as the Shefer House with its [[Dutch Colonial]] [[gambrel]] roof and the [[stucco]]-surfaced, [[Mediterranean]] [[villa]]-type Tibbott House on Harvard Street, with [[French doors]] opening the interior of the house to its site and an east side [[loggia]] replacing the old-fashioned front porch.<ref name="The Architectural History of the Houston Heights"/> Since deed-restriction enforcement is mandated in the Heights area, a majority of the houses built at the start of the 20th century and early 20th century still retain the old Heights character.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Deed Restrictions |work= Houston Heights Association |access-date= 2009-11-29 |url= http://www.houstonheights.org/deedrestrictions.htm |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100228175047/http://www.houstonheights.org/deedrestrictions.htm |archive-date= 2010-02-28 }}</ref>

[[File:Bungalow-Houston.JPG|alt=Small, single-story structure with pitched roof. A center door is flanked by a window on each side. Wide stairs lead to a wide, front porch with wood railing.|thumb|left|A bungalow in Houston]]

Many of the homes built in the [[Eastwood, Houston, Texas|Eastwood]] neighborhood represent Craftsman, [[American Craftsman|Arts and Crafts]], [[American Foursquare|Foursquare]] and [[Mission Revival Style architecture|Mission Revival]] architectural styles. Eastwood was one of Houston’s first [[master-planned subdivisions]]. Developed in 1913 by William A. Wilson, who also developed its sister neighborhood, [[Woodland Heights, Houston, Texas|Woodland Heights]], Eastwood has one of Houston’s largest collections of homes designed in these early-20th-century styles.<ref name="Welcome to Houston's East-End">{{cite web|title=Welcome to Houston's East-End |work=Eastwood Civic Association, www.eastwood-houston.com |url=http://www.eastwood-houston.com/ |access-date=2007-05-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070524005253/http://www.eastwood-houston.com/ |archive-date=24 May 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the newer section of Eastwood (built from the 1920s and 1930s), there are [[bungalows]], [[Prairie School|prairie]], colonial and federal styles.<ref name="Welcome to Houston's East-End"/>

<!-- Commented out because image was deleted: [[File:Mid-century modern.jpg|thumb|A mid-20th-century modern style house in Houston]] -->

Post-war housing constructed throughout Houston reflects many architectural styles. Although most houses built for the "[[baby boomers]]" reflect designs that had been around for decades,<ref name="The Development of Homes in Houston and Chicago">{{cite web | title = The Development of Homes in Houston and Chicago | author= Natunewicz, Mary Ann T | work=Lee High School (lesson plan), www.uh.edu | url = http://www.uh.edu/hti/cu/2003/6/08.pdf | access-date = 2007-05-28 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070620082631/http://www.uh.edu/hti/cu/2003/6/08.pdf |archive-date = June 20, 2007}}</ref> a number of homes were designed in the [[mid-century modern]] style, featuring flat or butterfly roofs, open floor plans, walls of glass, atriums and patios.<ref name="A Future Past">{{cite web | title = A Future Past | author= Rudnicki, Jean West | work = Houston's Modern Legacy (November 2006), www.houstonmod.org. | url = http://www.houstonmod.org/downloadable/press/AFuturePast.pdf | access-date = 2007-05-28| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070620082631/http://www.houstonmod.org/downloadable/press/AFuturePast.pdf| archive-date= 20 June 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref> A good example of this style is the [[William L. Thaxton Jr. House]], located in [[Bunker Hill Village]], which was designed by [[Frank Lloyd Wright]] and built in 1954.<ref name="The Work, 1954">{{cite web|title=The Work, 1954 |work=Frank Lloyd Wright, www.franklloydwright.org |url=http://www.franklloydwright.org/index.cfm?section=research&action=display&id=72 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020816215818/http://franklloydwright.org/index.cfm?section=research&action=display&id=72 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2002-08-16 |access-date=2007-05-28 }}</ref>

[[Memorial Bend, Houston, Texas|Memorial Bend]] is made up of 1950s and early 1960s homes built in the modern (contemporary), [[Ranch Style Houses|ranch]], and traditional styles. The neighborhood is considered to have the highest concentration of mid-century modern homes in Houston.<ref name="MemorialBend">{{Cite web | title = Memorial Bend Architecture | access-date = 2009-11-29| url = http://memorialbendarchitecture.com/bend.htm| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091027191250/http://memorialbendarchitecture.com/bend.htm| archive-date= 27 October 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> Architects who designed homes in this neighborhood include William Norman Floyd, William R. Jenkins, William F. Wortham and Lars Bang. Many of the homes in Memorial Bend were featured in national [[architecture]] and [[design]] magazines like ''American Builder'', ''House & Home'', ''Practical Builder'', ''Better Homes & Gardens'' and ''House Beautiful''.<ref name="MemorialBend"/>

<!-- not notable and not discussed in article [[File:Tin Alley Townhomes.jpg|thumb|Tin Alley Townhomes]]-->

Starting in the late twentieth century, many traditional homes, [[townhomes]] and [[high-rise]] [[Condominium (living space)|condominium]]s were constructed (or converted) for residents wishing to live in the downtown and inner-loop area, spurred by a focused revitalization effort after years of suburban exodus. These emerging urban dwellings can be found in an eclectic array of styles.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lofty Living |work=Houston House & Home |author=Claire Cassidy |date=2007-05-01 |access-date=2009-11-29 |url=http://www.houseandhomeonline.com/home/documents/lofts_0507_hou.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820232133/http://houseandhomeonline.com/home/documents/lofts_0507_hou.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2008-08-20 }}</ref>

The Commerce Towers, originally developed as an office building in 1928 by Houston businessman [[Jesse H. Jones]], has been converted into condominiums.<ref name="Commerce Towers">{{cite web | title = Commerce Towers | work = Renovation & Restoration, Projects, www.hayneswhaley.com | url = http://www.hayneswhaley.com/project.aspx?t=15&id=2000-0235 | access-date = 2007-05-28}}</ref> In addition, many old office buildings and warehouses surrounding downtown have been recently converted to [[Loft apartment|lofts]]. The Humble Towers Lofts, built in 1921, was originally the headquarters for [[ExxonMobil|Humble Oil]].<ref name="Humble Towers">{{cite web | title = Humble Towers | work = Lofts in Houston Texas, www.loftsinhoustontexas.com | url = http://www.loftsinhoustontexas.com/humble_towers.htm | access-date = 2007-05-28 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927044307/http://www.loftsinhoustontexas.com/humble_towers.htm | archive-date = 2007-09-27 | url-status = dead }}</ref> The Beaconsfield Lofts are registered with the US Interior Department's [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="Beaconsfield">{{cite web | title = Beaconsfield | work = Lofts in Houston Texas, www.loftsinhoustontexas.com | url = http://www.loftsinhoustontexas.com/beaconsfield_lofts.htm | access-date = 2007-05-28 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927044301/http://www.loftsinhoustontexas.com/beaconsfield_lofts.htm | archive-date = 2007-09-27 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
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In the late 1990s and early 2000s decade, there was a mini-boom of mid-rise and high-rise [[Tower block|residential tower]] construction, with several over 30 stories tall.<ref>[http://www.superagentkim.com/IDXMini.aspx?segmentid=2647547&uid=64279&htmlfile=properties.html Residential Real Estate]. ''Super Agent Kim'' Retrieved on 2015-07-16.</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Sarnoff | first = Nancy | title = Genesis Laying Down Plans for Newest Uptown Condo Highrise | work=Houston Business Journal | date = 2001-12-14 | url = http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2001/12/17/newscolumn3.html | access-date = 2007-02-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Apte | first = Angela | title = Rising Land Costs Boost Houston's Mid-Rise Market | work=Houston Business Journal | date = 2001-10-26 | url = http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2001/10/29/focus1.html | access-date = 2007-01-11}}</ref> Since 2000 more than 30 high-rise buildings have gone up in Houston; all told, 72 high-rises tower over the city, which adds up to about 8,300 units.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.houstoniamag.com/home-and-design/design/articles/living-the-high-life-september-2013|website=HoustoniaMag.com|publisher=HoustoniaMag|access-date=10 September 2014| title = Living the High Life. Earthbound Houstonians consider something uplifting. }}</ref>

==Public facilities==

===City and county government===
[[File:HoustonCityHall DANIEL2986.jpg|thumb|[[Houston City Hall]]]]

The [[Houston City Hall]] building, constructed in 1938-1939, is an example of [[Works Progress Administration]] architecture.<ref name="Hunter Rotors Govern the Ground of City Government in the Lone Star State">{{cite web|title=Hunter Rotors Govern the Ground of City Government in the Lone Star State |work=Houston City Hall, Project Profiles, www.hunterindustries.com |url=http://www.hunterindustries.com/Resources/Project_Profiles/city_hall.html |access-date=2007-05-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070415091838/http://www.hunterindustries.com/Resources/Project_Profiles/city_hall.html |archive-date=15 April 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The simply designed structure featured many construction details that have helped to make this building an architectural classic. The design on the lobby floor depicts the protective role of government. The doors feature historical figures including Thomas Jefferson, Julius Caesar, and Moses.<ref name="Houston City Hall">{{cite web|title=Houston City Hall |work=glasssteelandstone.com |url=http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/US/TX/HoustonCityHall.html |access-date=2007-05-28 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061016150443/http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/US/TX/HoustonCityHall.html |archive-date=2006-10-16 }}</ref> Above the lobby entrance is a stone sculpture depicting two men taming a wild horse. The sculpture meant to symbolize a community coming together to form a government to tame the world around them. The plaster cast for this sculpture, and twenty-seven casts for [[frieze]]s around the building, were done by Beaumont artist Herring Coe and co-designer Raoul Jassett.<ref name="History">{{cite web | title = History | work = Houston City Hall, www.houstontx.gov | url = http://www.houstontx.gov/abouthouston/cityhallhistory.html | access-date = 2007-05-28| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070623175647/http://www.houstontx.gov/abouthouston/cityhallhistory.html| archive-date= 23 June 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref>

The [[George R. Brown Convention Center]] was opened on September 26, 1987 on the east side of downtown [[Houston]]. The sleek 100 foot (30&nbsp;m) high red-white-and-blue building replaced the obsolete Albert Thomas Convention Center,<ref name="George R Brown Convention Center">{{cite web | title=George R Brown Convention Center | work=Houston, City Search, houston.citysearch.com | url=http://houston.citysearch.com/profile/9849531/houston_tx/george_r_brown_convention_center.html | access-date=2007-05-30}}</ref> which was later redeveloped into the [[Bayou Place]] entertainment complex in the downtown [[Houston Theater District]]. The George R. Brown contains nearly a half-million square feet of exhibit space, 41 meeting rooms, a 3,600-seat theater area and a <span style="white-space:nowrap">31,000&nbsp;square foot&nbsp;(2,900&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup>)</span> grand ballroom.<ref name="George R Brown Convention Center"/>

The new Harris County Civil Courthouse, which was completed in early 2006,<ref name="Construction of the Civil Courthouse">{{cite web | title = Construction of the Civil Courthouse | work=Harris County District Courts, Harris County Administrative Offices (2006), www.justex.net | url = http://www.justex.net/CivilCenter/Construction/default.aspx | access-date = 2007-05-28| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070605005636/http://www.justex.net/CivilCenter/Construction/default.aspx| archive-date= 5 June 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref> is 17 stories tall plus a basement. The <span style="white-space:nowrap">660,000&nbsp;square foot&nbsp;(61,000&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup>)</span> building is filled with [[state-of-the-art]] technology and has 37 typical courtrooms, 1 tax courtroom, 1 ceremonial courtroom and 6 expansion courtrooms. It also has a three-story [[Atrium (architecture)|atrium]] lobby with thirteen elevators and two escalators. The courthouse is flood protected to an elevation of {{convert|41|ft|m}} and is accessible via tunnel from the existing [[Houston Downtown Tunnel System|downtown tunnel system]]. Interior finishes include [[limestone]], [[granite]], [[wood veneer]]s, [[terrazzo]] and [[stainless steel]].<ref name="New Civil Courthouse">{{cite web | title = New Civil Courthouse | work= Harris County District Courts, Harris County Administrative Offices (2006), www.justex.net | url = http://www.justex.net/CivilCenter/CivilCenter.aspx | access-date = 2007-05-28| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070602102021/http://www.justex.net/CivilCenter/CivilCenter.aspx| archive-date= 2 June 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref>
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===Movie theaters===
[[File:RiverOaksTheatreHoustonTX.JPG|thumb|left|The [[River Oaks Theatre]]]]

The [[River Oaks Theatre]] was built in 1939. It is among only a handful of currently viable retail buildings of its age and historic style in Houston. It was the last of the deluxe neighborhood movie theaters built by Interstate Theatre Corporation and the only one of its kind still operating as a movie theater.<ref name="River Oaks Theater">{{cite web | title = River Oaks Theater (2000–2007) | work = cinematreasures.org | url = http://cinematreasures.org/theater/6275 | access-date = 2007-05-28}}</ref>

[[File:Alabama front.jpg|right|thumb|The Alabama Theatre]]

As Houston and the rest of the country recovered from the [[Great Depression]], [[art-deco]] style theaters of the late 1930s were built in many residential neighborhoods across the city. In addition to the River Oaks, neighborhood movie theaters like the [[Alabama Theatre (Houston)|Alabama]], Tower, Capitan, and Ritz-Majestic Metro were several of the venues where Houstonians sought entertainment.<ref name="Once Upon a Time">{{cite web | title = Once Upon a Time | author= Welling, David | work= Cinema Houston (2007), www.cinemahouston.info | url = http://www.cinemahouston.info/ | access-date = 2007-05-28}}</ref> The Alabama serves as a prime example of [[adaptive reuse]], the repurposing of architecture considered obsolete in terms of modern usage. Opening as a [[Bookstop (company)|Bookstop]] bookstore in 1984 after the original theater closed, the building was later converted into Houston's first [[Trader Joe's]] specialty grocery store in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://philaplanningjournal.wordpress.com/2013/06/15/on-location-houstons-alabama-theater/|title=On Location: Houston's Alabama Theater - Phila Planning Journal|work=Phila Planning Journal}}</ref> The grocer took pains to preserve much of the building's original architectural splendor, including its original terrazzo-tile front entrance as well as its second-floor balcony.<ref>{{cite news | title = Secrets of the new Trader Joe's: Exclusive tour shows how Alabama Theater's movie magic is honored | work = CultureMap Houston | access-date = 2014-09-14 | url = http://houston.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/09-21-12-secrets-of-the-new-trader-joes-exclusive-tour-shows-how-alabama-theaters-movie-magic-is-honored/ | first=Tyler | last=Rudick | date=2006-08-12}}</ref>

The Majestic Theater, designed by [[John Eberson]] and constructed downtown in 1923, is considered to be the most notable movie theatre built in the city.<ref name="1923 Majestic">{{cite web | title = The Picture Palaces: 1923 Majestic | work = cinemahouston.info | url = http://www.cinemahouston.info/palaces.htm | access-date = 2007-11-18 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071107103509/http://www.cinemahouston.info/palaces.htm |archive-date = November 7, 2007}}</ref> The design was not of a standard theatre interior, but an outdoor plaza and garden with a starlit sky overhead. The Mediterranean blue ceiling, inset with twinkling lights, featured clouds that floated over the heads of the audience during screenings. The Majestic was the world’s first “[[Atmospheric theatre|atmospheric]]” movie theatre.<ref name="Atmospheric">{{cite web | title = The atmospheric style of theater design | work = temple.edu | url = http://www.temple.edu/ispr/examples/ex05_01_06.html | access-date = 2007-11-18 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070505162941/http://www.temple.edu/ispr/examples/ex05_01_06.html |archive-date=May 5, 2007 }}</ref>
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===Airports===
[[File:1940 Air Terminal Museum.jpg|thumb|right|The 1940 Municipal Airport Terminal at [[William P. Hobby Airport]]]]

Designed by architect Joseph Finger (who also designed Houston's City Hall), the Houston Municipal Airport Terminal was constructed in 1940 to meet Houston's growing role as a center for air commerce in the 1930s.<ref name="The 1940 Air Terminal Museum">{{cite web|title=The 1940 Air Terminal Museum |work=visithoustontexas.com |url=http://www.visithoustontexas.com/visitors/attractions/listing.details.php?category=12412&id=28735 |access-date=2007-05-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927191752/http://www.visithoustontexas.com/visitors/attractions/listing.details.php?category=12412&id=28735 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 }}</ref> The terminal building is an example of classic [[art deco]] airport architecture from the 1940s. The terminal served as the primary commercial air terminal for Houston until 1954.<ref name="Houston Aviation Timeline">{{cite web|title=Houston Aviation Timeline|work=1940airterminal.org|url= http://www.1940airterminal.org/houstonaviationtimeline.htm|access-date=2007-05-30 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061008071324/http://www.1940airterminal.org/houstonaviationtimeline.htm |archive-date = October 8, 2006}}</ref> The terminal, located at [[William P. Hobby Airport]], houses the [[1940 Air Terminal Museum]] which currently exhibits several collections focusing on Houston's [[aviation]] history.<ref name="1940 Houston Air Terminal Museum">{{cite web|title=1940 Houston Air Terminal Museum | work=The Former Houston Municipal Airport Terminal and Hangar | url = http://www.texasescapes.com/Houston/1940-Houston-Air-Terminal-Museum.htm | access-date=2007-05-30}}</ref>
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===Stadia===
The 70,000-seat [[Rice Stadium (Rice University)|Rice Stadium]], designed in 1950 by Hermon Lloyd & W.B. Morgan and Milton McGinty, is of reinforced concrete with {{convert|30|in|mm|adj=on}} diameter columns supporting the upper decks.<ref name="Rice Stadium">{{cite web|title=Rice Stadium |work=AIA 50 Year Award, Greater Houston Preservation Alliance (1998-2007 GHPA) |url=http://www.ghpa.org/awards/2006/rice.html |access-date=2007-05-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070412063215/http://www.ghpa.org/awards/2006/rice.html |archive-date=2007-04-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Architecturally, the stadium is an example of [[modernism]], with simple lines and an unadorned, functional design. The entire lower seating bowl is located below the surrounding ground level. Intended solely for football games, the stadium has excellent sightlines from almost every seat.

[[File:Picture of Reliant Astrodome.JPG|thumb|The [[Astrodome]]]]

The [[Astrodome]], the world's first domed stadium, was conceived by [[Roy Hofheinz]] and designed by architects Hermon Lloyd & W.B. Morgan, and Wilson, Morris, Crain and Anderson. Structural engineering and structural design was performed by [[Walter P Moore Engineers and Consultants]] of Houston.<ref name="Astrodome">{{cite web|title=Astrodome, Houston, Texas|work=ballparks.com|url= http://www.ballparks.com/baseball/national/astrod.htm|access-date=2007-05-29| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070527215121/http://www.ballparks.com/baseball/national/astrod.htm| archive-date= 27 May 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref> It stands 18 stories tall, covering 9½ acres. The stadium is {{convert|710|ft|m}} in diameter and the ceiling is {{convert|208|ft|m}} above the playing surface, which itself sits {{convert|25|ft|m}} below street level.<ref name="Astrodome"/> Despite innovations necessitated by the novelty of the design (including the modest flattening of the supposed "hemispherical roof" to deal with environmentally induced structural deformation and the use of a new paving process called "lime stabilization" to deal with soil consistency issues and facilitate paving) the Astrodome was completed in November 1964, six months ahead of schedule.<ref name="The Eighth Wonder Of The World">{{cite web | title = The Eighth Wonder Of The World | work = Historic Houston, www.historichouston.org| url = http://www.historichouston.org/newSite/landmarks/VIRTUAL/astrohistory.html | access-date = 2007-05-29 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930122539/http://www.historichouston.org/newSite/landmarks/VIRTUAL/astrohistory.html |archive-date = September 30, 2007}}</ref>

[[File:PictureofReliantStadium.jpg|thumb|[[NRG Stadium]]]]

Located near the Astrodome, [[NRG Stadium]] is a wonder of modern sports facility design and engineering. The 69,500-seat stadium has a natural grass playing field and a retractable roof—a first for the [[NFL]].<ref name="Reliant Stadium Kicks Off a New Era of Stadium Design">{{cite web|title=Reliant Stadium Kicks Off a New Era of Stadium Design |work=Carter & Burgess's Quarterly, Issue Four, 2002 |url=http://www.c-b.com/information%20center/program%20management/ic.asp?tID=11&pID=72 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030517152449/http://www.c-b.com/information%20center/program%20management/ic.asp?tID=11&pID=72 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2003-05-17 |access-date=2007-05-30 }}</ref> There are also 165 private suites, 8,200 club seats, and more than 400 concession and novelty stands. The playing field is palletized and removable, allowing for the addition of a significant layer of dirt to accommodate the annual [[Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo]], or use the concrete floor for concerts, trade shows, and conventions.<ref name="Reliant Stadium Kicks Off a New Era of Stadium Design"/>
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==See also==
{{Portal|Texas}}
* [[Architectural style]]
* [[List of tallest buildings in Texas]]
* [[Skyscraper]]
* [[Urban planning]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==Further reading==
*Fox, Stephen (1990): Houston Architectural Guide: American Institute of Architects Houston
*Mod, Anna (2011): Building Modern Houston
*Parsons, J and Bush, D. (2008) Houston deco: modernistic architecture of the Texas coast
*Scardin, B et al. (2003): Ephemeral city: Cite looks at Houston

==External links==
*[http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/ Houston Architecture]
*[http://www.sloanegallery.com/newpage44.htm Early Architecture of Houston]
*[http://www.houstondeco.org/ Modernistic Architecture of the Texas Coast]
*[http://www.arch-ive.org Houston architecture archive]
*[http://www.houstonhistory.com/preservation/index.htm 174 Years of Historic Houston] (requires registration)

{{Houston, Texas}}
{{Architecture of North America}}{{Architecture in the United States}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Architecture Of Houston}}
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Houston]]
[[Category:Architecture in the United States by city|Houston]]
[[Category:History of Houston]]