View source for ExxonMobil Building

{{Short description|Skyscraper in Houston, Texas}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox building
| name               = ExxonMobil Building
| image              = Former ExxonMobil Building in Houston.jpg
| image_size         = 
| alternate_names    = Exxon Tower
| former_names       = Humble Building<br />Humble Oil Building
| location           = 800 Bell Street<br />[[Houston]], [[Texas]]
| coordinates        = {{coord|29.7535|-95.3694|region:US-TX|display=inline,title}}
| status             = completed
| completion_date    = 1963
| building_type      = Commercial offices
| roof               = {{convert|184.71|m|abbr=on}}
| floor_count        = 44
| elevator_count     = 
| cost               = 
| floor_area         = {{convert|1,200,000|sqft|abbr=on}}<ref name="RNR" />
| architect          = [[Welton Becket|Welton Becket and Associates]]<br />George Pierce-Abel B. Pierce<br />Golemon & Rolfe Associates 
| structural_engineer= McClelland Engineers
| main_contractor    = W. S. Bellows Construction
| developer          = [[Del E. Webb Construction Company|Del E Webb Corporation]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://delwebbsuncitiesmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/1961-1962.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2018-02-16 |archive-date=2018-02-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216084846/http://delwebbsuncitiesmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/1961-1962.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| owner              = 
| management         = 
| references         = <ref>{{ctbuh|2157}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/117636 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120192946/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/117636 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=January 20, 2016 |title=Emporis building ID 117636 |work=[[Emporis]]}}</ref><ref>{{glasssteelandstone|2082}}</ref><ref>{{skyscraperpage|1691}}</ref>
}}
The '''ExxonMobil Building''' (also known as '''Exxon Tower''', and formerly as '''Humble Oil Building''') at 800 Bell Street in [[Houston, Texas]] is a 45-story, {{convert|1,200,000|sqft|abbr=on}} skyscraper built in 1963, designed by [[Welton Becket]] & Associates.<ref name="RNR" /> The building is known for its “fins” which protrude from the building’s exterior to provide shade from the sun.<ref name="RNR" />

At the time of its construction, it was the tallest building west of the [[Mississippi River]] at {{convert|606|ft|m|abbr=on}}, surpassing the [[Republic Center|Republic Bank Tower]] in [[Dallas]] (the previous record holder). It remained the tallest building west of the Mississippi only until 1965, when [[First National Bank Tower, Dallas|Elm Place]] was built in Dallas.  It was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/weekly-list-2025-02-07.htm|title=WEEKLY LIST OF ACTIONS TAKEN ON PROPERTIES: 1/31/2025 THROUGH 2/6/2025|publisher=National Park Service|accessdate=2025-02-08}}</ref>

==History==
800 Bell Street was built in 1963 as the headquarters of [[Humble Oil|Humble Oil Company]], a predecessor of Exxon.<ref name="RNR" /> In 1973 Humble's parent company [[Standard Oil of New Jersey]] rebranded nationwide as Exxon and discontinued the Humble name.
 
During the [[Houston Astros]]' 2004 NLCS run (playoffs), the top of the building was crowned by hundreds of tiny blue lights while an enormous Astros star (logo) made of white lights was hung on the south side of the building.<ref>{{cite web | title=ExxonMobil Building 800 Bell St Houston, TX | url=http://www.thesquarefoot.com/buildings/tx/houston/77002/downtown/800-bell-street/exxon-mobil-building | publisher=TheSquareFoot | year=2013 | access-date=19 September 2013}}</ref>

In 2011 the company announced they would relocate all employees in the building to a new ExxonMobil office in [[Spring, Texas|Spring]].<ref name="Connelly"/>

In January 2013, [[Shorenstein Properties]] acquired the property for $50 million.<ref name="RNR" /> As part of the deal, ExxonMobil leased back the entire building through 2015.<ref name="RNR" /> [[Shorenstein Properties]] announced plans to undertake significant improvements following ExxonMobil's departure.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://highrisefacilities.com/shorenstein-properties-completes-purchase-of-800-bell-street-in-houston/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327074216/http://highrisefacilities.com/shorenstein-properties-completes-purchase-of-800-bell-street-in-houston/ |archive-date=2013-03-27 |title=Shorenstein Properties Completes Purchase of 800 Bell Street in Houston - High Rise Facilities}}</ref>

In 2015, as ExxonMobil's lease expired, oil prices crashed. This caused petroleum companies to shed excess office space, leaving the property vacant for almost the next decade.<ref name="RNR" />

[[Mayor of Houston]] [[Annise Parker]] proposed moving municipal court and [[Houston Police Department]] operations into the ExxonMobil building. Charles McClelland, the head of HPD, stated that having so many law enforcement and public safety agencies concentrated in a single building may be a safety risk, citing the [[1995 Oklahoma City bombing]].<ref>Morris, Mike. "[http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Questions-emerging-over-plans-to-move-justice-6131323.php Questions emerging over plans to move justice complex to Exxon tower]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. March 12, 2015. Retrieved on March 13, 2015.</ref> In September 2015 Parker's administration announced that the plan would not move forward due to concerns over costs.<ref>Morris, Mike. "[http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Parker-halts-plans-to-turn-Exxon-tower-into-6529279.php Parker halts plans to turn Exxon tower into police, courts complex]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. September 25, 2015. Retrieved on September 16, 2015.</ref>

In late 2022, the 1.2 million square foot building was sold to developers with plans to convert the vacant office building to residential units.<ref name="RNR" />

===Location===
The building is two blocks east of [[1500 Louisiana Street]]; a parking lot is between the two buildings.<ref>{{cite news | author=Nancy Sarnoff| title=ExxonMobil may be frontrunner for Enron Center South building | url=http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2002/02/11/newscolumn3.html | work=The Houston Business Journal | date=February 8, 2002 | access-date=18 January 2011}}</ref> The building is situated about five blocks north of the [[Interstate 45|Pierce Elevated freeway]], which is slated to be re-routed and removed as part of a Texas Department of Transportation Plan.<ref name="RNR" />

==Petroleum Club==
The [[Petroleum Club of Houston]] moved into the top three floors of the ExxonMobil Building in February 1963.<ref name="PetroleumClub" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Petroleum Club of Houston |url=http://www.visithoustontexas.com/listings/Petroleum-Club-of-Houston/22596/ |publisher=Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau |year=2011 |access-date=10 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402154545/http://www.visithoustontexas.com/listings/Petroleum-Club-of-Houston/22596/ |archive-date=2 April 2015 }} ()</ref> The club was accessible through elevators on Bell Street.<ref>"[http://www.pcoh.com/Default.aspx?p=DynamicModule&pageid=399255&ssid=322474&vnf=1 Contact]." ([https://web.archive.org/web/20140506164809/http://www.pcoh.com/Default.aspx?p=DynamicModule&pageid=399255&ssid=322474&vnf=1 Archive]). Petroleum Club. Retrieved on June 4, 2014.</ref> In January 2015, due to ExxonMobil's lease expiration, the club relocated to [[Total Plaza]].<ref name="PetroleumClub" /><ref name=SarnoffBidding>Sarnoff, Nancy. "[http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/Bucks-for-the-memories-Petroleum-Club-auctions-5891870.php?t=4637e5bdc73b9e5e12 Bucks for the memories: Petroleum Club auctions off some of its relics]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. November 13, 2014. Retrieved on March 9, 2015.</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="PetroleumClub">{{cite web|url=https://www.pcoh.com/Default.aspx?p=dynamicmodule&pageid=401691&ssid=328332&vnf=1|title=History|publisher=The Petroleum Club of Houston|access-date= 13 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213163709/https://www.pcoh.com/Default.aspx?p=dynamicmodule&pageid=401691&ssid=328332&vnf=1|archive-date=13 February 2024}}</ref>
<ref name="RNR">{{cite news |author1=Realty News Report |title=Exxon Skyscraper Sold for Apartment Conversion |url=https://realtynewsreport.com/exxon-skyscraper-sold-for-apartment-conversion/ |access-date=13 February 2024 |publisher=Realty News Report |date=17 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125095616/https://realtynewsreport.com/exxon-skyscraper-sold-for-apartment-conversion/ |archive-date=25 January 2024}}</ref>
<ref name="Connelly">Connelly, Richard. "[http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2011/06/exxonmobil_north_houston.php ExxonMobil Making Big Move To North Houston] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904073025/http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2011/06/exxonmobil_north_houston.php |date=2011-09-04}}</ref>
}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Texas|Architecture}}
{{Commons category|ExxonMobil Building}}
*[http://www.pcoh.com/ ThePetroleum Club of Houston official website]

{{Downtown Houston}}
{{Buildings west of Mississippi timeline}} 
{{Buildings in Texas timeline}}
{{Buildings in Houston timeline}}
{{Houston skyscrapers}}

[[Category:ExxonMobil buildings and structures]]
[[Category:Skyscraper office buildings in Houston]]
[[Category:International style architecture in Texas]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Houston]]
[[Category:Welton Becket buildings]]
[[Category:Office buildings completed in 1963]]
[[Category:Downtown Houston]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Houston]]