High above the bustling George Bush Intercontinental Airport stands the Control Tower. This isn’t just any tower. It’s a landmark a testament to a bygone era of aviation.
Designed by the renowned I M Pei & Associates this Control Tower opened in 1966. It was a pioneering structure the first of its kind. The Kennedy administration wanted modern designs for federal projects. The FAA tasked Pei’s firm to create a state-of-the-art control tower. It was meant to be a lasting symbol of air safety. Architect James Ingo Freed envisioned a unique design. The resulting flared five-sided tower was one of twenty-three built across the nation.
The Houston tower was special. It was the tallest of the four designs reaching a height of 160 feet. Back then air traffic controllers needed to guide supersonic aircraft and jumbo jets. The tower was a crucial part of that operation. It oversaw the complex choreography of countless planes both domestic and international. Think about it for a moment. This tower witnessed the rise and fall of numerous airlines. It observed the evolution of aviation technology from the early jets to modern-day airliners.
Sadly this magnificent structure faces demolition. It stands in the way of Terminal A expansion plans. Preservation Houston is fighting to save it. They’ve asked the FAA for consulting status. They’ve pointed out its significance in politics government transportation and architecture. The Texas Historical Commission agrees. The tower is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Even if it gets that listing demolition is still possible.
The Control Tower is more than concrete and glass. It’s a symbol of Houston’s place in aviation history. It’s a reminder of a time when progress marched hand-in-hand with architectural innovation. It’s a story waiting to be told a legacy we need to protect. Let’s hope its story will continue.