Imagine Houston’s skyline in 1963. Rising above everything else was the ExxonMobil Building. Today, we’re standing before a piece of history. This 45-story skyscraper at 800 Bell Street was once the tallest building west of the Mississippi River.
The ExxonMobil Building is more than just a tall structure. It represents a time of growth and ambition in Houston. The building’s distinctive fins protrude from its exterior. They were designed to provide shade from the Texas sun. These fins aren’t just aesthetic. They are an integral part of the building’s energy efficiency.
Originally, this building was the headquarters of Humble Oil Company. Humble Oil was a predecessor to Exxon. In 1973, Humble’s parent company rebranded as Exxon. The building then became known as the ExxonMobil Building.
For a short time, the ExxonMobil Building held the title of the tallest building west of the Mississippi. It stood at 606 feet tall. That is approximately 185 meters. It surpassed the Republic Bank Tower in Dallas. The reign was brief. Elm Place in Dallas soon took the crown in 1965.
Did you know the ExxonMobil Building played a part in Houston Astros history? During the Astros’ 2004 NLCS run, the building was adorned with blue lights. An enormous Astros star hung on its south side. It showed the city’s support for its baseball team.
The building has seen its share of changes. In 2011, ExxonMobil announced it would relocate its employees. They moved to a new office in Spring. In 2013, Shorenstein Properties acquired the building. ExxonMobil leased it back until 2015.
After ExxonMobil’s lease expired, the building sat vacant. Oil prices crashed. Petroleum companies shed excess office space. The ExxonMobil Building remained empty for almost a decade.
There were proposals to move city operations into the building. Mayor Annise Parker suggested moving municipal court and police operations there. However, the plan was scrapped due to cost concerns.
In late 2022, developers bought the 1.2 million square foot building. Their plan is to convert the vacant office space into residential units.
The Petroleum Club of Houston once occupied the top three floors. It was a place where deals were made. In 2015, the club relocated to Total Plaza. This was because of ExxonMobil’s lease expiration.
The ExxonMobil Building is located near 1500 Louisiana Street. It is also not far from the Pierce Elevated freeway. There are plans to re-route and remove the freeway.
Designed by Welton Becket & Associates, the ExxonMobil Building exemplifies corporate modernism. The building stands as a reminder of Houston’s past. It also looks forward to a new chapter as a residential complex. The ExxonMobil Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2025. Its legacy as a landmark is now secured.