HOUSTON – (Realty News Report) – The tallest skyscraper in Texas — a 75-story tower that opened in 1982 – has been given a new name, according to building owners, Hines, the international real estate firm, and an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management.
It shall be called JPMorgan Chase & Co. Tower.
As the new anchor tenant, JPMorgan Chase signed a 250,000-square-foot lease in July which took the 1.7 million square-foot building to 90 percent leased.
“The renaming of 600 Travis Street is an exciting milestone in our partnership with JPMorgan Chase. As one of the most iconic buildings in Houston, we are proud to bring back a name that is key part of our city’s history,” said Hines Senior Managing Director John Mooz. “Now, we look forward to completing our best-in-class transformation project which will modernize the building’s offerings and ensure a tenant experience commensurate with its status in Houston’s skyline.”
Hines has retained HOK to design a significant renovation to the downtown building, including major updates to the lobby and exterior plaza area, as well as the addition of connected, collaborative workspaces and enhancements to other building common elements, and the addition of a thoughtfully designed conference center.
Inspired by The Louvre
As part of the renovation, the plaza area will be transformed into a vibrant urban garden featuring increased green space and more connections between the outdoors and the building. In a tribute to the building’s iconic history, the reimagined lobby will feature a new glass pyramid entry, inspired by the Louvre Museum in Paris – a nod to the tower’s original architect (I.M. Pei) – that creates a spacious lobby with immense natural light and biophilic qualities as the outdoors are brought in.
Hines originally developed the tower in 1982 for Texas Commerce Bancshares, which would later become JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Designed by New York-based I.M. Pei & Partners, the five-sided, polished gray granite structure. Hines has managed both JPMorgan Chase Tower and the adjacent 20-story 601 Travis Street for more than three decades. Comprised of 407,896 square feet, 601 Travis features a 7,000-square-foot fitness center available to tenants of both buildings, a 280-seat auditorium and 12 floors of parking.
Room With A View
The building’s former Sky Lobby on the 60th floor will be redesigned as an exclusive “Sky Lounge” for tenants to enjoy.
In the second half of 2021, JPMorgan Chase will relocate its Houston Technology Center to the tower from 1111 Fannin. The bank’s local Technology Center employs over 1,500 technologists.
“JPMorgan Chase’s local software engineers help the company realize the power of AI, machine learning and cloud computing. We build new applications and infrastructure to protect us and our clients, reduce risk and fraud and to upgrade our customer service,” said Forest Duke, head of the Houston Technology Center.
Hines and Cerberus reacquired both the 600 and 601 Travis Street buildings in 2019 and soon launched a major transformation project, including significant updates to the first and second floor lobbies, access to the tunnels and the exterior plaza. In addition to connected, collaborative workspaces and enhancements to other building common elements, the renovation plan for JPMorgan Chase Tower calls for the addition of a state-of-the-art conference center that can accommodate up to 150 people in various rooms over two floors, including the lobby level with a large, versatile gallery space.
“JPMorgan Chase has deep roots in Houston going back 155 years,” said Meredith Beaupre, managing director and market leader for the bank in Houston. “With nearly 6,000 local employees, we’re deeply committed to Houston. Moving back into the Tower will afford JPMorgan Chase the opportunity to create a striking urban campus including both the city’s tallest tower and one of its most beautiful historic buildings in the city – 712 Main located just across the street.”
The building is located on the block bounded by Texas, Travis, Capitol and Milam streets. It is 1,002 feet tall. (The Empire State Building is 1,250 feet tall.)
Jan 27, 2021 Realty News Report Copyright 2021
File: Tallest Texas Skyscraper Renamed
Photo: JPMorgan Chase & Co. Tower. Courtesy: Hines
File: (2) Hines. Cerberus Capital. Tallest Texas Skyscraper Renamed JPMorgan Chase & Co. Tower. I.M.Pei. HOK. John Mooz.