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Reliant Energy Plaza photograph.
Photograph © Wayne Lorentz/Artefaqs Corporation
This image is available as a print or poster.

Reliant Energy Plaza photograph.
Photograph © Wayne Lorentz/Artefaqs Corporation
This image is available as a print or poster.

Reliant Energy Plaza photograph.
Photograph © Wayne Lorentz/Artefaqs Corporation
This image is available as a print or poster.

Reliant Energy Plaza photograph.
Photograph © Wayne Lorentz/Artefaqs Corporation
This image is available as a print or poster.

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Reliant Energy Plaza

Formerly: 1000 Main
Built: 2001-2003
Cost: $160,000,000.00
Designed by: Gensler/Houston
Type: Skyscraper
Stories: 36
Maximum Height: 518 feet / 158 meters
Location: 1000 Main, Houston, United States
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T his building was one of the more anticipated projects to develop on Main Street in the early 21st century. For years, local businesses, civic groups, and politicians had been promising that Main Street was going to be the place where Houston comes together, and the city's most vibrant activity would be. It wasn't until 2003 that pledge started to become fulfilled by a string of bars and nightclubs with short life spans. Metro's rail project helped further, but a new 36-story tower was just the example big banks and real estate companies need to give them the confidence to take a chance. The 1000 Main building symbolizes the area's rebirth and was a cornerstone for the downtown renaissance. The hope was, "if you build it – they will come." Metro's first light rail line is part of the overall development of the building. A pedestrian plaza and "Superstop" help create an intermodal transportation center, and link to the city's tunnel system. The 1000 Main building has a tunnel linking to the Foley's store across the street. Even though the tunnel between Foley's and the Foley's parking garage is the oldest in the city, it was isolated from the rest of the tunnel system until this building was erected. It was the first significant addition to the tunnel system in years. In form, the building resembles three tall slabs fashioned together. Similar in design to the 2001 iPaq computers. The left and right flanks feature a grid of concrete over black glass. The center shaft appears to be blue reflective glass. And the top of the building is crowned with lights that change color and pattern in the night sky. Also of note at the massive color-changing panels that slide up the first few stories of the building -- a visual delight for pedestrians.

  • The building has a 10-level 1,566-space parking garage.
  • On top of the garage is a two-story trading floor for Reliant Resources.
  • On top of the trading floor is 24-stories of offices.
  • September, 2001 - A truck pouring concrete for the foundation topples over and lands in the Foley's store across the street. The store was evacuated, but no one was hurt.

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See other Houston area skyscrapers, buildings, and landmarks at Houston Architecture.
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Did You Know?
    >Before 1000 Main was built, the land was a surface parking lot and home to the annual "Miracle on Main Street" – Houston's seasonal outdoor all-weather ice skating rink.

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Poor sidewalk condition after waste pick up
Wednesday, June 24th, 2009 @ 7:02am
Rating: One star.
For almost 2 years, every morning, I have walked by the Reliant Energy Plaza building on the McKinney side. It must be the place where earlier that morning waste is picked up that contains waste food and drink items. Food and liquids are always spread in front of the overhead door.The condition of the sidewalk at 7:00 am is sickening. I know that it gets cleaned up by noon, however the sidewalk remains stained from the tracking of the waste. By the time the side walk is cleaned liquids are tracked and solids are down the street. The building management should not allow a pick up service to leave the area in such a condition. The building is too elegant to be left in that kind of condition.


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