Formerly: Petroleum Building Built: 1926-1927 Designed by: Alfred C. Bossom, Maurice J. Sullivan, and Briscoe & Dixon Type: Skyscraper Stories: 22 Maximum Height: 291 feet / 89 meters Location: 1314 Texas Avenue, Houston, United States
Building Rating 80% of readers like the Great Southwest Life Building.
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I t's easy to tell that this slender building was once a titan of the skyline. Tall, proud, and just a little bit flashy around the top. These days, it looks like any other abandoned building in a section of downtown that is still struggling to taste the benefits of revitalization. The building hasn't been the same since its namesake Petroleum Club moved out years ago. The stately limestone and brick tower has something in common with one of its younger downtown companions. Both the Great Southwest Building and Texaco Heritage Plaza were inspired by Mayan pyramids. A good Cannon 100x zoom lens will reveal the Mesoamerican-inspired relieft at the highest levels. There is also supposed to be one on the attached parking garage, but we haven't seen it.
John Raphael
Monday, November 27th, 2006 @ 6:20am
Rating: Three stars. its a nice building and it has a great colour blend which is easy to the eyes,which is a good thing.But the problem of most high rise buildings like this one is that there is a large dependence on artificial mean of lighting and ventilation which increases the cost of maintenance.This building is a lot more easier to maintain than those of curtain walling(glass).It has an interesting elevational view and though while not as sleek as its counterparts constructed of glass, i am sure it will stand its own, and it will take a some time before it is pulled down o make way for more trendier ones(afterall its still a feature of the modernist era,if i am right).By the way, the combination of various hues of brown,to me is quite nice.
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John Raphael
Three stars.