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Formerly: Chase Tower
Formerly: Texas Commerce Tower
Built:
1981
Designed by: I.M. Pei & Partners and 3D-International
Type: Skyscraper
Stories: 75
Location: 600 Travis Street
City: Houston
State: Texas
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ecause of its location it often gets lost in the background of skyline photos, but this structure rises to 75 stories, making it the tallest building inn Houston. It was the tallest building west of the Mississippi until the First Interstate World Center (now known as Library Tower) was built in Los Angeles. That building is 16-feet taller. The Chase Tower was originally designed to be 80-stories, but the Federal Aviation Administration felt the extra five floors would be a hazard to air traffic out of Hobby Airport. The observation deck is on the 60th floor, and offers a panoramic view of downtown from behind glass. It is one of the best views in the city, and is completely free. Just use the elevators on the right side -- they provide an express trip to the 60th floor. In the photo above you can see the sky lobby; it's the level with the extra-tall windows. This building is still occasionally referred to as the Texas Commerce Tower, even though it has been taken over by Chase. Chase Bank actually has more than a dozen substantial buildings in Houston where it has moved many of its financial departments from New York.
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