| Also
known as: |
Enron
II |
| Built: |
1999-2002 |
| Designed
by: |
Cesar
Pelli & Associates and Kendall/Heaton Associates |
| Cost: |
US$200,000,000.00 |
| Type: |
Skyscraper »» Click here to see
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This
building became the symbol of all that was right and
all that was wrong with Enron. It was in the middle
of building this gleaming tower when the company collapsed
into bankruptcy, lawsuits, and federal investigations.
The building still stands, and is still a wonderful
piece of architecture. But many wonder why it isn't
as tall as the original Enron tower.
While it will be similar in form, it will not be exactly
the same. Complimentary, but more futuristic. The
whole building is 40-stories, but only the top 33
are traditional office structure. The bottom seven
levels house four trading floors for commodities like
electricity, natural gas and internet bandwidth. The
bottom two floors feature an auditorium, shops, and
a food court.
- With
the construction of Enron Center, an additional
parking garage was built on a neighboring block.
These two buildings are tied to the original Enron
Building by a circular skywalk.
- 13
December, 2001 - A strong gust of wind snags an
enormous American flag attached to the upper stories
of the building. The flag is anchored to the glass
at the corners, and the upward motion of the wind
causes the anchors to rip the glass up the side
of the building creating two huge gashes in the
curtain wall before the building is even finished.
- November,
2001 - In spite of Enron's financial trouble, construction
continues on the second tower bearing the company's
name. In late 2001 Enron laid off 4,000 workers
as the company's finances collapsed. That would
seem to negate the need for a second building. However,
like most large projects these days, it isn't paid
for by the person whose name is on it. Enron planned
to lease enough space in the building to earn naming
rights. That space may go elsewhere now, and the
tower could get a new name or revert to its generic
Five Allen Center name.
- 15
January, 2002 - Enron Center South is for sale.
KHOU TV/DT (Channels 11 and 31) reports that Enron's
still-unfinished building is for sale. UBS Warburg
is interested in moving into the place. UBS bought
Enron's energy trading operation in a Federal bankruptcy
auction in New York, and the new building has an
energy trading floor almost ready to go. But if
it can't get in, it will go across the street to
Enron Center North, the older Enron building, and
set up operations in there.
- 9
October, 2002 - Enron Center South is sold for $102,000,000.00
-- About half what it cost to build.
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