El Paso Energy Building, Skyscraper in Houston, United States
The El Paso Energy Building is a 33-story office tower in Houston with a distinctive square floor plan and a height of approximately 502 feet. The facade features recessed windows that create a patterned appearance and allow natural light to fill the interior spaces.
The structure was completed in 1963 by the renowned architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill as headquarters for Tennessee Gas Transmission Company. It was built during an era when growing corporations commissioned tall office buildings as symbols of their expansion and financial strength.
The building demonstrates how corporations in the 1960s expressed their stature through modern design, with expansive glass surfaces meant to convey openness and progress. Visitors today can observe how the recessed windows and natural light shaped the working experience in the skyscraper era.
The main entrance is located at street level, with upper floors accessible by elevator and escalator. Note that the lobby was relocated during the 2010s, which may affect how visitors navigate through the building.
The building features a glass-enclosed corridor spanning the first five floors that connects the interior with the street below. This transparent design element was innovative for its time and stood apart from the solid facades typical of office towers from that era.
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