Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park, Sculptural fountain in Uptown District, Houston, US.
The Gerald D. Hines Waterwall is a horseshoe-shaped fountain in Houston's Uptown District standing roughly 64 feet (19.5 m) tall with water flowing down both interior and exterior walls. The walls are made of black obsidian and concrete and create a curved interior space surrounded by a landscaped park.
Construction started in 1982 alongside the neighboring Williams Tower and was completed in 1985 to designs by architects John Burgee and Philip Johnson. The installation was intended to enhance the new business district and quickly became a landmark for the area.
The curved fountain serves as a gathering place in the Uptown District and is surrounded by a park with 186 live oak trees. People come here to take photos or sit on benches at the base of the water feature.
The water wall is open daily from 8 AM to 9 PM and entry to the park is free. Visitors can find parking in the Williams Tower Visitor Garage nearby.
The installation operates a recirculation system that cycles roughly 78,500 gallons (297,000 liters) of water every three hours. On hot days the falling water creates a light mist that cools the area around the fountain.
Location: Texas
Architects: Philip Johnson, John Burgee
GPS coordinates: 29.73580,-95.46110
Latest update: December 5, 2025 20:09
Philip Johnson designed buildings that brought together modernism and classical references, shaping how architecture developed through the 20th century. His work includes glass pavilions, office towers, public spaces, and cultural institutions. His designs show an interest in clean lines, reflective surfaces, and the relationship between interior spaces and their surroundings. The collection features the Glass House in New Canaan, a transparent residence set within the landscape, the Seagram Building in New York, a bronze tower on Park Avenue, and the Puerta de Europa in Madrid, two leaning towers along Paseo de la Castellana. Other examples include the AT&T Building with its distinctive pediment, PPG Place in Pittsburgh with its glass towers inspired by Gothic forms, the IDS Center in Minneapolis, and Pennzoil Place in Houston. The collection also covers the Fort Worth Water Gardens, an urban park with pools and cascades, the Crystal Cathedral in California, a glass and steel worship space, along with the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth and the Kreeger Museum in Washington. These places show different sides of Johnson's practice and his ability to adapt buildings to urban and natural settings.
Houston offers a wide range of destinations that bring together science, culture and outdoor spaces. The city is home to Space Center Houston, where visitors can explore the history of space travel and see real spacecraft up close. Museums like the Houston Museum of Natural Science and The Museum of Fine Arts hold collections that span continents and centuries, from ancient artifacts to contemporary works. For those who prefer the outdoors, parks such as Discovery Green and Buffalo Bayou Park provide green areas for walking, cycling and relaxing right in the heart of the city. The Houston Zoo introduces visitors to animals from around the world, while the Downtown Aquarium displays marine life in large saltwater tanks. Families with children will find interactive learning at the Children's Museum Houston, and baseball fans can catch a game at Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros. Whether you're interested in history, nature or simply spending time outside, Houston brings together different experiences within easy reach of downtown.
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