The tower was built in Downtown Houston in 1981 as the Texas Commerce Tower. It was designed by I.M. Pei & Partners and 3D/International. The building was supposed to be 80 stories, but the FAA felt that the additional five floors was a risk for aircraft going into and out of William P. Hobby Airport.
The building was the tallest building in the United States west of the Mississippi River until the Library Tower, now known as the U.S. Bank Tower was built in Los Angeles.
The observation deck of this building is on the 60th floor. One can take the elevator straight up, providing a panoramic view of the city of Houston.
While still called the Texas Commerce Tower from time to time, the tower is owned by J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, and it has moved many of its financial businesses from New York, New York to Houston.
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