Uptown’s Most Iconic Skyscraper Has a Glam New Look!

Uptown’s Most Iconic Skyscraper Has a Glam New Look!

Photo @zieglercooper on Instagram, photo by Mabry Campbell

THE LOBBY OF one of Houston's most iconic buildings has a sexy new look, and the architects responsible are bragging about it on social media!


The soaring lobby and café space of the Uptown area's Williams Tower, which is linked to the Galleria by a skybridge, has an urbane new vibe thanks to a design created in partnership with Ziegler Cooper Architects and O'Donnell Snider Construction. Ziegler Cooper took to Instagram to share striking photos by Mabry Campbell, and explain how they were able to "activate the lobby, lounge and skybridge."

According to the architecture firm's post, "This repositioning was able to preserve the existing pink Texas granite and other architectural features … while bringing in new contemporary features that complement the original design." Among the design elements highlighted in the splashy new photos is a large-scale chandelier of dripping blue crystals that seems more like an art installation as it crisscrosses the escalator.

Originally known as Transco Tower, Williams Tower was dubbed the "Skyscraper of the Century" by Texas Monthly in 1999. It stands 64 stories tall, as the tallest building in Houston outside Downtown — and the fourth-tallest building in all of Texas. It was built in the early 1980s by developer Gerald Hines, who officed there himself. Hines passed away last summer.

The famous architect Philip Johnson — who drew plans for many of the world's most notable buildings, including several in Houston — was among Williams Towers' team of architects. Johnson designed the Lipstick Building in New York and is perhaps best known for his own modernist Glass House in Connecticut.

Ziegler Cooper's other projects in Houston include the design of Downtown's Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Episcopal High's athletic center, the Caydon Drewery Place mixed-use development and apartment tower, and the office buildings at 1 and 3 Riverway.

People + Places
Fall Philanthropy Report: Be An Angel Improves Quality of Life for Children with Special Needs

What year was your organization launched? 1986 by a small group of committee community members that believed special needs children were not receiving basic life services.

Keep Reading Show less

Gulf Red Snapper at The Annie

These CityBook partners are among the best eateries in the most deliciously diverse city.

Keep Reading Show less
Food

Beth Muecke, Justin Garcia

HANDSOME HOUSTON ARTIST Justin Garcia held a homecoming of sorts at Downtown’s Z on 23. He’s been on a world tour with Orphaned Starfish Foundation, the nonprofit that helps orphans, survivors of trafficking, and refugees break their cycles of abuse and poverty. Garcia is traveling to all 80 of the foundation’s programs around the world, creating unique art pieces that aim to capture each program's unique feel with color, shape and words.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment