The former 600 Jefferson Building, which was constructed in the 1970s, is located at the southern edge of downtown Houston, an area that is undergoing an urban transformation. When its current owners acquired the building in 2014, multiple residential, commercial office and repositioning projects surrounding the property were underway. The prime location made the opportunity to reposition the 20-story office building irresistible. To capitalize on the growth momentum in the area, Page was engaged as a design partner to develop a new vision for this real estate asset that would increase its market value while elevating its status and leasing potential.
Unoccupied lease space on the two lowest floors provided an opportunity to create an amenity base for future tenants. To support this new function, Page designed a new two-story glass envelope that updated the architectural façade at street level. A new entrance was added at Smith Street that elevates the beginning of the user experience and also allows the owner to use the more prestigious business address of 1801 Smith. Edge lighting was added to both portals on the Jefferson and Smith Street entries to create a warm glow at dusk.
The arrival experience in the building lobby at both the street and concourse levels has been updated with a clean and modern palette of polished white Bianco Gioia marble walls and deep blue-gray honed Pietra del Cardosa sandstone floors. An accent wall of Dark Vena porcelain panels is the backdrop for a new monumental stair featuring glass and stainless steel handrails, replacing an outdated escalator while providing a new focal point for the lobby. A new pattern of linear light fixtures and their reflections make the lobby spaces sparkle.
Guests arriving from the parking garage are greeted by a digital display on the concourse level. Warmth, color and texture are introduced through the new seating elements. Raised ceilings create a lofty feeling in the elevator banks, leading users into the sleek new interiors of elevator cabs that feature the lobby stone materials, complemented by backlit glass panels and stainless steel.
The building upgrades at 1801 Smith have been carefully crafted, taking into account the classic features of the original design and aligning the new image with the target tenant base thereby strengthening the asset as an investment and as a landmark in the community.
Page provided architectural and interior design as well as fixtures, furnishing and equipment. Dominion Interests, Inc. served as the MEP Engineer and Hoar Construction was the contractor.
