Exxon’s Former Houston Headquarters Could Become a Residential High Rise

The former headquarters of Humble Oil, a predecessor to Exxon, will be converted to apartments in Houston, after New York-based developers CMI Developers purchased the building with a plan for adaptive reuse.

1 minute read

February 6, 2023, 11:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


A high-rise building is seen fromt he ground, framed by an assortment of tall and shorter buildings.

The Humble Oil Building was once the tallest building west of the Mississippi. | Patrish Jackson / Shutterstock

Developers with a track record of adaptive reuse have bought the former home of Exxon and its predecessor company, Humble Oil. If complete, the project could become one of the most high-profile examples of adaptive reuse in the country.

“The 1.2 million-SF building, located at 800 Bell, has been empty since the oil company relocated to its new campus about eight years ago,” according to an article published by Realty News Report.

“The buyer, a New York investment group affiliated with CMI Developers, has experience in historic redevelopment and apartment conversions.  The tower was completed in 1962. The age and prominence of the Exxon building might enable the developers to obtain tax credits designated for redeveloping historic buildings,” according to the article.

Adaptive reuse has become a hot topic in commercial centers after the Covid-19 pandemic rearranged work and travel schedules, though not every vacant commercial building is ripe for conversion to residential uses, due to a number of regulatory and physical challenges.

More details of the history of the building, as well its future, are included in the source article below.

Tuesday, January 17, 2023 in Realty News Report

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Overlapping highways

The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin

People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.

September 8, 2026 - Benjamin Schneider

Geese flock to a frozen pond in Aurora, Colorado. There are houses in the background.

Colorado’s Largest Data Center Could Rise Next to Homes — Without a Public Hearing

The proposed campus would consume 11 times the power of Denver International Airport; as it has across the country, opposition mounts.

September 17, 2026 - Capital & Main

A coal power plant in Iowa billows smoke into the air.

Nation's most wind-powered state turns to coal as data centers increase energy demand

For the first time in decades, Iowa has increased its generation of coal power.

September 17 - Inside Climate News

A sign on a fence describing the rain garden behind it.

NYC cools commuters with city's first rain garden above a bus stop

New York City officials say the plants in the rain garden can absorb 16 gallons of rainwater during heavy storms.

September 17 - Gothamist

A map showing Brightline West's intended route from  Las Vegas to Rancho Cucamonga, California.

Brightline West’s future may rely on $6 billion federal loan

The company has until Nov. 2 to make a $400 million equity investment into its proposed high-speed rail line.

September 17 - Smart Cities Dive

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.