Status Vision Cost USD 1.5 billion Floor count 500 | Roof 6,864 ft (2,092 m) | |
The Houston Tower is a visionary 500-story skyscraper conceived in the 1970s to be built in Houston, though only designed as a research project for the feasibility of a 500-story building and not actually intended to be built. Architect Robert B. Sobel, with Emery Roth & Sons, with engineer Nat W. Krahl of Rice University, created a concept for a 500 story building made from 200-foot sided bundled triangular cubes. Sobel had theorized the construction of a 500 story building as early as 1974.
According to Emery Roth & Sons, the project showed that the technology exists to build a 500-story building, if someone wished to do so. Since its first inception it has been one of the tallest buildings ever fully envisioned, and would have taken up 16 city blocks or 250x250 feet if constructed. Its design features are reminiscent of the Sears Tower which utilizes a similar construction pattern albeit on a smaller scale.