The Houston Tower was a plan for a 500-story skyscraper conceived in the 1970s to be built in Houston, originally designed as a research project for the feasibility of a 500-story building.[1] American Architect Robert B. Sobel of Emery Roth & Sons, with engineer and fellow American Nat W. Krahl of Rice University, created a concept for a 500-story building made from 200-foot sided bundled triangular tubes.[2][3] Sobel had theorized the construction of a 500-story building as early as 1947.[4]

Houston Tower
Map
General information
StatusVision
LocationHouston, Texas
CostUSD 1.5 billion
Height
Roof6,863 ft (2,092 m)
Technical details
Floor count500

According to Emery Roth & Sons, the project showed that the technology and materials existed to build a 500-story (or taller) building if someone wished to do so.[1][5] Since its first inception, it has remained one of the tallest buildings ever fully envisioned, and would have taken up 16 city blocks of 250x250 feet if constructed.[2] Its design features are reminiscent of the Sears Tower, which utilizes a similar construction pattern albeit on a smaller scale.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Hinds, Michael deCourcy (30 September 1984). Supertall Buildings. Dreams and Realities, The New York Times
  2. ^ a b Binder, Georges, ed. 101 of the World's Tallest Buildings, p. 13 (2006)
  3. ^ Huxtable, Ada Louise. The Tall Building Artistically Reconsidered: The Search for a Skyscraper Style, p. 116 (1986)
  4. ^ (3 June 1947). Toronto Plans New Building of 500 Stories, Nashua Telegraph
  5. ^ Hoffer, William. Reaching for the Sky, Popular Mechanics, pp. 141 (July 1986)
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29°45′13″N 95°22′00″W / 29.753611°N 95.366667°W / 29.753611; -95.366667