When you see the Eiffel Tower, you immediately know it’s Paris. The Statue of Liberty symbolizes New York City. The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum located in Agra, India. We decided to compile a list of iconic landmark buildings that are synonymous with Houston. So, let’s dive in. Read more at houston-future.
Gulf Building
This building was constructed in 1929. By the standards of the day, it was a true skyscraper. The building had 37 floors and reached a height of 428 feet (130 meters). Built in the Art Deco style, the Gulf Building remained the tallest building not just in Houston, but in the entire region, until 1963. The main visionary behind the project was Jesse H. Jones, who had already constructed several buildings in Houston. He had succeeded with steel-frame structures, and the Gulf Building was built using the same principle.
Jesse Jones brought in renowned U.S. architects Kenneth Franzheim and J.E.R. Carpenter, who had already brought grand skyscraper designs to life in various cities. Jones, the client, was meticulous in his review of their designs. The architects had to revise their plans several times because this building was meant to be more than just a skyscraper—it had to be unlike any that already existed. As a result, a landmark building rose in the heart of Houston that stands out to this day and serves as one of the city’s unique calling cards.
After the Gulf Building opened, many well-known firms and companies made it their goal to secure a space inside. The owner leased most of the premises as office space. Some companies, like the National Bank of Commerce, leased several floors for 25 years in advance.
The building has been renamed several times as owners and tenants have changed. It is currently owned by JPMorgan Chase bank, and the building’s name reflects that. Although there are much taller buildings in Houston now, the Gulf Building will always be a recognizable landmark of the city.
Wells Fargo Plaza
Today, Wells Fargo Plaza is the 20th tallest building in the United States. It is also the second tallest in Houston and Texas. However, it holds the top spot as the tallest all-glass tower in the entire Western Hemisphere. The skyscraper stands at 992 feet (302.4 meters) and has 71 floors. Wells Fargo Plaza was completed in 1983. As fate would have it, shortly after its opening, the building suffered significant damage from Hurricane Alicia, which shattered a large portion of its glass facade. It was restored, and today, Wells Fargo Plaza is another one of Houston’s distinctive symbols.
Its name has also undergone transformations. Each major tenant renamed the building for their own advertising purposes. It was first the Allied Bank Plaza, then the First Interstate Bank Plaza. In 1996, Wells Fargo corporation acquired it and gave it the final name that every Houston resident knows today.
JPMorgan Chase Tower
This 75-story skyscraper is the third tallest building in Houston. However, after its completion in 1981, it was for a long time the tallest building in the United States west of the Mississippi River. Its name has also changed depending on the owner. But its recognizability doesn’t come from its name. It is the tallest five-sided building in the world, which makes it a truly unique skyscraper.
Most of its space is occupied by offices. However, on the 75th floor, there is an observation deck open to all visitors. From this bird’s-eye view, you can admire the urban landscapes of Houston. The JPMorgan Chase Tower also suffered hurricane damage, but it was battered by Hurricane Ike in 2008. After the storm’s rampage, the surrounding area was temporarily closed to traffic as the streets were littered with broken glass.
The skyscraper is one of the most recognizable in the world, its popularity boosted by cinema. Several films shot in Houston feature the iconic JPMorgan Chase Tower.
TC Energy Center
Another recognizable Houston high-rise is the TC Energy Center, also known as the Bank of America Center. This skyscraper was built in a postmodernist style. It was constructed in 1983 based on a design by the architectural firm Philip Johnson/John Burgee. The building’s unusual and creative appearance comes from its three segmented towers, each with a stepped spire. This feature makes it stand out among all other Houston skyscrapers. Although the building is only the 101st tallest in the U.S., its extraordinary design certainly makes it a landmark in the city’s architecture.
The skyscraper received its current name in 2019, as it houses the headquarters of the company of the same name. It is also known for its 32 elevators, which are decorated with various types of wood paneling. The building also contains an art gallery.
Houston Theater District
It’s impossible to overlook this significant Houston landmark. Although it’s not a single building but an entire district, it is definitely iconic for the city. This complex, consisting of several theaters and concert halls, is the cultural heart of Houston. It is home to renowned institutions such as the Houston Grand Opera, the Houston Symphony, and the Alley Theatre. Each of these is noteworthy on its own, but together they form an inseparable part of the city’s cultural heritage, not just in architecture, but as a whole.
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
The Space Center is comprised of 100 separate buildings. It houses the astronaut headquarters and the Mission Control Center. It was from here that the United States managed the mission to the Moon. Thanks to its “space” reputation, Houston has been the filming location for movies about space. In addition to its technical facilities, the complex has a separate museum for visitors, where you can see many interesting exhibits related to space, astronautics, and space programs.
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
This museum is the oldest of its kind in Texas. Although the museum itself was founded in 1900, its main building was designed in 1917 and completed in 1924. It was built in the Greek Neoclassical style. As of 2025, the complex consists of three separate buildings: the Caroline Wiess Law Building, the Audrey Jones Beck Building, and the Nancy and Rich Kinder Building, which house the main collections and temporary exhibitions. The museum holds a diverse collection of artifacts and cultural treasures from various eras.
Houston City Hall
The Houston City Hall building is also an architectural monument of the city. Built in 1939, and although its architectural style is not much different from dozens of other similar city hall buildings in the American South, the structure is iconic for Houston. It is located on the west side of downtown, in the middle of Tranquillity Park, and has many design details that have helped make it an architectural classic. The public library is located nearby.
Astrodome
This is a true Houston legend. From its very inception to its eventual closure, it was a calling card for the city. It was the world’s first multi-purpose, domed stadium. It hosted not only various sporting events but also many other cultural programs, such as fairs and festivities. Opened in 1965, it could seat about 50,000 visitors, though its record attendance was nearly 69,000 fans.
For many years, it welcomed and delighted residents and guests of Houston with all sorts of events. However, over time, it could no longer meet modern safety requirements and was closed to the public. Nevertheless, it remains an iconic building for the city.
Lovett Hall
Rounding out our list is a building belonging to Rice University. Lovett Hall is the oldest building on the university’s campus. Built in 1912, it was named after the university’s first president, Edgar Odell Lovett. The building is designed in a Byzantine-Renaissance style and features a prominent arcade at its main entrance. These arches are a symbol of the university. The main entrance is known as the Sallyport, through which students pass during their graduation ceremony.
Of course, this is far from a complete list of Houston’s iconic buildings. However, we have tried to highlight some of the most famous architectural landmarks of the city.