500 Jefferson Building, Houston, Texas
historic place
The 500 Jefferson Building, located in downtown Houston, Texas, stands as a notable example of modern architecture. Completed in 1962, this 21-story skyscraper was the inaugural structure within the Cullen Center. The Cullen Center itself marked a significant development as Houston's first multi-building office complex in the downtown area. Designed by the nationally acclaimed architecture firm Welton Becket and Associates, the building exhibits a blend of New Formalist and International architectural styles. Its distinctive exterior features over 2,000 original precast exposed concrete panels, known as Mo-Sai panels, which include quartz aggregate. The Houston-based W. S. Bellows Construction Corporation served as the general contractor for the project. The 500 Jefferson Building was individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places in March 2019, recognized for its architectural significance. It has consistently served as an office building since its completion.