Humble Oil Building

Significance

The Humble Oil Building at 1212 Main Street was built beginning in 1921 as the headquarters of Humble Oil & Refining Company, the Texas producer that became the core of Exxon. It was designed by Clinton & Russell of New York, one of the era's leading skyscraper firms, in an Italian Renaissance Revival style with a rusticated limestone base and a crowning loggia. The tower was expanded in the 1930s as Humble grew into one of the largest oil companies in the world, and the complex came to symbolize Houston's emergence as the capital of the American oil industry. After decades of office use, the building was restored and converted into a hotel and apartments. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Climate risks tracked

The crowning loggia, cornice and limestone ornament at the roofline face the strongest hurricane winds and need regular inspection and anchoring. Original style windows at upper floors should be upgraded to wind resistant glazing that matches the historic design. The Main Street location flooded during Tropical Storm Allison, and the building's conversion to hotel and residential use makes reliable flood protection at entrances and below grade levels essential. Houston's humidity drives biological growth on the limestone facade; gentle cleaning and repointing with compatible mortar protect the stone, while well maintained roof drainage keeps the Renaissance Revival crown dry.

Use the preservation assistant to talk through retrofit strategies for these specific threats.

Location

Nearby landmarks

• 1913 · Beaux-Arts

  Rice Hotel

• 1926 · Spanish Renaissance Revival

  Julia Ideson Building

• 1927 · Italian Renaissance Revival

  Niels Esperson Building

• 1924 · Commercial / Chicago School

  Sam Houston Hotel