808 Travis Street

The Esperson Building

The Esperson Building won the 2004 BOMA Houston award for Best Historical Property. Also awarded an Energy Star label in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 for its operating efficiency.

Originally developed in 1927 as a memorial to famed real estate and oil tycoon Niels Esperson, the property is a unique example of Italian Renaissance design. The buildings are Houston’s most historic and best-known landmark, forming a distinctive feature of the city’s skyline. Throughout the buildings, the architecture and fixtures create an atmosphere of style and elegance unparalleled in downtown Houston.

Designed by famed theatre architect John Eberson, upon its completion the Niels Esperson Building was the tallest in Texas and the third-tallest in the United States. The Mellie Esperson Building, also designed by John Eberson, was the largest office structure built in Houston during the Great Depression and the first with central air conditioning.