One Shell Plaza, a well-known office tower in downtown Houston, is set to undergo a $50 million renovation aimed at revitalizing the building and its surrounding block. The redevelopment, led by global developer Hines, will focus on transforming the ground level of 910 Louisiana Street with glass walls, new retail options, and green spaces.
The redesign is scheduled for completion in 2027 and comes as part of a broader trend among downtown property owners who are seeking to attract tenants by offering more natural light, amenities, and street-level activity. The move reflects efforts to address high vacancy rates that have affected Houston’s office market since the pandemic.
Originally constructed in 1971 as Hines’ first major office project, One Shell Plaza has seen significant changes over the years. While Hines no longer owns the property, it continues to manage the building. Partners Real Estate handles leasing for Busycon Properties, which currently owns the tower.
Shell previously occupied much of the 1.6 million-square-foot skyscraper before moving its offices westward. After Shell’s departure, about 800,000 square feet were subleased to companies such as NRG Energy. With this lease expiring in December and NRG preparing to leave, occupancy is expected to drop from 86 percent to around 35 percent early next year.
“It’s a conundrum that all landlords are dealing with,” said Mark Janssen, director of property management at Hines. “Since COVID and working from home, ‘office’ has almost become a dirty word among investors.”
Despite these challenges, Busycon Properties remains optimistic about downtown Houston’s prospects. Early construction filings put the cost of renovations at $49.6 million. Plans include replacing heavy stone facades with floor-to-ceiling glass panels for greater transparency and creating inviting spaces for food and beverage tenants. Additional improvements will feature landscaping upgrades such as curved paths and shaded seating areas.
A new 5,000-square-foot terrace and tenant lounge overlooking Smith Street are planned alongside an upgraded fitness center and a larger conference facility spanning 9,000 square feet.
“The redevelopment is focusing on the street life experience in and around the building, which is what tenants are craving,” said Chip Colvill of Partners Real Estate.
Busycon joins other downtown landlords investing in their properties amid changing demands from tenants looking for modernized workspaces.
