Total Plaza
| Company type | Commercial office building |
|---|---|
| Industry | Real estate |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Headquarters | Houston , United States |
Area served | Downtown Houston |
| Products | Office space |
| Owner | Brookfield Properties |
Total Plaza—previously known as the Entex Building, Louisiana Place, and United Gas Building—is a 35-story commercial office skyscraper situated in Downtown Houston, Texas, just one block away from the Allen Center complex. The property, under the management of Brookfield Properties, was completed in 1971 and crafted by the architectural firm Lloyd, Morgan & Jones. Renovation efforts took place in both 1981 and 1996, during which the building’s exterior was updated with a reflective glass finish that gives it a mirror-like appearance. Each level encompasses roughly , amounting to a total of .
The structure derives its current name from its principal occupant, Total Petrochemicals USA, a branch of TotalEnergies SE. Historically, it also functioned as the headquarters for the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO). Furthermore, the building is integrated into the Downtown Houston tunnel system.
History
Located at 1201 Louisiana, this tower first opened its doors in 1971 serving as Entex’s headquarters. In 1975, the Dutch firm Mercure Co. N.Y. acquired the property for $40 million. Classified as Class B office space, the plaza changed ownership again in 1984.
By 1994, offices for the University of Houston System were established within the building. Following renovations in 1996, it adopted the name Louisiana Place. That same year marked a significant shift when brokers Jay Bonano and Jesse Amundsen departed from Koll Real Estate to establish their own company, securing leasing rights for what would become Total Plaza.
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) occupied ten floors within Louisiana Place, paying an annual rent of $3.8 million without federal subsidies. Their lease concluded in April 2005 after relocating to a new administrative facility completed in 2004.
In early 2005, Total Petrochemicals USA—a subsidiary of Total S.A.—entered into a 15-year lease agreement for 150,000 square feet with an option to expand by an additional 75,000 square feet. By November that year, approximately 250 employees had moved into the space vacated by METRO. Total Holding U.S., overseeing Total S.A.’s North American operations, also transitioned downtown. Prior to METRO’s departure, occupancy stood at 96%; following Total’s move-in, it adjusted to 86%.
Occupancy increased to 88% by 2006 as Hilcorp Energy Company expanded its footprint by adding an extra floor to its existing three-floor lease totaling 72,000 square feet. In 2007, Coast Range Investments sold the property—then called Total Plaza—to Brookfield Properties (formerly Trizec Properties) for an undisclosed amount. Major tenants at that time included Total S.A., Hilcorp Energy, and Reliant Energy Retail Services.
Tenants
The Petroleum Club of Houston occupies the top floor (35th) of the building. It relocated from the ExxonMobil Building after that property was sold and underwent renovations. The club vacated its ExxonMobil premises after January 10, 2015, and opened at Total Plaza two weeks later. The new venue showcases an energy sector-inspired design featuring gold, bronze, and metallic tones. To accommodate preferences from younger members, the club includes a bar offering views over Houston’s skyline. The Houston-based architecture firm Kirksey designed this modernized facility, which contrasts with the previous location’s style.