Texas’ tallest skyscraper has sold

Texas’ tallest tower has changed hands.

The 75-story 600 Travis skyscraper in downtown Houston was built in the 1980s by developer Hines.

Now the Hines firm has teamed up with Cerberus Capital Management to purchase the tower and the adjacent 601 Travis office building.

Opened in 1981 as the Texas Commerce Tower, the 1.7 million-square-foot skyscraper was designed by I.M. Pei & Partners.

It’s about three stories taller than Dallas’ highest building, the 72-floor Bank of America Plaza.

New owners Hines and Cerberus plan to make “significant capital improvements” to the downtown Houston landmark, including “major updates to the lobby and exterior plaza area, as well as the addition of connected, collaborative workspaces and enhancements to other building common elements, and the addition of a thoughtfully designed conference center.”

Architect HOK has been hired to design the upgrades.

“Our goal is to enhance 600 Travis’ position as one of the top office buildings in the southwest,” Hines’ John Mooz said in a statement. “With significantly more activated common space and opportunities, the repositioning will promote greater tenant attraction and retention and will be a testament to Hines’ unmatched ability to maintain an asset’s architectural heritage while fostering a contemporary image for the modern workplace.”

The 20-story 601 Travis building was recently renovated with a new fitness center, auditorium and additional parking.