Posted Feb 13, 2010, 7:43 PM
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Los Angeles and Houston
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Exxon-Mobil moving HQ to Houston?
Article a a few weeks old now. Surprised there was no thread on this:
Quote:
Exxon Mobil is considering a move
Workers might be relocated to a big tract south of The Woodlands
By Nancy Sarnoff
Houston Chronicle
Jan. 28, 2010, 11:08PM
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/energy/6841225.html
Exxon Mobil Corp. is conducting a study of its U.S. real estate that could result in the company consolidating workers on a large tract of land just south of The Woodlands.
Architectural documents obtained by the Houston Chronicle outline an elaborate corporate campus, including 20 office buildings with 3 million square feet, a wellness center, laboratory and multiple parking garages.
The documents don't identify Exxon Mobil, but maps show a large parcel of land near Interstate 45 and the Hardy Toll Road. The company owns land near that intersection.
Exxon Mobil spokesman Alan Jeffers said as part of the study the company is considering the potential use of its land, although no decision on future office requirements will be made until after the study is completed.
The study, which looks at maintaining Exxon Mobil's current offices as well as consolidation alternatives, is expected to continue into 2011.
A principal of PDR — the Houston-based architecture firm whose name is on the documents — said her firm does work for Exxon Mobil all over the world but declined to comment further.
“We don't comment on the work we do for any of our clients,” said Joanne Taylor.
Jeffers said he wasn't in a position to comment on the veracity of the PDR documents, some of which are dated May 2009.
He also would not discuss what the study means for employees at Exxon Mobil's corporate headquarters in Irving or those working in the company's Fairfax, Va., offices. The company has maintained a presence there since it acquired Mobil Corp. a decade ago.
A move by the biggest U.S. oil and natural gas company could amount to big changes for Houston's office market.
Exxon Mobil has offices throughout the Houston area, with large concentrations of workers in the Greenspoint area and downtown.
Jack Drake, president of the Greenspoint District, said while his area could potentially lose a large tenant, its best office space is virtually full, “so a departure of a major tenant allows for the opportunity for expansion and for new companies.”
If an Exxon Mobil campus were to be built, it would provide a big boost to the north Houston community, said Trey Halberdier of BanDier Realty Partners.
“It would have a positive and significant impact on all real estate types — retail, office, residential and even industrial,” said Halberdier, whose firm sells commercial properties in the area.
Houston must OK district
While it could be some time before Exxon Mobil reveals its plans, a 1,400-acre tract west of I-45 and the Hardy Toll Road is being prepped for development. An improvement district approved by the Texas Legislature has been created to build and finance utilities and roads to serve the property west of I-45.
Allen Boone Humphries Robinson LLP was hired by Springwoods Realty Co., an entity related to land owner Coventry Development Corp. of New York to create an improvement district on the large parcel.
Coventry could not be reached for comment.
The Harris County Improvement District No. 18 must now be approved by the city, a process that should be completed in the next couple of months, said Andy Icken, deputy director of Public Works for the city of Houston.
One of the PDR documents shows plans for additional development south of the likely Exxon Mobil site and north of the proposed Grand Parkway.
They include a town center, medical facility, commercial space, apartments and single-family homes.
Susan Vreeland-Wendt, director of marketing for The Woodlands Development Co., said it's hard to gauge the impact of a possible move by Exxon Mobil because so little is known.
“The things we're hoping for down the road is an increase in home sales in all price ranges, more excitement in the retail sector and commercial leasing. It impacts every phase of our business,” she said.
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Would be a big move. Irving's response:
Quote:
"We would certainly hate to lose them, and we're going to do everything we can to communicate that we do want them here in the North Texas region and in Irving," Wallace said.
He said the chamber has already told Exxon that officials want a chance to offer a retention package if leaving becomes a consideration.
Irving officials are quick to brag about the stable of high-profile and Fortune 500 companies that call the city and its Las Colinas Urban Center home.
They've long seen Exxon's headquarters as a source of pride and a marketing tool in luring other business behemoths....
....He said Irving's business-friendly reputation, North Texas setting and proximity to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport make it hard for other cities to compete.
"We think however many ways you study it and look at it, you're going to come to that conclusion," he said.
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http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/...n_30bus.ART0.State.Edition1.3cc2381.html
It's about time Exxon returns home (if they do move). 
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She even noted that the excavaters are currently on the site and one of the Montgomery County Commissioners confirmed the details. The location is on the WEst side of I-45 where Hardy Toll Road intersects it. We are about to start builing our new home about 5 miles from that site also in Spring, Texas. This may be the first time I hit the lottery, even though I don't gamble!
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