Building 1 in the Energy Research Park has received $7 million in renovations. Construction took 13 months to complete | Bethel Glumac/The Daily Cougar
After about $7 million and 13 months of work, renovations on Building 1 at the Energy Research Park are completed.
The original building was built in the 1950s when it was owned by Schlumberger Ltd, the world’s largest provider of oil and gas technology. With the renovations, the building has upgraded the roof, windows, mechanical systems, flooring, ceiling and electronics, and the outside has also been altered to display the UH colors.
“Prior to the renovations, we really needed to update the mechanical systems. We had some old issues through the duct work, so all of that was replaced. The new finish brings it all up to a standard that we try to create here at the Energy Research Park,” said Sean York, UH Real Estate Services director.
“The reason why we try to keep the building without a lot of modifications really has to do with the historical significance of this building and the visibility off of I-45.”
The building houses advancement, finance, purchasing and assorted accounting staff for the ERP. The funding for the project came through the UH Board of Regents. In the months to come, further renovations will be taking place throughout the ERP.
“We are going to be doing a renovated lobby and exterior work to 14A, which is the Texas Diesel Testing and Research Center,” York said.
“We are also going to move forward in the future with renovating the lower level of Building 19, for future office space. We’re also about ready to kick of Phase 2 Redevelopment plan, which would include renovations to Buildings 1A, 2 and 3.”
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