The Continental Airlines logo is projected on the cap of Continental Center I at night. Many people don't notice it now, but when it was first switched on it caused much wailing and gnashing of teeth.
People feared that it was the first step toward the Las Vegasization of the downtown skyline; a fear that is repeated almost any time a proposal with any glitz is introduced.
Houston still has an ordinance prohibiting corporate names on buildings, except for those grandfathered in. Oh, and the Hard Rock Cafe, because that big guitar is considered art. Oh, and Minute Maid Park, which is technically county property and thus exempt from the city's ordinance.
So how did Continental get it done? In August, 2000 Houston city council passed a rule allowing logos n building if it has more than 750,000 square feet of space and is also the headquarters of a company occupying at least 45% of that space. But projections only -- nothing permanent.
Thanks to txfireguy for the photo from the HAIF Flickr group.
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