When you're driving down San Felipe Street, it’s hard to miss the chiseled granite silhouette of 5847 San Felipe Houston. Locally, we just call it San Felipe Plaza. Honestly, in a city where shiny new glass boxes pop up every five minutes, this 46-story giant has a weirdly persistent staying power. It isn't just about the height, though being the second-tallest building outside of Downtown is a nice flex.
It’s about the vibe.
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Most people assume these older 80s towers are "past their prime." They're wrong. Recent renovations have turned this place into something that feels more like a luxury hotel-meets-tech-campus than a stuffy corporate office.
What’s Actually Happening Inside the Plaza?
If you haven't been inside lately, the lobby is basically a different world. They’ve leaned hard into the "amenity war." We’re talking a full-blown Starbucks in the lobby, which, let’s be real, is the only way some of us survive a Tuesday morning. But it goes way deeper than caffeine.
The building owners, Sovereign Partners, have been dumping money into upgrades that make sense for how people work now. There’s a massive tenant lounge where you can actually take a call without feeling like you're in a library. They even added a golf simulator and a cinema. Yes, a literal movie theater and virtual greens inside an office building.
- Fitness Center: Not a "closet with a treadmill." It’s a premiere gym with lockers and showers.
- The Plaza Eatery: On-site dining that actually tastes like food, not a cafeteria from 1994.
- VR Zone & Pickleball: They’ve added a VR zone and even basketball/pickleball setups.
It’s kinda funny. You have these high-powered lawyers and energy execs finishing a meeting and then potentially arguing over a pickleball score ten minutes later. That's Houston for you.
The Tenants: Who’s Footing the Bill?
You don’t keep a million square feet of real estate alive without some heavy hitters. 5847 San Felipe Houston has a pretty eclectic mix. One of the biggest recent moves was Partners Real Estate (formerly NAI Partners). They didn't just rent a suite; they moved their entire headquarters here into about 32,000 square feet.
Why? Because they’re the ones leasing the building now. It’s a classic "we believe in the product so much we live here" situation.
But look at the diversity of the other names on the directory:
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- Avelo Airlines: They've got their corporate HQ in Suite 1900.
- Encino Energy: Took a massive chunk—over 76,000 square feet—a few years back.
- Diplomacy: The Consulate of Canada has been a fixture here since the early 2000s.
- Tech and Law: Firms like AkinMears (up on the 45th floor) and Deutser are scattered throughout.
It’s a mix of "old Houston" energy and "new Houston" tech and logistics. The floor plates are huge—about 20,000 square feet each—which is why these companies love it. You can fit a whole department on one floor without feeling like sardines.
Architecture That Doesn't Suck
The building was designed by Richard Keating back when he was with SOM (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill). If you know anything about architecture, SOM is the gold standard. They built it with a concrete core and a structural steel frame.
The chiseled, notched corners aren't just for looks. They create a ton of corner offices. In the world of corporate hierarchy, everyone wants that corner view. From the upper floors, you get a 360-degree look at the city. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the medical center and well beyond the Galleria.
It’s a LEED Gold-certified building, too. That’s actually a big deal in 2026. Companies are obsessed with their ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) scores. Being in a building that doesn't guzzle electricity like a monster is a major selling point.
The Location "Hack"
The real secret to 5847 San Felipe Houston is the traffic. Or rather, the lack of it.
If you work in the heart of the Galleria, you’re basically trapped in a cage of idling cars from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. San Felipe Plaza is just far enough west to bypass the worst of the 610/59 nightmare. You can hop on San Felipe and get to Tanglewood or the Villages in minutes.
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You're still five minutes away from a steak at Pappas Bros or shopping at the Apple Store, but you aren't stuck in the middle of the tourist swarm. It's the "insider" location.
Quick Stats for the Nerds
- Height: 625 feet.
- Stories: 46.
- Parking: A massive 9-level garage with over 2,600 spots. No more circling for 20 minutes.
- Renovations: Major overhauls in 2023 and 2025.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think these "Class A" towers are untouchable for smaller businesses. That’s actually not true right now. While the top floors go for a premium (we're talking $26.00/SF or more), there are "spec suites" on the lower and mid-levels.
These are basically "plug and play" offices. You sign the lease, bring your laptops, and start working. You don't have to deal with contractors or picking out carpet tiles. For a 10-person startup or a satellite law office, it’s a massive time-saver.
The Reality of 5847 San Felipe Houston
Look, the office market has been weird lately. Everyone knows that. But buildings like San Felipe Plaza are winning because they stopped being "just a place to sit."
By adding things like the golf simulator, the upgraded gym, and the high-end coffee, they've made the office a destination. It’s hard to convince people to leave their couch if the office is just a beige cubicle. It’s a lot easier when the office has better coffee, a better gym, and a view of the entire Texas sky.
Your Next Steps if You're Looking
If you’re actually considering moving your business here or just checking out the space, here is how you should handle it:
- Check the Spec Suites: Ask about the 8th and 15th floors. They usually have smaller, built-out spaces (1,000 to 7,000 sq ft) that are ready immediately.
- Evaluate the Commute: Do a test drive at 5:15 PM from the building to your house. You'll likely find it’s 15 minutes faster than leaving a building closer to the 610 Loop.
- Audit the Amenities: Don't just take the brochure's word for it. Walk into the fitness center. Check out the locker rooms. If you’re going to pay Class A rent, make sure you’re actually going to use the perks.
- Talk to Partners: Since Partners Real Estate handles the leasing and lives in the building, they usually have the most up-to-date info on "shadow space" or upcoming vacancies that aren't on LoopNet yet.
The Uptown landscape is changing, but 5847 San Felipe is clearly digging in its heels. It remains one of the most practical yet prestigious addresses in the city for a reason.