I drove by several times today. Let me tell you this... I don't see anything within our skyline other than this glorious tower. All the other buildings and towers are simply washed away.


I have to agree with this. The Devon Tower does kinda wash everything else away. I used to look at our skyline and see the Chase tower stand out, ..now it just kinda blends in with the rest of the buildings.

oh, long time lurker and first time poster here! lol ...I work on 25th and Shields and its been hard to get work done at times while I stare at the Devon Tower. Its gonna be kinda sad when its completed, but its definitional gonna look awesome!!! ...and whoever posted about possibly getting another "monster" tower - dont even get me excited like that! lol

Well damn, my birthday is the 20th. I better enjoy it.

Mine IS the 21st. Happy 19th Birthday? -________-

Last comment on the 'end of the world'. The group putting that info out there is selling pre-paid pet care. It is a scam.

Now back to a second monster tower. Where would such a building go?

I know Kerry, I just found it rather funny. Didn't mean to sway the subject...

My next door neighbor is a crane operator for the Devon tower construction,and he said his crane is about to jump to 980'ft and he also said that there are rumors of another "monster" tower going to be announced soon!Take it for what it's worth!

My girlfriend's neighbor came up from Texas to work on the tower. In one talk I had with him, he claimed all kinds of things...like that the tower was going to be 52 stories and that he also heard that there would be another skyscraper project announcement soon.

I'm with others... I'll believe it when I see it!

Last comment on the 'end of the world'. The group putting that info out there is selling pre-paid pet care. It is a scam.

Now back to a second monster tower. Where would such a building go?

I think the Century Center/Sheraton Block would be a perfect location for another new tower.

The Sheraton and Cox sites would be nice. Two big, underutilized areas. So much space there that is waiting for something bigger and better in its place.

Yes, but preferrably ontop of the Century Center. I don't care too much for the Sheraton being destroyed also.

I also think a good site for a skyscraper is on the grass lot on Gaylord, between 4th and 3rd. If residential, it could be a future 'step' in tying Deep Deuce/Maywood with the lower end of Automobile Alley. It also allows for the skyline to expand to the east visually. Which, right now I don't see ever happening because of the nature of obstacles that line EK through the entirety of it's length downtown; i.e BNSF, Santa Fe Garage, the mechanical building north of Cox. But I know this particular site already has a development proposed for it. Hopefully, they realize there is a much better use for that site, but this is just me daydreaming.

I think another good site for a tower would be those two parking garages that surround OG&E Headquarters. Maybe two towers? One replacing each of the parking garages. That would extend the skyline visually to the west and northwest just a tad.

I also agree with you two, Architect2010 and Unfrsakn, for highrises in place of Century Center and the Cox.

Yes, but preferrably ontop of the Century Center. I don't care too much for the Sheraton being destroyed also.

I also think a good site for a skyscraper is on the grass lot on Gaylord, between 4th and 3rd. If residential, it could be a future 'step' in tying Deep Deuce/Maywood with the lower end of Automobile Alley. It also allows for the skyline to expand to the east visually. Which, right now I don't see ever happening because of the nature of obstacles that line EK through the entirety of it's length downtown; i.e BNSF, Santa Fe Garage, the mechanical building north of Cox. But I know this particular site already has a development proposed for it. Hopefully, they realize there is a much better use for that site, but this is just me daydreaming.

You do know the chamber is building, or plans to build it's lowrise on the EK Gaylord site right?

The former Devon site was bought, so maybe that's where a new building could go?

NO, they would'nt tear the existing Devon building down Mega, but it's possible CLR may use it temporarily and build a new midrise and then lease the old Devon/CLR building out? I'm sure it's a stretch, but still feasible.

Also megax11, the tribulation is 3.5 years of peace, 3.5 years of hell on earth, but that's another topic.

My next door neighbor is a crane operator for the Devon tower construction,and he said his crane is about to jump to 980'ft and he also said that there are rumors of another "monster" tower going to be announced soon!Take it for what it's worth!

I too just heard a "rumor" from someone that talked to a person working on the Devon site that Chesapeake is in talks to build something downtown. Of course what would they do with there campus now but thats what I heard.

Yancy

wasnt the skirvin hotel suppose to add a large size hotel onto it, or was that rumors

That was part of a proposal to get the convention center located east of the Skirvin.

I am not sure why everyone is so anxious to build a building where another building already stands, particularly in the middle of our already narrow downtown. If you were to lay the Devon building on it's side, it would cover half the width of downtown. Why not start building on the edge and make the skyline grow? This is of particular interest considering that everyone just has a cow every time someone like Sandridge wants to tear a building down. If maintaining old buildings is that important, build out from current buildings. I too am skeptical of this news but would be pleasantly surprised if it were true.

I too just heard a "rumor" from someone that talked to a person working on the Devon site that Chesapeake is in talks to build something downtown. Of course what would they do with there campus now but thats what I heard.

Yancy

^^Yea I heard The same thing also,so now thats two people but of course there just rumors right?I hope not!

I am not sure why everyone is so anxious to build a building where another building already stands, particularly in the middle of our already narrow downtown. If you were to lay the Devon building on it's side, it would cover half the width of downtown. Why not start building on the edge and make the skyline grow? This is of particular interest considering that everyone just has a cow every time someone like Sandridge wants to tear a building down. If maintaining old buildings is that important, build out from current buildings. I too am skeptical of this news but would be pleasantly surprised if it were true.

I would love to see the skyline grow outward toward MidTown.Downtown OKC is pretty compact and dense for what it is!

Does where Preftakes has been buying property give any one a clue. Too easy.

Someone tells their buddy something, buddy tells his buddy sorta the same thing, his buddy tells his buddy a totally different story. This is probably what is happening here but I surely hope not.

of course The Devon tower was once a rumor also,but the Devon rumor had way more meat on the bone!http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=10260&highlight=new+skyscraper+in+okc

Four years later...

NO, they would'nt tear the existing Devon building down Mega, but it's possible CLR may use it temporarily and build a new midrise and then lease the old Devon/CLR building out? I'm sure it's a stretch, but still feasible.

Also megax11, the tribulation is 3.5 years of peace, 3.5 years of hell on earth, but that's another topic.

Thanks for the clarification. Still, it goes to show how much credit these people have with their words, since we haven't had that total of 7 years of peace and hell. It's all funny to me.

That Thunder banner on the north side must have taken a beating in the storms last night. Hopefully they can get it fixed up before the Saturday game.

My next door neighbor is a crane operator for the Devon tower construction,and he said his crane is about to jump to 980'ft and he also said that there are rumors of another "monster" tower going to be announced soon!Take it for what it's worth!

That is 130' taller than the annouced buildout of 850'. Does that seem a bit high to anyone else?

That is 130' taller than the annouced buildout of 850'. Does that seem a bit high to anyone else?
^^Actually there will be one more jump after the 980'ft jump and that will top the crane out at over 1,000'ft tall,for example look at the tower now and you can see the cranes are over 100ft feet taller than the current height.Like I said this is what I was told by an actual crane operator that works On-site!

^^Actually there will be one more jump after the 980'ft jump and that will top the crane out at over 1,000'ft tall,for example look at the tower now and you can see the cranes are over 100ft feet taller than the current height.Like I said this is what I was told by an actual crane operator that works On-site!

So the cranes will be over 150' feet taller than the highest point on the building? That seems like a little bit of over-kill. How tall are the cranes right now?

The Devon Tower looked amazing this morning. The clouds were hovering over the other buildings downtown hiding the tops of the buildings, but the Devon tower emerged and could be seen above the clouds! If it wasn't raining and a lot of traffic, I would have taken a picture.

Kerry, I don't know beans about cranes, but perhaps the crane height is necessary in relation either the length of the reach of the boom or the weight of the items being lifted or clearance to move the items around once lifted from below.

Kerry, I don't know beans about cranes, but perhaps the crane height is necessary in relation either the length of the reach of the boom or the weight of the items being lifted or clearance to move the items around once lifted from below.

Maybe The extra height is needed for the construction of the Crown,which might need more room for the crane to operate other than a normal floorplate would?

Even though rumors are erupting, this is one of the most exciting page's I have read in awhile. Things are starting to get interesting, it hurts that gas prices are so high, but it sure does boost the economy in Oklahoma. It's almost like we are part of OPEC. I could see Chesapeke builing a tower, I personally have worked with Aubrey before and he does not like to be outdone. With all the critisism he has recieved with the campus I could see him doing something crazy.

Maybe The extra height is needed for the construction of the Crown,which might need more room for the crane to operate other than a normal floorplate would?

I understand the clearance issue but the amount needed to clear the crown would be that same as the height needed to clear a regular floor. There is a smaller building being built here in downtown Jax and the cranes are no where near 150' taller than the building at the end of each phase. I mean, we are talking 150' taller AFTER the crown is finished. I could see 150' before the crown is started, but after? However, like Kevin I don't know anything about how the cranes work.

Maybe the extra height is to provide enough clearance for the east crane to take down the west crane. The east crane will climb itself down low enough for a mobile crane to be set up on the street or parking lot next door.

They would need a really big mobile crane to take down the west crane because it could only climb itself down to the height of the rotunda. So it just seems easier to use the other tower crane.

Maybe the extra height is to provide enough clearance for the east crane to take down the west crane. The east crane will climb itself down low enough for a mobile crane to be set up on the street or parking lot next door.

They would need a really big mobile crane to take down the west crane because it could only climb itself down to the height of the rotunda. So it just seems easier to use the other tower crane.

That is probably the correct answer. Thanks.

Cam is stuck!

That Thunder banner on the north side must have taken a beating in the storms last night. Hopefully they can get it fixed up before the Saturday game.

It did take a beating, and it is completely down now.

The Devon Tower looked amazing this morning. The clouds were hovering over the other buildings downtown hiding the tops of the buildings, but the Devon tower emerged and could be seen above the clouds! If it wasn't raining and a lot of traffic, I would have taken a picture.

Yeah, I wish I had had a long range telephoto camera with me when I was driving to work around 10:30 this morning. The grayish dark rain curtain behind downtown Oklahoma City and then the little low level scud clouds floating across the downtown skyline, with the Devon Tower coming out above them looked awesome! Definitely a view to capture because it will happen again!

Just to squash all the CHK rumors, my understanding is that AM has no immediate interest in building a tower DT. The campus on 63rd and Western now employs around 4,000 people. CHK owns everything from 63rd to Grand and Western to the railroad tracks. As you have seen on the Chesapeake campus thread, there are long term plans for the area east of Classen to the railroad tracks. This includes a softball field and a pond and enough buildings/parking garages to employ up to 9,000 people. That is more than twice the size of the company right now. If CHK were to hire 25 people every week, it would take almost four years and that is with no turnover. If they were to announce that 4-5 years from now, that would make a little more sense, but as of right now he wants to keep everything in that area.

Just to squash all the CHK rumors, my understanding is that AM has no immediate interest in building a tower DT. The campus on 63rd and Western now employs around 4,000 people. CHK owns everything from 63rd to Grand and Western to the railroad tracks. As you have seen on the Chesapeake campus thread, there are long term plans for the area east of Classen to the railroad tracks. This includes a softball field and a pond and enough buildings/parking garages to employ up to 9,000 people. That is more than twice the size of the company right now. If CHK were to hire 25 people every week, it would take almost four years and that is with no turnover. If they were to announce that 4-5 years from now, that would make a little more sense, but as of right now he wants to keep everything in that area.

Or 9,000 students at McClenden University.

Or 9,000 students at McClenden University.
*McClendon- Looks like you just failed the entrance exam

I stumbled across this quite by accident...many here have probably seen this list at Emporis, but I had no idea that the Devon Tower is the only skyscraper over X number of feet - outside of New York City - currently under construction in the United States. And is among the top 100 in the entire world.
http://www.emporis.com/application/?nav=constructionsites&lng=3

yay us!

Aura in Toronto would make a great Chesapeake tower...

I stumbled across this quite by accident...many here have probably seen this list at Emporis, but I had no idea that the Devon Tower is the only skyscraper over X number of feet - outside of New York City - currently under construction in the United States. And is among the top 100 in the entire world.
http://www.emporis.com/application/?nav=constructionsites&lng=3

Someone needs to update the construction photos.

And the OKC description.

Cam view is not showing up! It's a blank picture.

*McClendon- Looks like you just failed the entrance exam

To Aubrey: Your campus will never be the Devon Tower. FAIL

Just to squash all the CHK rumors, my understanding is that AM has no immediate interest in building a tower DT. The campus on 63rd and Western now employs around 4,000 people. CHK owns everything from 63rd to Grand and Western to the railroad tracks. As you have seen on the Chesapeake campus thread, there are long term plans for the area east of Classen to the railroad tracks. This includes a softball field and a pond and enough buildings/parking garages to employ up to 9,000 people. That is more than twice the size of the company right now. If CHK were to hire 25 people every week, it would take almost four years and that is with no turnover. If they were to announce that 4-5 years from now, that would make a little more sense, but as of right now he wants to keep everything in that area.

I actually really love what CHK is doing though. I mean, if I were their broker handing their real estate transactions I wouldn't be paying twice what everything is worth, but I understand why they have to do it, and why that slows things down. But I'd rather trade an urban village for a skyscraper any day. However, let's not pretend Devon's plans aren't awesome either. I think it's great that one is doing a skyscraper (with appropriate urban components) while the other is building an uptown area all on its own.

I do think it's obvious that Devon is the more stable company, however. CHK is exciting to watch, but they make me nervous. Aubrey is a high-roller if there were ever one.

To Aubrey: Your campus will never be the Devon Tower. FAIL

I do not understand why you would make such an ignorant comment. Aubrey isn't trying to be Devon. Two different schools of thought. One, a gorgeous working campus. The other, a magnificent office building. He could have built a tower but chose not to and has improved the area.

The fact we have two fast-growing Fortune 500 corporations making major investments in this community with zero chance of relocating to TX...what's there to criticize?

The fact we have two fast-growing Fortune 500 corporations making major investments in this community with zero chance of relocating to TX...what's there to criticize?

*Willingly

To Aubrey: Your campus will never be the Devon Tower. FAIL

Nice taunt.

Nice taunt.

^^ lol,yeah Aubrey you could never build a tower taller than Devons!Do it if you can!!!!

Cam is down!

Also from that vid, very cool there will be a little skybridge from Garden Wing to the auditorium.

I assume it will ultimately be enclosed in glass and look really slick.

Looks that way. I'm guessing the bridge itself will be hanging from that large beam going across.

I do not understand why you would make such an ignorant comment. Aubrey isn't trying to be Devon. Two different schools of thought. One, a gorgeous working campus. The other, a magnificent office building. He could have built a tower but chose not to and has improved the area.

Here is another example that could have been in a huge tower complex that chose not to. Not every company has the same philosophy.

http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/gallery/campus.mspx

I wonder if we can bribe the developers to make the official height of Devon tower 1,000 ft;)...

Cam is down!

Okay, this thread is 250+ pages. Anyone mind giving me a link to the cam?

The link isn't working lately.

http://www.tnttri.com/okctalk/DevonConstructionCam.jpg

I think another good site for a tower would be those two parking garages that surround OG&E Headquarters. Maybe two towers? One replacing each of the parking garages. That would extend the skyline visually to the west and northwest just a tad.

I also agree with you two, Architect2010 and Unfrsakn, for highrises in place of Century Center and the Cox.

Have mercy on those of us who work daily in CBD! With the loss of the Galleria parking, it's been tough enough to find a monthly parking spot when you have to pay for it yourself. Century Center and Cox are the main two places with monthly or daily parking still available for self-payers.
And poor taxpayers getting audited by IRS not only have to schlep their records downtown, but have to pay a premium price to park 2-3 blocks away? Esthetics aside - parking is still needed.