Doesn't the FNC have a slide in it as part of the fire escape? That's what I was told anyway....

WOW! You must be 18, huh? It may be empty but its a classic. Minus the fire escape stairs on the side of it, its like the Empire State Building's Mini Me.

Yes I'm 18. I just want to know why do Cities have these beautiful tall buildings, if hardly anyone works in them,..... Or keep up with its appearence

It isn't the cities that operate or own these skyscrapers.

Doesn't the FNC have a slide in it as part of the fire escape? That's what I was told anyway....

I've heard of one in City Place, but not FNC.

Doesn't the FNC have a slide in it as part of the fire escape? That's what I was told anyway....

City Place

Just think Soonerboy18, i have a homework assignment for you. I need you to check out theskyscraperpage.com then check out Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Seattle, and even around the world. I guarantee that you will find many buildings like our ol' classic mini-me empire state building that you want to demolish. I understand your point about upkeeping the buildings, but there are many hoops to jump through to get a project like that done. But what you have to understand is that these buildings give the city its character and classic feel and you don't just turn your back on that. They enhance the city, give the skyline and people a richness that you don't have if only brand new buildings are standing there. Never forget where you came from. This is what all the big, expansive cities do.

On the other hand, soonerboy, look at Dubai and see if it looks and feels comfortable. It is massive whizbang but there is no soul in glitz. The mideast's architecture of the past was tents which meant they had no architectural history to relate to so they end up creating these garish, gargantuan monsters that will eventually dry up in the desert when the oil is gone and they hadn't invested the billions to desalinize see water for human use. Our treasured buildings, if properly used and mantained will outlive those monuments to ostentation.

Having grand old buildings is good for a city because it shows history and stability. Nevertheless, having the same buildings rotting half full is like a cancer to a city who is trying to grow.
The first national could greatly improve with an updated crown and getting rid of that awful rusty looking staircase. There must be a better way to make a fire escape than to tack one on to the side of the building.
If the First National has troubled with getting tenants, then perhaps it is time to update the office space to make it more appealing. If they will not or cannot, then sell it to someone who will.
The same goes for any of the other underused buildings in the downtown area. There are plenty of companies who would love to be Downtown or in Bricktown. And would come if the available office spaces had the right appeal. A good example is the old “Bunte Candy Factory”, it has become a great office space for its tenants and then I look around at the other buildings down there setting empty and wonder why?

Having grand old buildings is good for a city because it shows history and stability. Nevertheless, having the same buildings rotting half full is like a cancer to a city who is trying to grow.
The first national could greatly improve with an updated crown and getting rid of that awful rusty looking staircase. There must be a better way to make a fire escape than to tack one on to the side of the building.
If the First National has troubled with getting tenants, then perhaps it is time to update the office space to make it more appealing. If they will not or cannot, then sell it to someone who will.
The same goes for any of the other underused buildings in the downtown area. There are plenty of companies who would love to be Downtown or in Bricktown. And would come if the available office spaces had the right appeal. A good example is the old “Bunte Candy Factory”, it has become a great office space for its tenants and then I look around at the other buildings down there setting empty and wonder why?

Frist National Center as it stands now is mostly Class C office space. The demand is for Class A and Class B to an extent. The tower will need extensive renovations to be considered Class A space.

When I drove by this evening it appears the concrete boom is now gone. Hopefully they will be starting steel soon!

When I drove by this evening it appears the concrete boom is now gone. Hopefully they will be starting steel soon!

Looks to me like it's still there, just laying down, though they could be putting it away. Unless that black thing is something else...

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RrEPrzImSHI/TkHt5buUQZI/AAAAAAAAN6Q/CH6ne2i1gRo/s512/116_5076-cropped.jpg

(Photo is from 6:52pm 8/9/11)

Just think Soonerboy18, i have a homework assignment for you. I need you to check out theskyscraperpage.com then check out Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Seattle, and even around the world. I guarantee that you will find many buildings like our ol' classic mini-me empire state building that you want to demolish. I understand your point about upkeeping the buildings, but there are many hoops to jump through to get a project like that done. But what you have to understand is that these buildings give the city its character and classic feel and you don't just turn your back on that. They enhance the city, give the skyline and people a richness that you don't have if only brand new buildings are standing there. Never forget where you came from. This is what all the big, expansive cities do.


I never thought it that way, thanks for teaching me something

You can see the Devon tower from I35 in Norman by Univ North Park

Frist National Center as it stands now is mostly Class C office space. The demand is for Class A and Class B to an extent. The tower will need extensive renovations to be considered Class A space.

Instead of office space, FNC could be converted to residential and hotel...but that's another thread.

August 10 2011

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Devon%20Tower/August%202011/okcskyline8-10-11.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Devon%20Tower/August%202011/okcskyline8-10-11-2.jpg

Wow, LOVE that second shot! Thanks so much.



We need some newer photos of the rotunda, garden wing, auditorium, Colcord work, etc. Any volunteers??

I have always thought that the First national look like an attempt to build a taller building, only to be stopped part way up and then someone stuck an old house roof on it.
Liberty (Chase) was built back in the 70's and spawned new life into downtown, with more modern looking buildings being built afterwards. I hope the Devon will do the same for OKC.
As far as the Chase goes, it needs a face-lift like the “Founder’s tower” did a few years back. Its mismatched windows make it look horrific like an old tenement, and it has always looked like an attempt to imitate one of the twin towers.
Do not get me wrong! I love our downtown. It has always been "my downtown" I am just glad to see new things happening and that finely OKC may be on its way to being a world-class city.


OMG :( Why cant Oklahoma City kep up with the condition of that buildng? I mean hardly no one works in that building so if you ask me I would demolish it, that picture is a turn off to the downtown area.. Im just saying


FNC was one of the tallest buildings west of the Mississippi when it was built. I did a quick search of various cities and found only 4 structures taller at that time: LA City Hall, Smith Tower in Seattle, and 2 buildings in Kansas City. That's it.

As far as FNC being a great example of the set-back style, the best compliment is to copy it. Here is an '80s version of FNC in San Francisco, 100 First Plaza. The similarities are obvious and it's exactly the same height. http://www.emporis.com/building/1001plaza-sanfrancisco-ca-usa?lng=3

But back to topic. I think the way Devon tapers towards the top echos the top of the Ramsey Tower.


Having grand old buildings is good for a city because it shows history and stability. Nevertheless, having the same buildings rotting half full is like a cancer to a city who is trying to grow.
The first national could greatly improve with an updated crown and getting rid of that awful rusty looking staircase. There must be a better way to make a fire escape than to tack one on to the side of the building.
If the First National has troubled with getting tenants, then perhaps it is time to update the office space to make it more appealing. If they will not or cannot, then sell it to someone who will.
The same goes for any of the other underused buildings in the downtown area. There are plenty of companies who would love to be Downtown or in Bricktown. And would come if the available office spaces had the right appeal. A good example is the old “Bunte Candy Factory”, it has become a great office space for its tenants and then I look around at the other buildings down there setting empty and wonder why?


Frist National Center as it stands now is mostly Class C office space. The demand is for Class A and Class B to an extent. The tower will need extensive renovations to be considered Class A space.


I never thought it that way, thanks for teaching me something


Instead of office space, FNC could be converted to residential and hotel...but that's another thread.
It's amazing how quickly and easily this thread gets derailed as to the original topic.

I can't wait til this thing is finished, at least just topped off. Local phonebooks and weather department backgrounds for TV broadcasts will all have to be changed for the better.

It's amazing how quickly and easily this thread gets derailed as to the original topic.

I don't think this helped keep things on topic. Lol.

Looks like all that is left are the areas shown in yellow.

The tower is around 810 feet; only about 40 more to go:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/devon81011.jpg

Thanks for the illustration Pete. I've been thinking this ever since they've been working on the roof.

It's amazing how quickly and easily this thread gets derailed as to the original topic.

This thread is called "Devon Energy Center (Devon Tower)"... It's effect on downtown as well as the effect of downtown on it.. is still on topic. I see no subtitle to the thread title that limits it to any one subject area about the Devon Tower.
What I brought up about the old buildings was only to say "We (OKC) are beginning to move up in this world because of the Devon Tower (and other improvements like Bricktown)... lets not kill the chance by allowing neglected old buildings slow us down."

I've been down there now for a while and a lot of interesting things going on. The glass for the west side of the Auditorium is up. Just saw a flat bed truck deliver a bunch of grey triangular steel. Got some shots of the first piece go up. This must be the first steel for the crown or roof.

They've also torn up the one lane between the Auditorium and One North Hudson and moved the barricades to make room.

I don't know about anyone else but I am disappointed with the glass that they put on the rotunda. if you look at the earlier renderings the glass was basicallly clear, and gave it some contrast between it and the tower. now it seems like they used the same glass all over and it doesn't seem to have any character

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=3747973&postcount=14

Architects always show that sort of glass as much more clear than it ends up being. And I agree, it's a lot of the same type of glass over a very large area.


Another obvious example is the CHK Finish Line Tower on Boathouse Row. The finish product looks way different than the renderings. Still super sharp, but very different than depicted.

I expect the same with the new SandRidge amenities building. All the renderings show these transparent/translucent cubes but it will no doubt end up being less so than illustrated.

I know people say I am not an engineer or architect, but expect something different on the crown as well. It might maintain the same shape but I suspect it will be a different color and not made of glass, unlike what has been shown in the renderings.

I think it will look just like the renderings, everything so far suggests that, so I see no reason why they would change it.

I think it will look just like the renderings, everything so far suggests that, so I see no reason why they would change it.

Do you see those yellow beams on the renderings? How about the stair-stepped floors behind them? We will know for sure if the glass is installed on the beams or if it follows the contour of the concrete behind the beams.

Once they start erecting steel (started yesterday) it will go really fast. They may have the entire crown finished in a month. I would think they would be having their official topping out ceremony sometime in mid to late September.

Wow, LOVE that second shot! Thanks so much.



We need some newer photos of the rotunda, garden wing, auditorium, Colcord work, etc. Any volunteers??

Got your photos and video coming up. Just gotta put it all together. I was already going down there today anyway. WAY better weather. I can actually get stuff later on in the afternoon for once.

I don't know about anyone else but I am disappointed with the glass that they put on the rotunda. if you look at the earlier renderings the glass was basicallly clear, and gave it some contrast between it and the tower. now it seems like they used the same glass all over and it doesn't seem to have any character

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=3747973&postcount=14

I am not sure what is going on with the rotunda. They have put plywood all over the glass top and then wrapped it with plastic and have now put wood on the outside part of the rotunda too. I really need to bring my camera to work to take a picture of it. It looks so funny.

I don't know about anyone else but I am disappointed with the glass that they put on the rotunda. if you look at the earlier renderings the glass was basicallly clear, and gave it some contrast between it and the tower. now it seems like they used the same glass all over and it doesn't seem to have any character

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=3747973&postcount=14


I agree - it looks dusty to me (which it may be). May need to wait to see how it looks after everything is done and washed.

Do you see those yellow beams on the renderings? How about the stair-stepped floors behind them? We will know for sure if the glass is installed on the beams or if it follows the contour of the concrete behind the beams.

The stair-stepped floors could just as easily be an architectural flair that opens down to the floors below it; maybe a part of the alleged restaurant? There is nothing other than pure speculation that suggests the crown will not be as depicted, and as far as we know, this is how it was to be done all along. And I believe those yellow columns you spoke of, are the same supports they've been using throughout this project. The ones used to support the newly poured concrete, while it cures? They are VERY temporary.

Yes, those yellow beams are definitely just forms to help hold everything in place until the concrete is set. You can tell by looking at them that they are temporary.

Remember, there is to be a 2-story restaurant and banquet facility at the top, which is probably why the one floor has an opening to the one below.

Hey Pete, what you say makes sense about the 810 and 40 to go, but look where you have the yellow shaded area at. You have 4 floors in the v triangle taper then the last 2 levels for the crown, but if you look in real life we have only 3 floors in the v triangle taper, and that would mean that there are 3 levels to go. Remember, the v triangle started on the 2nd bigger level, which was the 48 floor. So we have the 48th, 49th, and 50th in the v triangle taper. But that picture show 4 floors in the v taper. There has been a level left out. Check it out

And yes UnFrSaKn excellent photos!!! I agree with Pete that second shot rules!!!!!!! I can't wait to see the finished shot over and over. That taper is really looking cool at the top.

You're right!

I think I just shaded the image wrong... The last "floor" before the crown is mechanical and they may be framing that in steel rather than pumping concrete like they did for the other floors. Remember, this is what they did at the top of the garden wing to house mechanical.

So, they are probably at about 790 feet with 60 to go:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/devon81011a.jpg

OT:
I hope William (UnFrSaKn) doesn't mind if I incorporate one of his great photos into some quick OKCTalk banner design ideas.

Just a few thoughts...three slightly different options:



Edit: iMax is right...looked to "Tron-like".

I can't wait til this thing is finished, at least just topped off. Local phonebooks and weather department backgrounds for TV broadcasts will all have to be changed for the better.

Phone Books are dead and nothing requires news stations to do so. I wouldn't count on it after it is finished on some stations, until they get their next remodel budget. Do you think NYC changes theirs out every time a new building goes up?

OT:
I hope William (UnFrSaKn) doesn't mind if I incorporate one of his great photos into some quick OKCTalk banner design ideas.

Just a few thoughts...three slightly different options:

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/7545/copyofokctalkbanner4c.png

http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/7041/copyofokctalkbanner4d.png

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/2948/copyofokctalkbanner4e.png
Feel like I just walked into Tron, or some early 90's video game.

Looks like all that is left are the areas shown in yellow.

The tower is around 810 feet; only about 40 more to go:

Pete, I don't think that is quite right!! I am not trying to be rude or get in an argument. The triangle that makes up the top part of the building is only half way done, because where your yellow area is doesn't meet where the triangle is at this time. I guess you can say the window section below your tinted area is still needed to be completed. I wonder if you and I are thinking the same thing? Are the 2 mechanical levels going to look like the regular floors and will the window panels go around it? Cause we can't see over the crown in all of the drawings. There could be a little 2 story department up on the roof that could be there, except we can't see it because of the rising crown.

I don't know about anyone else but I am disappointed with the glass that they put on the rotunda. if you look at the earlier renderings the glass was basicallly clear, and gave it some contrast between it and the tower. now it seems like they used the same glass all over and it doesn't seem to have any character

That's what I said earlier. I felt that there is too much of one thing going on, and I thought that we would be able to see the white steel beams of the rotunda ( I left the "r" out metro).

holm, I corrected myself after ace raised the same points.

I had left out one floor that is yet to be completed, which I'm assuming will be framed in steel rather than concrete.

I am not sure what is going on with the rotunda. They have put plywood all over the glass top and then wrapped it with plastic and have now put wood on the outside part of the rotunda too. I really need to bring my camera to work to take a picture of it. It looks so funny.

Maybe they are protecting the glass from falling material. Especially, if they are welding steel at the top of the tower

Pete, I don't think that is quite right!! I am not trying to be rude or get in an argument. The triangle that makes up the top part of the building is only half way done, because where your yellow area is doesn't meet where the triangle is at this time. I guess you can say the window section below your tinted area is still needed to be completed. I wonder if you and I are thinking the same thing? Are the 2 mechanical levels going to look like the regular floors and will the window panels go around it? Cause we can't see over the crown in all of the drawings. There could be a little 2 story department up on the roof that could be there, except we can't see it because of the rising crown.

Nevermind, I wrote this before I finished reading the last page.!!! sorry

It'd be great if someone would fly over and take an aerial picture of it or a better picture from the crane.

I'm very curious about what this top floor is like. You would think that their elevator rooms would be quite impressive. I would assume that the crane will be lifting those components up soon.

Last one ever.
I promise.

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/6219/copyofokctalkbanner5b.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/52/copyofokctalkbanner5b.png/)

Maybe they are protecting the glass from falling material. Especially, if they are welding steel at the top of the tower

I believe this is correct because when my kids and I were walking around the gardens on Saturday before the storms there was a lot of wind and a park employee (I presume) approached us in a golf cart and warned us that the wind was blowing debris from the roof and it was damaging things. He advised that we move away from the tower if winds kept up.

Zoom-in of the top from 8/10/11, 7:24pm...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RypoMWUnhz8/TkMow9jMnxI/AAAAAAAAN6o/L2sK2HpTEDQ/s640/116_5079.jpg

Last one ever.
I promise.

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/6219/copyofokctalkbanner5b.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/52/copyofokctalkbanner5b.png/)

From the late 1800's to the 1930's to current day,I like it!

Thanks.
Always, always room for improvement. I'd probably lighten the "late 1800's" to pop "OKC" a little better.

Thanks to YouTube, I have to upload the video I started two hours ago all over again.

Yes, those yellow beams are definitely just forms to help hold everything in place until the concrete is set. You can tell by looking at them that they are temporary.

Remember, there is to be a 2-story restaurant and banquet facility at the top, which is probably why the one floor has an opening to the one below.

I don't think they are temporary. If they were being used for support they would be in all 3 triangle. Pictures from 5 pages back only show them in one. They might be in all 3 now but they weren't before. Besides, what would they be supporting, they are only connected to the V and nothing else.

http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=19439&p=455075#post455075

Kerry, I'll betcha a Coke!


BTW, you still owe me one for your prediction about the buyer of the old Devon building.

Kerry, I'll betcha a Coke!


BTW, you still owe me one for your prediction about the buyer of the old Devon building.

Legalized gambling only on OKCTalk! :LolLolLol

Phone Books are dead and nothing requires news stations to do so. I wouldn't count on it after it is finished on some stations, until they get their next remodel budget. Do you think NYC changes theirs out every time a new building goes up?

Wow, we're not NYC... and how come I get phone books deposited at my doorstep every six months, not having a home phone line? And how hard is it for local stations to add new digital interfaced background of downtown okc in their forecast shots? Its a computer graphic, not a painting...SMH.

Well this took way longer than I expected.

August 10 2011

Best in 1080p


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6r69_ZyZplQ&hd=1

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Devon%20Tower/August%202011/devontowerprogress8-10-11-1.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Devon%20Tower/August%202011/devontowerprogress8-10-11-2.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Devon%20Tower/August%202011/devontowerprogress8-10-11-3.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Devon%20Tower/August%202011/devontowerprogress8-10-11-4.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Devon%20Tower/August%202011/devontowerprogress8-10-11-5.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Devon%20Tower/August%202011/devontowerprogress8-10-11-6.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Devon%20Tower/August%202011/devontowerprogress8-10-11-7.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Devon%20Tower/August%202011/devontowerprogress8-10-11-8.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Devon%20Tower/August%202011/devontowerprogress8-10-11-9.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Devon%20Tower/August%202011/devontowerprogress8-10-11-10.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Devon%20Tower/August%202011/devontowerprogress8-10-11-11.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Devon%20Tower/August%202011/devontowerprogress8-10-11-12.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Devon%20Tower/August%202011/devontowerprogress8-10-11-13.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Devon%20Tower/August%202011/devontowerprogress8-10-11-14.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Devon%20Tower/August%202011/devontowerprogress8-10-11-15.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Devon%20Tower/August%202011/devontowerprogress8-10-11-16.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Devon%20Tower/August%202011/devontowerprogress8-10-11-17.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Devon%20Tower/August%202011/devontowerprogress8-10-11-18.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Devon%20Tower/August%202011/devontowerprogress8-10-11-19.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Devon%20Tower/August%202011/devontowerprogress8-10-11-20.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Devon%20Tower/August%202011/devontowerprogress8-10-11-21.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Devon%20Tower/August%202011/devontowerprogress8-10-11-22.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Devon%20Tower/August%202011/devontowerprogress8-10-11-23.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Devon%20Tower/August%202011/devontowerprogress8-10-11-24.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Devon%20Tower/August%202011/devontowerprogress8-10-11-25.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Devon%20Tower/August%202011/devontowerprogress8-10-11-26.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Devon%20Tower/August%202011/devontowerprogress8-10-11-27.jpg

Kerry, I'll betcha a Coke!


BTW, you still owe me one for your prediction about the buyer of the old Devon building.

Not to get technical, but you owe me the Coke. CR didn't buy the building, Ford C. Price did and his first tennant was Devon Energy. According to the Oklahoma County Propoerty Appraiser it is owned by 20 BROADWAY ASSOCIATES LLC (Attn Ford C. Price). Anyhow, I should be making another trip back to OKC in about 3 months, I'll leave $2 with someone from OKCTalk :).

As for these yellow beams, you still don't think they are permanent, because they look to me like they are in there pretty solid.

great video and pics as always