Anyone know what is next? By the pictures it appears they will have the east portion of the parking deck completely demolished and hauled out today. Will they be demolishing the west portion of the parking deck next, or what is next.

Yes, The demolition contractor is mobilized and on site and should continue on until the entire site is scraped clean.

Wow! Pretty impressive for a construction project that had so many sceptics. Woo Hoo OKC! Let's hope that we see a lightning pace of construction. Anyone know what the estimate is for the superstructure to reach ground level and then start rising?

They'll need to go down before they begin coming up. It'll be a spell yet, but with the various photogs on this board, it appears we'll be following right along the whole way.

Maybe it ain't a big deal in other cities...but how amazing and exciting is it that we can follow the construction of this building!!

maybe it ain't a big deal in other cities...but how amazing and exciting is it that we can follow the construction of this building!!

woot woot!!

Wow! Pretty impressive for a construction project that had so many sceptics. Woo Hoo OKC! Let's hope that we see a lightning pace of construction. Anyone know what the estimate is for the superstructure to reach ground level and then start rising?

Once they start it could go as fast as 4 to 6 months depending on weather and work crews based on what I've read.

The superstructure isn't the time consuming part, its finishing it off that takes awhile. For those who are unfamiliar with large building construction it may catch you a bit off guard...finishing out the inside running 50 floors of cables/wiring, various types of insulation, carpet, plumbing etc all take a LONG time.

In those pictures, the scene looks very chaotic. I still can not see how builders know how to perfectly build something so massive.

As articles have stated, it should start going vertical in early 2010 and should be close to topping off by the end of 2010, as OUGrad pointed out, the putting on glass, carpet, wiring, finishes is what takes the bulk of time. Remember, they're providing all these finishes and infrastructure for over 1 million sq. feet of space. That's a lot of paint and wayyyyyyyyy more wiring.

It's the big boy version of Legos, with lots of lil' bitty drawings done in blue ink Thunder.

10/13/09 11:30a
Note the demolition all the way to Hudson along Sheridan.
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll14/Platemaker_photos/Devon101309a.jpg

points? are they trying to level up?

Yeah, I think if they get 3 points they get an automatic +1 armor bonus to all energy attacks..

I'm glad you guys are taking pics of the project and I do hope there is a web cam provided soon.

I kept asking myself how I was going to cope with not having a web cam to view after they got done adding 1,000,000 square feet horizontally for the WEZ at Boone Pickens Stadium over the last three years. Now, whether it is by web cam or still pics, I'll get to see a new 1.8 million square foot project go vertically--for the next four years. Everyday will be good!

They started demolishing the fountain along Sheridan about 45 minutes ago.

pics?

pics?

sorry, I left the camera at home to charge.

Video Update:

NewsOK (http://www.newsok.com/multimedia/video/44673395001)

Steve, I didn't hear anything in your video, but any chance you asked Chip Minty if they will have a construction webcam, or even realize the importance of getting one?

Since today was my first day back in office after 10 days, I had too much to haul in to carry camera. I've put it in my bag now so will take some shots tomorrow. I've got an awesome view from 4th floor, southwest corner of IRS building.

It's mesmerizing to watch the slow but steady work - I had to close blinds to get my work done!

The trek from parking garage on Hudson and Sheridan to work was a bit scary at 5 AM - I went down south sidewalk on Sheridan and there were spooky moving shadows among trees in MG.

I think I'll try longer way tomorrow - north on Hudson to street in front of library, then east to Harvey. It looks like I can cut through part of garage from Harvey - can anyone confirm?

I think I'll try longer way tomorrow - north on Hudson to street in front of library, then east to Harvey. It looks like I can cut through part of garage from Harvey - can anyone confirm?

Yes you can, just cut through the East garage and then go in between Corporate Tower and IRS building.

Speaking of construction webcams, here's (http://stats.ou.edu/1.html) the one OU has set up showing the construction of U2's stage setup for this week's show. It's not Devon tower news, but humor me. All of the construction webcam talk made me want to share.

Also, it's more exciting before 5 PM.

Thanks to everyone for posting the ongoing pictures of the site demolition. IT really helps to see the progress from one development junki that has followed this towers path from its inception. It does my heart good to see the OKC I have always known get the exposure that it deserves! Let the dust Fly!

10/13/09 - 6:30pm - It's foggy up there !

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll14/Platemaker_photos/Devon101309c.jpg

No more fountain!!!

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll14/Platemaker_photos/Devon101309b.jpg

Thanks Platemaker.

Curious, and forgive my bad recall if you've already noted, but where are you positioned for these shots of yours?

13th floor window of the Colcord.

Wow! The fountain is gone in a hurry.

Looks like they may be recycling after all. I see some steel beams set aside and piles. Maybe they didn't want to mess with the rebar in the contrete as it is way too much trouble, but the larger metal beams they can recycle. Anyone have any shots from today?

metro, concrete can be recycled with the rebar still in it. They crush the concrete and remove the rebar with magnets.

It's a common practice and I'm sure Devon is not just throwing all that in a landfill.

Thanks Pete, we all may learn something yet.

Sorry for the poor quality, I keep forgetting to bring my camera so my cellphone will have to do for now.

Yesterday morning from 2nd floor parking garage:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/Mad_Monk/DevonTower/IMG00063.jpg

Today from my office window:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/Mad_Monk/DevonTower/IMG00065.jpg

10/14/09 3:00pm

It's hard to tell but they are actually hitting earth now... the heavy equipment you see are peeling up the lower level concrete floor.

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll14/Platemaker_photos/Devon101409a.jpg

Thanks for taking and sharing the pics. I really do enjoy them. :yourock:

Thanks for taking and sharing the pics. I really do enjoy them. :yourock:

Agreed. It's exciting to see the progress of what's going on down the 'pike from us.

Thanks to everyone for the great pictures of the construction site. It's fun to watch this project come out of the ground. In seeing these pics, I got to thinking about how, in a relatively short period of time, this plot of land has seen lots of changes.

Prior to the April 1889 Land Run: a barren prairie.

Late April 1889:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e154/twtaylor/overholserblock1.jpg

In 1903 came the Overholser Opera House:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e154/twtaylor/operahousem1.jpg

In the late 1920's, the opera house gave way to the Orpheum Theater:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e154/twtaylor/orpheum_vsp2s1.jpg

And in the 1950's, finally, the Warner Theater:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e154/twtaylor/warnerm1.jpg

After being cleared in the mid 1970's, the site has been used as we all have known it - a parking lot. But now that same land, lots first developed April 22, 1889, is being turned over once again:


10/14/09 3:00pm
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll14/Platemaker_photos/Devon101409a.jpg

It's good to see it happen. (thanks to Doug for some of his pics)

More pictures from my office - IRS building, 4th floor:
(About noon, 10-14-2009)

Looking West - at east garage and driveway down

357

Where once a fountain

358

Behind Colcord

359

Video Update:

NewsOK (http://www.newsok.com/multimedia/video/44673395001)

Steve, I didn't hear anything in your video, but any chance you asked Chip Minty if they will have a construction webcam, or even realize the importance of getting one?

Oh, if only you knew how hard I've worked to try to make this happen.... if it doesn't, it won't be due to lack of effort on the behalf of myself or Dave Morris. Not so sure it will ....

of all the things to not have in the original budget, though I'm not sure just where you'd set the camera once they have a week or four going up ... maybe on the Colcord and pointed up

Kevin, not going to get into details here, but it's not a cost issue.

Oh, ignore me Steve, I'm just whiney today.

In truth, if I put my mind to it, I'd likely :bright_id on some very valid security issues that militate against the idea anyway.

Like I said, just whiney. I'm prone to also get that way on the Centennial Monument not being done, even though I struggle not to go too over the top about it.

If anyone has a highrise view of the site (like MadMonk) and is willing to let us set up a webcam, seriously, seriously, seriously, call me at 740-4139.

OH it's such a shame to see those old, beautiful buildings that used to stand there. And to be replaced by a damn parking lot - Such a crime.

Devon Tower will go a long way in correcting that horrible history. But still, can you imagine how brilliant the opera house or the theatre would look downtown today? Thank dog for Devon Tower.

OH it's such a shame to see those old, beautiful buildings that used to stand there. And to be replaced by a damn parking lot - Such a crime.

Devon Tower will go a long way in correcting that horrible history. But still, can you imagine how brilliant the opera house or the theatre would look downtown today? Thank dog for Devon Tower.

Even had a song about it..."paved Paradise and put up a parking lot..."

Yeah, I think if they get 3 points they get an automatic +1 armor bonus to all energy attacks..

ha! i thought so.

Will they eventually get to the west part of the parking garage? It looks like they've done 1/2 of it, but haven't touched the part closest to Hudson...??

OH it's such a shame to see those old, beautiful buildings that used to stand there. And to be replaced by a damn parking lot - Such a crime.

Devon Tower will go a long way in correcting that horrible history. But still, can you imagine how brilliant the opera house or the theatre would look downtown today? Thank dog for Devon Tower.

Damn! I'm agreeing with you again!

Damn! I'm agreeing with you again!

Maybe someone should find a picture of what the lot turned into before they leveled it. I am sure the Warren Theater wasn't the architectural gem you see the 1950's photo by the time it was torn down. Even as cool as the front of the theater looked in the photo, did you notice the huge air conditioning duct work going up the side and on to the roof.

Looks like they are intending on bricking in the the windows on the parking garage?

Oh, if only you knew how hard I've worked to try to make this happen.... if it doesn't, it won't be due to lack of effort on the behalf of myself or Dave Morris. Not so sure it will ....

Steve, so what is Devon's buggaboo's about not putting one up? Don't you owe it to your readers to get the news out, good or bad, even when high profile people refuse to talk on record about it. That's what makes a good story and gets stuff done and sells papers, IMO.

Example:


"Devon refuses to talk on record about possibility of construction webcam"

OKC, OK - Several attempts were made to contact Devon officials on the public's request to install construction webcams in downtown Oklahoma City to watch the construction of the new Devon Tower, the first major skyscraper built downtown in almost 3 decades. Devon officials showed hardly any interest or need for a construction webcam, requests for interview were denied.


I'd rather read that in the paper, than nothing at all.

OH it's such a shame to see those old, beautiful buildings that used to stand there. And to be replaced by a damn parking lot - Such a crime.......

Remember, the site wasn't cleared for parking lots. The intent was to build the Galleria shopping mall, which would have occupied that space. When the mall didn't materialize, the slab for the mall was then used as parking.

metro, it sounds like they just haven't been able to find someone with a good vantage point that is willing to run a live webcam 24/7 -- hence Steve's request.

metro, it sounds like they just haven't been able to find someone with a good vantage point that is willing to run a live webcam 24/7 -- hence Steve's request.

They own the Colcord, from the pics Platemaker and others have been posting, looks like an excellent vantage point to me. I'm not buying that as the REAL excuse, Devon has enough clout, money and influence to make it happen.

A web cam cost $20. Cost is not the problem. Could there be a liability issue if something went wrong and the camera captured the incident?

If so, these people didn't get the legal memo.
http://suttermedicalcentercastrovalley.org/blog/2009/construction-webcam-goes-live/

Here is a better link - this is pretty cool. Check out the time-lapse feature.
http://oxblue.com/pro/open/suttermedical/castrovalley

OKCTalk will gladly provide a high-quality webcam and pay for any other related expenses (like a dedicated PC) for anyone that has a good vantage point and is willing to set up and monitor the equipment.

Please contact me if interested.

They own the Colcord, from the pics Platemaker and others have been posting, looks like an excellent vantage point to me.

That is a little too close to be able to see the whole building going up with out having to move the camera several times. They need a place furher away that can see the entire building as it goes up.

That is a little too close to be able to see the whole building going up with out having to move the camera several times. They need a place furher away that can see the entire building as it goes up.

I was thinking the same. A location from the west looking east. Possibly, the old Black Hotel (nw/c of Sheridan and Hudson), would provide a good vantage point -- far enough away to capture all of the tower superstructure, and also the work on the podium and garage.

Could anyone point me to pictures of the original model? I've found some on Doug's blog, but not of various angles - we are trying to figure out what is going on the West side of the West garage - looks to just be and adding more to the garage from all the pictures I've seen but as most pictures are of the Devon building itself, its hard to tell. A picture of the model from the NW would be helpful.

hipster, I remember seeing that the multi-level garage (soon to be 10 levels) will be extended all the way to Hudson.

It's why the "podium" will extend to Hudson as well, as it's meant to cover the garage completely when looking from the south.

You can see this in this model:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/devon/devon4.jpg

Thinking Pete's stock really just took a jump upwards around here.
Nice. Real nice. Hope they be listening.

One more thing about the garage along Hudson...

There is supposed to be a large health club at the southern end of the garage and I believe retail will be on street level all the way up to the library.

i'm wondering if the top of the chase tower would be a good location for a webcam, especially once the superstructure starts rising.

Found this posted on Twitter, Was posted at noon.


Devon Tower movement. | TweetPhoto (http://tweetphoto.com/fqqjauto)