Yes - but a lot of other people do as well - it may be the closest parking to Devon, but it is also closes to the Oklahoma Tower, Library, Park Harvey, County Courthouse - I realize that this may not be finalized but from Steve's comments, Nichols seems quite selfish in his comments and not considerate of others that are already using these facilities.

If you park there everyday, you should know better than to say it's full. It is nowhere near full. Both top floors are nearly empty EVERY DAY. So empty, in fact, that about 1.5 mos ago, a Hooters photo shoot took place on the top floor. I know this because I watched it out of my work window from directly across the street. For the record, I just counted 16 autos on the top floor and can only see 6 in sight on the next to top.. I'd call this sparsely populated at best.

Sure, it will be problematic, but this is no reason to misrepresent facts.

Haha

BTW, Bank of America Corporate Center in Charlotte is 871 ft.

Bank of America Corporate Center - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bank_of_America_Corporate_Center)

Curious about this ground floor plan, is the yellow-brown shaded area supposed to be retail and/or restaurant space, open to the public?? That would be really nice, going inside at the atrium (either from Sheridan/Myriad Gardens or Park) or through the Hudson entrance and eating lunch or dinner, or shopping, with seating spilling out the doors onto the new park. It seems they are trying to make this development and Myriad Gardens almost one in the same so if you were visiting the gardens you would also visit the tower. That makes me think some kind of observation deck will be part of it, at least I hope so!
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_10_siteplanbuildingview.jpg

didn't mean to get everyone riled up with what I thought would be a humorous comment.
Someone with a good view should set up a webcam of the construction of it.

I would guess that would be the case on the ground floor. Hopefully something like Time Warner Center in NYC, on a smaller scale.

Curious about this ground floor plan, is the yellow-brown shaded area supposed to be retail and/or restaurant space?? That would be really nice, going inside at the atrium (either from Sheridan/Myriad Gardens or Main) or through the Hudson entrance and eating lunch or dinner, or shopping, with seating spilling out the doors onto the new park.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_10_siteplanbuildingview.jpg
Yes.

Several things:

1.) In the site plan above, what is the small glass looking building on the very far SW corner of the site. It looks like a mini-Crystal Bridge like we already have.

2.) LEED Certification, Doug or whomever was present, did they mention any of the LEED or sustainable attributes?

3.) No one has mentioned the project is now in excess of $750 million, well above the $350 million Larry Nichols originally mentioned. That's almost double the price we were expecting. That's impressive folks.

Here are the details of the picture...

The tower will be secured and only available to Devon Employees. There will be no observation deck as this is an obvious security risk and takes away from usable space.

The round rotundra is only available to the public on the first and second floor. Floors 3-6 are secured and for Devon employees only.

The brown areas are only available to the public on the first and second floors. These will consist of restaurants, dry cleaners, coffee shop, etc. Floors 3-6 are conference rooms for Devon Employees only.

The glass structure in the middle of the gardens is a 'stage area' for civic events.


Curious about this ground floor plan, is the yellow-brown shaded area supposed to be retail and/or restaurant space, open to the public?? That would be really nice, going inside at the atrium (either from Sheridan/Myriad Gardens or Park) or through the Hudson entrance and eating lunch or dinner, or shopping, with seating spilling out the doors onto the new park.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_10_siteplanbuildingview.jpg

They're still pursuing LEED. But it's too early to go much further in reporting on that than what we've already written. Talked about today with the architects.

Do we really need to copy and paste the same rendering 3 times on one page and waste space?

Doug..... I scooped you.
;)

The building will be LEED certified, but at what level has yet to be determined. They stated that much more information on this should be available in the next 6-9 months.

so that in the lower left (SW) is an ampitheatre of some sort?

Then the people that own all the other buildings should have purchased the garage. I'm guessing it is/was all just leased space anyway. Devon is buying it, so Devon gets to chose how it will be used. Plus I'm sure that all of this has been thought out, and all those that currently park in the space will be taken care of. Nichols has been as thoughtful as anyone could be, in my opinion. So why would this one little item (little, compared to everything else affected) be any different.

You're acting as if Devon is just bullying everyone around here. That's clearly not the case. This is silly.

Again - the people in the other buildings did purchase a garage - they are called tax payers. My concern is that rather than the garage being used for services tax payers use (courthouse, city buildings, library) they seem to have sold out. And again everyone seems to be saying - naw, I'm sure the city has a plan...well...if they do they haven't told any of the leadership here. Anyway, once again, I'm not dogging the building, I think it looks great, but I think if you lived or worked in the area you wouldn't have quite the lovefest...

Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority approves Devon building plan

Pickard Chilton's Jon Pickard and Devon Energy CEO Larry Nichols talk about the newly approved Devon Energy headquarters building plan today. Photo/Mark Hancock



Pamela Grady
8/20/2008

The Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority today approved a redevelopment proposal submitted by Devon World Headquarters LLC to build its $750 million, 1.9 million square foot corporate world headquarters skyscraper.
The downtown building will be located on Sheridan Avenue, north of Myriad Gardens in Oklahoma City’s Central Business District.

“It not only is bigger than MAPS or than MAPS For Kids, it’s several times larger than any private sector investment in Oklahoma City before,” Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett said.

Devon’s proposal includes plans to purchase and redevelop all or a portion of the redevelopment site. The proposal includes a 54-story office tower and complex to house its 1,700 employees as well as a significant public area. Currently, Devon occupies office space in five buildings downtown. The new world headquarters complex is designed to house more than 3,000 employees.

Jon Pickard, of Pickard Chilton Architects Inc. based in New Haven, Conn., attended the meeting to represent the designers along with developer Gerald Hines, chairman of Hines, based in Houston.

“It’s an unbelievable project that will completely remake downtown. I think people are going to be surprised by the height because it’s so phenomenal and when you look at the scale next to The Colcord Hotel, you really get an understanding on how big this is,” Roy Williams, president of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, said. “So, it’s really not only going to change the profile of the city, but also probably help identify the city from a very long distance. It’s obviously going to be a national press issue like we have seen recently with the NBA and other things. I think it’s going to do nothing but create an even more positive image and attitude of people to work in Oklahoma City.”

Devon Energy’s CEO Larry Nichols said the majority of Devon’s employee workspaces will be located in a tower situated on the eastern portion of the redevelopment site.

The office tower will feature a three-sided footprint. Floors at the new headquarters will range from 25,000 to 28,000 square feet. Typical office floors will have a clear ceiling height of 10 feet and raised-access floors for wiring and under-floor air distribution.

Also included in the project is a six-story glass rotunda which will serve as the primary pedestrian entrance for both Devon employees and visitors to the building. The first and second levels of the rotunda area will be accessible to the public, subject to appropriate security considerations. At street level, retail space will be available for restaurants and other food service.

Additionally, the 400,000-square foot podium -- a six-story lower portion of the building -- will be dedicated to Devon workspaces and employee amenities. A 2 ½-acre urban park will also be constructed at the site.

Devon employees will be able to park at the West Galleria parking garage which will be expanded from five stories to 10.

Estimated completion point for Devon’s headquarters project is slated for 2012.

what is the small glass looking building on the very far SW corner of the site. It looks like a mini-Crystal Bridge like we already have.

You can see it better on one of the other renderings. It's a large pergola of some sort -- perhaps covering an outdoor stage?

http://www.pc78.com/images/okctalk/devonpergola.jpg

They hope to begin working on the west parking garage first. They are hoping to begin construction on it next spring/summer with a 9 month construction period. They stated that they plan on beginning demolitoin of the 'flat part' of the garage around the same time so they can begin working on the footings for the tower in November 2009. The building should be open for occupency in late 2012 to early 2013 (November 2012 - February 2013).

^ I want to say it's some kind of pavilion, maybe with a cafe? Or for concerts with that big lawn next to it? The new park space at Sheridan & Hudson reminds me a lot of Discovery Green in downtown Houston with the open space and water features. It is impressive.
http://www2.pps.org/file-storage/view/houston_park_rendering.jpg

the 400,000-square foot podium -- a six-story lower portion of the building -- will be dedicated to Devon workspaces and employee amenities.

Sounds like they will include a health club, which makes sense.

They stated that the city is VERY aware of parking concerns and there are plans in the works to build another public parking facility VERY close by for the people that are displaced by this.

As people have been stating all along, please quit complaining and whinning because you think you may have to, *gasp*, walk a little more. There are plans in the works to accomodate everyone displaced 'very nearby.' This new parking facility will be open before the parking facility is converted to Devon only parking.

There will be a health facility, but it is going to be on the gound floor of the parking structure (hard to explain but I will try).

The current west garage ends about 1.5 bays from the street. They are going to expand the deck all the way to Hudson with the health club on the ground floor. There will then be parking on floors 2-10 in this area.

Any more clarification on the ground-level retail available? This will be a huge boon to the downtown community. How about that long-sought-after grocery store?

And again everyone seems to be saying - naw, I'm sure the city has a plan...well...if they do they haven't told any of the leadership here.

And you've given them what, 7 hours to do so? Slow down a little on the snap judgements.

There will be a health facility, but it is going to be on the gound floor of the parking structure (hard to explain but I will try).

The current west garage ends about 1.5 bays from the street. They are going to expand the deck all the way to Hudson with the health club on the ground floor. There will then be parking on floors 2-10 in this area.

Makes a lot of sense. Currently the elevated garage doesn't go all the way to Hudson. This will expand it in that direction, but allow for something other than a concrete wall to face the sidewalk there. Instead, glass windows of a health club. Pedestrians in mind! :)

They stated that the city is VERY aware of parking concerns and there are plans in the works to build another public parking facility VERY close by for the people that are displaced by this.

As people have been stating all along, please quit complaining and whinning because you think you may have to, *gasp*, walk a little more. There are plans in the works to accomodate everyone displaced 'very nearby.' This new parking facility will be open before the parking facility is converted to Devon only parking.

There's a surface lot between Main and Colcord, and Walker and Hudson, that would make a good spot for a new city garage, hopefully with street level retail space along Main. Also the surface lot at 4th and Hudson is not far, again hopefully with some retail space for pedestrians.

I'd rather see it go at 4th and Hudson. That lot between Main and Colcord fronts city hall across from the OKCMOA, I would hope someday it could be some kind of worthy cultural attraction like the Intl. Photography Hall of Fame.

The folks down in DFW have been talking about this. While most seem to take the pessimistic, "it will never get built" approach, one poster sheds light on the reality of teh project. In his/her words, the cost of this is nothing more than a "rounding error" to Devon.

"The building will cost $750 million; Devon has over $47 billion in assets, roughly $5 billion of which consist of cash and accounts receivable. They also generated net cash flow from operations of $5.2 billion during the 1st 6 months of the year.

In other words, they can pay for this building with their pocket change and don't need to borrow a dime. The total building cost of $750 million can be funded with just over 3 weeks' of the company's normal operating cash flow."

That last sentence blows me away. Is that right or is the poster exaggerating?

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g320/martymcflyjb/Picture1-1.png

Here is parking in the area. The block that says 1200 is the huge county garage that can easily serve most of the "city services" that will be without parking in the West Galleria Garage. There's also a good spot for a garage directly south of City hall, basically behind the Hightower Building.

The folks down in DFW have been talking about this. While most seem to take the pessimistic, "it will never get built" approach, one poster sheds light on the reality of teh project. In his/her words, the cost of this is nothing more than a "rounding error" to Devon.

"The building will cost $750 million; Devon has over $47 billion in assets, roughly $5 billion of which consist of cash and accounts receivable. They also generated net cash flow from operations of $5.2 billion during the 1st 6 months of the year.

In other words, they can pay for this building with their pocket change and don't need to borrow a dime. The total building cost of $750 million can be funded with just over 3 weeks' of the company's normal operating cash flow."

That last sentence blows me away. Is that right or is the poster exaggerating?

Amazingly, that person is correct.

Does anyone know how the building will be connected to the Underground?

Nichols stated this was a priority.

Pete, The Underground will be extended west from the Sheraton Hotel

I can't picture quite where the Conncourse runs on that side of downtown...

There's also a good spot for a garage directly south of City hall, basically behind the Hightower Building.

True it is close but that site deserves something better than a parking garage. It is on the "oval" that goes around city hall to the civic center and directly across from the OKC Museum of Art. There are other surface lots nearby that would be better developed into a new garage, IMO.

And I'd also be curious in seeing what kind of connections this complex will have to the Underground.

Now, if you want to really see some very scared and insecure people click here. They're wetting their pants 3 hours south of here.

Dallas Fort Worth Urban Forum - Oklahoma City: Devon Tower (925 ft - taller than anything in DFW) (http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/showthread.php?t=8219)

Regarding the Underground, I posted this on a previous thread with some potential tunnels shown in red.

http://www.pc78.com/images/okctalk/underground3.jpg

Now, if you want to really see some very scared and insecure people click here. They're wetting their pants 3 hours south of here.

Dallas Fort Worth Urban Forum - Oklahoma City: Devon Tower (925 ft - taller than anything in DFW) (http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/showthread.php?t=8219)

:boxing2:

Lots of my Tulsa friends are playing the "it will never get built" card as well.

Just shows all these people think the design and project are pretty darn cool, otherwise they wouldn't feel so threatened. :)

The new building will connect to the underground via a skybridge running north from the building, between the east parking garage and the IRS building to the north side of Corporate Tower where it will connect to the existing skybridge running between Corporate Tower and Oklahoma Tower. At least this is the current plan (as described by the architect).

Haven't seen it posted yet, but DVN closed $6.31 up today... (103.80)

Doug..... I scooped you.
;)
Yeah ... for good relations (and especially since you got me into that place this morning as a junior press reporter ... I did have my camera and that made me "look" like a reporter ... and, tagging along with you, I got to sit on the front row).

Heck, even Alesha Lemaster (Devon media relations specialist) accepted my credentials (she having read the first parts of this thread, as she mentioned to me) ...

Larger image: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/aleshalemaster.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/aleshalemasters.jpg

So, given all of that, what would an honorable, even if superior, cub reporter do? He'd graciously lay back and let the ace old-line reporter have his well deserved floor. Even the vastly superior images I've already posted in this thread I wouldn't have had if I hadn't had this one day as "Jimmy Olsen." Thinking about my duties and responsibilities after posting my challenging post last night, I just figured that Clark deserved the floor ... Jimmy will just tag along, pick up any scraps, and just do the best that he can. :tiphat:

That is, until I finish my own blog post (not yet started). Jimmy may then speak less humble words. :fighting3

I hope all who read this understand that this is merely friendly banter between good (I am glad to say) friends. Heck, I'll tag along with Steve any time that I get the chance ... he's the man!

holy crap I am excited about this building, congrats to Devon and OKC! :)

Simply Amazing, "Oklahoma City is on a roll..."

I love it! What an awesome skyscraper, this will surely be a sight especially driving down that stretch of I-44 over the Oklahoma River between I-40 and the I-44/I-240 junction.

Now, if you want to really see some very scared and insecure people click here. They're wetting their pants 3 hours south of here.

Dallas Fort Worth Urban Forum - Oklahoma City: Devon Tower (925 ft - taller than anything in DFW) (http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/showthread.php?t=8219)


A whole 4 feet taller than BofA...that's completely noticeable from ground level...

It won't be built...and it would stick out (in a bad way) considering that OKC's current tallest is 500ft...

although it's nice to hear some life come out of Dallas' biggest suburb...


Its not about height its about making a building that is economically viable in the neighborhood I could care less if Dallas ever builds a new skyscraper I just want good solid development in the city center that does not participate in a fortress tower motif. Towers that participate in the neighborhood will do much better in the long run when it comes dealing with companies that are going to always be bought sold and moved out of town.

I agree with the consensus here that is will not get built. I wouldn't spend much time on the idea that Oklahoma might get a taller tower who cares and is their downtown in solid footing more so than Dallas? Do there urban areas have solid infill development and or a contiguous urban fabric that promotes more future economical growth? If so then the tower might prove to be successful project until then Im not expecting much.

Typical Texans. So full of themselves.

True it is close but that site deserves something better than a parking garage. It is on the "oval" that goes around city hall to the civic center and directly across from the OKC Museum of Art. There are other surface lots nearby that would be better developed into a new garage, IMO.

True. I agree. They can just walk then. ;)

These Dallasites should do a little research before saying we don't have any infill development or that this project isn't economically viable.

What is the big deal? If Dallas is content being 4 feet shorter then good. They got their wish and we are all happy.

**edited**

Now, if you want to really see some very scared and insecure people click here. They're wetting their pants 3 hours south of here.

Dallas Fort Worth Urban Forum - Oklahoma City: Devon Tower (925 ft - taller than anything in DFW) (http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/showthread.php?t=8219)

This is my favorite quote from this forum:


Originally Posted by Avadon
Seriously now. Have they never heard of tornadoes? To speak nothing of this little thing we call "severe wind events." Oy!

AeroD:
Hong Kong has monsoons.

Miami has hurricanes.

Tokyo has Godzilla.

^Hong Kong also has typhoons, but then those well-informed people in Dallas know all their stuff now don't they?

^
^
^

Please note the new avatar. :)

This is my favorite quote from this forum:


Originally Posted by Avadon
Seriously now. Have they never heard of tornadoes? To speak nothing of this little thing we call "severe wind events." Oy!

AeroD:
Hong Kong has monsoons.

Miami has hurricanes.

Tokyo has Godzilla.

That's pretty funny considering that downtown Ft. Worth was hit by tornadoes once...

^
^
^

Please note the new avatar. :)


I'm surprised no one else has changed their avatar yet to that image and therefore I'll be making it my new cellphone background when I get home tonight!!

UptownDallas did his research:

"That was my initial thought, then I checked Devon's latest balance sheet.

The building will cost $750 million; Devon has over $47 billion in assets, roughly $5 billion of which consist of cash and accounts receivable. They also generated net cash flow from operations of $5.2 billion during the 1st 6 months of the year.

In other words, they can pay for this building with their pocket change and don't need to borrow a dime. The total building cost of $750 million can be funded with just over 3 weeks' of the company's normal operating cash flow.

Gerald Hines (of Galleria and Momentum Place/Comerica Tower fame) is the developer."

Pocket change---NICE!!

Imagine how many skyline related images in the city will have to be changed. At least they have about four years to come up with something. It'll be cool to see a new skyline backdrop at the 3 news channels too.
It would be cool if they did some documentary during construction. Many possibilities.

I find this part very rude:

"Larry Nichols wants to double the size of the west City Center garage from five to 10 stories. Make it exclusively for Devon employees"

1) He does realize that its a city garage....

2) He's announcing this at the library...and all the library employees currently part there.


As do many of us in the CBD. We don't get employer-paid parking, so I'm sure that my $100 a month parking will significantly increase.

I'll say this much - the building is more attractive than I thought it'd be.

Other than that, I am absolutely dreading the next two years until our lease is up and we can try to persuade GSA to get us out of CBD.

This will NOT be a pleasant experience for those of us who work, walk and park in this area. Sorry to be the rainer of parades here, but I am not at all excited about this "wonderful new addition". :sofa:

This will NOT be a pleasant experience for those of us who work, walk and park in this area.

Perhaps in the short term, but even that is yet to be seen.

In the longer term, there will be a fantastic atrium with restaurants, an urban park with lots of great features and likely outdoor entertainment, and a significant enhancement to the biggest park in CBD.

All that will be great for anyone that lives and/or works downtown.

I would hold off on all this alarm, hipster. There isn't even a full article yet. There may be a replacement city garage planned. There may be some very specific plans for the parking situation yet to be announced. It's awfully premature to get upset about a parking situation that has 4 years to get resolved.

Not 4 years at all - once construction starts, imagine the c-f that will occur as people try and park each day.

FYI - The east garage is full of reserved parkers, at $130 a month. Over the past 18 years, I have paid at least $12,000 for non-reserved parking, just so I can come to my government job. I come to work at 5 AM, so parking several blocks away is not a safe option.

Fling your rocks at those of us who are not on the Devon bandwagon. Nichols attitude isn't civic-minded - it's ego-centric.

Oh please. The access to that garage is in no way obstructed by this construction site.

Fling your rocks at those of us who are not on the Devon bandwagon. Nichols attitude isn't civic-minded - it's ego-centric.

A $750 million construction project is huge for the economy of OKC.

Not to mention the fact there will be many design elements that will be for everyones use and not just Devon's employee's.

Its amazing how backward thinking some Oklahoman's are and our obesity rates are what they are at. No one wants to walk anywhere. Now I know why we get the rap we do from outside of Oklahoma.