Amazing Del!

46 more to go! Thanks Del!

I see they are adding forms for a new floor on the SE side...things are moving more quickly on the floors now it appears...the columns are yet to be poured for the next floor on the NW side...

I noticed during lunch today it looked like they were starting to remove the yellow shoring from the basement of the tower. There was a steady stream of workers bringing pieces of it out and piling it where the rotunda will be. I guess the ground floor must be cured enough to start holding most of the weight on it's own.

I keep thinking they will pour the loading ramp between the garage and podium but they still haven't done it yet. They are tying steal for it so maybe it will be complete in the next few weeks. I assume then they will dig out the dirt ramp and use that for basement access. So much fun to watch and guess what their next steps are.

Yeah they are finally removing some of the shoring used in the basement level! It will be so cool to see the shoring removed from the 1st floor as then we will get to see back into the core and watch all the activity as the MEP begins to be installed!

From the shots taken today (Which were fantastic by the way!) it is apparent that within the next floor or so, the Tower Cranes 1 & 2 are going to need to make their first jump to the next higher level!!!

That will be fun to watch!

Just curious..... When they heighten the tower cranes, how do they lift the machine (the one where a guy sit in, operating controls, and the long arm) to place more poles under it? There is no other tower crane taller to lift up the machine.... Help?

Just curious..... When they heighten the tower cranes, how do they lift the machine (the one where a guy sit in, operating controls, and the long arm) to place more poles under it? There is no other tower crane taller to lift up the machine.... Help?

There is a hydraulic lifting frame that lifts the cab and the boom up and then a mast section is inserted. The crane itself lifts these mast sections and the process is reversed when the building is complete. When the crane is low enough, a mobile crane will disassemble the rest of the tower crane.

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It gets really interesting whenever tower cranes are located in the middle of a tower. In that case, the whole base of the crane is lifted up to a higher floor and whenever it comes to disassembly of the last tower crane a smaller derrick crane has to be used to disassemble the tower crane. Afterwards, the derrick crane has to be brought down piece by piece by freight elevator.

The Devon tower cranes are pretty straight forward though since they are located outside of the building.

Slightly off topic, but did you know that there is a self-rising full service Subway on top of the new 1 wtc? It rises whenever the tower cranes are jumped to the next level.

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That's cool.

What's MEP an acronym for? Thanks..

Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing

thank you sir/ma'am!

Thanks jn1780, that is really kool!

So. Evidently the garage isn't having retail on the bottom floor. They look more like display cases or faux storefronts. A little disappointment, regardless I'm glad they had the state of mind to make the streetfront facade appealing. It looks great.

Oh no, I hope you're wrong Architech. But if you are right, like you said - at least there might be some faux storefronts or picture frames to fill the street. But what a missed opportunity to liven up Hudson. ...

Oh no, I hope you're wrong Architech. But if you are right, like you said - at least there might be some faux storefronts or picture frames to fill the street. But what a missed opportunity to liven up Hudson. ...

I drove by there the other day, the openings are walled off with cinder blocks and glass "display cases". It looked permanent to me, but I guess they could always put in stores if they wanted too.

The garage will already be mixed-use, to an extent, with the fitness center on the SW corner of it. I can't imagine those not being real retail slots, either. I am pretty sure that going in and making them real retail spaces would be relatively easy because I doubt the city code requires much fire separation for parking garage street-level retail like it does between other differing land uses. They could also just be doing that because there can be no reasonable expectation of putting a retail tenant in there until 2013 with all of the construction we're looking at between now and then.

I still think a big unknown that will enhance the construction impact considerably will be what Nick Preftakes does with those buildings he now owns across Hudson. I can't imagine those buildings sitting unimproved in any way until 2013 considering that Preftakes is a developer and all of the cumulative change going on in proximity of this block. If he does embark on something, it won't be a single project..it will be an entire block and then some, so it will add another significant chunk of construction to an area of downtown that will have more construction than...can't think of any other equivalent right now.

So. Evidently the garage isn't having retail on the bottom floor. They look more like display cases or faux storefronts. A little disappointment, regardless I'm glad they had the state of mind to make the streetfront facade appealing. It looks great.

I am sure, given the amount of people who will be working and traveling to this new business spot soon--there will be plenty--and I mean PLENTY--of new retail establishments near the footprint of the building. What and where they will be may be some time off--as is the anticipated foot traffic--but there will be many new businesses nearby. I feel sure a number of ancillary buildings will pop up here and there and are in the planning stages now. Billion-dollar projects are seldom done with willy-nilly planning, and I am sure many businesses do not want to be located in a structure that is teeming with exhaust fumes and noise...except for a few odd ones. Having an Health Center of some sort there is dubious as well, I think. :tiphat:

Just looked at the Construct-O-Cam...pea-soup fog...I can almost hear the Foggy Bottom Boys singing "I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow "...

Just looked at the Construct-O-Cam...pea-soup fog...I can almost hear the Foggy Bottom Boys singing "I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow "...He..He..He..

Today looks just like the day the first tower crane went up.

Typically if it is designed for future store fronts they would not have spent the money on installing the CMU block walls and then bothered to specify and install the doors. As was suggested by the original poster, I think that it is indeed a series of display cases, these are often leased out to retailers in the area who want to advertise their stores and goods. I have seen them be used in other cities for really cool seasonal displays. Winter scenes or nativity collections etc at Christmas time. They can really be a draw when done right and I have seen these become great traditions that citizens look forward to each year.

That said I have no idea if that is even close to Devon's intended use. I suppose it is possible that they could come back and cut out the walls for retail, but I personally doubt it, as much as I would like to see retail opportunities to liven up that street. I could easily have envisioned a Chipotle or some other lunch focused joint opening among others...sigh. I guess we will just have to wait and see!

I drove by there the other day, the openings are walled off with cinder blocks and glass "display cases". It looked permanent to me, but I guess they could always put in stores if they wanted too.

I don't think the walls are permanent...If they were leaving it like that, they could have put something in to make it look nicer than cinder blocks.

I don't think the walls are permanent...If they were leaving it like that, they could have put something in to make it look nicer than cinder blocks.

They won't just leave the cinder block walls like that even if they are not permanent. They will either paint the walls white or put some other material over the cinder blocks. The walls will be there at least 2 to 3 years otherwise why would they bother building a temporary wall out of cinder blocks.

They won't just leave the cinder block walls like that even if they are not permanent. They will either paint the walls white or put some other material over the cinder blocks. The walls will be there at least 2 to 3 years otherwise why would they bother building a temporary wall out of cinder blocks.

Yeah, I think the thing that we overlook is the construction impact, and how long this will last. Stores won't even be able to even start to go in until 2013, and that's 3 years that you have to preserve that space while it just sits there while the street, the tower, the amphitheatre, the park across the street, the historic block across the street..and more are contributing a huge amount of construction headaches for the area.

It's really quite exciting to imagine what it will be like in one or two years.

Just looked at the Construct-O-Cam...pea-soup fog...I can almost hear the Foggy Bottom Boys singing "I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow "...
It's the Soggy Bottom Boys.

Great movie!

Just finished up a couple monthly time-lapse videos for your enjoyment.

May:
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June:
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Excellent work as always, MadMonk. I like how you can actually see the elevator core forms rising in these videos.

Thanks! It's fun to go back and watch these from a few months back. I just took a look at one I did from January and it's amazing how much work has been done in that relatively short time span.

Thanks! It's fun to go back and watch these from a few months back. I just took a look at one I did from January and it's amazing how much work has been done in that relatively short time span.

Mid-June the pace really started to pick up.

It's the Soggy Bottom Boys.

Great movie!

Thanks for the crx MadMonk--and the youtube videos...the ravages of time have addled my memory...and pretty much everything else...:ohno:

I never even considered construction as a variable for the possibility of those storefronts being built out; can't believe I didn't think of that. Anyways, I'm still not hopeful. I don't remember there being retail spaces along the groundfloor in the original plans either, and if there is could someone give me a link? I'd love to read it. But if they were to be expanded, Spartan is right, it should hopefully be easy. Also the Fitness Center, while nice, isn't what I'm looking for. Its second floor position and exclusitivity for Devon Employees takes the energy from the street level and up a floor while at the same time not being an attraction for non-affiliated downtowners. I'm still glad they had the presence to at least do something attractive to break up the facade. It's still a great project and I'm glad they're doing all the right things it seems. Only time will tell on these I suppose until someone more educated on this project can jump in and solve this for us! And discussion is always healthy.

And great time-lapse videos Madmonk! Perfect!

From the angle of the construction cam it appears that we may have or are very close to passing the expanded parking garage in height with the most recent south core having just risen to the next level. Pretty exciting stuff!

Regarding the discussion with the Diplay bays...I would love it if they are indeed intended to be street level retail!!! I am so hopefull that this will be the case but would like to have that verified before I get all excited. The display cases are better than nothing, and will soften the impact of the large mass of the garage on the street but nowhere near like it would if they were actually real retail locations! It would totally solidify the vitality in and around the devon HQ! What a different approach than some of our other corporate citizens! (SR) Again I would love to have it verified one way or the other. I do think that the fitness center does add to the street in the sense that it is not so removed that people can't see activity, and yet just far away enough that those working out will not feel like exhibitionists while trying to improve their fitness.

A project of this magnitude will be analyzed ad nauseum by everyone who can make a profit...and it will dictate some very fine additions and I think everyone will be very happy with the results. In my opinion, these things sort of "take care of themselves" and are dictated by economic realities and possibilities. Especially in any major Top 50 downtown area in America...and many deals are being negotiated with many important vendors and services at this time. It is capitalism at work--in a good way. I think the building will be a great center of many new things to come--and with that nice park across the steet and the quaint hotel attached...it is a real natural. It is, however, annoying to have to wait for all the deals and details to come to fruition. Core-To-Shore is now coming front and center...and the timing appears to be correct as well...

I can't find the Devon webcam on here.... my old link is broken. Is the OKCTalk cam still working? Can someone post the link?

I can't find the Devon webcam on here.... my old link is broken. Is the OKCTalk cam still working? Can someone post the link?

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/webcam/DevonConstructionCam.jpg

Thank you so much! I was having withdrawals! ;-)

I can confirm those windows on the W side of the Hudson garage will ultimately be retail.

This is from the latest 'Construction Update' in Devon's lobby, dated June 23, 2010:

"Vitreens that can allow for future retail space are framed and several have glass placed on the ground floor of the west side of the garage."

Did they raise the tower crane that is in the middle of the webcam view? Looks like it is a couple of sections higher than yesterday.

Did they raise the tower crane that is in the middle of the webcam view? Looks like it is a couple of sections higher than yesterday.

No. Check out post #2036 (Mad Monk's time lapses). It's still at the same level. One section would raise the cab out of the webcam shot.

I can confirm those windows on the W side of the Hudson garage will ultimately be retail.

This is from the latest 'Construction Update' in Devon's lobby, dated June 23, 2010:

"Vitreens that can allow for future retail space are framed and several have glass placed on the ground floor of the west side of the garage."

Awesome! Welcome to the forum! So based on your statement am I safe in my assumption that you work for Devon? I am so glad that they are going to be used for future retail that will have a huge impact on that street!

Hey Devonshire, care to comment on SandRidge Commons? ...just kidding, but yeah, welcome to the forum! Thanks for the clarification, and the great news. This is such an amazing project for downtown in every way. No point was overlooked by the design team.

I can confirm those windows on the W side of the Hudson garage will ultimately be retail.

This is from the latest 'Construction Update' in Devon's lobby, dated June 23, 2010:

"Vitreens that can allow for future retail space are framed and several have glass placed on the ground floor of the west side of the garage."

Its too bad Devon doesn't post these construction updates on their website. It would be interesting to read.

Its too bad Devon doesn't post these construction updates on their website. It would be interesting to read.

We should find a way to contact Devon and ask them to contribute to this forum periodically...I feel sure they would appreciate what we do here and be more than glad to keep us aware of things. We are fans of theirs and good public relations should dictate inclusivity for us in their public relations offerings. If nothing else...put us on their mailing list for company updates. :kicking:

Thanks for welcome! :)

I will post more updates as they become available.

We should find a way to contact Devon and ask them to contribute to this forum periodically...I feel sure they would appreciate what we do here and be more than glad to keep us aware of things. We are fans of theirs and good public relations should dictate inclusivity for us in their public relations offerings. If nothing else...put us on their mailing list for company updates. :kicking:

I was thinking the same thing the other day.. They would probably be floored to see that we have 83 pages worth of posts.

Just wanted to mention that yesterday, on my way to work heading North up I-35, I could see the South elevator core while driving over the North Canadian (Oklahoma) River.

Yes, thanks Devonshire, that news is great! I'm glad I was wrong. Devon has this plan on lock really; what is there that is wrong about this project? I think nothing. ;]

Oh and I also can see the tower when going to work. It's clearly prominent on the Shields bridge. Almost as tall as the Colcord it seems from that vantage.

I am sure many businesses do not want to be located in a structure that is teeming with exhaust fumes and noise...except for a few odd ones. Having an Health Center of some sort there is dubious as well, I think.

Several of our downtown garages have ground floor retail and restaurants, and that is common across the country.


I can confirm those windows on the W side of the Hudson garage will ultimately be retail.

This is from the latest 'Construction Update' in Devon's lobby, dated June 23, 2010:

"Vitreens that can allow for future retail space are framed and several have glass placed on the ground floor of the west side of the garage."

Awesome!

I'm going to work on opening an on-going line of communication with the appropriate parties at Devon and/or Hines.

Perhaps we could collect questions and submit them periodically then keep a running FAQ.


I'll reach out to Devon soon and let you guys know what they have to say. Generally speaking, they've been very forth-coming and cooperative.

I was wondering if anyone else, besides me, might be wishing the OKCtalk cam could climb up a few more floors? I have not idea what all that entails so maybe it just can't be done. I look at both the OKC Skyline cam to see all the motion with the cranes zipping around, picking up stiff ,etc. (Man, they look like they are really moving sometimes!), but the resolution is not really as good as this cam. I know it's been talked about here in the past to either move it up or move it elsewhere. Just wondering if this is the plan any time soon.

Another floor pour tonight, only about 130-140 floor sections left to go. LOL

Several of our downtown garages have ground floor retail and restaurants, and that is common across the country.

Yeah and those "some" are also fugly!

I was wondering if anyone else, besides me, might be wishing the OKCtalk cam could climb up a few more floors? I have not idea what all that entails so maybe it just can't be done. I look at both the OKC Skyline cam to see all the motion with the cranes zipping around, picking up stiff ,etc. (Man, they look like they are really moving sometimes!), but the resolution is not really as good as this cam. I know it's been talked about here in the past to either move it up or move it elsewhere. Just wondering if this is the plan any time soon.

I would like to see the OKC Skyline Cam--but--I am told they charge you or you must "buy" something to see it--which is onerous at the least...un-civic and mercenary on the broader spectrum...I heard you can use it if you subscribe to the Oklahoman--which I did for a while--until all my newspapers were deposited in running water at the curb during the rain and the service was literally abysmal, to say nothing of being a hopeless newspaper, as they all are now--obsolete. I guess they have been reduced to carnival tricks for cash-flow. :kicking:

So am I safe to assume that once the construction reaches a certain height they will start working on finishing out the lower floors? Or do they put the whole skeleton up first before doing the finish work? (Glass, walls, ect)

I would like to see the OKC Skyline Cam--but--I am told they charge you or you must "buy" something to see it--which is onerous at the least...un-civic and mercenary on the broader spectrum...I heard you can use it if you subscribe to the Oklahoman--which I did for a while--until all my newspapers were deposited in running water at the curb during the rain and the service was literally abysmal, to say nothing of being a hopeless newspaper, as they all are now--obsolete. I guess they have been reduced to carnival tricks for cash-flow. :kicking:

If you know someone else who gets the Daily but isn't interested in viewing the live cam, I'm sure they'd be happy to give you their subscription #, then log into the website and use it, and voila! Skyline Cam!!


So am I safe to assume that once the construction reaches a certain height they will start working on finishing out the lower floors? Or do they put the whole skeleton up first before doing the finish work? (Glass, walls, ect)

From what I've seen--looking at other highrise construction--they put glass on at a certain point and have some kind of safety net above it which moves with the glass as it chases up the building behind the skeleton being built.

Thanks for the hint OKCisOK4me...but...there is enough 60's anger left in me to want them to change rather than go around their "system". Fortunately...I did NOT make the mistake of heading far left in that era...but...I think a local newspaper ought to foster business and subscriptions by giving something FIRST...not using sleight-of-hand to bamboozle anyone who wants a simple service like a webcam. The owner of this forum did that--on his own--can not the Oklahoman do the same? If E. K. Gaylord were alive today...he would take a broom-handle to whomever is behind this usurous scheme, I can assure you.

Thanks for the hint OKCisOK4me...but...there is enough 60's anger left in me to want them to change rather than go around their "system". Fortunately...I did NOT make the mistake of heading far left in that era...but...I think a local newspaper ought to foster business and subscriptions by giving something FIRST...not using sleight-of-hand to bamboozle anyone who wants a simple service like a webcam. The owner of this forum did that--on his own--can not the Oklahoman do the same? If E. K. Gaylord were alive today...he would take a broom-handle to whomever is behind this usurous scheme, I can assure you.

Much obliged! I too think it's oh so wrong but we all have to put up with things we don't want to put up with. Check out the politics forum if you don't agree with me, lol...

So am I safe to assume that once the construction reaches a certain height they will start working on finishing out the lower floors? Or do they put the whole skeleton up first before doing the finish work? (Glass, walls, ect)

Right. This is just the part of the skeleton that is load-bearing.

Thanks for the hint OKCisOK4me...but...there is enough 60's anger left in me to want them to change rather than go around their "system". Fortunately...I did NOT make the mistake of heading far left in that era...but...I think a local newspaper ought to foster business and subscriptions by giving something FIRST...not using sleight-of-hand to bamboozle anyone who wants a simple service like a webcam. The owner of this forum did that--on his own--can not the Oklahoman do the same? If E. K. Gaylord were alive today...he would take a broom-handle to whomever is behind this usurous scheme, I can assure you.

Some correct me if I'm wrong but I believe Steve has addressed this issue before by saying that the viewing privileges for their cam was set up the way it was because of other issues and couldn't be opened to everyone.

Yes, I found it in post number 672 of the Devon Tower Construction Cam thread. This is what he said:

Without getting into details, the subscriber wall was needed for reasons other than profit. For what it's worth, I expected someone to raise this issue, so I'm totally cool with you raising it. But please believe me when I say, if profit were the motive here, I'm pretty sure the cam would be open to all, allowing for greater hits on the page to bring in advertisers.