I think the so-called "complaints" are about how blue it is. It's not a light blue like the others, but more of a BancFirst blue. I don't think anyone was complaining, more pointing out that it is bluer than we thought originally.

Wait until they get the exterior blue panels installed; then we'll have some clue as to what this project will look like.


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EElu0RSX4AAEQIv?format=jpg&name=900x900
The placeholders does give you contrast; you'll never capture the potential beauty of BancFirst until completed and matched up with the existing towers.

They are adding the blue mullions to the first few floors above the lobby:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst042320a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst042320b.jpg

I need to get this thought out of my mind. Everytime I see the mullions being covered with aluminum I think of beautiful brick buildings covered with siding (U-Haul for example) or bath fitters placing a new tub over the old one lol

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst042520a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst042520b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst042520c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst042520d.jpg

On the north side of the building, they continue to install the new blue mullions and you can see on the glass, they seem to have marked the windows that will be soon be replaced; can also see '12' marked from the inside:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst043020a.jpg

Please forgive for asking, but Is the building occupied? Will there be major interior work done for banc first to fill it up

Please forgive for asking, but Is the building occupied? Will there be major interior work done for banc first to fill it up

Yes, about 50%. BancFirst won't move in until their floors are done which won't be until near the end of the year.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst050320a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst050320b.jpg

Am i understanding this right?

The windows are going on the outside of the current windows, which will stay? in effect, adding another layer of glass for better insulation.
If that's the case, what in the world are they going to do when a window gets dirty or fogged up between the two? Can't exactly squeeze a window washer in there.

Am i understanding this right?

The windows are going on the outside of the current windows, which will stay? in effect, adding another layer of glass for better insulation.
If that's the case, what in the world are they going to do when a window gets dirty or fogged up between the two? Can't exactly squeeze a window washer in there.

The old glass is coming out and new glass going in from the inside, then the blue glass goes on the outside.

Don't know how they keep the space between from fogging up.

The old glass is coming out and new glass going in from the inside, then the blue glass goes on the outside.

Don't know how they keep the space between from fogging up.

I assume they have a technique to vacuum it and put an inert gas in of some sort.

The old glass is coming out and new glass going in from the inside, then the blue glass goes on the outside.

Don't know how they keep the space between from fogging up.

Pete are you sure about this? The Lingo guys told me the glass going in was one sandwich unit and that the old glass would be taken out from the inside once the new glass was up. At least that's what I thought they said.

Pete are you sure about this? The Lingo guys told me the glass going in was one sandwich unit and that the old glass would be taken out from the inside once the new glass was up. At least that's what I thought they said.

That could be right; I may have misunderstood.

But you can already see the new glass sticks out several inches farther, demonstrating the double-panes.

Bottom row color seems different.


https://i.imgur.com/jzOZpOr_d.jpg?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium

^

I think it's because that row isn't reflecting the sky.

I'll get out there and take some more photos.

I attached a better resolution of the same photo. When I went by this morning, the colors still looked different, even at another angle. I am almost certain the glass is different. And I think it is because that bottom row of windows is actually slightly longer than the more blue ones above. Perhaps there is going to be a pattern, or just this bottom row is the only different.

EDIT: Pete just posted same time, showing better photos.

In the first photo, the glass being installed just above the lobby looks like a different color.

But you can see in the 2nd image they are the same; it's all just a matter of reflection angles.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst051220a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst051220b.jpg

If you look at the first picture posted, you can see the reflection of trees and buildings that cover the windows, making the windows to appear to have a darker color. Its called shade my friends, calm down, lol.

The reflective properties of the glass is going to make this building so cool, IMO!

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst051420a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst051420b.jpg

That top picture is the first one that makes me think this is really going to be cool. A building that will, over time, easily be recognized by those traveling as "that blue building" in Oklahoma City. I think in a good way :)

While I'm impressed at the rate of progress, there are a crapload of windows to replace.

This is going to take a while.

Does anyone remember the timeline for this?

Back in the 1960's there used to be a large building in downtown Dallas that was very close to this color. It stood out in a good way back then.

While I'm impressed at the rate of progress, there are a crapload of windows to replace.

This is going to take a while.

Wonder if the first row is the most difficult and then after that is all comes together quicker? I do think the building will look good, but sad to see the International style of architecture go away.

its still international isn't it? Just not as bold.

16076

From leasing brochure.

16077

those renders have a different color of glass and mullions... interesting

Can't wait to see this project reach 75-80% mullions installed. The new blue mullions will blend better with the Devon & BOK Plaza Towers. Also the Convention Center Complex will look more complementary with the new downtown development.

Was it in Indy that a similar International Style building had this done about 10 years ago? I'm curious how that's been received now that it's had some time to age. How has the new stuff held up given that it's a rehab and not new (has anything degraded faster than expected, as an example).

16088I think the answers the question we have all had. They are taking glass out and it’s open air where the new ones go in

Hope the picture uploads.

16088I think the answers the question we have all had. They are taking glass out and it’s open air where the new ones go in

Hope the picture uploads.

So I guess each floor will be vacated while they do this once they get to higher up floors? Aren't most tall towers pressurized to some degree?

Was it in Indy that a similar International Style building had this done about 10 years ago? I'm curious how that's been received now that it's had some time to age. How has the new stuff held up given that it's a rehab and not new (has anything degraded faster than expected, as an example).

16089 16090
They did a great job on this one! I wish the bancfirst tower didn't use blue for the mullions, a contrast would have been great!

16088I think the answers the question we have all had. They are taking glass out and it’s open air where the new ones go in

Hope the picture uploads.

I have no clue -surely there is a way to not vacate the entire floor as. that would mean it would have to be done 4 times as they do each side of the building. It is very interesting to watch play out

I just can’t hate on blue. It’s such an awesome color.

So I guess each floor will be vacated while they do this once they get to higher up floors? Aren't most tall towers pressurized to some degree?

Several floors are fully occupied.

I'm sure in those cases, the work will be done on the weekend.

Here is a zoomed-in image showing the open window bays:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst051820b.jpg

They did not vacate offices at the Capitol when they took the windows out to renovate and restore them. They built plywood casings to cover where the windows should have been. In occupied spaces I would imagine they would do something similar.

OK so that makes way more sense to me that the old ones are being removed.

All you have to do is kick the person out of their office while you remove their window. Not exactly a problem with a building that's this empty and especially during COVID.

I live near downtown so i went to go check it out. It is going to look drastically better when this is done. It really isn't as blue as it looks in the pictures and its going to reflect so well, while still having a classic look. I am curious about the crown however. Will it be going up above the current top of the building that is currently present and cover up some of the guts on top of it? If so, this could slightly increase the height just a bit I would think. I am guessing it will come in about 515 feet after its done. I am very excited to see how this is going to look when its done. In a way, it feels like a brand new high rise for us. Wish we could get a couple more and it would look amazing. I wish several of the buildings in OKC were just a little bit taller as they get lost in the shuffle from afar and can't really be seen to well until you get to downtown. If only 3 more buildings had just 75-100 more feet in height, it would dramatically change the look of our skyline. Oh well, we are improving, but it is a bit sad that they aren't very visible and get lost in the shuffle so to speak except from certain angles and views.

This is really going to look sharp when finished:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst052120a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst052120b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst052120c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst052120d.jpg

16095
16096
16097
16098
16099
I believe the estimated completion date is 2022

BancFirst will essentially have a new tower. I especially like the glass pyramids that cover the openings to the Conncourse. I would like to see those adopted throughout downtown where possible!

16100
This building in South Korea uses the same exact glass. This is probably what it will look like
16101 16102

That glass will blend with our two newest Skyscrapers (Devon, BOK Park Plaza); a new look for the skyline. Can't wait to see the night view of the nation's 25th largest city...

I think it is safe to say this glass is going to provide a striking new look for the building and the skyline.

https://i.imgur.com/P0aDB5j.jpg?1

^

Awesome photo. Thanks so much.

^

Awesome photo. Thanks so much.

Thanks! Got a new Mavic Air 2 and been flying all around downtown the last few days.

I couldn't agree more. or at least if downtown were built on a hill as opposed to a ditch/former river bed, then the buildings wouldn't look so short from far away. We should have compensated for the lower elevation by having 100-150 to all buildings - then they'd look like they're supposed to from far away.

OKC's #2-7 skyscrapers towers are about the same as Tulsas big 3 (#1 Devon obviously much taller than theirs) yet OKC's core pre-Devon looks shorter from far away. Dallas towers look so much taller than ours (sans Devon), when they really aren't but 100-200 feet.

I really hope BankFirst crown increases its height a bit, 520 would cover up the elevator core and Petroleum Club vent nicely.


I live near downtown so i went to go check it out. It is going to look drastically better when this is done. It really isn't as blue as it looks in the pictures and its going to reflect so well, while still having a classic look. I am curious about the crown however. Will it be going up above the current top of the building that is currently present and cover up some of the guts on top of it? If so, this could slightly increase the height just a bit I would think. I am guessing it will come in about 515 feet after its done. I am very excited to see how this is going to look when its done. In a way, it feels like a brand new high rise for us. Wish we could get a couple more and it would look amazing. I wish several of the buildings in OKC were just a little bit taller as they get lost in the shuffle from afar and can't really be seen to well until you get to downtown. If only 3 more buildings had just 75-100 more feet in height, it would dramatically change the look of our skyline. Oh well, we are improving, but it is a bit sad that they aren't very visible and get lost in the shuffle so to speak except from certain angles and views.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst052720a.jpg

Wow Pete...what a difference!

i guess i'm weird, but i wonder what the logic was to put in that cluster of 8 panels first. looking at the picture goldfire posted on the 22nd, it looks like those 8 were already installed even back then.

^

I'm sure it was a test and that is probably an unoccupied floor.

I'm sure it was a test and that is probably an unoccupied floor.

ahh... that makes sense.

As I said before, they have a lot of work left to reskin the entire building.

30+ floors x 4 sides. They'd better start picking up the pace otherwise this is going to take years.

^
the picture on the 22nd looks like they're just working on one side... is that still the case today? if that's true, then in the last week they've only managed to put up two rows of glass!

^
the picture on the 22nd looks like they're just working on one side... is that still the case today? if that's true, then in the last week they've only managed to put up two rows of glass!

Yes, only working on the north side.

I'm sure they'll get faster as things go forward but they also have to work around existing tenants.

30+ floors x 4 sides. They'd better start picking up the pace otherwise this is going to take years.

Yes, it will! I work in the building and I understand that is to take two years to complete the "reskin".