They are finishing up the windows 14th floor on the north side.

Will be interesting to see which side they do next. Sounds like they will replace glass up to the 14th floor on every side before moving on to the upper levels.

Is there a reason behind this? Does the structure of the building change on the 15th floor requiring a different production run of pre-fab windows? Or is it so they can only disturb tenants on the 14th and lower floors "once" and not 4 different times as they complete each face?

I'm a little bit disappointed they're going to do the bottom half of the building first, I was hoping for a real world before and after picture with one side finished right next to one side that isn't.

Is there a reason behind this? Does the structure of the building change on the 15th floor requiring a different production run of pre-fab windows? Or is it so they can only disturb tenants on the 14th and lower floors "once" and not 4 different times as they complete each face?

lower 14 are the bank first offices ..

lower 14 are the bank first offices ..

Right, their priority is to get the BancFirst space ready on floors 2-14 so they can make the move over.

Then, they will start working on the top.

https://i.imgur.com/6ORq3L9.jpg

Almost there...on that side

Right, their priority is to get the BancFirst space ready on floors 2-14 so they can make the move over.

Then, they will start working on the top.

Sucks for us though. We have multiple window leaks up here on 28 and 29.

16171

Here's what it could look like if they added an antenna/spire. Looks slightly reminiscent of Renaissance Tower in Dallas. They're obviously not planning on doing this but if they ever did it would help bridge the height gap between it and Devon Tower.

BANCFIRST TOWER RENOVATIONS PROGRESS TOWARD JANUARY MOVE-IN (https://www.velocityokc.com/blog/development/bancfirst-tower-renovations-progress-toward-january-move-in/?utm_source=ChamberT&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=IntDevelopment&utm_content=BancFirst6_19_20%20)
BY MOLLY M. FLEMING / DEVELOPMENT / JUNE 19, 2020

https://www.velocityokc.com/clientuploads/directory/super_blog/bancfirst_tower.jpg

Construction on the future home of BancFirst is looking a little blue these days, but that’s a sign of progress.

The tower’s curtain wall is being replaced all the way to the fourteenth floor. BancFirst will occupy floors 2-14. Once the bank and its operations move in, then the glass replacement will continue for the rest of the building.

“We plan to start moving people in January 2021 at this point,” said David Harlow, BancFirst Corporation CEO. “We’ve been able to continue construction through the coronavirus pandemic.”

The glass has even been able to be replaced as people are working in the space.

The building is being done in phases, with Phase 1 consisting of the concourse, 80% of the plaza and the first floor. By December 2021, the rest of the building will be complete. When the north side of the plaza gets finished, then the south entrance will be closed so the renovation can continue there.

https://www.velocityokc.com/clientuploads/directory/super_blog/Author/BFT_Night_1.jpg[/img[

BancFirst is working with its longtime architect, Bockus Payne & Associates, on the renovation plans for the tower’s exterior, the concourse in the tunnel, the lobby and the exterior plaza. The BP&A team includes Collin Fleck, Bruce Bockus, Bruce DeFriese, Taylor Starr and Mathew Siebert.

ADG designed BancFirst’s office floors, with the building’s other floors already having tenant renovations throughout the years. Lingo Construction Services, Inc. is overseeing bringing all those designs to life.

Besides the new glass, another notable difference already made to the building is the removal of some exterior columns. Bockus Payne Architect Collin Fleck said one of the main goals was to create a better view from the exterior into the lobby.

“Visibility was almost nonexistent between the interior and the exterior,” said Fleck.

The team learned what could be possible to help with visibility on a trip to the concourse in the tunnel. Fleck said when the team went to the concourse, they noticed there were not as many columns downstairs as they were around the building. That meant only the columns seen in the concourse were load-bearing, so the others could be removed.

[img]https://www.velocityokc.com/clientuploads/directory/super_blog/BFT_NW_Corner.jpg

With the columns gone and better glass, more natural light will stream into the renovated lobby. The natural light will be seen in the concourse as well, streaming through peaked-glass light boxes called lanterns. The walking path is being moved to go under the lanterns, which are being placed over existing openings.

Also at the top of the tower, the arches have been removed. Fleck said with the bottom arches being removed along with the columns, the arches at the top had to be removed as well so the building wouldn’t look as heavy. A new glass curtain wall will extend all the way to the top of the building, replacing metal panels that were previously in place.

At the tower’s base, the top three floors’ exteriors will have a metal finish, with tenant signage seen in the same metal.

“Essentially, we will have touched every exterior aspect of the tower,” Fleck said.

https://www.velocityokc.com/clientuploads/directory/super_blog/BFT_Landscape_S.jpg

ADG, Interior Designer Angie Dickerson and her team are helping to create a space that BancFirst has never had before – space for every BancFirst employee.

ADG’s work first started by talking to many of the more than 400 people that are expected to move into the floors. Dickerson and her team asked the staff about who they work with frequently and who they need to be near.

“We had to figure out how to appropriately place departments adjacent to each other,” she said. “We wanted to make sure we were stacking them appropriately, while also keeping in mind the potential for growth. It was a big effort to try and sort through all the schematic phasing and planning. You don’t realize how many people it takes to make a bank work.”

The floors required a lot of demolition, with some spaces dating back to 1971 and other areas having layers of renovation.

Construction is underway now on the office spaces, starting at the 14th floor and working down. Each floor will have a fresh palette, making it an appealing place for employees.

“I really do think that freshness and natural light, with the open space, were a huge requirement throughout the project,” she said.

https://www.velocityokc.com/clientuploads/directory/super_blog/BFT_Lobby_1.jpg

The space will be accented with pops of color, seen in the images being used from BancFirst’s painting-inspired commercials. The same art will be visible in the lobby, helping to connect the two areas.

“With Red Earth locating on the south side of the lobby, it will be great to have interesting art throughout the tower,” she said.

The project includes full modernization of all 14 elevators as well, with the first three elevators being completed soon. Harlow said he didn’t know there was so much to learn about elevators. The team hired an elevator consultant to direct them on what would best serve their needs.

Harlow said BancFirst will occupy about 90% of its space when the company moves its employees from two locations; the corporate headquarters at Main Street and Broadway Avenue downtown and the Technology and Operations Center near the Will Rogers World Airport. He said he doesn’t expect the company to be fully out of the Main and Broadway building until July 2021.

He commended the entire building team for being so diligent on the project. Price Edwards & Co. is handling the management and leasing for the building.

He said he’s looking forward to having all the corporate employees in one space. For him, it will be like a homecoming, since he started in the building when it was Liberty Bank Tower in 1986.

“I think it will be good to have us all under one roof,” he said. “I do believe there’s value in all of us being together. This gives us a long term home with room for expansion.”

Wow, if anything describes model building owner/landlord, this is it, wish more were like them...

They have installed protective scaffolding over the south entrance; looks like the next section of glass will be replaced on that side of the building.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst061920a.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst062120a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst062120b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst062120c.jpg

Wow, if anything describes model building owner/landlord, this is it, wish more were like them...

Local owner and owner occupied make for a nice combination.

They are finishing on the 14th floor of the north side today and then will start on the south facade, working bottom to the 14th level before doing the same on the east and west sides.

Then, they will return to the north side and start on 15, working their way to the top before moving on to the south then east and west.

I wonder if there's been any updates to this.

Glass starting to be installed on the north side of the lobby (first photo):

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst070520a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst070520b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst070520c.jpg

I think this is going to be such a huge improvement not only for the building alone but for the overall skyline view. Much needed!

Yes!^^^

This worksite just got wrecked by the wind from these storms. Scaffolding and debris everywhere.

This worksite just got wrecked by the wind from these storms. Scaffolding and debris everywhere.

I had wondered about that.

That platform on the north side is high in the air and that area is a crazy wind tunnel on days far less turbulent than today.

Can you take and share some photos?

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst071020a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst071020b.jpg

Lots of progress with glass installation on the north side of the lobby:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst071020c.jpg

They have already fully repaired the scaffolding on the south side of the building.

Almost all the glass is in on the north side of the lobby.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst071220a.jpg

They have already fully repaired the scaffolding on the south side of the building.

Almost all the glass is in on the north side of the lobby.



I was down in the lobby when the scaffolding was crashing down on Friday, it was wild! We went downstairs because the tower was swaying and creaking so much is was freaking us out! Everyone agreed it was the most they had ever felt the building move in 10 years. Crazy storm!

The CEO of Bancfirst just said that they are scrapping the plan to do the lower 14 floors first all around, and will just go all the way up on each side.

The CEO of Bancfirst just said that they are scrapping the plan to do the lower 14 floors first all around, and will just go all the way up on each side.

I thought something was up when they never started on the south side, then I saw the crew working on some of the upper floors of the north side this week.

Visually, it will be way more gratifying to see one side completely done.

I wonder if this will delay BancFirst's move.

Chief took one good look at it and said "Hey, that looks really nice... To hell with it, just take it all the way up."

Metal wraps for the pillars and lobby fascia have started to be installed.

I'm not sure what they are doing on the east side of the building. I know these structures aren't permanent... Perhaps they will serve as protect scaffoldng?

Also, you can see they are getting ready to install the blue mullions on the remainder of the north facade.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst072620a.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst072620b.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst072620c.jpg

Will the glass on the lobby be keeping the blue trim? Or it that just painter's tape to protect the glass during installation?

Will the glass on the lobby be keeping the blue trim? Or it that just painter's tape to protect the glass during installation?

It's just painter's tape.

I believe it's due to calking between the glass panels.

Ok! They have added these huge metal overhangs above the lobby that do not appear on the renderings.

So far these metal overhangs are on the East and west sides.

Ok! They have added these huge metal overhangs above the lobby that do not appear on the renderings.

So far these metal overhangs are on the East and west sides.

You can see them on the eastside in my photos above that I took yesterday.

My guess is they will serve as a temporary scaffolding platform. As we've seen on the north facade, they have to stage a lot in terms of mullions and windows directly below where they are working. They also place the lowered work platforms rest on the bottom as well.

16287
I edited this really quick on an app for fun haha, looks nice lol

^

My OCD wants to see one completed side before more on to another!

You can see them on the eastside in my photos above that I took yesterday.

My guess is they will serve as a temporary scaffolding platform. As we've seen on the north facade, they have to stage a lot in terms of mullions and windows directly below where they are working. They also place the lowered work platforms rest on the bottom as well.

That would make sense. They really don’t have as much room especially on the west side for scaffolding because of the big window holes to basement level. They wouldn’t have room to get machinery around if they put up full scaffolding on that side.

It may be the setup they have on the southside of the building just didn't work for their purposes, especially since it was substantially damaged during a recent thunderstorm. They were set to start on that side but then changed their plans.

I obviously go down there quite a bit to take photos and monitor progress and that specific area is the worse wind tunnel in all of OKC. There have been times I have almost been blown off my feet. There is no way to use that flimsy system because the wind gets underneath the light-weight platform and blows it to hell.

You can't have scaffolding blowing around with people working up there and expensive materials being staged. It's a good thing that last storm and the flying scaffolding structure didn't cause damage or hurt someone.

That scaffolding gets in the way and they would have to take it down and back up again as they rotate around the building doing the glass. I'm glad they have upgraded to these platform overhangs .

I really appreciate that we're apparently going to get a fully completed side before they start on another.

I walk thru this area daily and can see the progress daily. Yes it’s a wind tunnel.

I do think scaffolding is only option and will remain on south side. They aren’t about to hook around the pillars on this side of building like they are doing on the east and west with these new platforms.

But now it maybe will allow them to work on rest of building without taking and moving scaffolding again

They also have started building the pyramid shape enclosures over the basement sun lights.
Really starting to take shape and see how much better this building is going to be

Can’t wait tor this time next year. For many reasons because I just want 2020 to be over but to see this building further along will be great

The scaffolding is gone. Guess they decided to not use that at all. Probably like it was mentioned that it ended up not being a safe long term solution

Yes, I took these yesterday as they were taking it down (2nd photo).

In the first and third photo, you can see they have installed the canopy over the main entrance on the north side.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst080220a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst080220b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst080220c.jpg

Taken this morning.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50211327486_cbbc52a304_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jv1bjS)

I have to say the highrise does look more and more like the JR Ewing Building in Dallas, TX.

The change will be even bigger at street level.

Redoing that aging, cracked concrete plaza and opening up the lobby with make a huge difference. It's already pretty striking in person.

The lights are on in the lobby and they are getting serious about the plaza:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst081620a.jpg

In a year or so when a visitor sees this plaza, lobby and building they will think it is new construction...

Looks like the new elevators are coming along nicely:

https://i.imgur.com/4PxnEUZ.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/CXhOOaN.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst083020b.jpg

This is inside the lobby from Tietsort Design, which did the glass installation on the mezzanine:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst090120a.jpg

In addition to the private Petroleum Club on floors 34-36, the coffee bar and snack shop in the lobby, and the shopp(es) in the Conncourse, they should really do a premium but affordable "OKC cafe" type restaurant (like the one in the Braniff bldg) on the 2nd floor with access to the patio. ...

Otherwise, this is ALL looking good!!!

In addition to the private Petroleum Club on floors 34-36, the coffee bar and snack shop in the lobby, and the shopp(es) in the Conncourse, they should really do a premium but affordable "OKC cafe" type restaurant (like the one in the Braniff bldg) on the 2nd floor with access to the patio. ...

Otherwise, this is ALL looking good!!!

The Petroleum Club Deli will have a large space in the lobby; will be far more than a snack shop.

And Hot Tamale will open in shiny new digs in the concourse with better access from street level.

They are also planning food trucks for the plaza on the east side of the building.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst083020b.jpg

Beautiful, it lights up the whole area, can’t wait to see the final product.

The pergola structure on the east side of the plaza is going up:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst090720a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst090720b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst090720c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst090720d.jpg

Has installation of the blue glass halted for a bit?

Has installation of the blue glass halted for a bit?

They are finishing up the mullions on the north side, then they'll restart on the glass.

Gorgeous

Mullions almost complete as just a few top floors remain.

Then the rest of the glass will start to be replaced on the north facade.

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst091320a.jpg

My guess is that they will stop there with the Mullions on all sides until they are ready to do the crown of the building.

My guess is that they will stop there with the Mullions on all sides until they are ready to do the crown of the building.

They'll still need to finish up to the line, as from the renderings that seems to be the bottom part of the crown:

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst091520b.jpg