Honestly, i think that's a fair question. What's old, becomes cool again.

The only thing I'd say about International Style, is that it was so bland and generic, that i'm not sure that it's really "gone". We've been building International Style for 60 years (and still are). The modern glass tower (while we don't technically call most of them "international now") isn't far off from it's older siblings. In this case, the majority of the structure didn't change, it was just a change in the glass skirt. So does the top 3 feet of the tower really define it differently? That's an honest question that we can't answer for another 40 years probably. But my gut tells me, it's not going to be like what we saw with Art-Deco. There are simply too few elements to International because it's intent was to be gutted and re-started over and over as times changed. It was designed to NOT be preserved on purpose. We don't build that way any longer.

Honestly, i think that's a fair question. What's old, becomes cool again.

The only thing I'd say about International Style, is that it was so bland and generic, that i'm not sure that it's really "gone". We've been building International Style for 60 years (and still are). The modern glass tower (while we don't technically call most of them "international now") isn't far off from it's older siblings. In this case, the majority of the structure didn't change, it was just a change in the glass skirt. So does the top 3 feet of the tower really define it differently? That's an honest question that we can't answer for another 40 years probably. But my gut tells me, it's not going to be like what we saw with Art-Deco. There are simply too few elements to International because it's intent was to be gutted and re-started over and over as times changed. It was designed to NOT be preserved on purpose. We don't build that way any longer.

Crown construction on the west-facing elevation:

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst073122a.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst080722a.jpg

They are working hard on the west and south crowns, with the east already being complete.

That would leave the north but because there is a big mezzanine on that elevation, once they finish the west and south they can probably remove all the plywood walkways and protection at street level.

At the rate they are going, that should only be a few more weeks.

Mack Energy is taking the 33rd floor of this building.

They are currently ou ton Memorial Road.

They shouldn't have too much trouble filling the rest of the building up with the quality rebuild.

Do you know if they plan to build a parking garage across Gaylord still? The bank and continental have Santa Fe at pretty much capacity. Seems like the bank might want more access for parking to offer tenants. With cox offline. There is less garage spots on the east side now.

Too bad all those empty garages are on west side of downtown.

^

There has been no movement on that proposed parking garage.

However, they do own that surface parking lot where the garage is to be built, so I imagine they are using that for the time being.

^

There has been no movement on that proposed parking garage.

However, they do own that surface parking lot where the garage is to be built, so I imagine they are using that for the time being.

Ah yes. They do utilize that lot. They all dart across Gaylord mid block to cross to get to it. So dangerous!

Mack Energy is taking the 33rd floor of this building.

They are currently ou ton Memorial Road.

Very nice but I'm curious why they're chosing BankFirst Tower and not BOA Park Plaza; price maybe?

Anyway, very nice and hopefully much more floor by floor relocations to the CBD, where business belongs!

Very nice but I'm curious why they're chosing BankFirst Tower and not BOA Park Plaza; price maybe?

Anyway, very nice and hopefully much more floor by floor relocations to the CBD, where business belongs!

BOA park plaza is a complicated place to lease office space ..

BOA park plaza is a complicated place to lease office space ..

... why?

... why?

building ownership / existing leases / other considerations ..

building ownership / existing leases / other considerations ..
Shouldn’t that change soon? I know a few people who work at Devon and say they have zero people in that building and barely can fill up the main building they currently have. Why waste all of that money?

BOA or BOK?

Shouldn’t that change soon? I know a few people who work at Devon and say they have zero people in that building and barely can fill up the main building they currently have. Why waste all of that money?

in the grand scheme it is not very much money

If you look at Devon Tower at night or early in the morning, you can see at least the middle 1/3rd is still completely empty/dark.

Devon has lots of unused office space, not just in OKC. But they own the WPX building that was just completed in Tulsa and then they have a 45 floor tower in Calgary that is largely empty. Think there might be more than that but those are the two large empty buildings that I know of. on top of the 1/3 in OKC HQ and 75% of BOK OKC

Mack Energy is taking the 33rd floor of this building.

They are currently ou ton Memorial Road.

They were originally HQ’d in Duncan

Very nice but I'm curious why they're chosing BankFirst Tower and not BOA Park Plaza; price maybe?

Anyway, very nice and hopefully much more floor by floor relocations to the CBD, where business belongs!

Doubtful that pricing had much to do with it. My understanding is the McCasland Family has long banked (and partied) with the Rainbolts.

Lots of synergy in moving Mack Energy into a Rainbolt building.

If you look at Devon Tower at night or early in the morning, you can see at least the middle 1/3rd is still completely empty/dark.

They keep going on this asset purchase spree won't be like that for long.

Doubtful that pricing had much to do with it. My understanding is the McCasland Family has long banked (and partied) with the Rainbolts.

Lots of synergy in moving Mack Energy into a Rainbolt building.

Mccasland sits on the BF BoD. So there’s that.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst082822b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst082822a.jpg

This project turned out really great. Makes a big difference for the skyline. Glad they got it right.

This transformation of the look of downtown is striking. What an update and it looks beautiful.

Huge, HUGE!

They were working on the south crown last night until about 8 PM.

They are clearly trying to finish up, get their signage installed and take down all the awful plywood walkways at ground level.

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst090222a.jpg

This is such a very nice project and helps the impression our downtown skyline gives. However, I do have a bit a nostalgia about the project, seeing the last of the arches being covered. When first built the building dominated the city and did so for many years. She was instantly recognizable and you knew it was Oklahoma City's building, and her look has it's been all I've ever known. Heck, I sometimes (,rarely) catch myself still saying Liberty Tower. But, pages turn, and it's time to polish her up. Looking forward to seeing the finished crown.

..

I can't wait for the LED trials to start.

This is such a very nice project and helps the impression our downtown skyline gives. However, I do have a bit a nostalgia about the project, seeing the last of the arches being covered. When first built the building dominated the city and did so for many years. She was instantly recognizable and you knew it was Oklahoma City's building, and her look has it's been all I've ever known. Heck, I sometimes (,rarely) catch myself still saying Liberty Tower. But, pages turn, and it's time to polish her up. Looking forward to seeing the finished crown.

I can relate. Was the tallest building in OKC as long as I can remember before Devon.

I also interviewed with Liberty in 1982 as a senior at OU. And then later banked there.


They still haven't started on the north crown but when they do, that will be the last bit of old architecture.

As we fast approach the last of the original building being covered, here are some historical photos showing some early designs and then construction; the first shows what looks like 42 stories vs. the present 36:


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst090422a.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst090422b.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst090422c.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst090422d.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst090422e.jpg

This renovation really transformed the skyline. Now you can immediately tell outdated OKC skyline photos are just by looking at BancFirst Tower. Hopefully local new outlets will update their skyline stock photos soon.

In regard to the new crown on the building and the covering of the arches, it's interesting to note how the remodel of the tower now looks more like the original renderings.

As we fast approach the last of the original building being covered, here are some historical photos showing some early designs and then construction; the first shows what looks like 42 stories vs. the present 36:


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst090422a.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst090422b.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst090422c.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst090422d.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst090422e.jpg

What is the building that is above the Skirvin in that last photo? Is it still around or is it gone due to OUHSC?

What is the building that is above the Skirvin in that last photo? Is it still around or is it gone due to OUHSC?

It looks like the state capitol building.

What is the building that is above the Skirvin in that last photo? Is it still around or is it gone due to OUHSC?


It looks like the state capitol building.

Using Google Earth, I think that's the VA Hospital. The State Capitol is farther off screen to the left.

Yeah, I couldn't get the capitol building to line up, plus this building appears to be closer to downtown than the capitol complex.

All but one piece of glass on the crown on the south side is up. Expect any hour today the final piece will go up. You can also see the bracketing for the logo. I believe logo will only be on north and south sides.

Expect once the south side crown is complete along with east and west, the sidewalk scaffolding covering will come down.
The north side is protected by the atrium and has no protected walkway for this reason. Once the other sides are done they probably will start taking down the plywood protected areas while they begin the north side. I expect this is the reason north side has not been touched yet as they want the other sides done to remove the walkway coverings and open up the plaza

^

Yes, that's all sound logic. I'm sure their priority is to finish up everything but the northside so they can remove all that ugly scaffolding at ground level.


Will be very interesting to see how the crown is lit. I know there will be LEDs but not sure how they will function.

Such a stunning improvement on the OKC skyline!

I believe logo will only be on north and south sides.

seems like a miss not to have a logo on the East side

seems like a miss not to have a logo on the East side

I agree, the view from the east is one of the best of the tower and downtown as a whole.

seems like a miss not to have a logo on the East side

I may be wrong about that. Renderings on their website show it on adjoining sides
https://www.bancfirsttower.com/about

I may be wrong about that. Renderings on their website show it on adjoining sides
https://www.bancfirsttower.com/about

that would make more sense

17654

17655

Looks like they did a really short round of testing on the crown lighting tonight. They alternated the total vertical bar running up and down along with the top section and bottom section flashing. They were super bright and looked great imo. Will be a nice addition to the skyline.

even the crown with the aviation beacons turned back on looks fantastic.

Is there a reason the aviation beacon atop FNC isn't on? or City Place and Strata for that matter?

South crown:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst092222a.jpg

It's a joke, so don't get all butt hurt but.....
youtube.com/watch?v=IXXxciRUMzE

It's a joke, so don't get all butt hurt but.....
youtube.com/watch?v=IXXxciRUMzE

To quote the late Florence Ballard (Former member of the original Supremes): 'Thin may be in, but baby--fats
where it at.'

Thanks for sharing, Bombermwc, good video.

https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/oklahoma-city-skyline-dusk-downtown-oklahoma-city-skyline-dusk-thunderstorms-distant-background-reflections-204009495.jpg

BancFirst, First National, Strata Tower. BOK Park Plaza Tower and Oklahoma Tower (all lighted) collectively will make a significant impact on the Oklahoma City night skyline.

https://www.skyscrapercity.com/threads/discuss-favorite-north-american-skylines.197670/page-1095#post-180294120

Awesome skyline pics and pics of BF Tower at sunrise.

@laramie, that's an awesome shot! I wonder if the glass change has made that any different now.

I am anxious to see the 'crown' lit up at night. While as Sissortail last night I was thinking, once the Bancfirst tower crown it lit up the overall night views of downtown skyscrapers will look 110% improved.

Apart from signage, the east, south and west crowns look complete.

Today, there was a crew working on the north crown.

I normally approach downtown from the north and that side of the crown (obviously) looked like it hadn’t been touched but I somehow was under the impression that all the sides were now finished, so I was confused and worried that it was in its final state besides signage. Happy to see I was very wrong.

Curious if the east facing side has some windows that have yet to be done or what's up with the couple of noticeably darker windows?

Curious if the east facing side has some windows that have yet to be done or what's up with the couple of noticeably darker windows?

HVAC / Mechanical floor

Curious if the east facing side has some windows that have yet to be done or what's up with the couple of noticeably darker windows?

It's always been there but wasn't noticeable before since the other windows were black