Pete, like the way you labeled the renovation of BancFirst Tower as a 're-skin.'

BTW are they finished with this project--not seeing much of the LED Lighting on this tower at night.

No they still have to put up the signs and the LED lights haven't been on yet.

Got the roof done on the landing. I am sure they are working on the top roof as well- seen work going on. Much bigger project.

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I have not seen any updates on this but it seems the signs are in place on the top of the building or at least an outline of the signage.

I have not seen any updates on this but it seems the signs are in place on the top of the building or at least an outline of the signage.

Those are the sign brackets, they installed those right after finishing the glass. Supposedly they're still working on the roof and will put the signs up once that's finished.

Testing the LED lights tonight:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst042523a.jpg

https://i.imgur.io/0Jw5ssp_d.webp?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium

Nice - almost there.

https://i.imgur.io/0Jw5ssp_d.webp?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium

The way they're not all working gives me Devon Tower flashbacks. Let's hope they actually get it figured out unlike Devon.

The way they're not all working gives me Devon Tower flashbacks. Let's hope they actually get it figured out unlike Devon.

It wouldn’t be the OKC Metro unless every new LED light display was malfunctioning in some small way lol. Even the 34th Street bridge over I-35 in Moore has a section that never matches the other sections.

Skyline will be nice with the addition of full functioning BancFirst LED Lighting.

The way they're not all working gives me Devon Tower flashbacks. Let's hope they actually get it figured out unlike Devon.

The ones that aren't "working" is where the signage will go.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst042623a.jpg

Heavy testing tonight. Going between solid blue and a swirly blue & yellow. Pretty cool and will look great.

They can make those lights super bright:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst042623b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst042623c.jpg

That looks really nice in the mist.

Devon needs to get their sh’t together.

Nice!

Devon needs to get their sh’t together.

My thoughts exactly! There are no excuses for them to not have the lights on! Embarassing.

My thoughts exactly! There are no excuses for them to not have the lights on! Embarassing.

You all need to send them an email and tell them.

Devon needs to get their sh’t together.

This is the first time we have heard about this on this board. Please elaborate.

This is the first time we have heard about this on this board. Please elaborate.

Well you see, Rover, what happened was Devon spent hundreds of millions of dollars on a brand new sky scraper and yet they can't get their ohhhhhhhhhhhhh I see what you're doing.

Well you see, Rover, what happened was Devon spent hundreds of millions of dollars on a brand new sky scraper and yet they can't get their ohhhhhhhhhhhhh I see what you're doing.

:)

My thoughts exactly! There are no excuses for them to not have the lights on! Embarassing.

I've got some semi-insider knowledge on this and from what I've heard Devon is in the process of figuring out a replacement for the lights on the Tower. Not exactly sure where they are at in that process, but I've been told it will happen at some point.

I do know that it is not as simple as just replacing the lights. From my understanding the current lighting system has failed and cannot be fixed, so it must be replaced. Retrofitting a new lighting system onto a curtain wall like that is a complicated process that I'm sure will cost many millions of dollars to design & install. Not saying Devon doesn't have those millions to spend, but I'm sure they're not happy about having to spend them to replace a lighting system that failed after only a few years of use.

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**If** Devon takes a stab at LED's again, they could do something like this. I'd assume it would be easier to try to outline the triangle than run new LED's the entire length of the building. I won't hold my breath given Devon's track record though, just seems like these things aren't a priority to them.

Devon isn't the only LED installation to have troubles. The LED lights on the Bay Bridge in SF were shutdown in early March because the LED's were failing faster than they could be replaced after10 years of service. $10 - 12 Million is being raised locally for a new installation.

I've got some semi-insider knowledge on this and from what I've heard Devon is in the process of figuring out a replacement for the lights on the Tower. Not exactly sure where they are at in that process, but I've been told it will happen at some point.

I do know that it is not as simple as just replacing the lights. From my understanding the current lighting system has failed and cannot be fixed, so it must be replaced. Retrofitting a new lighting system onto a curtain wall like that is a complicated process that I'm sure will cost many millions of dollars to design & install. Not saying Devon doesn't have those millions to spend, but I'm sure they're not happy about having to spend them to replace a lighting system that failed after only a few years of use.

Most people don't understand the scale of what Devon is going to have to do to replace the lighting. They are actively working on it but it will be expensive and a long process. It is very hard for them to do work on the exterior of the building because of the weather conditions. One of the windows in the bar at Vast apparently cracked a few weeks ago, according to my buddy at Hines it was a water glass that fell and caused crack on the inner most layer of the window. A pretty freak accident that they are trying to get replaced ASAP. It will come down to having the right weather to make the swap and flying the in house team in from out of state to do it, but, it could be weeks/months before they have the replacement window delivered and the right weather conditions to be able to make the swap.

The best lighting on any office tower is not that fancy artistic LED's. Its the office lights being on at night, early morning, or in the evening. Shows the tower is full and active, not vacant.

What's the point of having a fancy LED lighting system when a office tower is half vacant and dark.

Most people don't understand the scale of what Devon is going to have to do to replace the lighting. They are actively working on it but it will be expensive and a long process. It is very hard for them to do work on the exterior of the building because of the weather conditions. One of the windows in the bar at Vast apparently cracked a few weeks ago, according to my buddy at Hines it was a water glass that fell and caused crack on the inner most layer of the window. A pretty freak accident that they are trying to get replaced ASAP. It will come down to having the right weather to make the swap and flying the in house team in from out of state to do it, but, it could be weeks/months before they have the replacement window delivered and the right weather conditions to be able to make the swap.

You're correct, because if it was something simple, they would have fixed this long time ago. The Lighting, accentuates the tower's brand.

And hey, at least they're working on it. How many lighting schemes on towers across the country in the 90's with neon or whatever, were just abandoned when they went out? It's not something that adds monetary value to the building, merely aesthetics. So the fact that they are willing to spend the money, is wonderful.

If I were them, i'd be looking at some pretty heavy court work for the original manufacturer/installer to look at why it crapped out so fast after spending so much on it to begin with.

The best lighting on any office tower is not that fancy artistic LED's. Its the office lights being on at night, early morning, or in the evening. Shows the tower is full and active, not vacant.

What's the point of having a fancy LED lighting system when a office tower is half vacant and dark.

Devon tower isn't full, but were long past the days of it being half vacant. WPX + they've been hiring quite a bit.

The best lighting on any office tower is not that fancy artistic LED's. Its the office lights being on at night, early morning, or in the evening. Shows the tower is full and active, not vacant.

What's the point of having a fancy LED lighting system when a office tower is half vacant and dark.

To show a good face to the city and indicate to potential tenants the building is well-maintained and inviting.

I would almost bet that what type of LED lighting system is way down the list on the criteria for potential tenants who are looking for a new space.

Agreed, that's why I say its not a money-making endeavor, so VERY low on the priority list. And if I'm a tenant, I would want to know how much of my rent is going to pay for fancy LEDs that dont contribute to the function of the building. They look nice, and i like seeing them, but someone does have to pay for it. For Devon, it's them on their own building so it's not the same conversation. But for others, selling that aesthetic may be a bit of a challenge from owner to renter.

The Lighting, accentuates the tower's brand.

which is not a real thing

They are teasing the signs on their socials today. I hear it’s next weekend weather permitting.

I would almost bet that what type of LED lighting system is way down the list on the criteria for potential tenants who are looking for a new space.

If they are just looking to house employees in cubes, it probably isn't a consideration. If they are looking at their office as part of their corporate brand it is a significant consideration.

If they are just looking to house employees in cubes, it probably isn't a consideration. If they are looking at their office as part of their corporate brand it is a significant consideration.

Really? So a corporation is going to pick building A over building B because it has LED lights on the outside? I think that's quite the stretch.

Really? So a corporation is going to pick building A over building B because it has LED lights on the outside? I think that's quite the stretch.

Why do you think building owners put lights on their buildings? They aren't doing it for fun. Here in Jax Vystar Credit Union recently moved into downtown and the exterior illumination was a big part of their corporate branding.

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https://www.facilitiesnet.com/lighting/tip/VyStar-Credit-Union-Headquarters-Receives-Lighting-Update-from-Acuity-Brands--50988#:~:text=VyStar's%20corporate%20color%20is%20 blue,John's%20River%2C%E2%80%9D%20says%20Laffitte.

Maybe if you're putting your flag as the major tenant. But if i'm leasing out a floor for my law office, yeah that LED doesn't mean anything for me.

You guys are getting into the weeds a bit, don't ya think? At the end of the day - look at the BancFirst Tower's occupancy levels. They are up there at the top in terms of CBD occupancy. Are the lights to thank for that? No. Will they hurt it? No. The lights look good, it's a natural move when a tower is undergoing a major renovation. Not sure there is much to argue about here.

You guys are getting into the weeds a bit, don't ya think? At the end of the day - look at the BancFirst Tower's occupancy levels. They are up there at the top in terms of CBD occupancy. Are the lights to thank for that? No. Will they hurt it? No. The lights look good, it's a natural move when a tower is undergoing a major renovation. Not sure there is much to argue about here.

Agreed.

Just got notice. The Crown Signs are going up this weekend.

WoooHooo

https://journalrecord.com/2023/05/19/after-major-overhaul-bancfirst-tower-nears-completion/

Interestingly, the article said they wanted to build a new headquarters. We probably would of had a new 20 story downtown tower by now. But this project turned out great.

https://journalrecord.com/2023/05/19/after-major-overhaul-bancfirst-tower-nears-completion/

Interestingly, the article said they wanted to build a new headquarters. We probably would of had a new 20 story downtown tower by now. But this project turned out great.

Yea they wanted to build a new one but I don’t think they planned to build one downtown.
If I remember right they bought some land up by the cowboy hall of fame but the Cotter came along and they let that piece go.

great timing on this. MUCH rather have this 36 floor downtown skyscraper refurbished and occupied (half owner occupied even) than a 5 floor complex of buildings near the Hall of Shame (jk).

Sign installation is going on right now. Sky News 9 chopper has been covering it live. It's pretty cool to watch.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst052123c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst052123e.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst052123d.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst052123b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst052123a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst052321g.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst052123f.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst052123h.jpg

Guess they nixed the plans for an extension up top ?

Looks great. You've taken good pics of what this will look like on two sides. Downtown and Bricktown are looking colorful of late. Hope we can keep up the momentum. Our second tallest tower below Devon is much like a new skyscraper. Anxious to see what it will look like at night.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst061219c.jpg

https://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bancfirst071819c.jpg


https://nxstrib-com.go-vip.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/07/bancfirst1.jpg?quality=85&strip=all


As Dale mentioned, there did appear to be a slight height extension in earlier renderings--maybe 5 feet. May have had more to do with the lettering and the final crown.

Thanks for the pics Pete. You have shown us the progress of BancFirst's 'Re-skin' development since it was announced in 2018 as well as many others like First National Center. Truly exciting to watch from your living room theater. Thanks again.

they may not be finished. May make sense to install the signage then add on the fascia and overhang parapet (which can be done in pieces from the roof).

they may not be finished. May make sense to install the signage then add on the fascia and overhang parapet (which can be done in pieces from the roof).

No, they are done apart from the 3rd floor deck.

So to do a bit of a before/after (using Pete's photos as a ref).

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Just a small reminder of what used to be and what it is now. I think the renovation is a resounding success. From the openness of the foyer, to the lighting scheme on the top of the building (Devon, please get on your ****), it looks absolutely amazing. I know the old international style will be missed by some, but I feel like this updates the skyline towards a turn for the 21st century.

The city is truly a duckling coming into it's swan-like look.

Def a homerun!!!

Hopefully they can finally take down the temporary fencing at ground level and call this project finished.

I'm glad they did the darker blue windows/glass. It looks great - nice to have a variance in the color of glass to Devon/BOk Park Plaza.

And im sure all the tenants in the building are enjoying having real windows now and not single pane let the heat in and out windows now!

I wonder how they were attached to the building securely

Now that the signs are up, I wonder what's holding back the LED lighting at night? Looking forward to it starting being used

Now that the signs are up, I wonder what's holding back the LED lighting at night? Looking forward to it starting being used

The lighting for the signs themselves hasn't even been turned on.