The increase in the amenities building, which corroborates the rumors we were hearing, is good news indeed.

Off topic, but I remember not to long ago that the Tower would light up, the whole tower. And they stopped doing that. Just curious to why? It made the city night life seem so much more lively with all the light.

Off topic, but I remember not to long ago that the Tower would light up, the whole tower. And they stopped doing that. Just curious to why? It made the city night life seem so much more lively with all the light.

The flood lights are off due to all the construction.

The flood lights are off due to all the construction.

Do you know if they're going to use them again after the construction is finished?

Three of the places they were located are no longer there so my guess is that they won't be using them in the future. But that's just a guess.

Do you know if they're going to use them again after the construction is finished?

Yes, that is the plan. Tom Ward is a big fan of those lights.

From today:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/dowell41712.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/sandridge41712.jpg

sample window went in on the bottom left of the north face. Looks sweet.

sample window went in on the bottom left of the north face. Looks sweet.

You mean on the Braniff Building?

Please snap a photo if you can.

anyone hearing anything credible about the takeover rumors? Lots of upside call buying today. I thought they were in the process of spinning off another royalty trust.

SandRidge Energy's trust unit prices IPO at high-end of range-underwriter 04/17 05:28 PM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

April 17 - SandRidge Mississippian Trust II (SDR) , SandRidge Energy's (SD:$7.33,00$0.22,003.09%) trust unit, priced its initial public offering at $21 apiece, the high-end of its indicated price range, an underwriter told Reuters.

The trust, formed in December 2011 to own royalty interest in oil and natural gas wells, was expecting to sell 26 million common units at between $19 and $21 each.

The trust's common units are expected to begin trading on Wednesday on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "SDR".

In its latest filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the trust had said it would deliver net proceeds of the offering to units of SandRidge as part of consideration for the conveyance of the royalty interests.

The trust will own overriding royalty interests in certain of SandRidge's properties in the Mississippian formation in northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas, the filing said.

Morgan Stanley, Raymond James and BofA Merrill Lynch acted as lead underwriters to the offering.

Are there any renderings of what the new "modern" south and east facades are going to look like?

Tons of renderings scattered throughout this thread.

Here's a relatively recent one:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/sandridge32312.jpg

I still think that landscaping plan is really odd. It kind of looks like a tree farm. How much imagination does it take to line trees up in straight rows? I bet you anything the landscape architecture bill would make gasp, too.

I am going to have to be sold on this one. I really like the renovation that is being done on the west side but am not too sure about the glass on the east side. I may be in the minority on this at this point. I am willing to reserve judgment until it is done though since my opinion won't change the direction in which this project is going.

SandRidge adds floor to amenities building plans
By Brianna Bailey
Journal Record
Oklahoma City reporter - Contact 405-278-2847
Posted: 07:33 PM Thursday, April 19, 2012

OKLAHOMA CITY – SandRidge Energy Inc. is adding a floor to an amenities building it is planning on its $100 million SandRidge Commons corporate campus downtown, increasing the size of the structure from about 88,000 to 92,000 square feet.

Architect Rob Rogers from the firm Rogers Marvel unveiled revised plans for the building, which features a distinctive floating curtain design, to the Oklahoma City Downtown Design Review Committee on Thursday.

The building will now be about 127 feet tall instead of 106 feet tall, or about six stories. SandRidge is adding an additional level to an employee fitness center and a glass storefront façade to the ground floor of the building. Rogers estimated that the expansion will increase the cost of construction by about 5 to 7 percent.

The design for an auditorium for company meetings in the amenities building has also been revised. The large assembly hall will now overlook a park on the campus.

The public should see portions of the SandRidge campus and network of walkways opening up in bits and pieces over the summer, Rogers said.

Work will begin in the next few weeks erecting a massive metal shade structure that will serve as a public meeting and gathering space.

SandRidge has been in talks with a restaurateur to open up an eatery and retail food operation on the ground floor of the amenities building, but declined to go into detail. The retail component would sell items such as fresh-baked bread from the restaurant, Rogers said.

“We want to wait and make a joint announcement with them,” said Greg Dewey, vice president of communications and community relations for SandRidge.

SandRidge has been in talks with a restaurateur to open up an eatery and retail food operation on the ground floor of the amenities building, but declined to go into detail. The retail component would sell items such as fresh-baked bread from the restaurant, Rogers said.

“We want to wait and make a joint announcement with them,” said Greg Dewey, vice president of communications and community relations for SandRidge.

Betcha this is another Good Egg venture along with a branch of Tucker's in the Braniff Building.

Can you imagine how much worse the food scene would be in OKC without Good Egg?!? Not only have they offered great concepts, but they've raised the bar in many respects.

Adding a small grocer to the amenities building could potentially qualify legitimate mixed-use, not to mention serve what we all know is a huge need. They could be onto a very good idea.

Betcha this is another Good Egg venture along with a branch of Tucker's in the Braniff Building.

My husband will be in heaven if there's a Tuckers within walking distance. It's his current favorite casual dining spot. As far as I'm concerned, any Good Egg restaurant is a good thing.

From Steve:

In a presentation to the committee, which reviews new construction and exterior changes to existing buildings, architect Rob Rogers revealed the new building at 120 Robert S. Kerr Ave. will be six stories, or 40 feet higher than previously planned. The building is to house a fitness center, day care, restaurant, auditorium and rooftop basketball courts.

Read more: http://newsok.com/sandridge-commons-amenities-building-in-downtown-oklahoma-city-to-be-higher-than-planned/article/3667881#ixzz1sak91bO8

http://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-w_2174a3cd2e915f35058143bc562e9351.jpg

that is going to look so cool

that is looking west fyi ..

I'm conflicted on whether i like it or not.... a part of me really thinks it looks cool... but then again, a part of me used to think dressing up for Sci-Fi conventions was cool

They are starting to put in a lot of window brackets on the second level north side. I expect windows to go in soon.

I dig it. It aint historic preservation, but a good adaptive reuse nonetheless.

I like the mix of old school and new school!

A restaurant in the Braniff and a restaurant in the amenities building. When will any mixed use project in OKC ever have true shopping on the ground floor (NOT a restaurant, coffee shop, a gym, or offices as in the case of Maywood lofts)? How about even just a gift shop or a mobile phone store, if we're not close to national clothing stores? (not saying the best fit for this particular project).

Is it going to have to be in a multi-tenant, non-local development?

I dig it. It aint historic preservation, but a good adaptive reuse nonetheless.

Adaptive reuse? Really how is it adaptive? An office building with retail on the ground floor to an office building with retail on the ground floor is not adaptive reuse!

A restaurant in the Braniff and a restaurant in the amenities building. When will any mixed use project in OKC ever have true shopping on the ground floor (NOT a restaurant, coffee shop, a gym, or offices as in the case of Maywood lofts)? How about even just a gift shop or a mobile phone store, if we're not close to national clothing stores? (not saying the best fit for this particular project).

Is it going to have to be in a multi-tenant, non-local development?

We certainly need more but there are several buildings in the CBD that have some non-restaurant retail/services: Leadership Square (Thunder store, LS Eyecare), First National (a bunch), Park Harvey (Claybourne's Haberdashery), Skirvin (Painted Door), Broadway / Kerr Parking Garage (Triangle A&E), 101 Park (BC Clark), Legacy Apartments (Comet Cleaners, Velvet Monkey Salon), City Place (Woods Florist).

In Deep Deuce we have a salon in the Maywood Lofts, Sage, and the coming soon Native Roots; Aloft will have a small c-store. There are a bunch of little shops in Bricktown and AA, too, all in buildings with other uses. In Midtown, The Edge will incorporate apartments and retail as will 1212. The Packard Building complex will have offices, restaurants, apartments and retail (Wine & Palette).

Adaptive reuse? Really how is it adaptive? An office building with retail on the ground floor to an office building with retail on the ground floor is not adaptive reuse!

I agree that I wish the building had a more creative use, but I was just characterizing the type and quality of this particular construction project.

Ha, now I have to defend myself for supporting SandRidge on something.

Great photos on the Sandridge progress from today 5/1:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/sandridge5112a.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/sandridge5112b.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/sandridge5112c.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/globelife5112.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/dowell5112.jpg

BTW, as I noted in the Dowell Center thread, DC is now fully finished on the east side.

The new SR amenities building will go right up to that finished line on the 13th floor.

BTW, as I noted in the Dowell Center thread, DC is now fully finished on the east side.

The new SR amenities building will go right up to that finished line on the 13th floor.

i would guess that the demo will now go quite a bit faster ..

I know virtually nothing about deconstruction. Can someone tell me why it is taking so long for them to bring down the parking garage structure? Is it attached to the other building or is there something unique about its design that requires extra care for demolition? Thanks.

It's built right up against Dowell Center, so they have to be very careful.

Also, they had to finish the east side of DC by using the top of the structure under demolition, so they could only go as fast as they could finish that facade.

I would expect them to pick up the pace; I think they said it should be completely down sometime in June.

The guy driving that bobcat is scaring the crap out of me. No way could I drive around a little tractor that high off the ground with no railing.

The guy driving that bobcat is scaring the crap out of me. No way could I drive around a little tractor that high off the ground with no railing.

"like"

1285

That's the metal canopy going up! Thanks so much.

http://www.okctalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1285&d=1336068495


http://thornton.s3.amazonaws.com/content_images/1471/OKCanopy_main.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/braniff2.jpg

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

That's got to be at least 3 or 4 stories tall..........it's huge.

From today courtesy Urban Pioneer...


This is the new metal canopy being installed:
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/sandridge59122.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/sandridge59121.jpg

The new landscaping is an improvement, just god, no more cedars!!

On a side note, has anyone else seen these sensational bumper stickers with a little alien holding a lit match that says "take me to your cedar" ? I want to add that to my personal bumper sticker collection.. :tongue:

LOL. Spartan, where did you see that? I'd love to have that in a t-shirt, to go along with my shirt of the giant marshmallow holding a stick over the campfire with three people skewered on it.

I'm weird like that though. My other really really want shirt is a big banana peeling a monkey.

I drove by downtown last night and it looked like the tower was partly illuminated, but it wasn't nearly as bright as it was pre-renovation.

When are the windows going in the braniff?

They look to be a long way off on that, perhaps the end of this year.. just my guess though

Canopy construction continues (photos from newsok.com).

You can see the scale by the workman at the base. Also, it looks like one of the horizontal supports is getting ready to be placed.

http://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-419b46ef81e05e8991a7025583d79025.jpg

I moved all the discussion about Kitchen no. 324 to the Braniff Building thread.

http://i46.tinypic.com/219tg0j.jpg

In that pic above it looks like they have gutted Kerr Park.

I know it's going to be completely redeveloped and I'd guess that is going to be done at the same time as the SandRidge Amenities building.

This area of downtown is just depressing from what it used to be. Makes me sick walking over there.

Can you elaborate?

This area of downtown is just depressing from what it used to be. Makes me sick walking over there.

Well, of course it is considering it's a massive construction zone. :)

Depressing from what it used to be? It was a ghost town!

Depressing from what it used to be? It was a ghost town!

So what is changing? Now it's a ghost town with cedar trees.

Can you elaborate?

It is depressing seeing all the old buildings gone and being destroyed and replaced with a mediocre design covered in cedar trees. The area had an urban vibe before, and now it is more of a suburban vibe. I just avoid that area and will in the future because it is depressing.

Although, for those of us for whom the new restaurant will be within walking distance, it will offer something different (and different hours) from Red Prime. It will be the only other easily accessible Good Egg restaurant. I'm anticipating it being a nice option for us.

There will be another AGE restaurant in the amenities building facing the park.

Probably more retail there and in the Braniff.

And I bet there will be lots of events in the auditorium.

It is depressing seeing all the old buildings gone and being destroyed and replaced with a mediocre design covered in cedar trees. The area had an urban vibe before, and now it is more of a suburban vibe. I just avoid that area and will in the future because it is depressing.

The area was DEAD before SR took it over. The over the top personal hatred of SR is juvenile. They are resurrecting an area that was lifeless and depressed. You may disagree with the removal of one or two buildings, but credibility is lost when you say this area had an "urban vibe" that was destroyed. Either you hadnt been down there in a decade or so, or you don't know what urban vibe even means.

The area was DEAD before SR took it over. The over the top personal hatred of SR is juvenile. They are resurrecting an area that was lifeless and depressed. You may disagree with the removal of one or two buildings, but credibility is lost when you say this area had an "urban vibe" that was destroyed. Either you hadnt been down there in a decade or so, or you don't know what urban vibe even means.

I am there everyday. I don't know where you are but looking down the block and seeing holes where buildings used to be depresses me. Those buildings should have been restored and not replaced with cedar trees. I would rather have empty buildings that can be restored that empty plazas that are covered in cedar trees. The landscape is also poorly planned and looks bad now, but give those trees a few years to grow and they will look even worse. They didn't plan for anything to grow and what will eventually become at maturity. It will be a cluster of cedar and other poorly thought of trees planted 10' apart.