Thank's for the reply!LOL 93.7325% let's just round that up to 94%!

Wasnt there a rendering from some company about a year or so ago,saying proposed N.OKC tower?I seem to remember rumors that tenant was to be Mid-First!Here it is http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/misc/44broadway1.jpg

This is the first I've heard about this! Did this project never materialize? Or is it still planned to be built?

No, nothing ever came of it.

It was from an architecture firm in Edmond and may have just been them having some fun without really having a specific client.

Hopefully with Devon going up and MAPS 3, projects like that will be more along the lines of I-235/I-40, rather than I-44/Broadway.

Going to do some connecting of dots. Pure speculation.

There have been a few rumors on this forum of Aubrey and CHK wanting to do some kind of building downtown, despite the campus. They want the MidFirst properties. What if they want to build speculative space, under an agreement to lease the majority of it to MidFirst as a deal to get the two I-44 properties? Just tossing the idea out there that would justify why some have heard CHK rumors downtown.

^^ Interesting speculation though and entirely plausible.

They could also renovate 1st national. It was a bank building at one time and seems to have plenty of space. Probably less likely than them building a new tower but possible

Seems doubtful to me: floor heights are too small and, from what I read earlier, the actual renovation cost would probably exceed the cost of a new building of similar size.

Besides, I think that the tone has been set now with new buildings being the benchmark in the city for office space.

The key here in OKC is natural gas and it's production and movement and distribution systems. Follow those corporations and you'll get the best information. OKC is/will be the centrally located gas hub of North America. Many things are happeming below the surface...and about to be revealed. The big kick is in electric power generation and transportation systems--trucks, autos. Of course--this is all old news...but...things are going to be happening fast--real soon...

I think Steve has a bit of a scoop on SandRidge building a new tower around 300-400 ft. Somewhat of a rumor I just read on Facebook from a person at Dolese.

I think Steve has a bit of a scoop on SandRidge building a new tower around 300-400 ft. Somewhat of a rumor I just read on Facebook from a person at Dolese.

Saw that as well

I bet SandRidge is at least coming up with conceptual plans to add a new tower so they can move on it if and when they need the space. They have a ways to go to fill their tower and the soon-to-be-renovated Braniff Building, but then again it can take 2-3 years to get something planned and built.

It may even go to the east of the tower, as there have been strong hints that they plan to raze the parking structure that was directly behind the old India Temple building. That would also mean building out a couple of lots just north up Broadway for parking structures.

Let's hope their public relations are far improved by the time it ever happens, or I won't point a camera near it unless it's in the skyline.

I think Steve has a bit of a scoop on SandRidge building a new tower around 300-400 ft. Somewhat of a rumor I just read on Facebook from a person at Dolese.

Something is in the works, Steve just mentioned that we are likely to get a new mid to high-rise soon, on his blog...

Yeah, it was about that blog entry.

Link (http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2011/06/25/new-skyline-2/)

I think Steve has a bit of a scoop on SandRidge building a new tower around 300-400 ft. Somewhat of a rumor I just read on Facebook from a person at Dolese.

This isn't a rumor. This is something Tom Ward has been open about. He plans on building a new tower sooner rather than later. Not sure how tall, but it will be substantial.

Like I said in the past I live next door to a crane operator that works at the Devon site and he told me a few months ago that another tower was to be proposed soon!Hopefully it's something totaly different than what you guys are talking about!

Ran across this...

Smith and Gill win competition for supertall tower in China (http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2011/06/chicago-based-architect-adrian-smith-and-gordon-gill-have-won-a-competition-to-design-a-chinese-skyscraper-that-will-accord.html)

Speaking of shattering skylines. This is in Wuhan, China.

Maybe Steve was hinting at the convention center hotel?

Maybe Steve was hinting at the convention center hotel?

Why would he hint about that? We all know that we will eventually be getting a high rise convention hotel...

That is my point.

Steve elaborated on his OKC Central post (in the comments section) an hour or so ago. He addresses hotel possibilities as well as office towers, and even residential. I hope his hunches are on target.

I know I am always very optimistic but to think that there could be a few of high-rises going up in the next 10 years is amazing, somewhat like the 80’s boom but hopefully better (already better with Devon) but without the final outcome.

- Devon
- Sandridge
- Convention Hotel
- Preftakes?
- Dowell?
- I’m sure Centennial will do some kind of updates or eventually build something if there projected growth comes to be.
- Any other private developments that will take place as spin off from Project 180 as well as all the other development

Also with all of those companies growing and building and moving downtown, there will be an even bigger need for housing which is perfect opportunity for developers to build high-rise apartments.

All wishful thinking I know but why not?

I think Steve has a bit of a scoop on SandRidge building a new tower around 300-400 ft. Somewhat of a rumor I just read on Facebook from a person at Dolese.

I'm the person on Facebook that mentioned that ;-) Cannot reveal the Dolese source though...

here is a copy of Hod Rod's post on skyscrapercity.com


Originally Posted by Hot Rod View Post
just for fyi, SandRidge already has announced a new highrise for their campus - in addition to the new mid-rise that will be built in Kerr Park that will be their fitness and daycare center, and the retrofit/expansion of the Braniff Building.

For the life of some of us, we could not figure out why they tore down all of those buildings on the campus - because at the time they didn't say there would be replacements. but now, Tom Ward (ceo) has said they do plan to add more highrises - he didn't say how tall but I suspect something in the 20's range.

MidFirst Financial is almost a given in my opinion - given they are maxed out at their current space near the Classen/Nichols Hills area, Chesapeake has already bought everything surrounding them, except their two buildings (that are separated by a chesapeake building). Expect for a highrise to be built somewhere for MidFirst and/or at least their absorbing Devon's vacated space.

Continental Resources has purchased Mid America tower (devon's old hq) which is 320,000 sq feet. They expect all 250 employees to be there next year, and they expect to triple in size within 5 years, so they are thinking now about a new building OR absorbing all of Devon's vacated space (again, if they get it then MidFirst would need to build new or vice versa).

American Fidelity Assurance Company is based in OKC's Midtown district, in 3 buildings that I think total 300,000 square feet. They have expressed desire to come downtown, again - in Devon's vacated space and/or a new tower.

Chesapeake Energy is rumored to also desire some sort of downtown presence.

I also heard there might be a speculative Class A office tower (or more) as OKC converts class B and C space into residential and the demand for downtown grows. Who knows if or when this may happen, but I think it is highly likely just dont know the timeframe.

OKC is building a new convention center and it will have a highrise convention hotel. I dont know any specifics, but there might be more than one given what has happened in other markets.

Developer Nick Preftakes owns most of the block due west of Devon and there are rumors/plans for some sort of development, possibly residential high rise(s).

Developer Rick Dowell may also have some sort of highrise planned for NW downtown as he is trying to develop the midtown (downtown) section. NO specifics, just rumors.

So, if assuming all of the above comes true with at least one highrise, that would be eight new highrises, that haven't already been announced/rendered (this does not include the Sandridge Fitness midrise, since it was already rendered but does include the new highrise Tom Ward just announced).

There are more rumors/plans also, apparently according to others in the know. I think it is safe to say that OKC may well be coming on a building boom of some sort. Whether any will be any skyscrapers worthy of challenging Devon or the other OKC bigs, I don't know, but should make some good infill at the very least if any of it comes true.

I don't know where else to post this and I didn't want to start a new thread just for this. I read on another forum (City-Data I believe) that there was a very loose proposal going around some local Architecture Firms of a new building around the size of Devon that would call for a mixed use hotel/office. Has anybody heard anything about this and if it's true or is it just another rumor?

I don't know, but that would be awesome!

I don't know where else to post this and I didn't want to start a new thread just for this. I read on another forum (City-Data I believe) that there was a very loose proposal going around some local Architecture Firms of a new building around the size of Devon that would call for a mixed use hotel/office. Has anybody heard anything about this and if it's true or is it just another rumor?

If anyone had any knowledge of this it would be all over this board. It would be awesome, but if there was anything even close to firm it would have leaked by now.

If anyone had any knowledge of this it would be all over this board. It would be awesome, but if there was anything even close to firm it would have leaked by now.

That's what I was thinking, which is why I asked cause I hadn't heard anything besides that one post. I'm just gonna play this as another rumor until I see something solid.

The concrete company working on the Devon Tower are currently having workers discussing the next plan for mega skyscraper. They know, but people on here keep brushing the info off. Just expect one very soon. Just you watch, sometime next year, there will be an announcement. We can only hope it will be higher than 844 feet.

If it truly exists...that being something beyond a rumor, you can best bet that it will be shorter than 844.

I'd applaud three new 300 foot bldgs louder than one new 900 foot bldg.

I'd applaud three new 300 foot bldgs louder than one new 900 foot bldg.

That will be embarrassing for OKC. Chase is much taller than 300. We are in an era where skyscrapers should be exceeding 1,000 ft every time.

I agree with Kevin Pate. I don't know why people get so hung up on height. I'd like to see more infill space taken up with construction. I'd much rather see several smaller buildings than another mammoth tower. Heck, I'd rather see five or six new ten story buildings dotting the present vacant land in the north part of downtown than another Devon Tower. I look at other downtowns and am more impressed with unbroken blocks of streetscape that add life to larger geographic areas. Thinking of Washington DC as I write this...

Actually I was thinking more of St. Louis while reading that. I agree with Kevin Pate as well, although I would like to see a few more skyscrapers around the size of Devon, maybe one or two taller, in my lifetime.

I agree more infill with smaller towers would be fine, but I'd like to see two more 600ft+ towers at some point just to balance out the skyline. Of course, buildings aren't built to balance things out, but it'd be nice.

I hope any future towers or buildings stay on the block they have and do not force a street closure.

I believe that the more complicated and difficult it is to get around a city, the worse off it is.

Appeasing a company/project and letting them close a street is nice for new construction, but in the long run is terrible.

wschnitt, its for the rotunda! The rotunda!!!

I hope any future towers or buildings stay on the block they have and do not force a street closure.

I believe that the more complicated and difficult it is to get around a city, the worse off it is.

Appeasing a company/project and letting them close a street is nice for new construction, but in the long run is terrible.

I am pretty sure the era of 'super block' is over.

I hope any future towers or buildings stay on the block they have and do not force a street closure.

I believe that the more complicated and difficult it is to get around a city, the worse off it is.

Appeasing a company/project and letting them close a street is nice for new construction, but in the long run is terrible.

Considering Project 180 is funded by the Devon TIF, I will find another route and appreciate what Devon Energy is doing for the city.

I am not saying anything bad about Devon. I am saying the more difficult a city is to get around, the less likely people will be to come. Do you disagree?

Look at the torn up streets downtown. Do you think that has turned people away?

I am pretty sure the era of 'super block' is over.

I hope so. Cities that have multiple blocks to spare for a project are not healthy cities to start. Look at Detroit. They have at least 4 blocks for every project.

I do not think this is that bad because Harvey did not go through to start, but I think it is bad policy.

I am not saying anything bad about Devon. I am saying the more difficult a city is to get around, the less likely people will be to come. Do you disagree?

Look at the torn up streets downtown. Do you think that has turned people away?

I do agree with you that it makes it more difficult for visitors for the time being and to answer your question, yes it has turned people away with all the construction. No offense, but it's a little short sighted to be concerned with the present so much and not try to think of what is to come. In other words, think about 2015 and all the people who will be welcome to come Downtown with all these current construction projects wrapping up or completely done, and a very high percentage will be of the ones that decided not to go Downtown because of all the current construction. Not being critical of you wschnitt, just trying to stay on a positive note with the thing that is changing the face of the Urban Core of Oklahoma City. :-)

Short blocks are essential and I agree that it would have been great if Harvey had been opened up. It would draw people from the Myriad Gardens north into the heart of downtown.

I am not saying anything bad about Devon. I am saying the more difficult a city is to get around, the less likely people will be to come. Do you disagree?

Look at the torn up streets downtown. Do you think that has turned people away?

I will agree that it turns people away from downtown (local residents I know for certain cause that includes me), but how many visitors know of websites like ODOT or here that are going to give them a heads up about dodging certain streets downtown. They'll see that construction, go around it, get to where they're going and be done with it. Surely, they'll realize that a short 1 block segment of replacing a downtown street will be finished if they choose to come back in the future and if they don't, its probably because they're not going to think of it at all.

I agree with MDot. Its short sighted to worry about now, considering that in 3 to 4 years, downtown will be so bright, we're going to have to wear shades! By then you'll be wondering why you toiled over the subject in the first place.

I would actually argue that overall Devon has brought way more people downtown.

Number of people that avoided downtown because part of Sheridan is shut down - 7
Number of people that go downtown to see the Devon progress, Myriad Gardens... - 4.2 billion*

*Numbers are not necessarily accurate.

I would actually argue that overall Devon has brought way more people downtown.

Number of people that avoided downtown because part of Sheridan is shut down - 7
Number of people that go downtown to see the Devon progress, Myriad Gardens... - 4.2 billion*

*Numbers are not necessarily accurate.

Interesting to see sudden population explosion in Oklahoma. :-O

I do agree with you that it makes it more difficult for visitors for the time being and to answer your question, yes it has turned people away with all the construction. No offense, but it's a little short sighted to be concerned with the present so much and not try to think of what is to come. In other words, think about 2015 and all the people who will be welcome to come Downtown with all these current construction projects wrapping up or completely done, and a very high percentage will be of the ones that decided not to go Downtown because of all the current construction. Not being critical of you wschnitt, just trying to stay on a positive note with the thing that is changing the face of the Urban Core of Oklahoma City. :-)

I was not really commenting about the current construction as a large problem. I was using it to illustrate the larger idea that the more difficult something is to get to, the less likely people are to go to it. The torn up streets now are worth the end result.

I am pointing out that closed streets from project 180 are the same as closed streets from large multi-block/super block developments in preventing people from easily getting to where they want to go. The closed streets for Project 180 will reopen shortly, but Harvey will never reopen.

I was not really commenting about the current construction as a large problem. I was using it to illustrate the larger idea that the more difficult something is to get to, the less likely people are to go to it. The torn up streets now are worth the end result.

I am pointing out that closed streets from project 180 are the same as closed streets from large multi-block/super block developments in preventing people from easily getting to where they want to go. The closed streets for Project 180 will reopen shortly, but Harvey will never reopen.

Ah, gotcha. Thought you meant that everything going on right now is making everyone avoid Downtown. Sorry, shoulda read more into it then that one comment.

The length of the block isn't the sole issue. There are many, many long blocks in NYC and lots of people walking them. If there is something to go to on the other end of the walk that is worthwhile people will walk. If there are interesting things or important things on those long blocks, people will walk them.

Too bad this skyscraper was never built... Looks beautiful! It would've really added to the current skyline. That looks, what, around the height of Chase (500')?

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/miscbuildings/okc2ndtime_nearskirvin_howardandpor.jpg

what was that project called?? and by whom?

I think it was part of the Pei Plan from the 60's, would have like to seen this also implemented from the Pei Plan:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/79/Pei_plan_galleria.jpg

Looks like someone has been pulling images from the book "OKC Second Time Around" without reading it....

A grade separated park and a 5 lane one-way street - no thanks. OKC dodged a huge bullet with the Pei Plan.

Looks like someone has been pulling images from the book "OKC Second Time Around" without reading it....

lol. You're right, Steve. That seem's to be very common here.

I've been meaning to mention to you when we see each other.....do you remember/know about the 'Oklahoma Commerce Tower'? I've never seen you mention it - a 20-something story building announced in late 1981, to be built by Don Kasperiet at the nw/c of Kerr and Harvey (on the site of Don Batchelor's office, old urban renewal office). It was a nice looking proposal, for the 80's, with the top to be curved and match the street/curb line. Would have been a similar size to the Penn Bank tower. I have some press clippings from the OK on it, if you're interested...

There was also a 34 story building announced, a real cool looking building, half office, half hotel where the Ren. Hotel is today next to Mid-Continent. Oil bust got it though.

lol. You're right, Steve. That seem's to be very common here.

I've been meaning to mention to you when we see each other.....do you remember/know about the 'Oklahoma Commerce Tower'? I've never seen you mention it - a 20-something story building announced in late 1981, to be built by Don Kasperiet at the nw/c of Kerr and Harvey (on the site of Don Batchelor's office, old urban renewal office). It was a nice looking proposal, for the 80's, with the top to be curved and match the street/curb line. Would have been a similar size to the Penn Bank tower. I have some press clippings from the OK on it, if you're interested...

That's one I never heard of. Yes, I'd love to see the clippings on that!

lol. You're right, Steve. That seem's to be very common here.

I've been meaning to mention to you when we see each other.....do you remember/know about the 'Oklahoma Commerce Tower'? I've never seen you mention it - a 20-something story building announced in late 1981, to be built by Don Kasperiet at the nw/c of Kerr and Harvey (on the site of Don Batchelor's office, old urban renewal office). It was a nice looking proposal, for the 80's, with the top to be curved and match the street/curb line. Would have been a similar size to the Penn Bank tower. I have some press clippings from the OK on it, if you're interested...

Thank you - I have been racking my brain to remember the details of that building. I think the rendering even made the front page of the Oklahoman back then. If I remember correctly, it was going to be the home of First Interstate Bank (now part of Wells Fargo). Of course, we all know what happened 6 months later.