There have been any number of hints dropped by civic leaders lately, including the mayor. Not hints of WHO, but rather that a significant announcement likely would be made this year. It sounds like another move-in, but who knows.

So I just got back from Starbucks with Steve and Cooper Ross who did the wildly popular aerial photos of downtown... Don't worry Steve I won't spill the beans but....it's GOOD. This will be amazing... looks like I'll have a new project lined up in the near future.

^^I would have loved to be a fly on the wall for that conversation!

so i just got back from starbucks with steve and cooper ross who did the wildly popular aerial photo of downtown... Don't worry steve i won't spill the beans but....it's good. This will be amazing... Looks like i'll have a new project lined up in the near future.

damn you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay...that's just not fair!
More detail, more details...F5, F5, F5...

Fun stuff.

Go OKC, beat Boston!

:dizzy:

damn you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I think this said it better.

Can you at least give us a ballpark time when we can expect an announcement?

I'm kind of stirring the pot a little. I'm not sure Steve knows all that much but trust me, no one is more excite than Steve to get enough solid info and confirmation to bring the story to everyone.

Gives us something lol, so is it going to be taller then chase, smaller then devon. BIGGER THEN DEVON... more then one building??? wonder if boeing is involved????

My prediction is that it will be taller than Chase but shorter than Devon,atleast I hope so!

The office tower in the Wilshire Grand redev is (a) not likely to start this year and (b) is not being built as a spec.

It's not really relevant to this thread but the scheduled start date is in 2012. Whether that happen, who knows. I've seen no evidence of the 65 floor office building being preleased. Do you have inside information?

So I just got back from Starbucks with Steve and Cooper Ross who did the wildly popular aerial photos of downtown... Don't worry Steve I won't spill the beans but....it's GOOD. This will be amazing... looks like I'll have a new project lined up in the near future.

Am I understanding this correctly that Steve got ahold of the model for future skyscraper set to reveal and construct this year? And the person Steve decided to show was William? Why not just be a true reporter by spilling it all out right here, right now? Take the credit for being the first to report. Allow OKCTalk the credit to be the first public source to reveal the news? C'mon, Steve, you obviously owe us all here at OKCTalk that much by posting the renderings and details. >_<

I assume that William's use of the word, amazing, which he rarely uses do imply that its going to be taller than Devon. STEVE!!!!

Steve, may I have an appointment with you? :-)

Skyscrapers take at least a year of planning. All this time, we've had members on here, including myself, delivering credible rumors only to be dismissed by the general public. Early last year, I shared that a friend working at Dolsee was told that the next skyscraper was in the planning, but details was vague. People on here laughed it off. Then over the months, more and more people kept coming on with similar rumors. Well, lookie, we are having another skyscraper!

I'm curious, though, how long was it when the first rumors came out about possible new skyscraper until the time Devon Tower unveiled the surprise? And how long was it since the Devon Tower unveiling until the breaking ground of construction?

Comparing all of that with Devon Tower, how is that with our next skyscraper? We know that the rumors started last year, so the time frame is at least a year of rumors circulating. How much longer until the actual announcement? And after that announcement, how long will we typically wait for construction to begin?

Pete, have you found anything suspicious on the County Assessor's website? They could have cleverly kept things hidden. There is already a model rendering out there right now that Steve and William has already seen.

From what I can remember, rumors started about Devon Tower Summer of 2007, officially announced in August of 2008, and broke ground October 2009.

It's not really relevant to this thread but the scheduled start date is in 2012. Whether that happen, who knows. I've seen no evidence of the 65 floor office building being preleased. Do you have inside information?

The schedule has apparently slipped (surprise, surprise). They aren't even starting the demolition of the existing hotel until June and say that will be completed in early 2013, at which time they will begin construction of the new hotel, which will be finished by 2015. No immediate plans to start construction on the office tower. There is almost zero chance construction on an office tower of that size will be done on a spec basis.

http://www.ladowntownnews.com/news/six-projects-that-will-shape-downown-s-districts-in/article_8ddfb39a-2ce9-11e1-805f-0019bb2963f4.html

Moreover, I would suspect we have an official announcement this year, and construction will probably begin in 2013, and last until 2015, just depending on the size of the new skyscraper.

From what I can remember, rumors started about Devon Tower Summer of 2007, officially announced in August of 2008, and broke ground October 2009.

You're serious?! WOW!!! Construction does not seem like it lasted more than two years!!! OMG!!! It just feels like a whole year. Dang, it never felt like time went by that fast. :-O

As for learning about Devon's new skyscraper, it felt like I first learned about that in 2010. To see you say they unveiled it in 2008 really shocks me!!! Now I'm so lost on time and how it all could just zip by like that!

So, comparing Devon to our next skyscraper, it seems that Devon moved at a much slower pace. Our next skyscraper have rumors starting last year and now we have Steve already gotten his hands/eyes on the model rendering. That is definitely really fast and that says a lot for our future skyscrapers, because we could have up to 5 new skyscrapers by the time 10 years pass on by. OKC is really on full speed ahead!

Thanks to Devon and OKC's economy, banks should not hesitate loaning millions/billions to build new skyscrapers. BancFirst executives, I'm looking at you all considering the bank is Oklahoma-based, I hope you guys (and females, if any) don't reject any future big-time loans.

One tower I noticed was the BOK yesterday (Bank of Oklahoma). Its very small according to today's standard. Lets hope that bank (they can afford it) will also build a skyscraper.

I think Devon is classified as a Skyscraper (according to SkyscraperCity), but I can't find the real term for Devon's height range. Within the next 10 years for OKC, I am betting on 3 Skyscrapers and 2 Supertalls.

Oklahoma has a lot of advantages and incentives for companies to start out, rebuild, or relocate. We should easily see companies coming from Dallas, which will leave Dallas plenty of skyscrapers for sale while new ones are constructed in OKC.

If you are right, G.Walker, we wouldn't have to wait years for someone to plan, announce, and construct anymore in OKC. It should all be fairly fast.

I know you love skyscrapers Thunder, but skyscrapers don't come easy to any city. If you do your research on skyscraper development in the U.S., most skyscrapers were built in major cities like LA, Dallas, and Houston in the 80's. Dallas is seeing its first skyscraper built over 500 feet, in 25 years. Houston just completed its first skyscraper downtown over 500 feet in 25 years! L.A. is just now starting to see proposal for new skyscrapers downtown 20 years, with exception to the L.A. Live Hotel just completed in 2010. With exception of cities like Austin, Miami, New York, and Chicago...skyscrapers are not a common development in cities. With that being said, to have two major skyscrapers completed within a 5 year span is very rare, especially for a city our size. I wouldn't expect no new skyscrapers/highrises after this next one for some time, not counting the new Sandridge Tower and CC Hotel.

Smaller cities bigger than OKC like Memphis, Louisville, Jacksonville, Phoenix, Denver, haven't seen a significant skyscraper built in decades, and what I mean by significant, I mean 500 feet plus.

That is interesting. I don't know anything about other states, but it was always implied that OKC was the only one so behind with skyscrapers development. I'm happy to see that its not the case. :-D It looks like OKC will rival other major skyscraper-cities in a decade or two. :-D

Thunder, Steve doesn't get his paycheck from us or Pete, therefore he has no obligation to break details here. As for William, he has put in a lot of time and dedication into this website to bring US a showing quite like no other so he deserved the invite IMO. Be patient like the rest of us.

Thunder, Steve doesn't get his paycheck from us or Pete, therefore he has no obligation to break details here. As for William, he has put in a lot of time and dedication into this website to bring US a showing quite like no other so he deserved the invite IMO. Be patient like the rest of us.

We know this, but we're still dying!!! I'm not the only one. ;-)

disregard

Please calm yourself Thunder. I think your getting a little bit ahead of yourself.. Steve is a hell of a reporter and I doubt that he is 'withholding information' due to 'favoritism'. He can't just come on here and spew information. He makes sure his statements and his stories are credible before releasing them. As it seems to me, I think we will have new tower construction soon, but for you to put Will and Steve on the spot like that is not fair. I'm almost positive that they will share the information once the timing is right. CHILL OUT MAN!!!!

That is interesting. I don't know anything about other states, but it was always implied that OKC was the only one so behind with skyscrapers development. I'm happy to see that its not the case. :-D It looks like OKC will rival other major skyscraper-cities in a decade or two. :-D

We were lucky just to get Devon Tower, and to have another one built close to the same size would be amazing.

There are other things you can do to take your mind off the subject. Work, volunteer somewhere, walk in the middle of a street against the flow of traffic (should ease your mind off of future OKC development), lol.

just watched last weeks (jan10) economic dev trust meeting ... the chamber was giving a presentation about Cameron internatinal creating 100 new jobs in OKC ..

at the end he says that he hopes to give "another pleasing anouncemnet" in a couple of weeks ...

Who is "he"?

just watched last weeks (jan10) economic dev trust meeting ... the chamber was giving a presentation about Cameron internatinal creating 100 new jobs in OKC ..

at the end he says that he hopes to give "another pleasing anouncemnet" in a couple of weeks ...

Are they already in OKC? If not, I don't see how 100 new jobs warrant a massive skyscraper?

Are they already in OKC? If not, I don't see how 100 new jobs warrant a massive skyscraper?

Basically the guy thought 100 jobs coming to OKC was pleasing news. He has more pleasing news to announce, which could be, "OKC is the official home of the taco". To someone else, that may be pleasing...

I am sure we will know sooner than later. If I remember correctly Steve new about Devon like a year before they officially announced. So Steve has probably known about this for a while, and for him to give out information to Will, must mean its coming close for official announcement. I wouldn't be surprised if its announced at the 2012 State of the City luncheon by the Mayor Cornett on Thursday!

Who is "he"?

disregard .. i was doing other things while listening and he (wes bowen rep for Cameron was talking about cameron)

I know you love skyscrapers Thunder, but skyscrapers don't come easy to any city. If you do your research on skyscraper development in the U.S., most skyscrapers were built in major cities like LA, Dallas, and Houston in the 80's. Dallas is seeing its first skyscraper built over 500 feet, in 25 years. Houston just completed its first skyscraper downtown over 500 feet in 25 years! L.A. is just now starting to see proposal for new skyscrapers downtown 20 years, with exception to the L.A. Live Hotel just completed in 2010. With exception of cities like Austin, Miami, New York, and Chicago...skyscrapers are not a common development in cities. With that being said, to have two major skyscrapers completed within a 5 year span is very rare, especially for a city our size. I wouldn't expect no new skyscrapers/highrises after this next one for some time, not counting the new Sandridge Tower and CC Hotel.

All true, except downtown Houston has had at least 3 new 500+ footers built in the last 15 years, plus a couple more 450+ footers.

All true, except downtown Houston has had at least 3 new 500+ footers built in the last 15 years.

Did you wisk that off the top of your head or did you reference skyscraperpage within the last 20 minutes?

I am sure we will know sooner than later. If I remember correctly Steve new about Devon like a year before they officially announced. So Steve has probably known about this for a while, and for him to give out information to Will, must mean its coming close for official announcement. I wouldn't be surprised if its announced at the 2012 State of the City luncheon by the Mayor Cornett on Thursday!
People on this site knew about the Devon rumors a year before it was announced, it wasn't exactly a surprise. Only the scope of the project was.

Lets start talking about the new skyscraper. Where will it be the location? Somewhere already flat or to lose a structure?

Are they already in OKC? If not, I don't see how 100 new jobs warrant a massive skyscraper?

Yes they are already in OKC, but they don't need an offic tower, They are an industrial user out by the airport.

Lets start talking about the new skyscraper. Where will it be the location? Somewhere already flat or to lose a structure?

It's going to be 1600 feet high, with 20 stories that jut out in a shape representative of the wings of a bald eagle (in an homage to our nation's symbol). They will build it on top of the Cox Convention Center (sorry to those who want it torn down completey). The lower floors will have a really cool, gigantic fire pit where visitors can bring their own BBQ, cook it, and eat it. And when I say gigantic, I mean the fire will reach up at least 10 stories. Should be visible all the way from the Chesapeake Arena. Sounds like a pretty cool destination.

These are just rumors I've heard from people I know who know others.

Other than that, I'll just wait for Steve to report on it when it's confirmed.

Maybe this ties into Steve's comments about the Century Century and some possible activity there.

However I still believe the grassy patch Broadway and EKG split would be ideal. It is already a huge patch, no streets would have to be torn up.

I wouldn't be surprised if its located on Preftakes block, he already has several demolition permits for buildings on that block, and its been a mystery for years. He stated he wanted to redevelop the whole block. he has enough room on the block to sell land to developer for skyscraper and enough room to do what he wants to do.

Guys, just re-read the last ten posts on this page for a great example of how crazy rumors and ideas are born. Thunder, you don't help things. Where did terms like "invited" and "renderings" come from? I wasn't invited. I just asked to join the already scheduled meeting at Starbucks to meet Cooper Ross (who did the aerial photos that spread everywhere and weren't credited to him). Thunder you make it sound like Steve brought this model of some building and sat it on the table or something. We were there to meet Cooper and talk about the work he does (which is a lot more than just the few pictures posted here). All that was mentioned about a new building wasn't solid as far as I know but from the idea, it sounds amazing. When it is solid and confirmed, like the new SandRidge building, you'll hear about it.
I'd be lying if I said I didn't bring it up just to get a reaction. Nothing wrong with being excited. It's just amusing what some folks do on this forum. Ha, yeah and the idea I was invited to a secret meeting. I can't help it, that's just funny.

I'm kind of stirring the pot a little. I'm not sure Steve knows all that much but trust me, no one is more excite than Steve to get enough solid info and confirmation to bring the story to everyone.

Will there be news to announce soon or not?

Guys, just re-read the last ten posts on this page for a great example of how crazy rumors and ideas are born. Thunder, you don't help things. Where did terms like "invited" and "renderings" come from? I wasn't invited. I just asked to join the already scheduled meeting at Starbucks to meet Cooper Ross (who did the aerial photos that spread everywhere and weren't credited to him). Thunder you make it sound like Steve brought this model of some building and sat it on the table or something. We were there to meet Cooper and talk about the work he does (which is a lot more than just the few pictures posted here). All that was mentioned about a new building wasn't solid as far as I know but from the idea, it sounds amazing. When it is solid and confirmed, like the new SandRidge building, you'll hear about it.
I'd be lying if I said I didn't bring it up just to get a reaction. Nothing wrong with being excited. It's just amusing what some folks do on this forum. Ha, yeah and the idea I was invited to a secret meeting. I can't help it, that's just funny.

William, you should've gone along with the fun and keep us guessing. It helps our creative minds. :-)

Btw, I love the post. <3

At any rate, it sounds like this one mystery tower, a new SandRidge tower and a tall convention hotel all are in the works.

So, at least three new additions to the skyline within the next few years... And I bet they'll be more.

Did you wisk that off the top of your head or did you reference skyscraperpage within the last 20 minutes?

You are right, the first one completed in 2002, however, before that it was close to 20 years.

At any rate, it sounds like this one mystery tower, a new SandRidge tower and a tall convention hotel all are in the works.

So, at least three new additions to the skyline within the next few years... And I bet they'll be more.

Just wait until streetcar tracks start getting laid. I think we will a huge surge in mid-rise residential/hotel buildings.

As far as anyone knows, the details on another building are as vague as the details on the one SandRidge is building. How long have people rumored about that until Steve just confirmed it? Still there are no details. Give it time. The Devon complex still has like nine months left of construction. Don't let that be "old news".

But to tell people on OKCTALK that there is a possible new skyscraper in the works, and not give hints, is like throwing a Braum's Bacon Cheeseburger to a fat guy, and tell him not to eat it! lol

How much money would you be willing to pay for a ticket to the State of the City luncheon on Thursday, and sit at a reserved table with Roy Williams, Cathy O' Connor, Jim Couch, Mayor Cornett, and Larry Nichols? Pretty sure they will be talking about stuff we haven't even thought of yet!

But to tell people on OKCTALK that there is a possible new skyscraper in the works, and not give hints, is like throwing a Braum's Bacon Cheeseburger to a fat guy, and tell him not to eat it! lol

Finally, an area of expertise for me. I promise, it's nothing like that. See, drop a building info morsel and folk here get short of breath, they get glazed eyes and start asking asking asking for more information.

Set a BCB in front of a chub, and the chub will scarf it down and then smile and look up to see if it's maybe a 2fer day or if fries are coming fresh out of the basket. Even if you meant to say don't eat it, you ain't likely to have time to finish that sentence.

8^)

But to tell people on OKCTALK that there is a possible new skyscraper in the works, and not give hints, is like throwing a Braum's Bacon Cheeseburger to a fat guy, and tell him not to eat it! lol

Don't worry about it. He was just having fun with us. Time will pass and announcement will be unexpected surprise. :-)

Just wait until streetcar tracks start getting laid. I think we will a huge surge in mid-rise residential/hotel buildings.

Not holding my breath waiting on streetcar tracks to be laid.

Maybe this might be worth its own thread... but it might be fun to speculate who might use such a new skyscraper. Would it be a move of a company? Could it be a mixed use entity of some time? Might it be a hotel? If it were a company, who might that be? Who in Oklahoma has a large enough presence or is growing in OKC quickly enough that they might want their own tower to consolidate operations? What industries from out of town/state might be interested in moving here... energy? Might be fun to discuss.

How much money would you be willing to pay for a ticket to the State of the City luncheon on Thursday, and sit at a reserved table with Roy Williams, Cathy O' Connor, Jim Couch, Mayor Cornett, and Larry Nichols? Pretty sure they will be talking about stuff we haven't even thought of yet!

Not much. Tickets are only like$50-$75 to begin with, and anyone can go. They aren't anyone exciting, have you heard the names you mentioned speak? All they like to do is retell the story of the original MAPS. These people don't leak insider information, and often info leaks here on OKCTALK before some of these city leaders hear of it.

Personally, I have seen so many "announcements" lead to nothing, that I am perfectly willing to wait for an official announcement, and then some insight from Steve as to how likely it is to happen as announced. And I think if you want to continue to get information from Steve, you'll want him to hold back. If he just told us everything he heard on the streets, the street would quickly become silent to him.

And honestly, imo, the best news we could get right now is that the quiet zone was going to happen. The more I think about it, the more it seems to be the last major barrier to more significant development downtown. Do that, and the emerging residential areas downtown suddenly become much more livable. At that point you may even begin to justify new residential construction of the vertical variety (gasp!).

I'm all for the speculation, but let's not be critical of Steve for treading lightly with his credibility. It is his livelihood, after all.

Guys, just re-read the last ten posts on this page for a great example of how crazy rumors and ideas are born. Thunder, you don't help things. Where did terms like "invited" and "renderings" come from? I wasn't invited. I just asked to join the already scheduled meeting at Starbucks to meet Cooper Ross (who did the aerial photos that spread everywhere and weren't credited to him). Thunder you make it sound like Steve brought this model of some building and sat it on the table or something. We were there to meet Cooper and talk about the work he does (which is a lot more than just the few pictures posted here). All that was mentioned about a new building wasn't solid as far as I know but from the idea, it sounds amazing. When it is solid and confirmed, like the new SandRidge building, you'll hear about it.
I'd be lying if I said I didn't bring it up just to get a reaction. Nothing wrong with being excited. It's just amusing what some folks do on this forum. Ha, yeah and the idea I was invited to a secret meeting. I can't help it, that's just funny.

Wow.
It's where reality-reality and online-reality diverge.
Will is one of the great people I've met through OKC Talk who I now count as a friend - a very talented one at that. Will and I had a great time looking at Cooper's work, and looking at Will's work, and comparing notes, getting to know Cooper better. I can't even imagine how any other impression was gathered about this meeting. And for what it's worth, if one were to compare what I know with what I've shared with this site, they'd be amazed at how forthcoming I've actually been. I really don't hold back that much.

Maybe this might be worth its own thread... but it might be fun to speculate who might use such a new skyscraper. Would it be a move of a company? Could it be a mixed use entity of some time? Might it be a hotel? If it were a company, who might that be? Who in Oklahoma has a large enough presence or is growing in OKC quickly enough that they might want their own tower to consolidate operations? What industries from out of town/state might be interested in moving here... energy? Might be fun to discuss.

Its not that hard to figure it out, put two and two together. American Fidelity has been talking for years about a downtown presence. Boeing is sending 1,000 jobs to Oklahoma City. Continental Resources is relocating downtown, and will triple in size, and out grow their space fast. I would bet it is one of these companies.

Its not that hard to figure it out, put two and two together. American Fidelity has been talking for years about a downtown presence. Boeing is sending 1,000 jobs to Oklahoma City. Continental Resources is relocating downtown, and will triple in size, and out grow their space fast. I would bet it is one of these companies.

or midfirst bank

That is not true. Other people sparked before I joined in. I simply got excited and followed. I didn't start the talks. I'm taking another break from here. Its wrong to point finger at me.

Thunder,

You are telling people over on Skyscrapercity to contact Steve Lackmeyer about this new tower.....you should not do that.

Yay!!!! Back to normal speculation and not the crazy, blown WAYYYYY out of proportion speculation!!!! The ridiculous statements are starting to irk me!!!