Just a fantasy thought here, but could an addition be built on top of Robinson Plaza (directly north of the Colcord)? That would a nice fill-in if it was raised to around 500 or so feet.

Just a fantasy thought here, but could an addition be built on top of Robinson Plaza (directly north of the Colcord)? That would a nice fill-in if it was raised to around 500 or so feet.

Don't know about this one Kaynmo, but over just to the West of the Skirvin Hotel, the all black with vertical white outlined building, originally called Skirvin Tower (not sure of current name), had elevator shafts added back in the early '80's. It was going to be doubled in height from 14 floors up to 28. I thought that would have been a nice improvement.

Then the oil bust and you know how those go.

101 Park Avenue. (https://www.google.com/search?q=101+park+avenue+oklahoma+city&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=qekcT52oIuz4sQLzg_3NCw&biw=1443&bih=694&sei=rOkcT-2JHeL7sQK5jdGpCw)

That would've been an amazing improvement! Hopefully it'll still be doubled in height soon, lol. Or tripled, either one.

ok, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading everyone's posts in this thread and like Sid - admiring my hometown of OKC, from Seattle. I understand that the thread is for us to speculate on the future of downtown and try to come up with 'facts' or rumors to support our speculation; there have been some great ideas tossed out and some seem to be quite credible or at least feasible.

We already know the SandRidge Activity Center and Braniff Buildings are U/C (or soon to be) and the CC Hotel is going to happen. I think those are 3 at least mid-rise infills that we can count on. But allow me to speculate on the not previously announced but highly anticipated tower(s) and what I think might happen, based on what has been posted here so far. I think there could be multiple new towers coming online in the next few years, but I will speak specifically of the 'speculative' tower that everyone has been talking about.

I would venture to guess that indeed Chesapeake could be the developer and perhaps lease some space, but the tower would be large enough to house a new corporate headquarters moving to Oklahoma City. As was mentioned, Chesapeake and Aubrey are huge OKC proponents and have the cash and will to develop downtown and even sit on the property - look at what happened with the Thunder for an example (overpaid 360M + 35M + relocation and major corporate sponsorships). I would certainly believe, if true, that Aubrey WOULD wait on Devon to finish and debut; let the smoke clear, then create their own spotlight. And I could also see it being announced as a supertall and possibly have a retail component. I would totally believe this to be true if all of sudden the Convention Center is moved and somebody else buys the Ford site land. .....

I could also see Chesapeake being the developer of a building for MidFirst bank. Again, they have the cash and will to do it and it could be just what is needed to seal the deal for getting MidFirst to move. Being they are conservative, they may not be willing to sink money so quickly into a new tower - but what if Chesapeake did and they either bought it or leased it back from Chesapeake Real Estate? It could be another local company, like AFA or a combination (with a taller tower). ..

One final thought that crossed my mind but still involves Chesapeake Real Estate. Continental bought MidAmerica Tower, but really that building would be the perfect size for Boeing. I know Boeing already has a building at TIK and is building another one twice as tall. But, those two buildings will hold all of the announced employees that are tied to the programs already moved to TIK. This does NOT include the new engineering and management jobs from Wichita, whose physical work will be done in San Antonio. .... Remember, the engineering and management jobs are moving to OKC, the mft/maintenance jobs are NOT (they are moving to San Antonio). So there is NO reason the new 1000+ Wichita jobs would NEED to be located at TIK. Mid America tower is the perfect size for a Boeing-style 1000 person operation (I used to work at Boeing as a manager and engineer). In the Seattle suburbs, Boeing has office buildings just outside of the plants where Engineers and managers sit. Im thinking most specifically of the 40-87 and 40-88 buildings in Everett where I used to office. Put the two together, and you have about 300,000 sq feet which is the same size as Mid America. In this case, perhaps Chesapeake could build a new tower(s) and act as a holding company (see KerrMcGee tower/Sandridge) for Continental while Boeing purchased or leased Mid America. If true, this would be a Regional Hq office and we could see the Boeing shoosh on top of MAT? ...

It could be any of these, or somebody new, or all - but one thing I see as common IS Chesapeake Real Estate LTD or whatever their official name is. Again, they are big on OKC and they have the money and will to make things happen and wait for it to mature. I think Chesapeake WILL be involved with downtown in some way or form and this is a good thing to have in your city. Again, Devon chose to stay and hinted at Downtown becoming a major player in the nation's Energy Hq. ....

Not to be outdone by Devon, it (or one of the new towers) could be a supertall, particularly if it is an incubator or holding office space situation for Chesapeake. Just think of the sign that might go on top (and Devon wont have a sign), lol.

Im as in the dark as anyone but I bet something along these lines might come to fruition. Somehow, Chesapeake is involved. Kudos to Aubrey McClendon and Chesapeake for staying true to Oklahoma City in a very big way. Wouldn't it be nice if they are indeed involved in all of these cases. (dreaming)

Im so proud of OKC, it is nice to be able to speculate on the growth of downtown and likely be in the ballpark of what will happen. I look forward to the future (especially the near) of OKC, Good Times indeed!

Continue the Renaissance!

I forgot you were here in Seattle. We should do coffee and chat about OKC.

You really are in Seattle.

Im so proud of OKC, it is nice to be able to speculate on the growth of downtown and likely be in the ballpark of what will happen. I look forward to the future (especially the near) of OKC, Good Times indeed!

Continue the Renaissance! Okay, you've got me all pumped up, now. I share your pride. I've traveled to several places around the nation and the world trying to be a good ambassador. I've attempted to educate co-workers about OKC and it's inhabitants and debunk some stereotypes over the last nearly 30 years...obviously to include before the renaissance. Now, I can include pictures and plans! In a lot of cases, the Thunder have done it for me.

Totally agree about that Thundercitizen. I have been worldwide as well and have often noted my hometown which is almost immediately recognized for the Thunder or the bombing. In my numerous trips to China, any mention of OKC immediately draws up the Thunder and KD. The television broadcasts DEFINITELy are helping in that regard. ....

Sid, Im actually not a coffee drinker believe it or not but I work downtown at Nordstrom corporate offices. Guys, I'll do my part to get OKC on the radar of Nordstrom, I hear there is work being considered for at least a Nordstrom Rack or two but I can't say more than that. ...

It is good to see so many fellow OKC Expats around the country, supporting the city or at least informing people of the renaissance taking place.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Old%20Oklahoma%20City/Skylines/21412B5419.jpg

How about this for a before and after (pic also from UnFrSaKn):

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Devon%20Tower/January%202012/IMG_3701.jpg

I was being more snarky than literal. I was jokingly making reference to the skyline being a mere speck on the horizon with lots of ramshackle industrial trash in between the viewer and downtown.

How about this for a before and after (pic also from UnFrSaKn):

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/Devon%20Tower/January%202012/IMG_3701.jpg

Awsome!!! Perfect comparison.

...i can't figure out how to delete this post.


my bad.

Does anyone else think that the Chase building actually gains more appeal with Devon now in the skyline...and I think it would be even more appealing if another building were built (height wise) between Devon and Chase. No offense to anyone who loves Chase tower, but it's a horrendous building to be the tallest in the skyline. Now it seems to be gaining a wonderful element of contrast with a lot of the other downtown buildings. It's the darkest building downtown and the most "bland". It seems in that negativity it sticks out more as a pleasant change of pace.

Does anyone else think that the Chase building actually gains more appeal with Devon now in the skyline...and I think it would be even more appealing if another building were built (height wise) between Devon and Chase. No offense to anyone who loves Chase tower, but it's a horrendous building to be the tallest in the skyline. Now it seems to be gaining a wonderful element of contrast with a lot of the other downtown buildings. It's the darkest building downtown and the most "bland". It seems in that negativity it sticks out more as a pleasant change of pace.

Yes, it would be cool if they renovated the Chase building with a modern facade, it would work wonders for the skyline.

Does anyone else think that the Chase building actually gains more appeal with Devon now in the skyline...Ha. Yes, it looks better when you don't stare directly at it.
The Devon Tower is a nice distraction making the Chase tower "underbrush".

The energy industry is the driving force behind the major activity in downtown construction so far. Lets take a look back to the late 70's and early 80's at the last energy boom cycle. We had 4 major structures built, Mid-America, Corporate Tower, Oklahoma Tower and North and South Leadership Square. I know that the Robinson Ren. building was refurbished during this time also. I might have missed a few, but lets keep in mind that this energy boom is predicted to be stronger and larger than the last one.

Here's justification we'll see more and larger projects during this cycle. There's good reason for the rumors.

Interestingly, that last building flurry was all done by developers, not the energy companies themselves.

Big change this time around although at least some semi-speculative development will probably still happen down the road.

The energy industry is the driving force behind the major activity in downtown construction so far. Lets take a look back to the late 70's and early 80's at the last energy boom cycle. We had 4 major structures built, Mid-America, Corporate Tower, Oklahoma Tower and North and South Leadership Square. I know that the Robinson Ren. building was refurbished during this time also. I might have missed a few, but lets keep in mind that this energy boom is predicted to be stronger and larger than the last one.

Here's justification we'll see more and larger projects during this cycle. There's good reason for the rumors.

One thing that is definately different from the last go around is taller buildings (if the rumoured 40-story comes true) are being built. I wasn't here for the last energy boom but I can drive along I-40 and see some of the effects of it, and not to get ahead of myself but it makes me wonder what we will see in the next 30-40 years because we know it isn't going to be another 27 years before another significant bulding is built, it may be as soon as next year when the next "significant" tower breaks ground.

After CC Hotel, Sandridge Tower, and Mystery Tower (Owner-Occupant) are built, I wouldn't expect any significant skyscrapers built at least for another 10 years. But we would still have a decent skyline for a metro area of only 1.3M. I would expect most of the focus after 2015 to shift to Core 2 Shore development, where we will see development of mid-rise residential and commercial buildings.

If the mystery tower turns out to be owner-occupied I actually think there is going to be big need for spec office space very soon.

I also wouldn't rule out the possibility of at least one more large hotel and possibly some residential high-rises.

If the mystery tower turns out to be owner-occupied I actually think there is going to be big need for spec office space very soon.

I also wouldn't rule out the possibility of at least one more large hotel and possibly some residential high-rises.

I doubt we will see any residential high-rises, there is not a demand for it. Residential high-rises are usually condominiums, and according to the most recent downton housing study done by the City, apartment development will drive residential construction for years to come. That is why we can expect more mid-rise apartment development more than high-rise condos. I would love to see more developments like The Edge @ Midtown be developed in Core 2 Shore area, adjacent to the new park, or "suburban style" office complex.

and when I say "suburban style" office complex, I mean something similar to Granite Park in Plano, Tx:

http://www.bokapowell.com/iphone/planning-and-urban-design/granite_park_masterplan.jpg

I hope that there are some freestanding brownstone type developments on the edge of the park rather than apartment complexes.

and when I say "suburban style" office complex, I mean something similar to Granite Park in Plano, Tx:

http://www.bokapowell.com/iphone/planning-and-urban-design/granite_park_masterplan.jpg

Are you suggesting this would be a good idea for Core to Shore? If so, tell me the three things you like most about that model.

Yes, walkability, mid-rise office architecture, and it will add another option for companies wanting to be close to downtown, but don't want the heartache of dealing with congestion, ongoing construction, and parking. They can leave out the ponds though, lol.

I hope that there are some freestanding brownstone type developments on the edge of the park rather than apartment complexes.

I would like to see that too, but I would expect the land there to be expensive enough that the $200+ dollar a square foot prices people currently complain about for downtown housing would sound cheap in comparison. I would expect to pay $300+ a square foot to live along a park of that calibre. And if that's the case, will the people who can pay that be willing to buy downtown? The Brownstones currently have 3 new resident families and prices haven't dropped significantly. The Hill, while I haven't noticed any recent sales, definitely has a fair number of people living there. There are certainly a lot of people looking at the Brownstones, to the point that it seems like maybe the general public's perception of living downtown is slowly changing.

I would like to see that too, but I would expect the land there to be expensive enough that the $200+ dollar a square foot prices people currently complain about for downtown housing would sound cheap in comparison. I would expect to pay $300+ a square foot to live along a park of that calibre. And if that's the case, will the people who can pay that be willing to buy downtown? The Brownstones currently have 3 new resident families and prices haven't dropped significantly. The Hill, while I haven't noticed any recent sales, definitely has a fair number of people living there. There are certainly a lot of people looking at the Brownstones, to the point that it seems like maybe the general public's perception of living downtown is slowly changing.

That's good to know that there are families in the Brownstones now.

There was someone on here several months ago who has a home in The Hill and he said sales were really picking up there.

It really did just take pioneers like yourself to get the ball rolling; I think the perception of living downtown is definitely improving, especially with added amenities coming online.

Yes, walkability, mid-rise office architecture, and it will add another option for companies wanting to be close to downtown, but don't want the heartache of dealing with congestion, ongoing construction, and parking. They can leave out the ponds though, lol.

That isn't a walkable environment. You sure can't walk to it from anywhere else unless you want to cross 10 lanes of freeways and cross a huge parking lot. The internal circulation is just as bad. Finally, that is one big congestion nightmare - thousands of parking space and one arterial road. Instead of that model, build the same buildings, fit them to the existing street grid and make about 1/5 the number of parking spaces (in a multi-story parking garage). If you want to get rid of congestion you have to get rid of the concentration of cars.

When LEVEL and Aloft are both open -- along with the ample amenities they both will provide -- I bet there will be a nice surge in condo sales throughout Deep Deuce.

That isn't a walkable environment. You sure can't walk to it from anywhere else unless you want to cross 10 lanes of freeways and cross a huge parking lot. The internal circulation is just as bad. Finally, that is one big congestion nightmare - thousands of parking space and one arterial road. Instead of that model, build the same buildings, fit them to the existing street grid and make about 1/5 the number of parking spaces (in a multi-story parking garage). If you want to get rid of congestion you have to get rid of the concentration of cars.

I didn't way I wanted to mimic the model exactly, but some of the features, but you do make valid points, I would get rid of parking spaces, build parking garages, trails, and bicycle lanes.

I didn't way I wanted to mimic the model exactly, but some of the features, but you do make valid points, I would get rid of parking spaces, build parking garages, trails, and bicycle lanes.

I 100% understand the mid-rise angle. I have said many times I would prefer mid-rise to super-tall development. Give me London style development over Dubai any day.

So this new tower..(or the rumor)..is it something to do with Ches. Like offices or a corporate tower?

So this new tower..(or the rumor)..is it something to do with Ches. Like offices or a corporate tower?

We don't know who the business or developer is behind this.

Interestingggg

So this new tower..(or the rumor)..is it something to do with Ches. Like offices or a corporate tower?

FYI the official abbreviation for Chesapeake is CHK, their stock ticker.

I'll leave this right here.

This would have been Thunder's wet dream of what OKC should look like. (or how he imagined it in his head)

http://i.imgur.com/sU1vN.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Kr2tC.jpg

I'll leave this right here.

This would have been Thunder's wet dream of what OKC should look like. (or how he imagined it in his head)

http://i.imgur.com/sU1vN.jpg

I honestly would hate this to be okc....

Is that Coruscant?

We aren't like star wars LOL.

Freedom Tower is looking BAD@$$!!

Freedom Tower is looking BAD@$$!!

It's my favorite after Devon.

Devon Tower would be about as tall as the installed glass portion of 1WTC (Freedom Tower). If it were in Midtown standing next to the Empire State Building, it would be clearly visible, even at that distance. Even in Manhattan it would not be an insignificant building.

If I could take a skyscraper from any city in US, and plop it in downtown OKC, it would have to be Millenium Tower from San Francisco, not too tall, and architecture would fit well with our skyline:

http://www.pulsefactors.com/img/pom/POM_56_image_1.jpg

edit: oops wrong thread

I think that tower is simply stunning. The concept of a "crystal city" does make me giddy at the thought of it. =) Are there are any cities that have a requirement that all high-rises be all glass?

All glass? While I love the look of the Devon Tower, I prefer Art Deco skyscrapers.

http://i.imgur.com/Kr2tC.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/okcnyc1.jpg

I watched Babylon A.D. recently and there was a scene that zoomed in to the top ofTwo World Trade Center. Is that the one being constructed to the right of One in the pic above?

I watched Babylon A.D. recently and there was a scene that zoomed in to the top ofTwo World Trade Center. Is that the one being constructed to the right of One in the pic above?

No, I believe it is Four World Trade Center.

http://i.imgur.com/pwMVB.jpg

Yikes!!! Let's hear it for modern safety standards in the construction industry!! That must be the Woolworth, n'est ce pas?

I just got back from New York, and the new One World Trade is going to be an impressive structure. Also, not to stray from topic, but if you all have the chance, you should make it to the memorial. The massive scale of it really conveys the tragedy of the events.

I just got back from New York, and the new One World Trade is going to be an impressive structure. Also, not to stray from topic, but if you all have the chance, you should make it to the memorial. The massive scale of it really conveys the tragedy of the events.

I plan on going once all the towers are built.

I just got back from New York, and the new One World Trade is going to be an impressive structure. Also, not to stray from topic, but if you all have the chance, you should make it to the memorial. The massive scale of it really conveys the tragedy of the events.

I agree, it makes Devon look small, and we all know Devon is a massive structure.

http://i.imgur.com/nYVmi.jpg
Minneapolis

http://www.rjiphotography.com/

awesome!

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Old%20Oklahoma%20City/Skylines/205331AOklahomaCityChamberofCommerceCollection-Photographs-Box1TOWNS-OKLAHOMACITY-AERIAL-SKYLINEOFOKLAHOMACITYANDCLOUDS.jpg

Looks like the dust bowl! XD

http://i.imgur.com/nYVmi.jpg
Minneapolis

http://www.rjiphotography.com/Who ya gonna call?

^^Fire & Ice! That pic is Awesome!