The take on the ground amongst the Devon crew smokers is that there are two more towers on the way - one slightly taller than Devon. Done deal, according to them. Take it for what it's worth. I'm certainly taking it with a grain of tabaccy.

Can you go into more detail about this talk you had with them? This is very interesting!

I kinda hope no one builds taller than Devon for at least a decade...But I'm all for two more towers. I would also say that they are not done deals until they are announced and ground is broken.

I don't know if I'd go as far as saying that they shouldn't have been built. Stage Center and Century Center both served their purpose for some time. It's just now the purpose they were originally built for isn't needed anymore.

Either way, it still goes back to the original notion that they should be replaced and not left just because they may have once served some needless purpose. Honestly, I hate these structures because they replaced meaningful and historic structures of use. Of course, I don't want them torn down based on speculation, but if there were plans for a tower to go on the Century Center site then I would be ecstatic. I feel as if they are both scars on our urban fabric and second only to the numerous vacant lots we stand to infill.

He told me they are currently in the bidding process. One smoke turned into three. We'll see... I too will remain skeptical until something actually happens.

I doubt there is anything being bid at this point, as several of us monitor bidding databases and there has been nothing big for downtown. They could be doing it very secretly but if the construction crews know about it, how secret could it be?

The people most likely to know would be the crane operators. That is a very specialized skill and there aren't a lot of big projects for them currently. So it could be that they have been put on notice there will be more work in OKC and that information has trickled down.

All the workers pretty much freelance or work for specialized trades and the large-scale construction world is pretty small. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the broad rumors are circulating and maybe even reinforced by construction management, wanting them to stick around for the next big job.


It sure is fun to speculate. And with Devon having set the bar so high in so many ways, it's exciting to think about developers/architects/corporations sitting around trying to dream up the next big thing.

Confirmed: A tower is being planned by a company involved in finance, which is what most of us already guessed. I'm going to confirm whether it's MidFirst or American Fidelity soon, but at this point, I'd put money on American Fidelity.

king, are you hearing this is for the Main/Hudson site or is that part unclear?

king, are you hearing this is for the Main/Hudson site or is that part unclear?

I'm entirely unclear on the location right now. I'll try to pin that down if I can.

Confirmed: A tower is being planned by a company involved in finance, which is what most of us already guessed. I'm going to confirm whether it's MidFirst or American Fidelity soon, but at this point, I'd put money on American Fidelity.

Confirmed....by you?

Source??

Thanks...

I wonder how much circular reference is taking place.

I also heard that an oil and gas company is coming to OKC. Not sure where they will be located but it should happen soon.

Confirmed: A tower is being planned by a company involved in finance, which is what most of us already guessed. I'm going to confirm whether it's MidFirst or American Fidelity soon, but at this point, I'd put money on American Fidelity.

If the builiding being planned is taller than Devon, I think it will be Mid-First Bank. If it is smaller than Devon I thinkn it could be American Fidelity.

I am getting excited! I think we should hear something soon!

We are definitely about to see a lot of good things happen in 2012!

If the builiding being planned is taller than Devon, I think it will be Mid-First Bank. If it is smaller than Devon I thinkn it could be American Fidelity.

I am getting excited! I think we should hear something soon!

We are definitely about to see a lot of good things happen in 2012!

Nothing is going to be built taller than Devon. I'm not sure some people understand quite how much of an anomily it is to have a 850ft building be built in a smaller city like OKC. Buildings 1000ft and higher are still fairly rare in America, although a few are being built in New York simply because of high demand for space. Devon is ridiculously big enough as it is, I can't imagine anyone building anything larger in our lifetimes.

How big is Midfirst bank? I've seen a few of their locations in the metro, but they don't strike me as a company that would need a really huge tower, maybe something mid rise to what we have in the CBD now.

Since we are all guessing (perhaps with the exception of King who appears to say that he/she has some degree of actual knowledge), I'll venture my own.

Of the two frontrunners, I'd pick MidFirst which doesn't have a significant (if any) downtown presence ... and perhaps it wants to have one which matches its Oklahoma and Okahoma City status. As reported by Finance Learners (http://financelearners.blogspot.com/2011/06/top-banks-in-oklahoma.html),




Top Banks in Oklahoma
The top largest banks in Oklahoma (US) are BancFirst, Bank of Oklahoma, MidFirst Bank, First United Bank, SpiritBank, among others.

BancFirst is Oklahoma's largest state-chartered bank. The Company was recognized for the third consecutive year as one of America’s Best Banks by Bank Director magazine and has been ranked 11th among the largest publicly traded banks and thrifts nationwide.

Bank of Oklahoma is Oklahoma's largest locally owned business lender, offering a comprehensive lending program tailored to fit the needs of businesses.

MidFirst Bank is one of the largest privately owned banks in the United States, offering a full range of commercial, trust, private banking and mortgage banking products and services. It is consistently ranked as one of the best performing banks in the United States and well capitalized with a diversified asset portfolio.

On the other hand, American Fidelity has a well established modern campus along Classen, complete with plenty of employee parking. The three buildings along Classen appear to be a combined of somewhere around 26-28 stories, excluding basements. Why it would abandon that convenient and presumably paid-for near-downtown location is beyond me.

Just guessing in all respects, of course.

Confirmed: A tower is being planned by a company involved in finance, which is what most of us already guessed. I'm going to confirm whether it's MidFirst or American Fidelity soon, but at this point, I'd put money on American Fidelity.

Isn't AF an insurance company ? That would make this lean to MidFirst if it's finance ??? just a thought.

The Sheraton people plan on buying it and turning it into more ballroom and meeting space. They've had these plans for sometime now, but they've just been delayed.

that garage is being sold but not to the sheraton people .. and the buyers have big plans for the space

Boulder, can you elaborate on the Century Center plans?

Isn't AF an insurance company ? That would make this lean to MidFirst if it's finance ??? just a thought.
Yes.

Boulder, can you elaborate on the Century Center plans?

Big plans I hope mean tear it down! I hate that building!

Nothing is going to be built taller than Devon. I'm not sure some people understand quite how much of an anomily it is to have a 850ft building be built in a smaller city like OKC. Buildings 1000ft and higher are still fairly rare in America, although a few are being built in New York simply because of high demand for space. Devon is ridiculously big enough as it is, I can't imagine anyone building anything larger in our lifetimes.

How big is Midfirst bank? I've seen a few of their locations in the metro, but they don't strike me as a company that would need a really huge tower, maybe something mid rise to what we have in the CBD now.

Do some research buddy. They have offices scattered all over town and are one of the largest and fastest growing mortgage companies in the country. They only do low risk usually government backed mortgages. They are private so they aren't in the public eye as much. They also have the usually banking facilities across OKC. They have the capital to do it and used to be downtown. I am not sure how many people they employee but I would say it is over 1,000 maybe close to 1,500.

I don't know at this point, there are so many different ways this can turn out. If AF was going to build a skyscraper on Main/Hudson, I don't see them building anything taller than Devon. I'd rather see MidFirst build 40 story tower on that block, and have AF build a corporate campus next to C2S as originally stated, with like 4-5 12 story buildings, which would spark a lot of development in that area.

The final height depends on the design. If it has a 200' spire it could easily surpass Devon in height even if the highest useable floor is lower than Devon.

Isn't AF an insurance company ? That would make this lean to MidFirst if it's finance ??? just a thought.

I consider insurance, especially their type of life insurance, and the other business they do (flex spending, HSAs, retirement) to be finance. It's not precise, but when I said finance, they met the definition.

It really doesn't matter to me what company builds a skyscraper on that block, either way, it will be a great private investment in downtown, and a testament of premier corporate responsibility, whether it be 40, 50, or 60 stories.

MidFirst's office space isn't that large though folks. Given the employee base for the branches, you have to reduce the number of employees by MF by a LOT. It's not as though they are spread out over 20 different office buildings in town. I don't see any reason for them to move downtown compared to where they are...in a relatively small space. They would simply be infill if they moved downtown...taking over Vacant Devon space. But remember, the vas majority of Devon space will be taken within a year and we'll be left with crappy Class C FNC junk. Same as with American Fidelity, why give up the space they have for a far less convenient, no parking, higher rent option downtown?

Can someone make "Tower", in the thread title, plural?

I'd be in favor of changing the title to Mystery Development..... Let's not fan the flame here....

Didn't MidFirst acquire a bank in Phoenix in the last few years? Maybe they want to consolidate some of their out of state operations here as well, requiring more corporate space?

MidFirst's office space isn't that large though folks. Given the employee base for the branches, you have to reduce the number of employees by MF by a LOT. It's not as though they are spread out over 20 different office buildings in town. I don't see any reason for them to move downtown compared to where they are...in a relatively small space. They would simply be infill if they moved downtown...taking over Vacant Devon space. But remember, the vas majority of Devon space will be taken within a year and we'll be left with crappy Class C FNC junk. Same as with American Fidelity, why give up the space they have for a far less convenient, no parking, higher rent option downtown?

Another negative response from Bomber. Wow, could we expect less.

They have a lot of mortgage services around the city. More than we know. I have two friends that work in large call center type offices that used to be Wal-Marts. They say each has 200-250 employees in each. Then their corporate offices have about 200 people. They have been making acquisitions that will increase their work force bringing in jobs from all over. My friends aren't sure where these people will be located when they get here.

Didn't MidFirst acquire a bank in Phoenix in the last few years? Maybe they want to consolidate some of their out of state operations here as well, requiring more corporate space?
They did. I flew out to Phoenix last year to see a Thunder/Suns game and was surprised to see MidFirst splashed all over everything. Their sponsorship of the Suns was perhaps even more front-and-center than their Thunder relationship is here; probably a holdover from the bank they acquired.

They did. I flew out to Phoenix last year to see a Thunder/Suns game and was surprised to see MidFirst splashed all over everything. Their sponsorship of the Suns was perhaps even more front-and-center than their Thunder relationship is here; probably a holdover from the bank they acquired.

Go figure, Jeff Records is one of the principle original owners of the Thunder.....They also have a lot of space at Sheperd Mall for one of their units.

That's why I said their "Thunder relationship" rather than simply "sponsorship."

Nothing is going to be built taller than Devon. I'm not sure some people understand quite how much of an anomily it is to have a 850ft building be built in a smaller city like OKC. Buildings 1000ft and higher are still fairly rare in America, although a few are being built in New York simply because of high demand for space. Devon is ridiculously big enough as it is, I can't imagine anyone building anything larger in our lifetimes.

I disagree. I think that OKC might be one of the next "great cities". We could easily see a comparable or bigger tower in our lifetime. Certainly, economic stability will help. But having travelled Portland and lived in Austin during similar periods, one gets the sense that we're on the edge of tipping over into some major sustainable base growth. It also feels like living on an island as well based on where we are geographically located.

American Fidelity/Cameron Oil

I think we are all in for a big surprise!

I think we are all in for a big surprise!

Gut feeling?

I think we are all in for a big surprise!

I'm ready................. back in the Boeing thread king said we'd all be shocked......

Yes, MidFirst swept up some failed banks in Phoenix in 2009 and employ a bunch of people out there. Have at least 20 branches now.

Their name is on top of a 28-story building in downtown Phoenix so they must occupy a good portion of it. Also, they are leasing that space when they obviously prefer to own their buildings.

The idea of consolidating that office with those in OKC is an interesting idea. They are definitely growing and have the money to build. And has been mentioned before, has a built-in buyer for it's present property in Chesapeake.

I think we are all in for a big surprise!

Nothing against G. Walker (one of my favorite posters), but I hate posts like this.

thanks for the compliment, but all I was simply stating is that I think we will all be surprised on how this all turns out, meaning we are all probably not even close to what is about to take place...

thanks for the compliment, but all I was simply stating is that I think we will all be surprised on how this all turns out, meaning we are all probably not even close to what is about to take place...

What is your basis for this comment? Just speculation on this board? The over-the-top pronouncements without any credible sources or knowledge don't add anything... Worst case, they just set everyone up for disappointment.

What is your basis for this comment? Just speculation on this board? The over-the-top pronouncements without any credible sources or knowledge don't add anything... Worst case, they just set everyone up for disappointment.

+1.

This thread is out of control. Each post of "in-the-know", vague teasers just fans the flame. What if nothing is announced this year? What if nothing is announced next year? Let's just wait it out and not get excited in our pants over something that isn't a sure deal yet.

I mean think about, we have heard everything from MidFirst, American Fidelity, Chesapeake, Boeing, Continental Resources, Devon, Cemex, BancFirst, Exxon, and Chinese oil company, I have no clue at this point.

+1.

This thread is out of control. Each post of "in-the-know", vague teasers just fans the flame. What if nothing is announced this year? What if nothing is announced next year? Let's just wait it out and not get excited in our pants over something that isn't a sure deal yet.

um well it is a speculation thread...:doh:

take it for what its worth, you can take my posts with a grain of salt, because I know nothing, I am just a good researcher, its my job. The only inside info I have and can obtain is about Sandridge, because a good friend of mine works there, other than that, I am just your ordinary speculative poster.

What is your basis for this comment? Just speculation on this board? The over-the-top pronouncements without any credible sources or knowledge don't add anything... Worst case, they just set everyone up for disappointment.

Hey, this is fun stuff. All of the resources on this board will eventually nail this down before the general public knows...I hope this new tower goes 925'.

um well it is a speculation thread...:doh:

Which is the problem. This forum acts like 12 year old school girls talking about Justin Beiber at the hint of new development. So making a thread to bait that enthusiasm is just asking to run wild with rumors and high expectations of things that have not been confirmed or signed on. Perhaps this should be moved out of the development forum since there is nothing factual or firm in this thread, and move it to the Open Topic forum.

I like to stay at ground level and talk about done deals. Not vague rumors from people who's poolboy's mom's hairdresser's daughter's schoolteacher's babysitter's brother who works at so-and-so company who does business with XYZ company said they were building a 100 story tower in OKC and moving all operations from the Death Star to OKC.

In considering Steve's articles and what I believed to be credible posts on this forum, I surmised that a new tower would be built on the Carpenter Square location, along with the three small buildings to the west. However, in looking at the area this afternoon, I don't see that happening. Project 180 has almost completely finished new streets, curbs, pipelines and sidewalks all around CS. It seems terribly inefficient to tear all of that out for construction of a new tower in the immediate future. In the end, it would be a huge waste of city time, money and resources to have done all of that work just to see it undone.

Am I wrong?

I'm starting to think the better (more likely) location is the Stage Center area.

I agree with catch22, this thread is way out of control and I think many people are going to sound utterly ridiculous when a formal announcement is made. Most of the fanning of the flames are by new or unreliable posters. The only one who has commented I'd trust is Boulder, as I know him personally and he is well tied to the DT community.

PSA: reading and participating in speculation on internet message boards is not a requirement of the boards. Also, if it's hard to discern whether a post is credible or not, ignore it. If the general content of the post boils down to "I know something and can't/won't tell you yet", ignore it. If you do choose to participate speculation threads, just remember that it's just for fun and no one, most importantly yourself, will get hurt.

its funny how people get so mad and offended over "posts" from people they never met and know nothing about. This thread will continue, and people will continue to make stupid, obscene, creative, trustworthy, or reputable posts, so just deal with it. We will all know soon enough, then is thread will disappear and a new one will emerge over something else.

but I did hear that there is a 65 story tower planned for the old Cox Center site, lol...just joking....:dizzy:

One thing that might help is to be clear when you are just guessing/wishing as opposed to actual information of some sort.

It's an easy distinction to make and I try my best to do it. When I state something, it means I have it on pretty good authority and if you look over my posts, you will see these things almost always pan out. I'll also point out when I've been "hearing" things, which is not the same as being relatively certain. And lastly, sometimes it's interesting to throw out an idea or dream but again, that should be clearly stated.

Many here make no distinction between these three categories which does lead to confusion and usually, a loss of credibility.

OK, I am going to hijack this thread.

Has anyone seen drawings or images of the 17 story office building being built in Tulsa to house Cimarex? I was just wondering?

yea, it look likes a hospital

OK, I am going to hijack this thread.

Has anyone seen drawings or images of the 17 story office building being built in Tulsa to house Cimarex? I was just wondering?

I've seen them. Nothing impressive but still a good project overall.

just for the record, I started speculating about a new skyscraper over a year ago, before rumors even started...funny how I had the possible height and location right, huh?

http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=24539&page=1

OK, I am going to hijack this thread.

Has anyone seen drawings or images of the 17 story office building being built in Tulsa to house Cimarex? I was just wondering?

http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=17789&p=480665#post480665

http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=17789&p=480665#post480665

wow, it does look like a hospital

http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=17789&p=480665#post480665

Thank you! I am glad that is in Tulsa and not here! I hope our new buildings are all glass and as glamorous as the Devon Tower!

They don't have to be all glass, but I seriously hope that something like the Cimarex tower would get a certain amount of design criticism. But we know there's no way that happens...