I think we are all in for a big surprise!


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.

These two quotes pretty much sum it up for me and I think Pete explained it well also. I'm not trying to make this personal, but G.Walker has been the ring leader of grand speculative claims that have caused this thread to degrade into random guessing. People click on this thread looking for information and an informed discussion. Ignoring ignorant posts means ignoring 80% of this thread. Like someone else said, if it's not based in reality then it should just be moved somewhere else on the board.

yea, it look likes a hospital

Yeah, an ugly hospital. ;-)

These two quotes pretty much sum it up for me and I think Pete explained it well also. I'm not trying to make this personal, but G.Walker has been the ring leader of grand speculative claims that have caused this thread to degrade into random guessing. People click on this thread looking for information and an informed discussion. Ignoring ignorant posts means ignoring 80% of this thread. Like someone else said, if it's not based in reality then it should just be moved somewhere else on the board.

Wow...

Wow...

Truth hurts, unfortunately. Not just this thread, but the Boeing one too you would criticize and almost attack anyone who said Boeing wasn't the one moving downtown, or wasn't likely to.

Truth hurts, unfortunately. Not just this thread, but the Boeing one too you would criticize and almost attack anyone who said Boeing wasn't the one moving downtown, or wasn't likely to.

attack? criticize? that is borderline funny...I really don't care what people think of my posts, at the end of the day its just another thread...

Wow...

How would you react to someone that said to you, "I have a big surprise!!! Well, maybe. I actually am just guessing. There may not be a surprise or it may not be big. I have no clue."

That pretty much summarizes your contribution. Again, this isn't personal. Just maybe this form of speculation belongs in a different place than the urban development section of the board.

all I said was that "I THINK WE ARE ALL IN FOR A BIG SURPRISE!" what is wrong with that? the key word in that sentence is "I" as in my own opinion, own speculation. People do have opinions you know...

back to subject...should American Fidelity build a skyscraper, or proceed with a campus style development in C2S, which would have the bigger economic impact?

These two quotes pretty much sum it up for me and I think Pete explained it well also. I'm not trying to make this personal, but G.Walker has been the ring leader of grand speculative claims that have caused this thread to degrade into random guessing. People click on this thread looking for information and an informed discussion. Ignoring ignorant posts means ignoring 80% of this thread. Like someone else said, if it's not based in reality then it should just be moved somewhere else on the board.

This is about the third time in this thread that a complaint on all of the speculation has been made...

*clearing my throat and nodding towards the title of the thread*

I can't think of a more appropriate place for speculation.

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?

Well most banks don't occupy the entire tower they own. Just look at Chase Tower. The build more as an investment and skyline presence. And with increasing demand for Class A space, it only makes sense for them to build a tower downtown just like other banks.

Well most banks don't occupy the entire tower they own. Just look at Chase Tower. The build more as an investment and skyline presence. And with increasing demand for Class A space, it only makes sense for them to build a tower downtown just like other banks.

Most banks don't own the office towers they occupy. Just look at Chase Tower -- not owned by Chase Bank. Banks most often lease space in buildings owned by others.

Aw, crud. Turns out "mysterytower.com" is already registered.

Most banks don't own the office towers they occupy. Just look at Chase Tower -- not owned by Chase Bank. Banks most often lease space in buildings owned by others.

Exactly. Cotter Ranch owns "Chase Tower". The trolls have taken over the thread.

Metro, I don't think of you as a troll.

fwiw, if you're hoping for mainly hard news in something called mystery tower (speculation, news and information) you may need to adjust the percept-o-meter a wee bit. It is what it is, and that ain't a collection of hard news and press releases.

Metro, I don't think of you as a troll.

That's a pretty good low-blow Doug...made me laugh....lol

This thread is titled 'Mystery Tower', not 'Factual Tower'. Let the speculation and circumstance continue.

What if it were 'Fractal Tower'? now that would be amazing

I hope American Fidelity stays where they are. We don't need all that space to become vacant on Classen. Might be very hard to fill.

I hope American Fidelity stays where they are. We don't need all that space to become vacant on Classen. Might be very hard to fill.

Do you think they can turn them into apartments like the building next to the Golden dome? I am going blank on the name of the place but I know most people will know.

Exactly. Cotter Ranch owns "Chase Tower". The trolls have taken over the thread.

Duh. I'm not sure what I was thinking. Sorry.

Needs a pub on the first floor - Frac House

Truth hurts, unfortunately. Not just this thread, but the Boeing one too you would criticize and almost attack anyone who said Boeing wasn't the one moving downtown, or wasn't likely to.

My god guys! Its not that freaking hard!!! Give G. Walker a break! Look at the freaking thread title!!!! If you absolutely can't stand this thread then do what I do with politics---stay out!

And start a thread entitled 'Mystery Tower (reality, news & ideas) Post Here!

Is it really that hard?!?

Still think its Midfirst Bank. Didn't they have some drawings of a tower get out. Coincidence? I think they might have been thinking about building where they are and have seen what is going on with the Devon Tower and decided to build downtown instead. Maybe a few people convinced them not to build up there and build downtown. Nichols and Preftakes maybe?

I think Chesapeake can be pretty influential when it comes to not building or staying at a spot that's surrounded by them. Be a good reason to have a future presence downtown ;-)

PS, I remember that tower. It was curved... roughly 15 stories tall IIRC.

PLMcCord...I have no idea but think it might be very hard. And I'm not sure if the market exists for two tall vertical apt buildings on Classen. Would probably be easier and draw a different market to leave Classen building as offices and do a residential high rise downtown at a later date.

Here we're the discovered renderings from 2010 believed to be Midfirst.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/misc/44broadway1.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/misc/44broadway2.jpg
http://www.smallarchitects.com/

What if they were to cut that tower down the middle and stack both sides on top of each other... BAM! 30-40 floors!

With a very small diameter/floor plate

I hope American Fidelity stays where they are. We don't need all that space to become vacant on Classen. Might be very hard to fill.

Being a neighbor of AF, I also worry about this. While it would be nice to have them dowtown in a lot of ways, I would almost rather they expanded by building a parking garage and another building or two on their existing surface lots.

I can't believe that I am about to add to the absurd speculation on this thread (Ferris Bueller at 31 flavors) but I will:

My father is very well connected in Oklahoma City business. He has an insurance company that specializes in writing bonds for contractors. In a note to me that he mailed with a package of unrelated things, he wrote -completely unsolicited by me- that he "hears rumors daily" of an international company moving to OKC and building a tower downtown." This man has probably never heard of this site, and has certainly never visited this thread. He likely has read anything that Steve has written in the paper, but if he's hearing "rumors daily" they are probably from people in the construction industry. To me, this does lend some added credibility.

LOL you idiots actually believe they're going to build something called "Mystery Tower" in OKC? What do you think this is, a Scooby Doo Episode???

LOL you idiots actually believe they're going to build something called "Mystery Tower" in OKC? What do you think this is, a Scooby Doo Episode???

I guess I skipped over that conversation about it being named "Mystery Tower" but this is still one of the funnier posts I've ever read on here.

EDIT: Then I look up and see Sid's post and realized how awesome some of the posters can be on here.

American Fidelity/Cameron Oil

MidFirst and Sinopec, two towers....

MidFirst and Sinopec, two towers....

Will Sinopec build one of them CrAzY looking Chinese towers?

Here we're the discovered renderings from 2010 believed to be Midfirst.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/misc/44broadway1.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/misc/44broadway2.jpg
http://www.smallarchitects.com/

If MidFirst would do this downtown as shown above, I'd much prefer the design rather than a taller structure which loses the design. Very pretty, and thanks, Metro.

Keep in mind that the rendering above was located right next to their existing buildings so a move downtown might mean that a taller building would be required. If they are able to secure another large tennant then even more floors would be required. The width of that building might also be too wide for downtown blocks (unless it sat diagonally on the block which is probably against city code)

Keep in mind that the rendering above was located right next to their existing buildings so a move downtown might mean that a taller building would be required. If they are able to secure another large tennant then even more floors would be required. The width of that building might also be too wide for downtown blocks (unless it sat diagonally on the block which is probably against city code)

It would drop right in on the old chamber site.

Width be too big for downtown........clearly the city could care less about superblocks.

On a side note, when that black tower first appeared and everyone thought MidFirst was going to build that at their current location I asked a friend of mine who works at their corporate headquarters right now. She is pretty high up and deals a lot with these types of projects in other cities. She said she didn't know much other than she had seen the building's rendering in a certain persons office at MidFirst (a decision maker if you will) and that there had been guys in the parking lot spray painting lines and such. Now, that was well over a year ago so maybe they did decide to not build at that location, sell the land to CHK and reconfigure this rendering to work downtown.

Please take that with a grain(s) of salt.....but this is a speculation thread after all.

I was speaking to a contact at MidFirst when that rendering came out....they said it wasn't theirs and was actually a totally different group...just building an office tower. They could be saying that just because they don't want to say, or it could be true. Who knows....but at least on the surface, they were saying it wasn't theirs.

I can't believe that I am about to add to the absurd speculation on this thread (Ferris Bueller at 31 flavors) but I will:

My father is very well connected in Oklahoma City business. He has an insurance company that specializes in writing bonds for contractors. In a note to me that he mailed with a package of unrelated things, he wrote -completely unsolicited by me- that he "hears rumors daily" of an international company moving to OKC and building a tower downtown." This man has probably never heard of this site, and has certainly never visited this thread. He likely has read anything that Steve has written in the paper, but if he's hearing "rumors daily" they are probably from people in the construction industry. To me, this does lend some added credibility.

good deal, even more support for the rumors, I like this...

Will Sinopec build one of them CrAzY looking Chinese towers?

the Chinese have some nice modern looking skyscrapers, especially in Hong Kong...I like their architecture, I wouldn't mind having some Chinese architecture in our skyline

So, the people that say they have the most reliable sources are saying an international company and a finance company.

Hmmmm lets see.... I believe it will not be a Chinese company.

I think with all the problems in Europe it could be a bank from Europe. Probably not from Switzerland.

So probably an English speaking company..... Hmmmm UK?

With their income tax hitting 50%. I think it could be a UK bank.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/consumertips/tax/9097219/50p-tax-rate-failing-to-boost-revenues.html

Barclays or HSBC?

Barclays has commodity trading that is integrated with the oil and gas industry. They do have offices in NYC, but have offices all over the world.

HSBC also has offices in NYC, but not a big one.

Width be too big for downtown........clearly the city could care less about superblocks.

Tru dat. And to Bellaboo's point - it might fit right on the EKG Curve as is. The only problem being a curved building is keep 80% (or whatever the requirment is) adjacent to the sidewalk. Although that is only for the ground floor so it could be set on top of a podium that was pushed to the sidewalk but keep the same design for the tower.

Tru dat. And to Bellaboo's point - it might fit right on the EKG Curve as is. The only problem being a curved building is keep 80% (or whatever the requirment is) adjacent to the sidewalk. Although that is only for the ground floor so it could be set on top of a podium that was pushed to the sidewalk but keep the same design for the tower.

They are not going to build that downtown. I just mentioned it because it was a building that didn't happen. It was just the fact they had the money to build this and didn't. So, they probably have that money to build something else. And if CHK pays them for their land and building they will have enough to build a tower downtown!

If they build something it will be relivant to the site and downtown. That building was suited to that that site. This is ARCH 101!

If they build something it will be relivant to the site and downtown. That building was suited to that that site. This is ARCH 101!

Isn't that what I said?

What is the history witht the grassy lot? Left over from IM Pei street realignment?

MidFirst and Sinopec, two towers....

I just heard that Sinopec was looking at office space in the downtown area for about 10-12 employees. Don't know if that supports or discredits the Sinopec tower rumors.

midfirst can keep that faux urban design in the burbs whet it belongs! Bahahaha!

If it is an international company that is building. We can only expect a world class building. Kind of hard not to get excited!

With the last crane coming down we should hear something within the next month or two. I doubt they would tell the construction workers to hang around for 6 months doing nothing. That would be a hard thing to ask someone to put their lives on hold for 6 months until a new job may happen.

If they are building downtown. Would they just need to present to the Downtown Design Review Board? Unless they are getting TIF or other funding or building on city land. If they do that it will take longer having to get City Council approval.

Just trying to get a timeline together here to see how long it would take and how long these crane operators will be out of work.

From all indications, that rendering had nothing to do with MidFirst and was just a conceptual idea by the architects. I was the one that found and and speculated about MidFirst but I really do think there was nothing to it.

And of course, absolutely no chance it gets built downtown.

Sinopec Tower in China:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3646/3583079855_0fe9eb3bab_o.jpg

Beautiful tower! I seriously doubt it is them. They are non-operated holders of interest in wells. They won't have any operations in OK. They will just get information from the operators.

So 0% chance it is them!

Sinopec also just closed a major deal with Devon, interesting...

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203550304577138493192325500.html

Sinopec also just closed a major deal with Devon, interesting...

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203550304577138493192325500.html

NON-OP! That means they don't drill or operate any wells. They just fork over money and get information about the wells. They don't need people or a tower.

ITS NOT SINOPEC!

NON-OP! That means they don't drill or operate any wells. They just fork over money and get information about the wells. They don't need people or a tower.

ITS NOT SINOPEC!

I wouldn't go out on a limb here and claim who it is or isn't, 'cause not sure any of us here is in the know. I just saw their Chinese Headquarters building that Pete posted.....they obviously have a need for office space......maybe if this will be their US headquarters, they'll have a need here..I sure don't know but wouldn't discredit anything at this point, other than it's NOT Hertz. lol

NON-OP! That means they don't drill or operate any wells. They just fork over money and get information about the wells. They don't need people or a tower.

ITS NOT SINOPEC!

Non-op partners still have a significant interest in keeping abreast of all information and oversight relating to the operations and accounting of their investments. Sinopec has a $2.5B JV with Devon that we know about. Imagine what could be on the horizon for their future mid-con investments. CHK alone has about $10B on the table...

From all indications, that rendering had nothing to do with MidFirst and was just a conceptual idea by the architects. I was the one that found and and speculated about MidFirst but I really do think there was nothing to it.

And of course, absolutely no chance it gets built downtown.

If I recall correctly, I found it... I might be wrong about that but pretty share I started a thread on it more than 2 years ago.

according to the article, it looks like they are just now entering U.S. oil plays, and they currently don't have U.S. headquarters.

from the article:

"Sinopec agreed to pay Oklahoma City-based Devon $900 million at closing for the 33% stake in the five fields. Sinopec will also pay $1.6 billion to drill wells in those areas over the next three years.
Devon will operate the fields, which are located in Ohio, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Michigan and the midcontinent."