Because I am unsure of how gaurded this information is, and I would not want to violate the trust of someone close to me. And for the record, the company I was refering to probably falls in that 75% that is completely implausible, the point that I was trying to make is that there are some VERY ambitious efforts being made to bring companies to OKC and it would be interesting if this mystery tower wasn't being built by a company that currently has little or no current presence in OKC.

I think that most may have missed what it was that CurtisJ was insinuating. That someone like Devon or Chesepeake might be trying to lure corporations here to the City, and one way to do so is to mitigate some of the risk associated with making a move and building a new class A structure worthy of the company. So, in steps a cash laden booster who then funds the building and construction and then leases the space back to the incoming company, with an arangement for them to buy at a specific time in the near future after the dust settles. It would be beneficial to the sponsoring party as well as the new corporation. It could also be quite large providing space for several major tenants.

I think it is also interesting to apply that logic to the other speculation that has been floating about Chesepeake building a skyscraper which in and of itself does not make much sense considering their campus and masterplan just north of the CBD. But if you cast in this light the two rumors just may both be true, and one and the same. Which to me seems the most likely. Although the actions seem more like something that I could see Devon orchestrating. It will be no doubt interesting to see unfold! Go Oklahoma City!

When I think of really cool modern looking buildings that I would love to see emulated here, I think of some of the condo developments that they have in Vancouver. Unfortunately I couldn't tell you what they are called but maybe one of the architecture aficionados here will understand the gist and post a picture. They are glass with a partial external structure I think. I don't know how to describe them other than to say modern but tasteful. Maybe something sort of in that style but adopted for business.

http://yaletown.homezilla.ca/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/skyline3.jpg

someone like Devon or Chesepeake might be trying to lure corporations here to the City, and one way to do so is to mitigate some of the risk associated with making a move and building a new class A structure worthy of the company. So, in steps a cash laden booster

Both those companies are publicly traded and there is a big difference in spending lots of money to keep your employees happy and to fuel your growth and spending half a billion dollars to build a skyscraper for someone else.

Also, CHK cannot be described as cash laden.


I think the big efforts being made are by the Chamber with guys like Nichols & McClendon helping recruit. Other big initiatives come from various incentive programs for relocating/expanding companies and also a new push to reduce state income tax.

Well a couple weeks ago my brother (who works for chesapeke)told me that that there is a big oil company that is looking to build its headquarter here, I wish I would've paid attention to the name!

Who knows how this will all turn out, but I think it's reasonably safe to say that if Cemex does come to OKC, we will NOT have another glass and steel structure.

BTW, I think it's great that the Chamber, business leaders and now even the governor are all working hard to bring new businesses in and to help the existing ones grow.

I started a thread about a year ago saying I could feel a corner being turned in OKC and I really do think that has happened in lots of ways. I've also said I thought OKC could be the next Charlotte or Austin and I stand by that. I don't think there is a city that is better positioned to make the jump from 10-15% growth each decade to the 20%+ club. I think Albuquerque is the other town that is really ready to take off.

I think the biggest change is just that there are lots of progressive thinkers and plenty of people looking well into the future. I also think the average citizen is excited about the growth and change and is obviously willing to keep investing in the community through initiatives like MAPS. This is more rare than you may think, as most cities have a complicated relationship with growth and change, while at every turn it's full speed ahead in OKC.

Something like this would be awesome. Biased cause it's my favorite building out there.

Westend Strasse 1 (208 M) in Frankfurt, Germany

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3040/2909344211_13e409b802_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/23835393@N04/2909344211/)

Have you also seen the Capella Tower in Minneapolis? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capella_Tower

Once the tower announcement is made it will definitely put another dagger in Tulsa's ego.

I have always been fond of the Pei-designed Fountain Place in Dallas. Of course mentioning the Pei name could start a whole 'nother heated discussion in these parts!

Once the tower announcement is made it will definitely put another dagger in Tulsa's ego.

Sigh. I sit here and read about all the exciting things going on in OKC, of which I am proud of, and then I read this.

There is definitely something unfolding down there, it will be exciting to watch in the near future.

Well a couple weeks ago my brother (who works for chesapeke)told me that that there is a big oil company that is looking to build its headquarter here, I wish I would've paid attention to the name!

Do you have your brother's phone number? If so, call him and ask. Post the answer here.

The brother could have been talking about Continental.

Once the tower announcement is made it will definitely put another dagger in Tulsa's ego.

Dumb.

Well a couple weeks ago my brother (who works for chesapeke)told me that that there is a big oil company that is looking to build its headquarter here, I wish I would've paid attention to the name!

Call your brother, IMO.

Dumb.

How long have you lived in Tulsa?

Why hate on Tulsa? It's a great city. And they don't have to fail for us to succeed.

It's not a slam on Tulsa, I'm just pointing out a well known belief that they see OKC as inferior and with OKC progressing while they're not doesn't do good for their ego.

How about something like this? The black part would be detailed black marble, and the blue is glass of course. Also, on the round marble part, there would be glass square windows. -780 ft, 40fls
http://i44.tinypic.com/qzra0p.png

The brother could have been talking about Continental.

That sounds right but I'll hit him up sometime and ask

How about something like this? The black part would be detailed black marble, and the blue is glass of course. Also, on the round marble part, there would be glass square windows. -780 ft, 40fls
http://i44.tinypic.com/qzra0p.png

I thought of that too but with a little rock at the bottom, would look pretty cool downtown

That sounds right but I'll hit him up sometime and ask

dude, shoot him a quick text if you don't feel like bugging him with a phone call. i am also intrigued by the possibilities!

Hopefully Steve will break the story in the next few months, this will be exciting. Never thought OKC would get two major skyscrapers back to back, many researchers stated OKC wouldn't see another significant skyscraper for at least another 10-15 years, guess we proved them wrong.

And what researchers said this? Please give examples. History shows skyscraper construction usually comes on heels of another.

BTW, I think it's great that the Chamber, business leaders and now even the governor are all working hard to bring new businesses in and to help the existing ones grow.

I started a thread about a year ago saying I could feel a corner being turned in OKC and I really do think that has happened in lots of ways. I've also said I thought OKC could be the next Charlotte or Austin and I stand by that. I don't think there is a city that is better positioned to make the jump from 10-15% growth each decade to the 20%+ club. I think Albuquerque is the other town that is really ready to take off.

I think the biggest change is just that there are lots of progressive thinkers and plenty of people looking well into the future. I also think the average citizen is excited about the growth and change and is obviously willing to keep investing in the community through initiatives like MAPS. This is more rare than you may think, as most cities have a complicated relationship with growth and change, while at every turn it's full speed ahead in OKC.

Very well said! I work with businesses everyday and the excitement is wide spread. In fact we have leaders from other progresssive communities that visit OKC to benchmark because we are known as a city that is willing to invest in itself. They all want to know how we do it!

It's not a slam on Tulsa, I'm just pointing out a well known belief that they see OKC as inferior and with OKC progressing while they're not doesn't do good for their ego.

Um...never mind. Don't want to start that on this thread.

I think the biggest change is just that there are lots of progressive thinkers and plenty of people looking well into the future. I also think the average citizen is excited about the growth and change and is obviously willing to keep investing in the community through initiatives like MAPS. This is more rare than you may think, as most cities have a complicated relationship with growth and change, while at every turn it's full speed ahead in OKC.
There's ample evidence of solid citizenry support for improving OKC and attracting jobs to the local landscape.
The PR impact of the NBA cannot be overestimated either.

768 ft. Perfect.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2439/4493527154_b093bcab63.jpg

^^
Disgusting

Pete, I'd have to disagree about ABQ. That town is dead. Yes, they have landed some major tech companies (I think due to their proximity to the west coast more than anything). My recently former employer, a nationwide retailer, opened an ABQ store a few months back. I warned against it looking at the marketing numbers, they didn't make sense. The store isn't doing that well, and after visiting the town and meeting with key influencers, Chamber, business leaders, etc. also their business laws make it impossible to open a business there, and permits are hard to get and help to get set up is lacking. They also tax you for services AND for your inventory unlike most states. very business unfriendly. It is a night and day difference compared to OKC. I drove the whole city multiple times and saw ZERO new construction of any kind, not even a house or fast food restaurant, unlike all the major construction we are seeing all over the metro here. The biggest thing there Chamber peeps were touting was Chipotle was going to open a store their soon. Whoa Chipotle..... What a big development......not! Most businesses are dead or dying out there, the place is dirty, and most people I talked to are broke. On the plus side they have a MUCH better airport and public transportation system.

And what researchers said this? Please give examples. History shows skyscraper construction usually comes on heels of another.

I'm not sure which honest researchers believe that it would take us 10-15 years for another significant skyscraper but I've heard a lot of average Joe's state that Devon would be the only skyscraper built for the next 25+ years but those people are also the ones that think Oklahoma City is still an inferior dust bowl town with a population of 250 and we still have cowboy and indian fights on our downtown dirt road, those people are also known as "haters".

Haters gonna hate.

Story in the paper the other day about Plains All American Pipeline, putting huge investment in the Mississippi Lime play. They are in the fortune 100, maybe it's them ???

And what researchers said this? Please give examples. History shows skyscraper construction usually comes on heels of another.

metro, I was referring to the ULI C2S report http://www.okc.gov/resources/ulifinal.pdf presented to the Oklahoma City Council back in March of 2010, pg. 16, under Market Potential. They emphasized that since Devon will be vacating a lot of space, downtown Oklahoma City should not expect any speculative office towers in the future. However, they did emphasize that a corporation could locate downtown and build its own tower, so they didn't rule that out. I was basing my statement on that section of the report. Maybe I exaggerated a bit, but it had been 2 years since I actually read the report, so I had a misunderstanding.

metro, I was referring to the ULI C2S report http://www.okc.gov/resources/ulifinal.pdf presented to the Oklahoma City Council back in March of 2010, pg. 16, under Market Potential. They emphasized that since Devon will be vacating a lot of space, downtown Oklahoma City should not expect any speculative office towers in the future. However, they did emphasize that a corporation could locate downtown and build its own tower, so they didn't rule that out. I was basing my statement on that section of the report. Maybe I exaggerated a bit, but it had been 2 years since I actually read the report, so I had a misunderstanding.

If I'd had read that, i'd have taken it the same way you did G.

Story in the paper the other day about Plains All American Pipeline, putting huge investment in the Mississippi Lime play. They are in the fortune 100, maybe it's them ???

Plains is in Houston. No oil company from Houston is going to move to OKC. They have a field office off of Broadway Ext. That is all we can get from them.

Pete, I'd have to disagree about ABQ. That town is dead. Yes, they have landed some major tech companies (I think due to their proximity to the west coast more than anything). My recently former employer, a nationwide retailer, opened an ABQ store a few months back. I warned against it looking at the marketing numbers, they didn't make sense. The store isn't doing that well, and after visiting the town and meeting with key influencers, Chamber, business leaders, etc. also their business laws make it impossible to open a business there, and permits are hard to get and help to get set up is lacking. They also tax you for services AND for your inventory unlike most states. very business unfriendly. It is a night and day difference compared to OKC. I drove the whole city multiple times and saw ZERO new construction of any kind, not even a house or fast food restaurant, unlike all the major construction we are seeing all over the metro here. The biggest thing there Chamber peeps were touting was Chipotle was going to open a store their soon. Whoa Chipotle..... What a big development......not! Most businesses are dead or dying out there, the place is dirty, and most people I talked to are broke. On the plus side they have a MUCH better airport and public transportation system.

Agreed. I was wondering about that when I read Pete's post too.

Story in the paper the other day about Plains All American Pipeline, putting huge investment in the Mississippi Lime play. They are in the fortune 100, maybe it's them ???

Mewbourne Oil in Tyler, TX could be one that could move. Its founder is an OU graduate with the the University of Oklahoma named the Mewbourne School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering in his honor in May of 2000.

That would be an awesome addition to OKC!

Also, there are a few in New Mexico or Wichita, KS that could move to OKC.

I talked with a man that is with continetal resources, and according to him, he knows nothing about them moving downtown...he could be keeping a secret, but we can probably scratch them off the list.

I talked with a man that is with continetal resources, and according to him, he knows nothing about them moving downtown...he could be keeping a secret, but we can probably scratch them off the list.

they already bought devon's building and are moving in this year

I mentioned Albuquerque because it has been showing up on more and more best-places-to-live lists, and from 2000-10 it's MSA grew by almost 25% (OKC only grew 14% in that same period). It will soon pass Tulsa (probably already has) and a bunch of other cities above it.

I have friends that live there and love it... Tons of recreation / bike paths and mountains are very nearby, nice climate and low cost of living. Also lots of green, progressive initiatives.

If I were to relocate, it would be on my short list of places to consider.

they already bought devon's building and are moving in this year

LOL. Apparently, that guy hasn't gotten the memo.

Skyscraper development doesn't come easy to Tier 3 cities like OKC. So we are in a very fortunate position even just to have Devon Tower, let alone another significant skyscraper in the near future. Larger cities like Memphis, Louisville, Richmond, New Orleans, Jacksonville, and Kansas City, haven't seen a significant skyscraper built in decades. So we are in a great position to separate ourselves in skyscraper development from these cities, if we can keep the momentum.

But young and upcoming cities like Austin, Salt Lake City, and Charlotte...I don't see us gaining any ground, I see no end in site for these cities.

My dark horse is Nashville though, they have a lot of good things going on for them right now. Omaha is gaining momentum to, I wouldn't be surprised if they get a significant skyscraper in a few years.

I obviously didn't..i apologize.
Is there enough room for one to built directly north of the Skirvin. It's kind of wasted space with just a garage

650'FT-750'FT is the height range I've been hearing for over 8 Months.With all these jobs moving into downtown,and with Class A office space at a premium,there might be two skyscrapers going up at the same time.

Larger cities like Memphis, Louisville, Richmond, New Orleans, Jacksonville, and Kansas City, haven't seen a significant skyscraper built in decades.

Neither has Dallas! All of their 25 tallest buildings were built before 1987... A quarter of a decade!

In the U.S. anyway, there have been very few tall buildings built outside of a few cities since the 80's.

650'FT-750'FT is the height range I've been hearing for over 8 Months.With all these jobs moving into downtown,and with Class A office space at a premium,there might be two skyscrapers going up at the same time.

Yeah, I was hoping Preftakes was going to build a residential skyscraper in the 400-600' range. That location near the new school would be a great place to build one. Maybe he is looking at two skyscrapers in his block. I wish they would build a residential tower where the Century Center Parking garage is. That place is perfect so close to the Myriad Gardens. Kind of something like Aqua in Chicago that is near one of their parks.

http://www.newhomessection.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Radisson-Blu-Hotel-at-Aqua.png

I mentioned Albuquerque because it has been showing up on more and more best-places-to-live lists, and from 2000-10 it's MSA grew by almost 25% (OKC only grew 14% in that same period). It will soon pass Tulsa (probably already has) and a bunch of other cities above it.

I have friends that live there and love it... Tons of recreation / bike paths and mountains are very nearby, nice climate and low cost of living. Also lots of green, progressive initiatives.

If I were to relocate, it would be on my short list of places to consider.

I agree about the recreation and forward progress on green initiatives, but the business climate sucks and is dead.

I obviously didn't..i apologize.
Is there enough room for one to built directly north of the Skirvin. It's kind of wasted space with just a garage

The Skirvin had proposed a 30 story addition on that site if the North Bricktown Lot had been choosen as the convention center location - so yes, there is enough room but it would probably have to be residential/hotel. It probbaly doesn't have enough room for offices.

Neither has Dallas! All of their 25 tallest buildings were built before 1987... A quarter of a decade!

In the U.S. anyway, there have been very few tall buildings built outside of a few cities since the 80's.

However, they are finishing up construction on Museum Tower which is around 560' if I'm not mistaken.

In the U.S. anyway, there have been very few tall buildings built outside of a few cities since the 80's.

What is the reason behind lagging skyscraper development since the 80's?

Commercial real estate is notorious for boom and bust.

The 80's were a big boom cycle that resulted in a glut of office space which took a long time to absorb. Then, the recession and banking crisis hit and things really died.

What is the reason behind lagging skyscraper development since the 80's?

Despite news to the contrary, the 1980's were very good economic years and was probably the peak of high rise construction in the US. It also depends on the City, I worked in Atlanta from 2006 to 2010 and on any give day I could count no less the 40 cranes on the skyline. Of course, the Olympics really helped Atlanta (that and Hartsfield Airport).

Despite news to the contrary, the 1980's were very good economic years and was probably the peak of high rise construction in the US. It also depends on the City, I worked in Atlanta from 2006 to 2010 and on any give day I could count no less the 40 cranes on the skyline. Of course, the Olympics really helped Atlanta (that and Hartsfield Airport).

I think that a lot of the tech expansion around 2000 came in the form of warehouse/factory type facilities being built. Lot of low rise offices.

Could Oklahoma City be behind the times, even with significant skyscrapers going up? Is OKC just now experiencing that 80's boom it missed out on? The reason why I make this plausible claim is that it seems that recent/proposed high-rise/skyscraper development in the US is for mostly housing/condos and not office. And that more corporations are shifting to the more campus style development? So did Chesapeake foster the right idea, or Devon?

Another one of G walkers conspiracy theories.

Devons reason for consolidation into one office is efficencies of being together as one unit, not sure about CHK.

Could Oklahoma City behind the times, even with significant skyscrapers going up? The reason why I make this plausible claim is that it seems that most high-rise/skyscraper development in the US is for mostly housing/condos and not office. And that more corporations are shifting to the more campus style development? So did Chesapeake adopt the right idea, or Devon?

1) OKC missed out on the high-rise housing boom by 100%.
2) Corporate campuses are nearly a total failure. Many campuses have numerous building that sit empty and the employees I know that work in them hate them. It was an attempt by tech companies to recreate the college campus because for many of the people in charge of these companies 'college life' was all they knew. Places like Microsfot, Cisco, etc - they are stuck in them now. They can't sell them, rent out the space, or anything. Chesapeake is at full employment so they fill up their campus but let them lay off 500 and see what happens to their campus. Even companies like Amazon dropped the suburban campus and moved into high rise buildings.

Good response, thanks...

A look back in history, can help you see the future. Anyone remember this article by Steve, about a year ago?

http://newsok.com/economic-development-officials-try-to-lure-next-big-catch-to-oklahoma-city/article/3535769

First Paragraph:

Following the successful recruitment of Whole Foods and 550 Boeing jobs, executives with the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber say they're in the hunt for a North American headquarters for a “large international company” and also are in talks with two grocery stores looking to open locations downtown.

A look back in history, can help you see the future. Anyone remember this article by Steve, about a year ago?

http://newsok.com/economic-development-officials-try-to-lure-next-big-catch-to-oklahoma-city/article/3535769

First Paragraph:

Following the successful recruitment of Whole Foods and 550 Boeing jobs, executives with the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber say they're in the hunt for a North American headquarters for a “large international company” and also are in talks with two grocery stores looking to open locations downtown.


I don't mean to keep this going but CEMEX doesn't sound quite as crazy as it first did.