i would be happier with a 15 story over nothing... but it being a cooperate tower, i would hope more for the 20-40 story range. I think 15 would be great for a mixed-use, or full residential tower. that i would be very happy with. But i am also just hoping for more places downtown to buy... as i am tired of renting, and having no equity, and would like the move downtown...

Man, I hope it is a cooperate tower... Can you imagine trying to go to work in an uncooperative tower?? Everyday you'd have to sneak up on it... maybe switch up which entrance you go in. And, think about the plumbing issues!





:p

I would be happy with a 15 story mid-rise. I only care about the first 5 floors anyhow.

In general I would rather see four 15 story mid-rise buildings built downtown than one 60 story super-tall tower, assuming the mid-rises all interacted well with the street and had some ground-floor mixed-use component. That said, I certainly won't be unhappy with a big tower at the stage center site, especially if it moves more high-paying jobs downtown from other parts of the city (or hopefully out-of-state).

Man, I hope it is a cooperate tower... Can you imagine trying to go to work in an uncooperative tower?? Everyday you'd have to sneak up on it... maybe switch up which entrance you go in. And, think about the plumbing issues!


sorry... sometimes i type faster than i think, and don't go back and re-read it... a CORPORATE Tower! lol

If I knew nothing about the company, I would still be inclined to think Hertz made sense. I don't think it does though.

I would be happy with a 15 story mid-rise. I only care about the first 5 floors anyhow.

May the occupants and/or residents of floors 6 through 15 drop many water balloons as you pass by.

If I knew nothing about the company, I would still be inclined to think Hertz made sense. I don't think it does though.

It's NOT Hertz.....They've been selling buildings due to downsizing over the past few years. Even buying Dollar Thrifty, they are not building anything downtown, and if they do build, it'll be next to their Quail Springs HAC center. They have empty space at their Data Center on NW Expwy after sending 230 IT jobs to India in 2008.

Here is another possibility - the oil industry is in the process of spinning off their midstream operations into seperate entities. I think CHK did this and moved them to the Central Park buildings.
Maybe it's possible that some big company is relocating their MLP to the SC site ??

Here is another possibility - the oil industry is in the process of spinning off their midstream operations into seperate entities. I think CHK did this and moved them to the Central Park buildings.
Maybe it's possible that some big company is relocating their MLP to the SC site ??

This was a question when it was announced that Devon was looking into creating a MLP. I don't know, but something tells me it's not a MLP.

It's NOT Hertz.....They've been selling buildings due to downsizing over the past few years. Even buying Dollar Thrifty, they are not building anything downtown, and if they do build, it'll be next to their Qual Springs HAC center. They have empty space at their Data Center on NW Expwy after sending 230 IT jobs to India in 2008.

Hertz also owns the land behind their Quail Springs facility. They have it for future expansion.

"Here is another possibility - the oil industry is in the process of spinning off their midstream operations into seperate entities. I think CHK did this and moved them to the Central Park buildings.
Maybe it's possible that some big company is relocating their MLP to the SC site ?? "

You are referring to Access midstream. They bought Chesapeake Midstream and moved the offices off of the campus.

I thought I should post this article from News OK.
Steve Lackmeyer: Announcement of new downtown OKC tower may come in the next 30 days | News OK (http://newsok.com/steve-lackmeyer-announcement-of-new-downtown-okc-tower-may-come-in-the-next-30-days/article/3760305)

May the occupants and/or residents of floors 6 through 15 drop many water balloons as you pass by.

If they built sidewalk awnings like they should they can drop all they want :).

Steve,

My birthday is March 20th...let the powers that be know that I won't require a birthday gift if they just announce the plans on that day.

TIA

I thought I should post this article from News OK.
Steve Lackmeyer: Announcement of new downtown OKC tower may come in the next 30 days | News OK (http://newsok.com/steve-lackmeyer-announcement-of-new-downtown-okc-tower-may-come-in-the-next-30-days/article/3760305)

This was posted on March 1st, but wouldn't blame you not going three pages back through off-topic discussions.

There should be an Okctalk reward for anyone that knows the details of the real Mystery Tower.

^ Everybody throw in 5 bucks...group bribery.

Steve, I will give you the intellectual property rights to my OKC book. I kid. Just wanted you to laugh a little ;)

Details are still sketchy, but I can confirm the mystery tower will NOT be in the shape of a taco. Salsa fountains still a possibility...

Seriously though, I'd throw in $5 for concrete info on the mystery tower at this point. I can already tell this is going to be a looooooooong month of waiting for the official announcement.

Was told today that the CHK employees at the 63rd locations will be moving out May 1st and that MidFirst had bought the buildings.

Which 63rd locations? I assume you at implying 63rd street.

63rd and NW Expressway I believe?

There should be an Okctalk reward for anyone that knows the details of the real Mystery Tower.

What's the reward?
;)

What's the reward?
;)

^^^someone obviously knows something but won't share yet. I can't wait to see what you have to say Steve. Looking forward to an article from you in the near future..

I'm hearing the complex will have 4 30-story commercial towers with 1 20-story residential tower and a park in the middle. Here is the initial design:

http://www.vizzed.com/vizzedboard/retro/user_screenshots/saves4/45335/SimCity_Aug4%209_26_21.png

What's the reward?
;)

Steve! You are such a tease! But I love it! It means we are close and you have been great with what you have been able to tell us!

What's the reward?
;)

I will be hitting Newsok.com four times a day instead of twice. I have a gut feeling a major announcement with come during my vacation in OKC next week.

Speaking of density, did you know OKC is apparently the least dense city of the 50 largest cities in the US? Oh, and also that Tulsa is WAAAAY denser than OKC? Check out this Wikipedia edit that happened a couple of days ago -http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Oklahoma_City&diff=prev&oldid=541779716

Someone must have been really compelled that some information was missing from that first paragraph!

I wish Tulsa boosters would stop belittling OKC and focus on what makes Tulsa great. Tulsa does indeed have some attributes that are ahead of OKC. Tulsa is slightly more progressive when it comes to arts and culture, has better parks, much better concerts, and has significantly better shopping than OKC does. That should be enough to satisfy Tulsa boosters but they are starting to get jealous of OKC because this is where more of the recent development is happening and they have to go out of their way to belittle it.

I wish Tulsa boosters would stop belittling OKC and focus on what makes Tulsa great. Tulsa does indeed have some attributes that are ahead of OKC. Tulsa is slightly more progressive when it comes to arts and culture, has better parks, much better concerts, and has significantly better shopping than OKC does. That should be enough to satisfy Tulsa boosters but they are starting to get jealous of OKC because this is where more of the recent development is happening and they have to go out of their way to belittle it.

Tulsa has better shopping, but I think saying it is significantly better than OKC's is a stretch. OKC has caught up quite a bit with whole foods, the outlet mall, etc. What does Tulsa have now that OKC doesn't outside of a scaled down Saks?

What does Tulsa have now that OKC doesn't outside of a scaled down Saks?

Nothing. It's just a good arguing point for Tulsa that was true over the years but is becoming more & more outdated, although bchris02 makes very good points. His posts are usually pretty accurate -- IMO -- though.

EDIT: I just realized this is the "Mystery Tower" thread. Why must we veer so far astray from the topic in pretty much every thread?

Tulsa has better shopping, but I think saying it is significantly better than OKC's is a stretch. OKC has caught up quite a bit with whole foods, the outlet mall, etc. What does Tulsa have now that OKC doesn't outside of a scaled down Saks?

Well OKC does have a Saks Off 5th, which I've heard is actually very comparable to the actual store, so can they claim that? They do have a Restoration Hardware, I'll give them that.

Steve...how about these odds for the announcement that is expected to come in the next 30 or so days?:

Type

Corporate Tower ... 3:1
--- Out-of-State 6:1
--- In State 10:1
Residential (Mixed-Use) ... 4:1
--- 100% Apts ... 12:1
--- 100% Condos ... 20:1
--- Mixed Apts/Con ... 25:1
--- Mixed Office/Res ... 50:1
Spec Office (Mixed-Use) ... 10:1
Hotel ... 20:1

Location

Stage Center ... 3:4
Kerr/Hudson ... 10:1
4th/Gaylord ... 50:1
Preftakes ... 75:1

Who

Unknown Company ... 15:1
Shell ... 30:1
Conoco ... 35:1
OGE ... 50:1
Sinopec ... 80:1
Cimarex ... 80:1
Continental ... 75:1
Devon ... 100:1

Tulsa has better shopping, but I think saying it is significantly better than OKC's is a stretch. OKC has caught up quite a bit with whole foods, the outlet mall, etc. What does Tulsa have now that OKC doesn't outside of a scaled down Saks?

We might want to note that, according to one of Steve's Friday chats, word is that Tulsa officials convince future retailers that Tulsa is better for them than OKC. May or may not be true, however it is in keeping with what we know about Tulsa's practices.

Now, about our mystery tower, I am curious more than anything else as to what the conceptual designs will be. Will architects compliment the Devon Tower? Or will they fashion a style all their own?

Steve...how about these odds for the announcement that is expected to come in the next 30 or so days?:

Type

Steve's guess ... 1:1

Location

Steve's guess ... 1:1

Who

Steve's guess ... 1:1

Fixed it. I think he knows. He just can't say. Don't think the "mystery" part of this thing is relevant to him any longer.

I think the good thing about this, is that whoever is building will already know what they want, which might allow for a late summer to early fall start....

now this is looking ahead.

Can we put a 111 Huntington Ave there please?

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That would actually be a pretty sweet addition.

Also, in the event that the Cox center ever gets torn down, there is going to be some pretty awesome redevelopment opportunities available on those parcels. More mystery towers??

Hopefully we will see something with a wider footprint along Hudson.

Nothing. It's just a good arguing point for Tulsa that was true over the years but is becoming more & more outdated, although bchris02 makes very good points. His posts are usually pretty accurate -- IMO -- though.

EDIT: I just realized this is the "Mystery Tower" thread. Why must we veer so far astray from the topic in pretty much every thread?

I agree that the Outlet mall has gone a long way to bridge the retail gap between OKC and Tulsa. There are still areas where Tulsa is ahead though and most retailers new to the state open in Tulsa before OKC. Once that changes, I will say the corner has been turned.

What I don't understand is why big name concerts usually play in Tulsa rather than OKC.

Can we put a 111 Huntington Ave there please?

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Ya know that's a cool building. But now that I see it on the stage center site, IMO anything that's built on that site will mess up the balance and consistency of the skyline. It just seems very separated from the core of downtown. Of course it could have just been the angle the picture was taken.

Ya know that's a cool building. But now that I see it on the stage center site, IMO anything that's built on that site will mess up the balance and consistency of the skyline. It just seems very separated from the core of downtown. Of course it could have just been the angle the picture was taken.

Then imagine a building on the Preftakes block.

The Preftakes block will.... Beat me to it. :)

Ya know that's a cool building. But now that I see it on the stage center site, IMO anything that's built on that site will mess up the balance and consistency of the skyline. It just seems very separated from the core of downtown. Of course it could have just been the angle the picture was taken.

Some day, when something is built on the Preftakes block, it will all connect.

I was told by someone that was very familiar with the management company of both OKC's and Tulsa's arenas, SMG, that they have been steering a lot of the big-name concerts to Tulsa to try and fill dates at the underutilized BOK center. With the Thunder filling 40-50 dates every year, Chesapeake Arena doesn't have to be stocked with concerts any more. SMG knows that people from OKC will travel to Tulsa for the significant concerts.

Can we put a 111 Huntington Ave there please?

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Nice mockup!

I wouldn't mind the tower being just a wee bit taller than shown in your pic so as to better bridge the gap between Chase and Devon.

...It just seems very separated from the core of downtown...

By what, about 50 feet? :)

In my mind, a see an OKC of the future with highrises to the west of Devon (Preftakes and even further), to the south in the Core To Shore area, and even a bit to the east in the Cotton Mill area. In this future city, Devon Tower is closer to the center of the cluster of downtown skyscrapers rather than at the edge. Of course, this city only exists in my imagination at this time.

Nice mockup!

I wouldn't mind the tower being just a wee bit taller than shown in your pic so as to better bridge the gap between Chase and Devon.

Thanks! I tried to eyeball an accurate height for that building but I think it would be nice with a few more floors as well.

I think that angle does makes it look a bit separated because it's perpendicular to the line between Stage Center and Devon, but I bet the view directly from the east or west would make it look a bit more connected.

Some day, when something is built on the Preftakes block, it will all connect.

Completely forgot about the Preftake's block. OK, false alarm lol. That will smooth it out much better.


I was told by someone that was very familiar with the management company of both OKC's and Tulsa's arenas, SMG, that they have been steering a lot of the big-name concerts to Tulsa to try and fill dates at the underutilized BOK center. With the Thunder filling 40-50 dates every year, Chesapeake Arena doesn't have to be stocked with concerts any more. SMG knows that people from OKC will travel to Tulsa for the significant concerts.

If I had a choice between seeing some of the greatest athletes in the nation play 40 times a year vs seeing some pop-tart 15 times a year...yeah I'm probably going with the former. Although just a quick spot check on the calendar shows 10 concerts at BOK through October and 8 at CHK arena during the same time, including 5 during basketball season. So maybe not a huge advantage.

If I had a choice between seeing some of the greatest athletes in the nation play 40 times a year vs seeing some pop-tart 15 times a year...yeah I'm probably going with the former. Although just a quick spot check on the calendar shows 10 concerts at BOK through October and 8 at CHK arena during the same time, including 5 during basketball season. So maybe not a huge advantage.
It seems like Tulsa's music scene has generally had the biggest advantage in the gap between in the small bands playing everywhere and the big acts hitting the larger cities.

I was told by someone that was very familiar with the management company of both OKC's and Tulsa's arenas, SMG, that they have been steering a lot of the big-name concerts to Tulsa to try and fill dates at the underutilized BOK center. With the Thunder filling 40-50 dates every year, Chesapeake Arena doesn't have to be stocked with concerts any more. SMG knows that people from OKC will travel to Tulsa for the significant concerts.

The BOK center is overkill for Tulsa in my opinion. Unless Tulsa gets an NHL franchise, it will probably always be underutilized. Their primary purpose for building it was to outdo OKC.

Can someone photoshop a wide base building like the UN building (only hopefully a more modern design) instead? I'd like to see a 1/2 block or more width building with the wide side street fronting Hudson facing the park. I think that would be the most appropriate fit, and have a good size base and possibly other towers on that block. Or a One NY Plaza or Carnegie Tower would work too.

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If I had a choice between seeing some of the greatest athletes in the nation play 40 times a year vs seeing some pop-tart 15 times a year...yeah I'm probably going with the former. Although just a quick spot check on the calendar shows 10 concerts at BOK through October and 8 at CHK arena during the same time, including 5 during basketball season. So maybe not a huge advantage.

I agree with your sentiment completely... however I only have one minor correction... lol.

If you want to see "some of the greatest athletes in the nation" you can just go to Norman (and as much as I don't want to, I'll say Stillwater too :p). The Thunder and the teams that come through here as opponents are some of the greatest athletes in the WORLD. And, I only comment so that nobody is short-changed... you know those pro athletes and their delicate egos... lol

I agree with your sentiment completely... however I only have one minor correction... lol.

If you want to see "some of the greatest athletes in the nation" you can just go to Norman (and as much as I don't want to, I'll say Stillwater too :p). The Thunder and the teams that come through here as opponents are some of the greatest athletes in the WORLD. And, I only comment so that nobody is short-changed... you know those pro athletes and their delicate egos... lol

True dat....I've even give credit to the Stillwater crew.

Could today be the day that Steve will break the story we've all been waiting to hear....................

Could today be the day that Steve will break the story we've all been waiting to hear....................

Steve's OKC Central (@stevelackmeyer) tweeted at 1:08 AM on Thu, Mar 07, 2013:
Why am I still working on a story at 1 a.m.? Get ready....

Steve's OKC Central (@stevelackmeyer) tweeted at 1:08 AM on Thu, Mar 07, 2013:
Why am I still working on a story at 1 a.m.? Get ready....

Ah crap! Now how am I supposed to get any work done today?

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/19742afb80e8e8cb4d33b501536e6634.jpg

https://twitter.com/stevelackmeyer/status/309561141481324545

I'm hitting refresh on every website I can think of right now!

No, not the tower...

Oh well.

No, not the tower...Oh well.

So we can confirm there is in fact a tower even if this latest development is not associated with it.

So we can confirm there is in fact a tower even if this latest development is not associated with it.


Touché!