I would say half of the IT industry is "Call Center" or basically keeping someone one the other line while you dial in. lol

I get what he's saying, but we do over the phone orders at my work and then the customer comes in to do physical fittings and trying our inventory on...since all of our stores have phones and customers use them to call us, does that deem us a "call center", LOL... think about it in good jest ;-)

Could this really be the new tower everyone has waiting for? It seems that AT&T was a big seller of their properties in 2008. Well maybe OKC is where they have decided to own and build.

Could this really be the new tower everyone has waiting for? It seems that AT&T was a big seller of their properties in 2008. Well maybe OKC is where they have decided to own and build.

"OKC, Look we got a 700 ft tall call center, we got it all!"

"OKC, Look we got a 700 ft tall call center, we got it all!"


Maybe there's more to it than a call center? But hey,if they want to build a 700 ft. call center in downtown then let it sprout.

Steve's new Twitter profile picture is him standing in front of a skyscraper. Coincidence or something else?

Perhaps but that's an old photo.

Perhaps but that's an old photo.Ahhhh, but the timing.

Could ATT be that North American HQ that will be relocating?

That would be such huge news that I can't even fathom it.

Could ATT be that North American HQ that will be relocating?

I'm just going to laugh and pretend I didn't read this.

I'm just going to laugh and pretend I didn't read this.

How many times do we have to go over this?! This thread is pure speculation. As I stated in the other thread, my feeling is that the AT&T announcement will be nothing greater than the GE Global Research Center. Feel free to laugh on though...

I'm just going to laugh and pretend I didn't read this.Well, you can pretend all you want, but in reality you read it. This is a thread for speculation and it seems a few people have to be reminded of that. No matter though, I'll just laugh and pretend I didn't read your post if AT&T, does in fact build a tower.

Well, you can pretend all you want, but in reality you read it. This is a thread for speculation and it seems a few people have to be reminded of that. No matter though, I'll just laugh and pretend I didn't read your post if AT&T, does in fact build a tower.

A tower wouldn't suffice, even if it were the super tall you wanted. They have to abandon Dallas to build their headquarters in OKC to meet the speculation on that post.

And I will be MORE than happy to come back and eat crow.

A tower wouldn't suffice, even if it were the super tall you wanted. They have to abandon Dallas to build their headquarters in OKC to meet the speculation on that post.

And I will be MORE than happy to come back and eat crow.

It could be a different division HQ of some type ? We'll know something in 24 hours. 'unveil Plans' has me thinking this could be the MT...AT&T is big enough to do it.

It could be a different division HQ of some type ? We'll know something in 24 hours. 'unveil Plans' has me thinking this could be the MT...AT&T is big enough to do it.

I was only trying to highlight the absurdity of the speculation that AT&T is moving their "North American HQ" here. Any speculation is "valid" in this thread...but not all of it is useful. I mean, we're at a point that it would make a lot of sense for ATT to be building a tower.

1. Timeline works out quite well.

2. There were, what, 5 inquiries into the SC site: OGE, Continental, MLP, MidFirst are the names that made the most sense. That leaves at least one more space, and I don't see why AT&T wouldn't be that space.

3. It could fit the "consolidation" bit of information if they move their operations from Memorial to downtown. And it could fit the "local" bit of information if local is pared down to only mean "a company already located in OKC"

4. CEO is from Oklahoma

I still don't think it is AT&T, but it's certainly a viable guess. The North American HQ bit is still laughable. Fortune 25 companies don't move. And we are hearing that the CEO is not going to be at this announcement...that's probably a pretty good indication that this is going to be rather tame.

I was only trying to highlight the absurdity of the speculation that AT&T is moving their "North American HQ" here. Any speculation is "valid" in this thread...but not all of it is useful. I mean, we're at a point that it would make a lot of sense for ATT to be building a tower.

1. Timeline works out quite well.

2. There were, what, 5 inquiries into the SC site: OGE, Continental, MLP, MidFirst are the names that made the most sense. That leaves at least one more space, and I don't see why AT&T wouldn't be that space.

3. It could fit the "consolidation" bit of information if they move their operations from Memorial to downtown. And it could fit the "local" bit of information if local is pared down to only mean "a company already located in OKC"

4. CEO is from Oklahoma

I still don't think it is AT&T, but it's certainly a viable guess. The North American HQ bit is still laughable. Fortune 25 companies don't move. And we are hearing that the CEO is not going to be at this announcement...that's probably a pretty good indication that this is going to be rather tame.

Could be a good thing, may not want to look like a homer. It could be an HQ for a particular unit.....down to 23 hours now..lol

Umm, Fortune 25 companies do move. In fact, AT&T just moved to Dallas 5 years ago. Also, an AT&T executive was just named President of the State Chamber of Commerce.

Umm, Fortune 25 companies do move. In fact, AT&T just moved to Dallas 5 years ago. Also, an AT&T executive was just named President of State Chamber of Commerce.

I was thinking the same thing. I remember when AT&T bolted San Antonio for Dallas. But because that was so recent, it's hard to imagine they would move the HQ again.

Also, an AT&T executive was just named President of the State Chamber of Commerce.

Yeah, is that dude going tomorrow?

(Just for reference: AT&T Oklahoma President named chairman of State Chamber | News OK (http://newsok.com/att-oklahoma-president-named-chairman-of-state-chamber/article/3856237))

I was thinking the same thing. I remember when AT&T bolted San Antonio for Dallas. But because that was so recent, it's hard to imagine they would move the HQ again.

They moved NYC to San Antonio about 3 years before that as part of the merger with SWB.

A tower wouldn't suffice, even if it were the super tall you wanted. They have to abandon Dallas to build their headquarters in OKC to meet the speculation on that post.

And I will be MORE than happy to come back and eat crow.How many employees do they have in Dallas, do you know?

Here is something to chew on... Why would Steve Lackmeyer post a business article about AT&T when he does downtown beats?

How many employees do they have in Dallas, do you know?

About 5,000

As previously noted, Steve isn't exclusive to downtown, having followed Chesapeake's real estate dealings extensively, for example.

However, he is primarily focused downtown and that's a good sign IMO.

About 5,000Little more than than Pete's number

getting closer! Once this first tower is announced,there will be more, so is it safe to say that this thread may be around for a LONG time?

getting closer! Once this first tower is announced,there will be more, so is it safe to say that this thread may be around for a LONG time?

They domino effect. Lets get er done! So will tomorrow bring a new tower? Is that what some are thinking here?

They domino effect. Lets get er done! So will tomorrow bring a new tower? Is that what some are thinking here?

In another thread, Pete said that he's hearing this announcement will be ~140 project manager jobs starting at 40K per year. Doesn't seem like this will have anything to do with the tower.

Maybe they're going to be 140 new jobs and other jobs will be relocated?

The AT&T announcement will not involve a dt tower deal! I think some people on here have pretty much nailed it on who will build a tower. The deals are going on as We speak, and things, details are getting ironed out! I don't think it will be too much longer for an official press release!

I also don't think I'm crazy to say that I believe OKC is on the verge of an actual BOOM! Think Austin, Charlotte but with less population growth!

Okay,

Just talked to my neighbor whose been with AT&T for years, and he said they are announcing a 'college for hire' program. He said that's the rumor he's been hearing. Nothing about a tower......

I also don't think I'm crazy to say that I believe OKC is on the verge of an actual BOOM! Think Austin, Charlotte but with less population growth!

I think Boom & pop. growth go hand in hand. So it may be a smaller Boom and smaller pop. growth than Austin & Charlotte, think dynamite VS firecracker or somewhere in between. So do we get a Sonic boom or a backfire?

I also don't think I'm crazy to say that I believe OKC is on the verge of an actual BOOM! Think Austin, Charlotte but with less population growth!

A boom will create population growth. It would be nice to see a Charlotte style boom. In my opinion, the one thing really standing in the way of a population boom is the national image problems this city has. Most people from out of state, especially from the coasts don't have a very positive image of OKC. I'll admit coming from Charlotte it has taken a while for me to warm up to it here but I think its finally starting to happen.

I was thinking the same thing. I remember when AT&T bolted San Antonio for Dallas. But because that was so recent, it's hard to imagine they would move the HQ again.

AT&T isn't moving, what are they like the 2nd or 3rd largest company in America? That said, I get kind of a weird sadistic kick out of all this left-field mystery tower chatter, almost as much as Steve Lackmeyer, so here's some fuel for the fire...

5 years ago AT&T moved their headquarters further north up I-35 to Dallas. 5 years later, today, AT&T is ready to move their headquarters once again further north up I-35 to OKC.

Your move, Sprint. They're also prone to moving their headquarters within a certain proximity of I-35, and that's a proven fact.

You heart it here first, on OKC Talk. AT&T and Sprint are both behind the mystery tower, thanks to I-35.

Bwahahaha......yeah AT&T isn't moving their HQ. But that is quite funny :)

It is definately not AT&T building a tower. But they are moving an operation here which is a win for OKC.

Downtown and downtown adjacent OKC is going to grow like a weed because people under 40 are abandoning suburbia, and OKC has a lot of suburbia. If you aren't seeing it yet in OKC you will be soon. This growth is also going to happen in places like Plaza District, Brittany, Capitol Hill, Stocktard City, and other neighborhood based urban clusters.

Downtown and downtown adjacent OKC is going to grow like a weed because people under 40 are abandoning suburbia, and OKC has a lot of suburbia. If you aren't seeing it yet in OKC you will be soon. This growth is also going to happen in places like Plaza District, Brittany, Capitol Hill, Stocktard City, and other neighborhood based urban clusters.

I know a lot of married couples in their mid 20s buying homes in Edmond. I am not so sure all young people are abandoning suburbia. Transplants who move here from out of state however are much more likely to live downtown than in the suburbs.

That is because they don't have a choice for the most part. But just wait. Recent studies show 70% of this demographic don't want to live in sprawl. As more local developers figure this out you will see the largest and fastest shift in housing America has ever seen.

I am about to move from Nichols Hills to Heritage Hills, but for full disclosure, it is for greed.....I am getting a historic home for a really good price. I am planning on fixing it up and parlaying it with the Uptown/Midtown renaissance, selling for a large profit to move back to NH. Maybe my time down there will change my mind, only time will tell.

I know a lot of married couples in their mid 20s buying homes in Edmond. I am not so sure all young people are abandoning suburbia. Transplants who move here from out of state however are much more likely to live downtown than in the suburbs.

You cannot discount the public school system as being one of the primary reasons people choose to live in Edmond and other OKC suburbs. I know there are good and excellent schools in OKC, but until OKCPS overall can be considered near equal to these suburban school districts, people will do what they believe to be best for their kids' education. I hope OKCPS will get its act together soon - this will be one of the primary obstacles to residential growth downtown and in the close in OKC neighborhoods. It is a vicious circle, public schools with challenges lead to abandonment of those schools and neighborhoods which further reduces funding......

I am 29 and about to leave Edgemere Park for Edmond. Loved it for the last 4 years, but I am getting ready to start family within the next few years and since I work in Edmond I will be close to that as well. A no brainer for me. And I will still spend prob the same about of time in the city center so its a win win for me.

I am 29 and about to leave Edgemere Park for Edmond. Loved it for the last 4 years, but I am getting ready to start family within the next few years and since I work in Edmond I will be close to that as well. A no brainer for me. And I will still spend prob the same about of time in the city center so its a win win for me.

If my kids were finished with school I would move to Edgemere in a second. It is my favorite OKC neighborhood.

If my kids were finished with school I would move to Edgemere in a second. It is my favorite OKC neighborhood.

sorry... went blank for a second. Edgemere? that's around 36th and walker right? just wanting to make sure i'm thinking correctly

If my kids were finished with school I would move to Edgemere in a second. It is my favorite OKC neighborhood.

Yes, in between walker and I-235 just south of 36th.

I love it there. But for the foreseeable future it's not what's right for me. But if you change your mind, in August there will be a good deal going on the market on Edgemere Ct

I am 29 and about to leave Edgemere Park for Edmond. Loved it for the last 4 years, but I am getting ready to start family within the next few years and since I work in Edmond I will be close to that as well. A no brainer for me. And I will still spend prob the same about of time in the city center so its a win win for me.

Not that its any of business, but property values are on enough of an upward trajectory in places like Edgemere Park. If you aren't having kids for a few years, why leave so soon? You could be missing out on some serious $$ in the future.

Well considering that I bought my house on the high end ($140's/sq ft) and that similar houses sold recently have been selling in the high 130's to low 140's, the data suggests that the are has plateaued somewhat, but still holding strong.

also sorry about the thread highjack, if Pete could move this to the I don't want to live downtown thread I think it would be more appropriate there

You will continue to see young families buy in Edmond for quite some time. A nice, relatively new house can be had for under $200K. For most of the young families buying there, it's familiar, and similar to what they grew up with. Many of these houses may not hold up that well, but the young families buying them now will be long gone before that's a problem. This will continue until it's unsustainable (by which I mean that they actually feel that it is unsustainable, not the recognition that it will be unsustainable at some point in the future).

Me? I'm 28, married, and just bought a 75 year old house in a beautiful urban core neighborhood. I work downtown, and my wife just took an excellent job inside the urban core. We plan on sending our children to our excellent neighborhood public elementary school, and working hard to utilize the best charter schools the city has past there (my wife's excellent new job will be a big help here...). We're young, and we've gone all in. We don't plan to leave the city center, and if the bus system improved I would ditch my car in a hurry. Reaction from our friends has been mixed: some are scared to see a billboard in Spanish on their way to our house, others love the historic details our home has and the easy access to everything.

There's a shift happening, but it's very slow - especially in places like OKC with a long history of sprawl and a perceived lack of affordable quality options inside the core. If the Mystery Tower brings new jobs downtown, hopefully we'll see more families choosing to live near their great job in a beautiful new building.

I am 29 and about to leave Edgemere Park for Edmond. Loved it for the last 4 years, but I am getting ready to start family within the next few years and since I work in Edmond I will be close to that as well. A no brainer for me. And I will still spend prob the same about of time in the city center so its a win win for me.

The best argument is that you have a job in Edmond. That makes sense. But if millennials want to live in the city, they have to improve the schools themselves. The teachers in OKC public schools are just as good as those in Edmond. It's parental involvement that improves schools and I would think Edgemere Park has the potential for great parental involvement.

Well considering that I bought my house on the high end ($140's/sq ft) and that similar houses sold recently have been selling in the high 130's to low 140's, the data suggests that the are has plateaued somewhat, but still holding strong.

also sorry about the thread highjack, if Pete could move this to the I don't want to live downtown thread I think it would be more appropriate there

You are right, at $140/ sq ft., that's probably about as high as a neighborhood in OKC not named Deep Deuce can stand. Good luck with selling!


You will continue to see young families buy in Edmond for quite some time. A nice, relatively new house can be had for under $200K. For most of the young families buying there, it's familiar, and similar to what they grew up with. Many of these houses may not hold up that well, but the young families buying them now will be long gone before that's a problem. This will continue until it's unsustainable (by which I mean that they actually feel that it is unsustainable, not the recognition that it will be unsustainable at some point in the future).

Me? I'm 28, married, and just bought a 75 year old house in a beautiful urban core neighborhood. I work downtown, and my wife just took an excellent job inside the urban core. We plan on sending our children to our excellent neighborhood public elementary school, and working hard to utilize the best charter schools the city has past there (my wife's excellent new job will be a big help here...). We're young, and we've gone all in. We don't plan to leave the city center, and if the bus system improved I would ditch my car in a hurry. Reaction from our friends has been mixed: some are scared to see a billboard in Spanish on their way to our house, others love the historic details our home has and the easy access to everything.

There's a shift happening, but it's very slow - especially in places like OKC with a long history of sprawl and a perceived lack of affordable quality options inside the core. If the Mystery Tower brings new jobs downtown, hopefully we'll see more families choosing to live near their great job in a beautiful new building.

Good for you for trying to stick with the city with kids. I don't have kids myself, and I think it takes some serious commitment to have your kids in OKCPS. I won't blame anyone who is hesitant in doing so.

We have an Edmond set at my office in Midtown. They are constantly complaining about traffic and how bad it is getting and say things like, "if it weren't for my kids I wouldn't be doing this." Given just how concentrated jobs and entertainment are in the CBD and surrounding area, I think you would have more people consider the city, even with kids, if there was more infill development in the urban core. I am surprised and a bit disappointed to see how little there is outside of the immediate DT/Midtown/Deep Deuce area.

As for me, a single male under the age of 30 who is in the market for a place, I have no desire to go north of 63rd. I love OKC, but there is way too much of the "you're a weirdo for being 27 and not married" crowd up there for me.

In 20 years 80% of households won't have children. The babyboom is over.

Cmon people! This thread is for ridiculous tower fantasies and speculation. Not suburban-vs-urban living arguments.

Any word on "The Call Center" announcement today @ 10:00?

Any word on "The Call Center" announcement today @ 10:00?

Go read the AT&T thread.......

In 20 years 80% of households won't have children. The babyboom is over.

The large generation in their 20's will start having kids in the next ten years so this comment is just ridiculous. Many people can have reasonable discussions while some cannot. After a reading post like this, I can understand why Steve has taken a temporary break from this forum (to our loss).

Now this same discussion (urban vs suburban) has taken place in many threads (with no resolution), so can we return to speculating about the mystery tower(s).

Any word on "The Call Center" announcement today @ 10:00?

AT&T to add 100 management jobs in Oklahoma City | News OK (http://newsok.com/att-to-add-100-management-jobs-in-oklahoma-city/article/3856748)

Go read the AT&T thread........................oh........

http://www.okctalk.com/general-civic-issues/34243-t-make-major-announcement-regarding-okc-jobs-2.html#post658569

Cmon people! This thread is for ridiculous tower fantasies and speculation. Not suburban-vs-urban living arguments.

But this is what is going to drive downtown towers in the future. I am sitting in downtown Atlanta right now. For every new office tower under construction there 10 residential towers under construction.