When can we expect an official announcement?

I'm hearing from my sources is that planning is underway for a new building and that a new headquarters is coming to downtown Oklahoma City.

Meaning TWO different new buildings?


And of course, even after things are officially announced they can die or go on indefinite hold.

Good points, jedicurt.

About a year ago Hamm said their plans were to triple their workforce in five years. They are probably well on their way to making that happen.

Also, remember that there is a large law tenant in the old Devon building, so CLR will only have about 200,000 square feet to work with and that would not be enough for 750 employees, let alone growth beyond the five-year term.

As we've seen, it takes about four years for a building to go from announcement to occupancy. Part of their plan could be to build a large structure then grow into it, leasing out space until they need it.


Just speculation, but some things to consider.


ok... that makes more sense then. I was just trying to figure out the speculation as to why people thought that, and if they really do plan to triple their size in 5 years, then i guess now would be the time to start considering a much larger building...

Guys, I want to throw some caution out now. What I'm hearing from my sources is that planning is underway for a new building and that a new headquarters is coming to downtown Oklahoma City. I also want to point out, however, that we are in a very turbulent economy. It's just as possible that nothing will happen.

This whole thread seems to assume that these projects are happening. While speculation is fun, deals fall apart all the time. It's just good to keep perspective so G.Walker doesn't have a mental breakdown if none of this happens.

Guys, I want to throw some caution out now. What I'm hearing from my sources is that planning is underway for a new building and that a new headquarters is coming to downtown Oklahoma City. I also want to point out, however, that we are in a very turbulent economy. It's just as possible that nothing will happen.

This is news I have taken cautiously from the get-go. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst. However, I do wonder if it is possible that BHP Billiton is interested in Oklahoma City?

This is news I have taken cautiously from the get-go. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst. However, I do wonder if it is possible that BHP Billiton is interested in Oklahoma City?

Any particular reason to wonder about BHP Billiton?

It is good to keep things in perspective, and face reality. Its good to know that downtown Oklahoma City is even being considered for more skyscrapers, nonetheless we got Devon Tower. Let's hope for the best! Even if we just get one more, that would be great!

Continental Resources has a market cap of 14.58 Billion vs Sandridge with a market cap of 3.14 Billion (CHK 14.49B, DVN 26.9B). Upon moving to OKC, Continental will not have much trouble growing their workforce.

Continental Resources has a market cap of 14.58 Billion vs Sandridge with a market cap of 3.14 Billion (CHK 14.49B, DVN 26.9B). Upon moving to OKC, Continental will not have much trouble growing their workforce.

Yeah, CLR did all of their growth with the drill bit while Devon and Chesapeake had some major acquisitions.

I still don't see them building or announcing anything this year. Maybe next or in 2014. I know people there that know people.

I would agree. I was more referencing the idea that it would be "hard" for them to grow to 750 employees... not so much a new tower.

I honestly think we won't see any announcements until December 22...just to verify that the world will go on.

I honestly think we won't see any announcements until December 22...just to verify that the world will go on.

Really? Lol we will have announcement soon!

Any particular reason to wonder about BHP Billiton?

Just a wild guess

http://newsok.com/downtown-oklahoma-city-skyline-is-set-for-more-growth/article/3648714?custom_click=columnist

Things are looking good. I like how he referenced this thread in his article.

Not sure where this goes but I thought I'd throw it out there.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/14/chaparral-idUSL2E8DEFN920120214

Any particular reason to wonder about BHP Billiton?

Last year, they purchased all of Chesapeake's Fayetteville shale assets. And they just finalized the acquisition of Petrohawk, who drills in Texas and NW Louisiana. An Oklahoma City office would make sense if they didn't already have their US HQ in Houston.

No they have not read this OP-ED from CEO: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/ct-perspec-0212-caterpillar-20120212,0,6505309.story

In regards to Caterpillar, to me, this is all posturing and is probably a better sign that they're leaving than that they're staying. Sort of a "Yeah don't hate us Illinois, we really tried to stay, but Springfield politicians...", IMO.

Something energy would be the obvious choice, but wouldn't Caterpillar make a lot of sense too?

Has anyone thought about Trans-Canada Corporation building a US HQ in downtown? They are highly involved in the Keystone XL pipeline and John Richels, current President and CEO of Devon used to be the Pres/CEO of Devon Canada. There could be some major connections there. To me this would make sense.

This may not mean anything for OKC other than an international company owning part of a local oil company, but can add fuel to the fire.

Need an international company with very little presence in N. America that is interested in investing in exploration and production and possibly OKC... Cue this:

http://www.foxbusiness.com/news/2012/02/15/sk-innovation-in-talks-to-acquire-51-stake-in-chaparral-energy-yonhap/

Search SK Energy and read about them.

No mention of OKC in that article... hmm.

So, it sounds like the Mystery Tower may be built with local money (Gaylords or other investors) to house a company or two looking to come to OKC. Or would the city/state provide incentives to move people and then TIF funding for the construction of parking structures or the building?

I still feel that a local company could be looking at building downtown. I think Midfirst could do it as well as American Fidelity. Both would have better presence and free advertising for building a tower.

Midfirst is a bank/(mortgage giant), and having a tower would remind people it is a local bank unlike Bank of America. People would also see that they are investing in OKC.

American Fidelity could gain market share by having a tower that brings more attention to the great local company. I personally don't know much about why they do or what services they provide. I just know they do insurance?

Also, there are two locations (Preftakes possibly having two sites) mentioned in Steve's article. Could the Century Center Parking garage be a third. That spot is perfect for a high rise. I would love to see a residential tower go there, but would be happy to see a tower other than that parking garage!

It does sound like at least one of the two company's they are courting is an oil and gas company. I think this would be great! I would love to see some diversification downtown, but having more oil and gas companies downtown creates more opporutunities for that industry. It would mean that people would move here for jobs instead of Houston. We would be the family friendly version of Houston (insane commutes not good for family time). This would also create more smaller companies wanting to open offices or move offices to OKC...downtown! I know people are making comparisons to Charlotte, but Denver would be another dream city to compare us too. They have hit a size where new buildings just pop up every few years and people yawn because it just happens in a big city!

No mention of OKC in that article... hmm.

Ah, Chaparral is in OKC. No need to mention it.

Lol
i honestly think we won't see any announcements until december 22...just to verify that the world will go on.

This may not mean anything for OKC other than an international company owning part of a local oil company, but can add fuel to the fire.

Need an international company with very little presence in N. America that is interested in investing in exploration and production and possibly OKC... Cue this:

http://www.foxbusiness.com/news/2012/02/15/sk-innovation-in-talks-to-acquire-51-stake-in-chaparral-energy-yonhap/

Search SK Energy and read about them.

I served dinner during that business meeting...

We should know in the next month, I do believe.

Maybe Oklahoman's are not yet ready for it, but I think it would be awesome to see Korean on the side of a skyscraper. What a statement that would make!

http://www.lippincott.com/files/cache/SK_building_cropped_959_487_cy_90.jpg

That would be cool. I really hope these rumors end up being true. The scary part is that we have seen out of state companies take over local companies and they take the local company with them sort of like Anadarko and Kerr McGee. I hope that doesn't happen.

That would be cool. I really hope these rumors end up being true. The scary part is that we have seen out of state companies take over local companies and they take the local company with them sort of like Anadarko and Kerr McGee. I hope that doesn't happen.

While I don't know a whole lot about business...that would seem to be counterproductive in this situation. The point of an international company buying out a company in another country is so that they can have more presence in said country. If SK were to remove Chaparral over to South Korea, then they would no longer have that presence. Now if SK is buying multiple US companies and consolidates them all into one place, then that could be bad for OKC, or it could be a home-run for OKC if those companies are consolidated here.

While I don't know a whole lot about business...that would seem to be counterproductive in this situation. The point of an international company buying out a company in another country is so that they can have more presence in said country. If SK were to remove Chaparral over to South Korea, then they would no longer have that presence. Now if SK is buying multiple US companies and consolidates them all into one place, then that could be bad for OKC, or it could be a home-run for OKC if those companies are consolidated here.

You make a good point. I guess if they were being purchased by a company in Houston then we would have something to worry about.

Also, Even if the SK thing happens, I have heard nothing about whether or not they would be building a tower over here, so that may have zero to do with anything we've heard pertaining to the thread.

Also, Even if the SK thing happens, I have heard nothing about whether or not they would be building a tower over here, so that may have zero to do with anything we've heard pertaining to the thread.

Yeah, I don't think they will. Chaparral has an expanding campus around britton and 235 so it probably isn't likely that they would build a tower even if the deal closes. I posted that as speculation more about an international company adding a north America HQ in OKC more than anything but you never know. It's just one more thing that shows what a good position OKC is in.

I've heard could be a Chinese Company may be involved and potential site close to Devon site perhaps Preftakes, aka Devon.....?

Guys, guys, guys. You're thinking way too hard. I mean really, mentioning international companies building skyscrapers as headquarters in downtown OKC? Nada.

There is one tower for sure, and possibly another. One being American Fidelity, which has made it clear to their shareholders that they're moving to downtown OKC from their current headquarters (if the economy continues to do well). The second being Midfirst Bank, which is a growing bank that has well outgrown their headquarters building on Grand Blvd, and Chesapeake has already offered to buy from them. Not sure which one will be the 40 story tower, but my guess would be American Fidelity. I could see Midfirst building a 20-30 story tower.

Here a better idea - cool the speculation rumors and have patience!

Here a better idea - cool the speculation rumors and have patience!

Why? It is way fun to speculate on this and a way to show our extreme confidence as OKC as a business magnet. It is good to speculate about gaining a company rather than who we might lose.

During the Fox post game show for the Thunder game last night you could see in the background behind the announcers a group of Asians, most dressed in blue, taking pictures on the court. Made me wonder if it was a tourist group or perhaps a business group.

What about Trans Canada Corporation? The current President and CEO of Devon, John Richels, used to be the President/CEO of Devon Canada Corporation could be a connection there. Trans Canada is the biggest player in the Keystone Pipeline that will be running through Cushing. Trans Canada's market Cap is double that of Chesapeake. I know they are in North America but they do not have a US HQ. Devon could have some major connections there and be trying to recruit them to build a US HQ in DT OKC. Devon also has Canada operations in and around the same locations that Trans Canada does. This is speculation but would be a great addition to OKC.

I served dinner during that business meeting...

We should know in the next month, I do believe.


Here a better idea - cool the speculation rumors and have patience!

Note the title of the thread. It's purpose is news, ideas, and speculation, so posting that we should quit speculating on a thread dedicated to just that is pointless...

During the Fox post game show for the Thunder game last night you could see in the background behind the announcers a group of Asians, most dressed in blue, taking pictures on the court. Made me wonder if it was a tourist group or perhaps a business group.

Some of these speculations are reminding me of the breathless pronouncements we enjoyed a couple years ago someone's sister's brother's babysitter's mother had seen the board of directors and senior management in town, and therefore Hertz must be moving their headquarters to OKC. ;-)

Except this time reliable resources seem to be strongly indicating the reality of the possibility (or probability). All we are doing is having fun speculating on the who. I do think it is interesting how many reasonable targets there are. Especially for the companies that could make a case for moving here. A few years ago there wasn't much reason to believe any would move in and lots of reasons to suspect who might move out.

Yes, speculation is fun and interesting, hence the great popularity of this thread.


And I will never, ever forget how this contrasts with the late 80's. I wish I would have kept it but the Gazette ran a little cartoon circa 1988 that said, "What do you say about a town when the only construction downtown is a new jail?" It still makes my stomach hurt a little to think about that.

At that time, people would have been excited about even one of the small renovation projects in AA or Midtown. Now, those barely get a mention because there are huge things happening (and on the verge of happening) everywhere.

Yes, speculation is fun and interesting, hence the great popularity of this thread.


And I will never, ever forget how this contrasts with the late 80's. I wish I would have kept it but the Gazette ran a little cartoon circa 1988 that said, "What do you say about a town when the only construction downtown is a new jail?" It still makes my stomach hurt a little to think about that.

At that time, people would have been excited about even one of the small renovation projects in AA or Midtown. Now, those barely get a mention because there are huge things happening (and on the verge of happening) everywhere.

Agreed!

Some of these speculations are reminding me of the breathless pronouncements we enjoyed a couple years ago someone's sister's brother's babysitter's mother had seen the board of directors and senior management in town, and therefore Hertz must be moving their headquarters to OKC. ;-)

Wondering whether a group is a tourist group or a business group is a big step from speculation and even a bigger step from some sort of breathless pronouncement. Especially since I didn't say I had interviewed any of the groups members or their sister's brother's babysitter's manacurist to determine their intent. ;-)

At that time, people would have been excited about even one of the small renovation projects in AA or Midtown. Now, those barely get a mention because there are huge things happening (and on the verge of happening) everywhere.

I remember in 1986 Tinker announced there were 100 jobs coming available and people were to apply at Rose State college. There were thousands of people that showed up to a point that the local TV station was showing helicopter views of the people waiting in line along the fence all the way down Tinker Diagonal. After it was over there was garbage from Sooner Road all the way to Rose State. It was sad. Also, I remember going to basic training in the Air Force in 1987 when entire shopping centers were boarded up and houses were for sale everywhere. I read an article that convinced me to go in the Air Force that said that if another house was not built it would take 10 years to fill the ones that were already there. It was very disheartening. I agree with Pete on this. It cannot be overstated how fortunate we are to be able to have this conversation in the first place.

Very fortunate!

During the Fox post game show for the Thunder game last night you could see in the background behind the announcers a group of Asians, most dressed in blue, taking pictures on the court. Made me wonder if it was a tourist group or perhaps a business group.

http://newsok.com/official-invites-oklahoma-firms-to-grow-with-hong-kong-economy/article/3649068

They were Chinese here visiting Hobby Lobby. They are wanting us to do business with them not move here.

As a resident of San Francisco, I can tell you that we have thousands of eastern visitors. I also believe that it is in their DNA to love photography. They disembark from their tour bus and immediately begin photographing EVERYTHING (grocery stores, including the produce and all departments; they photograph curbs of streets, flower stands and people on the street.)

It would be difficult to tell, unless you actually approach and ask them.

http://newsok.com/official-invites-oklahoma-firms-to-grow-with-hong-kong-economy/article/3649068

They were Chinese here visiting Hobby Lobby. They are wanting us to do business with them not move here.

Thanks for responding. Hope the group enjoyed the Thunder win as much as I did.

We regularly have many, many visitors in OKC from mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, Germany, Sweden, Scotland, Italy, you name it. The number is much greater during summer months thanks to Route 66, but the average OKC resident would be SHOCKED if they poked their noses out a little bit and/or worked in places like museums, attractions, the airport, Bricktown, Route 66 destinations, etc.

Here a better idea - cool the speculation rumors and have patience!

oh phffft. speculation and patience need not be treated as incompatible. Both can be quite enjoyable.

As someone who rarely posts, I LOVE reading this thread. Lots of fun :)

I originally found this forum by looking for "oklahoma city new skyscraper" or something close to that. I think everyone who reads, lurks and posts here is excited for Round #2. This time around, I'll be more experienced, have a new SLR and we have Cooper Ross covering things from the air.

This time around, I'll be more experienced, have a new SLR and we have Cooper Ross covering things from the air.

That sounds like the intro to a TV news broadcast.

We regularly have many, many visitors in OKC from mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, Germany, Sweden, Scotland, Italy, you name it. The number is much greater during summer months thanks to Route 66, but the average OKC resident would be SHOCKED if they poked their noses out a little bit and/or worked in places like museums, attractions, the airport, Bricktown, Route 66 destinations, etc.

Absolutly right! And they are always amazed. It's pretty cool to work at one job durring the day with a bunch of locals that take everything for granted and have no faith in this city, and then go to work in the evening with a bunch of tourists from all over the world and see how they see the city. I can't wait to see what both groups they think over the next 5-10 years.

I originally found this forum by looking for "oklahoma city new skyscraper" or something close to that. I think everyone who reads, lurks and posts here is excited for Round #2. This time around, I'll be more experienced, have a new SLR and we have Cooper Ross covering things from the air.

Same here... and I'm honestly looking forward to seeing what you can do with an SLR... Keep up the good work!

As crazy as some of these posts are... It's a nice chuckle after a long day. It also keeps the other pages less cluttered with speculation.

What about Trans Canada Corporation? The current President and CEO of Devon, John Richels, used to be the President/CEO of Devon Canada Corporation could be a connection there. Trans Canada is the biggest player in the Keystone Pipeline that will be running through Cushing. Trans Canada's market Cap is double that of Chesapeake. I know they are in North America but they do not have a US HQ. Devon could have some major connections there and be trying to recruit them to build a US HQ in DT OKC. Devon also has Canada operations in and around the same locations that Trans Canada does. This is speculation but would be a great addition to OKC.

I've thought this for some time after overhearing TransCanada execs conversing on my flight from Chicago to OKC.

I've thought this for some time after overhearing TransCanada execs conversing on my flight from Chicago to OKC.

Also of note, one of the vice presidents of Trans Canada was recently in Oklahoma City to discuss the Keystone Pipeline with the OKC Rotary Club. Then the VP spent some time with the Gov. and other Oklahoma oil and gas executives during his stay.

Another bad reaction from http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=5592986#post5592986 from username Cashville:

"Lackmeyer is a sunshine pusher and everything he says should be taken with a grain of salt. If you listen to him OKC will be adding 8-10 300+ foot towers in the next 5 years and attracting a fortune 100 company or two along the way. He seems to not really grasp reality and run with any rumor he hears. Maybe there will be a new 'tower' built, but I assure you it wont be in the 700 foot range".

I guess with a name like Cashville, you shouldn't be disrespecting anyone. I remember when people swore up and down Devon Tower would never happen, now look! I hope this joker Cashville gets proved wrong.

Another bad reaction from http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=5592986#post5592986 from username Cashville:

"Lackmeyer is a sunshine pusher and everything he says should be taken with a grain of salt. If you listen to him OKC will be adding 8-10 300+ foot towers in the next 5 years and attracting a fortune 100 company or two along the way. He seems to not really grasp reality and run with any rumor he hears. Maybe there will be a new 'tower' built, but I assure you it wont be in the 700 foot range".

I guess with a name like Cashville, you shouldn't be disrespecting anyone. I remember when people swore up and down Devon Tower would never happen, now look! I hope this joker Cashville gets proved wrong.

He's a nerd jerk from Nashville, hence the name cashville. He's been dogging OKC for years....he's sick (and jealous), take him with a grain of salt. Devon Tower really kicked his tail as if any of it matters. Those guys over there get on him pretty good though.

There were a bunch of executives walking around getting a tour of downtown this morning. I couldn't tell what company they were with, but they were talking oil and gas.

There were a bunch of executives walking around getting a tour of downtown this morning. I couldn't tell what company they were with, but they were talking oil and gas.

how do you know so much?

how do you know so much?

I lingered!