I predict if it is OGE and with the positive press and public opinion they receive, they will then have "urgent" days throughout the rest of the summer for smart hour users knowing that complaints will be minimum due to the excitement of the new tower.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2590/3700336897_a58e142f9d.jpg?v=0

How about something like this?

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

(I hope you're kidding) :)

How tall does everybody think? Will it be taller than the BOK tower in Tulsa?

How tall does everybody think? Will it be taller than the BOK tower in Tulsa?

Hopefully, haha.

How tall does everybody think? Will it be taller than the BOK tower in Tulsa?

I think it will be the second tallest in OKC, fourth largest in the state behind Devon, BOK (667') and Cityplex (648'). The next tallest is First Place Tower in Tulsa at 516'.

Hopefully, haha.

I know its childish, but I wouldn't mind shutting those folks up the turnpike.

It's it's 40 floors or more, I would expect it to be taller than anything in the state other than Devon.

Devon averaged 17 feet per floor and if you take 40 x 17 that yields 680 feet, which would be slightly taller than BOK in Tulsa.

As way of reference, Chase / Cotter Tower is 500 feet.

I think it will definitely be taller than the BOK tower. If it's 40+ floors, modern ceiling heights virtually require it.

700 ft. And not an inch less. :)

How tall does everybody think? Will it be taller than the BOK tower in Tulsa?

There was rumor that it'd be over 700, but not as tall as Devon.

Are we sure it is going on the Stage Center site? What about Preftakes block? Announcement in July and construction starting in April once everyone is out seems like a possibiity. And which company does everyone think it will be? Enogex? OGE?

I'll choose 43 floors at 17 per, = 730 ft.

42, with the bottom 2 being for retail/dining & 40 for office use. 38 floors will be 17 ft, the top 2 and bottom 2 will be 25 ft = 746 ft

So, here's a question for everyone. If both sides of California are being bought, what are the chances that this company may build on the south half and restore and perhaps improve the Stage Center?

My understanding is that the announcement Friday will be to build a tower on the Stage Center site and that the south half of the property will not be included at this time.

So, here's a question for everyone. If both sides of California are being bought, what are the chances that this company may build on the south half and restore and perhaps improve the Stage Center?

Ain't nobody got time for that.

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

(I hope you're kidding) :)

Well it would be an iconic building that would make our skyline stand out.

Not to answer for Pete, but as others have said in this thread, it would not be a good idea for a company to announce that they're buying a piece of iconic architecture and razing it without providing a rendering of what will be replacing the iconic architecture. I doubt we'd know until Wednesday at the earliest if there will be full plans, but this seems obvious.

Everyone knows a tower is going up, we just don't "know" who the company is.

Yes, I'm aware of what others think. I just wanted to know if Pete knew. Thanks.

Well it would be an iconic building that would make our skyline stand out.

How about a 700 foot tall Indian.

My understanding is that the announcement Friday will be to build a tower on the Stage Center site and that the south half of the property will not be included at this time.

Hmm, perhaps saving it for Enogex's MLP announcement in August?

I think Devon has set the standard. I think this one should have style, but doesn't need to try to out-do Devon. One of the problems with Dubai is that every new tower tries to out-do the last one announced. It leads to some pretty gaudy architecture. We don't need glitz, but class. Here is where I will absolutely agree with JTF and Spartan...the first two floors that abut the sidewalk are most important on this project. The tower itself should look good from afar, but I am anxious to see the street level designs. If it is indeed retail and restaurants, it can be a game changer. Imagine sidewalk dining on the east side overlooking the park and out of the harsh afternoon/evening light. In fact, I think this building will have an extreme effect on all of the film exchange area and we will see some residential development go west of the school.

This should be fun.

It's like Christmas in July. Wonder what's in the package?

http://www.pay4prep.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/present.png

(a shiny new tower, perhaps?)

:)

I just hope it has some Black incorporated. We could use some more dark tones in the skyline.

I just hope it has some Black incorporated. We could use some more dark tones in the skyline.

As long as it isn't tan or brown... too much of that out there already.

As long as it isn't tan or brown... too much of that out there already.

Chase Tower is essentially black. I'm kind of hoping for more of a blue/silver coloration. Darker than Oklahoma Tower, though.

Feels like I'm doing a new car purchase:

Let's see... 40 floors, 700 feet. Yes, that's good, First floor retail and excellent interaction with the street... fine.

Black? Well... do you have that in a blue/silver tone? Great. I'll take one please. How much is that? 300 million? Fine. Just put that on my card.

:wink:

I am more interested in founding out who the architect is, rather than height. Knowing what architect will tell you what type of quality and design you will be gettting. Pickard Chilton is ok, but a lot of his towers look the same. I would like to see something from HKS, Inc., Gromatzky Dupree & Associates, or Boka Powell.

If this is OG&E, It could have the crown lit up orange.

Catch22 Enterprise LLC. 42 floors. 704ft.

Calling Architect 2010!
Virtual massing model, please.

I doubt they will have model. I hope they have some nice computer generated renderings, not any drawings, lol.

My Guess:

OGE
40 stories
726 feet tall (Announced on 7/26, HA!)
Approx. $485,000,000

42 stories
693 ft
Primary finish - Glass
Secondary/accent finishes - concrete/stone
Top floor: Mummers Theater replica restaurant/playhouse

Wouldn't it be great if they could pay homage to the SC structure by incorporating some of the design elements into the street level interaction...exposed walkways, concrete boxes, colors, etc. Wonder if there is a tasteful and fun way to do that.

Wouldn't it be great if they could pay homage to the SC structure by incorporating some of the design elements into the street level interaction...exposed walkways, concrete boxes, colors, etc. Wonder if there is a tasteful and fun way to do that.

i hope not ..

Wow! I'm surprised all of the speculation on this still! Pete Delaney will be making an announcement before the end of the year but right now they're working on the contract for the SC site and trying to work out a contract for the land to the south. They hope to start construction end of 2014 or beginning of 2015. All of the speculation about it being an outside company relocating a HQ here is wishful thinking.

We're going to see how deep in bed you are with Pete Delaney.......If this is OG&E or Enogex/CNP announcing Friday, we'll know this statement was all smoke.....If it's someone else, it's even greater news and OG&E will be the next Mystery Tower.

i am more interested in founding out who the architect is, rather than height. Knowing what architect will tell you what type of quality and design you will be gettting. Pickard chilton is ok, but a lot of his towers look the same. I would like to see something from hks, inc., gromatzky dupree & associates, or boka powell.o.m.a.

Devon has certainly set a high standard.

I doubt we'll see another $750 million complex any time soon but using a national architect and doing things right at every turn -- including considering existing parkers at the garage they purchased, taking care of the Colcord, etc. -- not only sets an expectation but a road map of how to create a win/win situation for everyone involved.

SOM Chicago would be a bid deal. They are one of the leading, if not the leading hi-rise designer firms in the world.

centerpoint/enogex, without a doubt.

I would imagine (or hope) Pete has had many lessons learned conversations with Larry and would follow their lead in creating a win-win project.

As far as architects go, I hope whoever it is has a well respected portfolio of high-rise design. I'm assuming that's a given, but you never know.

OG&E has recently being using Burns & McDonnell on most all their work including their transmission line work, space planning and interior architecture, which is the main reason B&M opened an office in Robinson Renaissance and has been hiring ever since. They are a large AE, or "EA", that does a lot of government and oil & gas work and a lot of engineering lead work. Architecture is typically a by-product of their engineering. They would not being designing a tower, but it might be interesting to see if OG&E relies on them as part of the design process in possibly helping them select a design firm and being their eyes and ears or project manager.

Calling Architect 2010!
Virtual massing model, please.



Not 2010 but here's some quick eye candy showing a scaled down version of BOA Tower NY....

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk92/gandjdunlap/NewTowerFun.jpg (http://s278.photobucket.com/user/gandjdunlap/media/NewTowerFun.jpg.html)

5311, sir.

Thanks!

Whoever it is, I hope there is a good street interaction with Hudson, Reno and Sheridan. Imagine the Myriad Gardens in ten years with Devon to the north, possibly two towers to the west, convention center to the south, hopefully a plan in place for a residential tower on the Cox Convention Center site and they newly renovated Century Center to the northeast...

Well it would be an iconic building that would make our skyline stand out.

Yes, it would stand out like your screwy uncle at Thanksgiving.

There will likely be a parking garage towards the south of the OGE tower. Hoping I'm worng and an announcement is made this week.

I like this building placement because it preserves California. I sincerely hope whatever is built on the Stage Center site does not permanently block the California right of way. Of course this stems from my advocacy of using California as a boulevard from Classen to Myriad Gardens. It would be quite a view to have the Crystal Bridge framed by two high rises in 5 years.


Not 2010 but here's some quick eye candy showing a scaled down version of BOA Tower NY....

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk92/gandjdunlap/NewTowerFun.jpg (http://s278.photobucket.com/user/gandjdunlap/media/NewTowerFun.jpg.html)

Yes, they will have to provide parking somehow, as everything around there and really throughout downtown is maxed out.

There was talk of putting a city-owned garage on the block at the NW corner of Reno & Walker, but I don't think that is part of this deal.


I know we all know this, but a tall building on this site is going to do so much for our skyline. Extends it, makes it much taller and provides another new building so it isn't just Devon and everything from the 70's and before. And also will hopefully fill in the gap between Devon's extreme height and everything else.

Yes, they will have to provide parking somehow, as everything around there and really throughout downtown is maxed out.

There was talk of putting a city-owned garage on the block at the NW corner of Reno & Walker, but I don't think that is part of this deal.


I know we all know this, but a tall building on this site is going to do so much for our skyline. Extends it, makes it much taller and provides another new building so it isn't just Devon and everything from the 70's and before. And also will hopefully fill in the gap between Devon's extreme height and everything else.

It extends it both East/West and North/South.

For those not familiar with OKC, the drive in on I-40 west will be impressive...at least compared to what it was just a couple of years ago.

Yeah, in basketball they always talk about adding an outside shooter so you can "spread the floor".

Well, a tower there would really spread the floor.... er, I mean spread the skyline.

The old rising Cingular cell reception signal bars, seen as one approached from the west, loses some reception.

A tower and parking garage can easily fit on the Stage Center property.

Instead of



\v/
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_ _ | | _ | | _ _
_| |__| |________| |__| |__| |__| |___| |_


We get:



\v/
^ | |
| | | |
| | | | _
_ _ | | | | _ | | _ _
_| |__| |__| |___| |__| |__| |__| |___| |_



(dazzled by my ascii art? :) -- ok, I'm no Architect5311)

For those not familiar with OKC, the drive in on I-40 west will be impressive...at least compared to what it was just a couple of years ago.

I really think the most impressive view currently is coming in from the east at the I-40/I-35 junction. That will be even better with the new tower. It should also improve the view from the west, which currently is a bit too dominated by the Devon tower and really needs another building or two to balance it.

Think about the message this will send nationally in terms of future business development and potential relocations both small and big. It sends another layer of confidence about OKC from the business savvy to the average family driving through on I-40 or attending a softball tournament. The "cool factor" and branding messaging is endless. The thought of potentially two towers going up at the same time blows my mind. Maybe it could turn into a contest much like First National and City Place once had back in the 30's as to who could top out first!

It also makes me think about the importance of the next mayoral race and how the overall momentum of public private collaboration must be continued and not lost.

Often times organizations have more trouble handling success than they do with creating success. I think this is a critical time in our city. There are lots of people who want to lead what they view as successful organizations for all the wrong reasons, because of power and prestige it represents and not what they can do for the organization. It takes real servants to do it when it is at the bottom and requires lots of thankless hard work, is second guessed, and there is no guarantee of success. We have been fortunate.

....I know we all know this, but a tall building on this site is going to do so much for our skyline. Extends it, makes it much taller and provides another new building so it isn't just Devon and everything from the 70's and before. And also will hopefully fill in the gap between Devon's extreme height and everything else.

Definitely due for another round of build-up. Our development is all bunched up over time into little boom periods:

..20's..early 30's.......................late 60's/early 70's.....early 80's...........now

Those long gaps of 'no activity' were killer. Let's make up for lost time and get going!

I heard from a mystery man at the corporation in question that this project is being super-fast-tracked for a March 2014 completion date!


j/k: thought I would provide some levity.

I heard from a mystery man at the corporation in question that this project is being super-fast-tracked for a March 2014 completion date!


j/k: thought I would provide some levity.

That would mean it is a Chinese corporation. They can build a tower that fast. lol

I heard from a mystery man at the corporation in question that this project is being super-fast-tracked for a March 2014 completion date!


j/k: thought I would provide some levity.

lol. maybe super-fast-tracked for a March 2014 start date. unless of course, like jn1780 said, they are a Chinese corporation