If its the demise of the Stage Center...Im betting it won't be dismal.

I hope this doesn't turn out like the AT&T announcement where we get something pretty great but it's not quite as tall or cool as some had wished for.

I also hope the announcement doesn't get delayed past Friday otherwise there may be riots in the streets. :)

Are you hearing something to temper your enthusiasm?

Are you hearing something to temper your enthusiasm?

No, but the information about the size/height has always been a bit hazy and I haven't been able to find anyone who has seen renderings.

I had heard "almost as tall as Devon" and "about 40 stories" but that was a while ago and I'm not sure if anything has changed.

I was told yesterday that it would be anywhere from 35-40 stories depending on the floor plate they choose.

Second source now confirming sale of the Stage Center site is set to close on Friday and press releases to be issued by seller (foundation) and new owner.

Until it closes nothing is certain, but at this point everything seems to be on track.

I get no vote, but if I did, I'd order up the 40 floor plate special.

With a side of parking garage over a dash of retail.

So is that it? No windows except on the first floor?

Windows are over-rated?

Look man, it's a conceptual drawing. Concepts. It's like abstract. You just gotta dig it for what it stands for, you know? Not get all caught up in the realism thingy, you see?

Plus I got too lazy to put in a bunch of windows, so I stopped.
:)

I hope this doesn't turn out like the AT&T announcement where we get something pretty great but it's not quite as tall or cool as some had wished for.

I also hope the announcement doesn't get delayed past Friday otherwise there may be riots in the streets. :)

Hey, whatever size or style we get, it'll be a heckuva lot more tower than is on the site right now. So it's still goodness.

This announcement is giving new meaning to the expression TGIF!
:cool:

I'm not so sure we are going to get renderings or much in the way of details in terms of the tower.

I hope that happens and it would certainly be in the buyer's best interest, but I have not been able to confirm that that is part of the Friday announcement. Just that the property will be sold.

I am going to laugh if it ends up being a Children's Museum.

I'm 90% sure it's OG+E but I have to say, the lid has been kept very tight on all this.

Amazing in this day and age!

Oh my, I hope we don't just get a short press release saying that the site has been sold to XYZ Corp. and nothing else. That would suck so bad. :(

Even still, once the cat is out of the bag, details would have to follow in fairly short order.

One encouraging thing is that they are scheduling interviews with the media, so that will allow for more questions about their future plans if they aren't made obvious through the press release.

Ok, I've been working on another photo mockup for the new tower. I started, once again, with a great Cooper Ross (IVM) pic, specifically this one:

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/1015326_10151571585783731_362114399_o.jpg

(I did crop off a little bit of the north side of that image to focus on the Stage Center area.)

For the tower I used a building from a photo of Hong Kong I had laying around. I have no idea what the name of it is. It was chosen NOT because it was an awesome looking building, but because it was about the right height (around 35 stories, it appears) and it had the right orientation to line up with the perspective of the OKC photo reasonably well.

Here's what I got:

http://dl.dropbox.com/s/2fim9h384cxalyz/stage_center_dropin.jpg

It's not quite everything I was hoping to achieve, but it does provide another perspective on how a tower might look in that spot.

Thanks for that perspective, Praedura. That's my favorite view of downtown, so I'm glad to see how things might shape up with a new tower.

I am going to laugh if it ends up being a Children's Museum.

That'd be awesome, because that would most likely mean we'd get a children's museum AND some new towers.

Oh my, I hope we don't just get a short press release saying that the site has been sold to XYZ Corp. and nothing else. That would suck so bad. :(

Even still, once the cat is out of the bag, details would have to follow in fairly short order.

My guess is that they will announce the sale of the property and the building of a new headquarters, but I bet actual architectural renderings are still in the works. Just my guess though.

http://dl.dropbox.com/s/2fim9h384cxalyz/stage_center_dropin.jpg

It's not quite everything I was hoping to achieve, but it does provide another perspective on how a tower might look in that spot.

I wonder if we could convince them to tear down the legacy and do it there instead. : )

If both seller and buyer are releasing press releases, that seems as good of an indication that a rendering/details will not be released Friday. It sounds to me like we're only going to be confirming all of our speculation: OGE, a tower more than 30 stories. Hopefully we at least find out the architect and price....then we can at least set our eyes on a target of relative quality to expect.

If both seller and buyer are releasing press releases, that seems as good of an indication that a rendering/details will not be released Friday. It sounds to me like we're only going to be confirming all of our speculation: OGE, a tower more than 30 stories. Hopefully we at least find out the architect and price....then we can at least set our eyes on a target of relative quality to expect.

Even then, Devon announced a 37 story project. Later to unveil in a meeting the 50 story monster.

If we do not get renderings, any details on the project should be taken with a grain of salt.

I now have it under good authority that the buyer is OG+E AND Enogex/CenterPoint.


Trying to get more clarification but I believe this means they will be housed in the same tower, which increases the likelihood of it being of significant height.

Also trying to understand if this will be the HQ for Enogex/CenterPoint or just part of that new entity.


On the downside, the announcement may get shifted to Monday due to last minute issues.

I now have it under good authority that the buyer is OG+E AND Enogex/CenterPoint.


Trying to get more clarification but I believe this means they will be housed in the same tower, which increases the likelihood of it being of significant height.

Also trying to understand if this will be the HQ for Enogex/CenterPoint or just part of that new entity.


On the downside, the announcement may get shifted to Monday due to last minute issues.

interesting ...

Ok, I've been working on another photo mockup for the new tower. I started, once again, with a great Cooper Ross (IVM) pic, specifically this one:

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/1015326_10151571585783731_362114399_o.jpg

(I did crop off a little bit of the north side of that image to focus on the Stage Center area.)

For the tower I used a building from a photo of Hong Kong I had laying around. I have no idea what the name of it is. It was chosen NOT because it was an awesome looking building, but because it was about the right height (around 35 stories, it appears) and it had the right orientation to line up with the perspective of the OKC photo reasonably well.

Here's what I got:

http://dl.dropbox.com/s/2fim9h384cxalyz/stage_center_dropin.jpg

It's not quite everything I was hoping to achieve, but it does provide another perspective on how a tower might look in that spot.

It's amazing how much of a visual disconnect there will be from that angle between the new tower and the rest of downtown, but it won't look that way from other directions. The infill will be better if you were to throw another tower just south of that and another one on the Preftakes block. I would love to see a 20 story residential mid-rise go on the half square block north of the museum bound by RSK, Dean A McGee, Hudson and Walker.

It's amazing how much of a visual disconnect there will be from that angle between the new tower and the rest of downtown, but it won't look that way from other directions. The infill will be better if you were to throw another tower just south of that and another one on the Preftakes block. I would love to see a 20 story residential mid-rise go on the half square block north of the museum bound by RSK, Dean A McGee, Hudson and Walker.

also if there is a 25-30 story hotel across from the peake

I now have it under good authority that the buyer is OG+E AND Enogex/CenterPoint.


Trying to get more clarification but I believe this means they will be housed in the same tower, which increases the likelihood of it being of significant height.

Also trying to understand if this will be the HQ for Enogex/CenterPoint or just part of that new entity.


On the downside, the announcement may get shifted to Monday due to last minute issues.

Not doubting your source, but the one thing that makes me think that it's not OGE is they just spent millions finishing out Leadership Square.

I would suspect that the press release will announce the sale, and plans for the site. I think they would give details, like size and scope, but no renderings. I think renderings will come at a later date...as long as they don't say we are going to "redevelop the site", lol.

Ok, I've been working on another photo mockup for the new tower. I started, once again, with a great Cooper Ross (IVM) pic, specifically this one:

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/1015326_10151571585783731_362114399_o.jpg

(I did crop off a little bit of the north side of that image to focus on the Stage Center area.)

For the tower I used a building from a photo of Hong Kong I had laying around. I have no idea what the name of it is. It was chosen NOT because it was an awesome looking building, but because it was about the right height (around 35 stories, it appears) and it had the right orientation to line up with the perspective of the OKC photo reasonably well.

Here's what I got:

http://dl.dropbox.com/s/2fim9h384cxalyz/stage_center_dropin.jpg

It's not quite everything I was hoping to achieve, but it does provide another perspective on how a tower might look in that spot.
That is awesome work. I wish I could do stuff like that. Thanks.

To summarize...

We've heard from two reliable sources that:

A deal has been struck to sell the Stage Center site
It will close either this Friday 7/26 or next Monday 7/29
A press release will be issued by the new owners after the close
Interviews are being scheduled with the media
OG+E will be the buyer in conjunction with the new Enogex/CenterPoint entity


Less clear but likely that:

There will be a new tower built on that site
It will be in the 30 to 40 floor range
There will be retail/restaurants on the first one or two floors


Educated projections:

A parking garage will be part of this
This only involves the Stage Center site, not the property directly south
At least some of the new Enogex/CenterPoint entity will be located in OKC, but not necessarily all


Unclear at this point:

If this will be the Enogex/CenterPoint headquarters
The possibility of future expansion to surrounding properties
If renderings or building details will be revealed in the press release and/or interviews



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/stagecenter.jpg

It's amazing how much of a visual disconnect there will be from that angle between the new tower and the rest of downtown, but it won't look that way from other directions. The infill will be better if you were to throw another tower just south of that and another one on the Preftakes block. I would love to see a 20 story residential mid-rise go on the half square block north of the museum bound by RSK, Dean A McGee, Hudson and Walker.

Add in the new parking garage by the Hightower building and the mass will help balance some. Also, any mid-high rise development on the Preftakes block changes it a lot too.

I now have it under good authority that the buyer is OG+E AND Enogex/CenterPoint.


Trying to get more clarification but I believe this means they will be housed in the same tower, which increases the likelihood of it being of significant height.
.

Darn. I was really hoping for twin towers. :) Oh well, can't complain!

On the downside, the announcement may get shifted to Monday due to last minute issues.

Dammit Pete! On the other hand, we wouldn't want it to interfere with Steve's Livechat....:cool:

Not doubting your source, but the one thing that makes me think that it's not OGE is they just spent millions finishing out Leadership Square.

a couple million to renovate an office space to house employees for a few years is chump change to them...

Not doubting your source, but the one thing that makes me think that it's not OGE is they just spent millions finishing out Leadership Square.

No matter what, they'll be in that space for several more years.

And yes, there was a building permit for that space just last year for $3.6 million.


But of course, this was all before the merger with CenterPoint.

Is the buyer also getting the land to the south and not utilizing at this time, or did they decide to only buy the Stage Center site?

Darn. I was really hoping for twin towers. :) Oh well, can't complain!

I was thinking the same thing!

Is the buyer also getting the land to the south and not utilizing at this time, or did they decide to only buy the Stage Center site?

I believe the only property changing hands in this transaction will be the Stage Center site.

Could be possible there is an option for other properties but I don't think that will be part of this initial deal.

Same here. The fact that OG&E and Enogex and Centerpoint are buyers mean we just lost a projected tower?

Same here. The fact that OG&E and Enogex and Centerpoint are buyers mean we just lost a projected tower?

Looks that way.

I believe the only property changing hands in this transaction will be the Stage Center site.

Could be possible there is an option for other properties but I don't think that will be part of this initial deal.

Perhaps Continental could take that southern site when they decide to build.

Same here. The fact that OG&E and Enogex and Centerpoint are buyers mean we just lost a projected tower?

But if combined, it'll be a much taller tower at that..

Same here. The fact that OG&E and Enogex and Centerpoint are buyers mean we just lost a projected tower?

Talk about the glass half empty!! ;)


Perhaps this is just the beginnings of a longer-term plan?

Also, it's fantastic news that at least part of the Enogex/CenterPoint entity will be in OKC.

Same here. The fact that OG&E and Enogex and Centerpoint are buyers mean we just lost a projected tower?

And potentially lost the enogex HQ to Houston. At least that seems more likely now.

Or OG&E and is building on the Stage Center site and Enogex, Centerpoint will build a new tower on the site south of this in the near future...

I don't understand the negativity.

OGE is the managing partner, is it not? I would prefer to read into this that the new venture is remaining in OKC near to its managing partner.

And potentially lost the enogex HQ to Houston. At least that seems more likely now.

Yep, looks like Houston wins. Although, didn't Sid recently post a link saying that there's another conference call scheduled for August 1st for the new MLP? We should find out for certain here soon.

Yep, looks like Houston wins. Although, didn't Sid recently post a link saying that there's another conference call scheduled for August 1st for the new MLP? We should find out for certain here soon.

Having a hard time why anyone thinks Houston won ??? I've read or heard nothing that relates to that. For that matter, if Enogex and Centerpoint are involved in the sale, sounds like it'll be here..?

I read the CNP conference call and it says nothing about the MLP.

I think OG&E is just purchasing the site on behalf of the Enogex/Centerpoint MLP, and the Enogex/Centerpoint MLP will build tower on that site. OG&E will build tower behind office on N. Hudson.

Having a hard time why anyone thinks Houston won ??? I've seen or heard nothing that relates to that. For thqt matter, if Enogex and Centerpoint are involved in the sale, sounds like it'll be here..?

I read the CNP conference call and it says nothing about the MLP.

It's a prediction. Lighten up nancy.

Yep, looks like Houston wins. Although, didn't Sid recently post a link saying that there's another conference call scheduled for August 1st for the new MLP? We should find out for certain here soon.

i think his link was just the centerpoint earnings call ..

I think OG&E is just purchasing the site on behalf of the Enogex/Centerpoint MLP, and the Enogex/Centerpoint MLP will build tower on that site. OG&E will build tower behind office on N. Hudson.

i think this could be correct

i think his link was just the centerpoint earnings call ..

My bad. I thought I saw something else for a call coming up in August but I was mistaken.

It's a prediction. Lighten up nancy.

Okay Debbie Downer....lol

Okay Debbie Downer....lol

Touché. Ha

Well this turned embarrassing quickly.

So why is it people are thinking the MLP HQ is going to Houston? Is there any real info to back up that speculation?

All I wanted was two little 500-600 feet tall towers in lieu of one Devon tower killer.
Is that too much to ask?

:)

I have a friend over at enogex and speculation around the office is that the HQ will be in houston but that they will still have a very large presence in OKC. He said that he thought the only personnel shuffling would send accounting/finance people to houston and operations oriented people from houston to okc. He mentioned that to me a few weeks ago and I brushed it off, but if both entities will be housed in the same tower, that scenario seems a little more likely. Granted, this guy isn't that high up within the company and its all just "watercooler" speculation, but the rumor is out there none the less. The fact that centerpoint is the majority owner also lends some credibility to that, however wasn't there something that said they would have equal shares in the governance of the new entity?

Having said that, it still isn't a bad scenario. Always would prefer the HQ but nothing wrong with a major office. Look at Exxon, the HQ has been in Irving forever but their major offices are in houston(soon to be the woodlands) and ft worth. Kerr mcgee's HQ was here, but for a long time there major office was in Houston. Operationally the bulk of the mlp's pipeline infrastructure is centered around OK and north Texas so could be a similar scenario.

I wonder if we could convince them to tear down the legacy and do it there instead. : )

This is very similar to what I was just thinking. Yikes that building is ugly.

All I wanted was two little 500-600 feet tall towers in lieu of one Devon tower killer.
Is that too much to ask?

:)
Yes