Well, then I don't know what to say other than what I've heard from various people about the matter. Really would love to see a new one built though!

Didn't mean to be argumentative because I've heard that stuff, too.

Hamm plays that sort of thing up but building a $500 million tower would be pocket change to him. That's 3 months of income.

He's certainly conservative, but if the company grows as fast as he wants it to, then he's going to probably change his mind when he's got 1,000 employees occupying 15 buildings downtown.

That, or he can buy other towers already in existence and someone else will build a spec tower.

Exactly. Also, remember, he said in a national magazine interview years ago he'd never leave Enid. Things change.

And keep in mind, in this country there are incredible tax incentives to own versus lease.

It's exactly why so many large companies build/buy their own buildings.

Didn't mean to be argumentative because I've heard that stuff, too.

Hamm plays that sort of thing up but building a $500 million tower would be pocket change to him. That's 3 months of income.You didn't sound argumentative to me, just giving your perspective on it. That's interesting to know he spent that much on a house when he was still in Enid and is a fairly high roller, hopefully we will see something soon!

...
a $500 million tower would be pocket change to him. That's 3 months of income.

maybe five months if he always wants fries with his burger.

He also just bought the building they are in (20 N. Broadway) for $22 million.


Hamm loves to play up the I-eat-at-Sonic image but he's splashed out plenty of cash and has personal net worth of over $12 billion; it grew by over $2 billion just last year.

Wow... He's worth $12,000 million. To put that into perspective:

1 million seconds is approx 11 days..... 1 billion seconds is about 30 YEARS.

Wow... He's worth $12,000 million. To put that into perspective:

1 million seconds is approx 11 days..... 1 billion seconds is about 30 YEARS.

How about 11 - 12 Billion. He passed George Kaiser this year for the wealthiest Okie.

Take THAT Tulsa!

OK, just joking. I love Tulsa. Please don't let this devolve into 405 vs 918.

How about 11 - 12 Billion. He passed George Kaiser this year for the wealthiest Okie.

~$15.5 Billion actually

He's ~70% in CLR, which has a $22.6B market cap.

~$15.5 Billion actually

He's ~70% in CLR, which has a $22.6B market cap.

That's really something, they've had about a 15 buck run up on their stock price in the last 3 weeks and his wallet is about to explode.

To put it in perspective, if he owns 68% or more then he's in the Top 50 richest people in the world and Top 25 in the US. Absurd.

Also, on the subject of the Devon MLP, if past actions are any indication, Crosstex may end up moving to OKC after we have more office space. Devon closed and relocated their houston employees to OKC shortly after their building openned. They will own a large portion of Crosstex so who knows. With two potential at least partially spec office towers going up around them, they very well might relocate to OKC in the future. Maybe Crosstex is the mystery tenant that will eventually occupy the stage center tower. I definitely don't think anything is set in stone at this point .

What are you talking about, Phi? we're LOSING Mystery Towers...

;)

Also, on the subject of the Devon MLP, if past actions are any indication, Crosstex may end up moving to OKC after we have more office space. Devon closed and relocated their houston employees to OKC shortly after their building openned. They will own a large portion of Crosstex so who knows. With two potential at least partially spec office towers going up around them, they very well might relocate to OKC in the future. Maybe Crosstex is the mystery tenant that will eventually occupy the stage center tower. I definitely don't think anything is set in stone at this point .

This would actually probably be an effective relocation strategy. Get the employees working for the Devon MLP, treat them well so they're invested in the company, and then ask them to relocate with the company they already like a lot. I have no idea how these things work so maybe that's not a good strategy. ;)

This would actually probably be an effective relocation strategy. Get the employees working for the Devon MLP, treat them well so they're invested in the company, and then ask them to relocate with the company they already like a lot. I have no idea how these things work so maybe that's not a good strategy. ;)

Yeah it doesn't seem like that would make sense for them to do it that way. If they wanted the MLP in OKC they probably would put it here to begin with. Companies usually relocate when merging with another company or consolidating into a larger tower.

The company line out of Devon lately is that they are content with what they have. Investors are looking over OKC companies with a microscope right now. They are doing the equivalent of driving the speed limit when you see an undercover cop 4 cars behind you.

Didn't know where else to post this, but I found this activity at the old Bank of America drive through to be interesting.

5150

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/general-real-estate-topics/5150d1386173811-mystery-tower-speculation-news-ideas-post-here-photo-1-.jpg

VERY interesting!

Looks like they are taking soil core samples which is one of the very first steps in engineering.

That whole block is prime territory for a new tower, as has been frequently discussed.

Here is that block:

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

Would love to see something there.

I can just imagine right now, within a couple of years, we could actually have 3 towers under construction at the same time along Hudson.

I can just imagine right now, within a couple of years, we could actually have 3 towers under construction at the same time along Hudson.

Perhaps this was part of the sell to 21c... That the CBD is getting ready to make a strong push westward.

I can just imagine right now, within a couple of years, we could actually have 3 towers under construction at the same time along Hudson.
Three? Stage Center, BOA drive-thru, .....help me out here.

Three? Stage Center, BOA drive-thru, .....help me out here.

Preftakes.

Three? Stage Center, BOA drive-thru, .....help me out here.

Preftakes block.

"Preftakes" makes me think of some sort of breakfast cereal.

I can just imagine right now, within a couple of years, we could actually have 3 towers under construction at the same time along Hudson.

That'd be way better than a FNC vs Ramsey Tower race!

I like the race concept! Which tower will be announced first.... Rainey, Preftakes, or OGE?

I like the race concept! Which tower will be announced first.... Rainey, Preftakes, or OGE?

Did I miss something? I thought OG&E's was guessed as Rainey's main tenant?

Did I miss something? I thought OG&E's was guessed as Rainey's main tenant?

Enable maybe, but not OGE

Devon will likely keep the Houston (Woodlands) presence that Crosstex gives them, but will consolidate the management in OKC.

1) CrossTex is in Dallas
2) GeoSouthern is in Houston (Woodlands) and they are keeping them there for at least a year.... Only 40 employees.
3) Devon is moving people to Dallas to work at the CrossTex office and some to OKC... (net gain for Dallas)
4) I said OGE not Enable. I know the difference.

4) I said OGE not Enable. I know the difference.

Snarky post.

4) I said OGE not Enable. I know the difference.

There was no confusion on what you said.

Snarky post.

No, it wasn't snarky. I was just being a dick. Sorry guys!

No, it wasn't snarky. I was just being a dick. Sorry guys!

I thought it was playful sarcasm...because of the comment of someone else being "snarky" way back when. I didn't see you as being a dick Curt... Carry on ;-)

ok, so when do we all think we will see some / any renderings with towers on it? ideas?

ok, so when do we all think we will see some / any renderings with towers on it? ideas?

Many think something will be released sometime this month.

...and what are the estimates for Height / Stories for each?

1. Stage Center / Rainey
2. BOA drive thru
3. Preflakes

From Steve's chat:

10:12 Comment From Nick: It looks like there was some soil testing going on at the Bank of America drive through off Hudson Ave. downtown. Do you know if there are plans for this property?

10:13 Steve Lackmeyer: Soil testing usually indicates someone is planning on doing some significant future construction.

Mystery Tower #2

Mystery Tower #2

!!!

!!!

OG&E. Bank it

Did I miss something? I thought OG&E's was guessed as Rainey's main tenant?

We missed the board on this one. OGE may be planning a new tower, but it was not on the Stage Center site. Maybe their MLP will be located in Rainey's building, but still unclear on this one.

We missed the board on this one. OGE may be planning a new tower, but it was not on the Stage Center site. Maybe their MLP will be located in Rainey's building, but still unclear on this one.

I think we need to keep an eye/ear open on the old bank America site. Some might be "shocked" who builds there.

I think we need to keep an eye/ear open on the old bank America site. Some might be "shocked" who builds there.

Do you know who's looking at that site or are you just guessing?

Should I consider this news "electrifying"?

Are we "amping" up fo a big announcement?

I wonder if the building will be outlined with orange LED effects ?

I wonder if you'll be able to pay bills in the lobby on the weekend?

So, it's going to be a wheat company that shocks wheat, huh?

OK, so now that SC will be OGE, hotel TBD, housing and retail, next up to freakishly obsess over is .....

OK, so now that SC will be OGE, hotel TBD, housing and retail, next up to freakishly obsess over is .....

(1) Bank of America site
(2) Preftakes block

(1) Bank of America site
(2) Preftakes block

Again, I think we will see a Wells Fargo Tower before too long. No other info, just a hunch.

(1) Bank of America site
(2) Preftakes block

Don't forget the triangle site over on EKG and 4th. It's been mentioned.

Don't forget the triangle site over on EKG and 4th. It's been mentioned.

And the area south of Stage Center.
And Core to Shore.

With little or no spec space in the Stage Center Tower and very little Class A office space available downtown, there is still tons of demand for new construction.

Again, I think we will see a Wells Fargo Tower before too long. No other info, just a hunch.

We know that someone was taking soil samples at the BofA site last week. Does anyone know who that was?

We missed the board on this one. OGE may be planning a new tower, but it was not on the Stage Center site. Maybe their MLP will be located in Rainey's building, but still unclear on this one.

Famous last words. Even though their not the one building the tower and are just leasing. lol