Sorry for getting upset. I wont say sorry for coming off as upset because I really was upset. :) Yeah, space and physics is my hobby. Has been for a long time. I don't like misinformation spreading especially the fear mongering kind when it comes to space weather. There are a lot of things we should be reading and caring about but this, not as much. :)

Stick around the rest of the day. I owe you a friendly reply somewhere on the forum. :)I think that was meant for Zookeeper lol. But, I'll take that friendly reply if Zookeeper doesn't want it ;)

Yes. The worst in more modern (electronic era) was in Canada, March, 1989. It knocked power offline for a whole 9 hours. Our ice storms in Oklahoma put X-class CME's to shame.

Again, "the worst" could happen. It always can. But there is a big difference in a miniscule chance (almost none in our lifetime) and that headline and article.Was that responsible for the outage in NYC during the 80's? I couldn't remember what caused that blackout.

Yes. The worst in more modern (electronic era) was in Canada, March, 1989. It knocked power offline for a whole 9 hours. Our ice storms in Oklahoma put X-class CME's to shame.

Again, "the worst" could happen. It always can. But there is a big difference in a miniscule chance (almost none in our lifetime) and that headline and article.

But it could happen TOMORROW!

At least that's what the discovery channel tried to sell with there mega disaster series a few years ago.

Someone remove the last 12 posts (13 if you want to include mine) as it is completely irrelevant to the subject at hand and a waste of time to read.

Agreed. Rainey Williams is probably reading this thread.

I am to lazy to read the past 13 pages. Are we getting a 20+ story skyscraper or not?

At least.

*posted elsewhere

I wish Rainey Williams would just commit to something like this...

Maybe he has?

http://www.energytower.co/?ibp-adgroup=7&utm_campaign=7&utm_content=23492090084&target=boomuserlist%3A%3A2990684&placement=www.okctalk.com&gclid=CKHQsonS3LgCFejm7AodvTAAfQ

Ok folks... the announcement for the new tower was made a week ago, and Rainey Williams said that more details would be revealed within 90 days.

90 days hence would be Thursday, October 24th. So... I have created a countdown for this:

Generic Calendar/Clock - Countdown to Oct 24, 2013 in Oklahoma City (http://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/generic?p0=184&iso=20131024T00&year=2013&month=10&day=24&hour=0&min=0&sec=0&msg=Rainey%20Promised)

82 days 12 hours etc.

Actually, the hours are probably wrong on that, as I wasn't trying to be super precise. But hopefully that never becomes an issue -- i.e. we find out the goodies before 90 days have passed.

Fixed link...

ENERGY TOWER at City Center - Offices in midland, Texas | Colliers International (http://www.energytower.co/?ibp-adgroup=6&utm_campaign=6&utm_content=23735634524&keyword=energy%20tower&gclid=CLCA-KuX37gCFc9i7AodbFoAYQ)

That would be one super-skinny building with only about 10,000 sq. ft. per floor.

It won't even house 600,000 sf in 58 floors, where Devon has 1.8 million sf in 50 floors; that does include the Garden Wing but still still, that's a huge difference.

Aside from the horrendous setback, that building is stunning.I wouldn't mind the setback as much if the building was bigger as in "fatter" having a wider mass, as Pete stated. If placed right on the core of DT, then I agree keeping it pushed up tot the street, but if the building were as wide as Devon, this would be awesome for somewhere in C2S

Pete, were you only counting the office space?

It looks like that with the hotel and residences it would have 1.02 m sq ft.


•564,000 square feet of Class A office space with sky lobby
•226,653 square feet for a 198-room, luxury hotel, with spas, world class gymnasium, sky pool, sky lounge and business centers
•230,460 square feet of branded residences, with full hotel amenities

nm

I wouldn't mind the setback as much if the building was bigger as in "fatter" having a wider mass, as Pete stated. If placed right on the core of DT, then I agree keeping it pushed up tot the street, but if the building were as wide as Devon, this would be awesome for somewhere in C2S

I dont think a setback would be a long term benefit to OKC.

I dont think a setback would be a long term benefit to OKC.even if it is out of the core area? More like along the new I40 somewhere in the C2S area. If the building were wider and the set back was cut in half, I wouldn't see a problem with it.

This grand project will define Midland, its leaders and the people of this city for decades to come, revitalizing the heart of downtown Midland into a thriving office, hotel, residence, retail and entertainment center

If they think a building removed from the streetscape, with underground retail, and a 3,000 car attached parking garage is going to accomplish that all I can say is good luck.

Well the problem they're going to face is that Midland will still always be Midland, even with a project like that.


even if it is out of the core area? More like along the new I40 somewhere in the C2S area. If the building were wider and the set back was cut in half, I wouldn't see a problem with it.

What you are describing still sounds like a suburban monolith in the urban core...

That would be one super-skinny building with only about 10,000 sq. ft. per floor.

It won't even house 600,000 sf in 58 floors, where Devon has 1.8 million sf in 50 floors; that does include the Garden Wing but still still, that's a huge difference.

Tower at 990,000+ SF equals around 18,000 sf per floor...

In general I like the mixed use concept for the tower, not necessarily the the below grade retail and extensive plaza and lanscape.

The mixed use would add some floors to what I hope is not a 20 story building.

Tower at 990,000+ SF equals around 18,000 sf per floor...

In general I like the mixed use concept for the tower, not necessarily the the below grade retail and extensive plaza and lanscape.

The mixed use would add some floors to what I hope is not a 20 story building.

Yes, sorry I just was using the office space numbers, not looking at the other uses.

Still, at 19,000 sf per floor (per their website) it's a pretty skinny building, especially for that height.

Think of the sway on those upper floors in Midland wind!

Well the problem they're going to face is that Midland will still always be Midland, even with a project like that.
I have been thinking about going into a development down there because it is an absolutely hot market. I talked to a few people down there about some different opportunities, nothing like this but development nonetheless. Everything is expensive down there right now and there has been a lack of development since the 80's oil bust. Since we were down there the bulk of June while my father-in-law was in the Midland hospital (with a very nice new addition) and subsequent funeral we got to see a lot of what is going on first hand. Even in my wife's hometown of Monahans there is new stuff going up.


Yes, sorry I just was using the office space numbers, not looking at the other uses.

Still, at 19,000 sf per floor (per their website) it's a pretty skinny building, especially for that height.
Per the PDF file of the test fit drawings the floor plates are around 22,000 sf.

The shape might help with some of the wind deflection and help reduce some sway. I know the 2001 Bryan Tower building that I worked in Downtown Dallas you could hear the slip connections creak on the 27th floor of a 40 story building but it was a wide rectangle instead of a parallelogram like this building.

Well the problem they're going to face is that Midland will still always be Midland, even with a project like that.



What you are describing still sounds like a suburban monolith in the urban core...

If population growth continues exponentially, it's possible even Midland may become a large metro area. There are plenty of large metro's in the desert, see Phoenix or many Middle Eastern cities.

I guess Midland becoming big would make more sense than Phoenix...

Steve said in his chat today to expect the tower to be 28 stories. About how tall will that make it? Will it at least be as tall as the Chase tower?

Steve said in his chat today to expect the tower to be 28 stories. About how tall will that make it? Will it at least be as tall as the Chase tower?

It would be right at it....but he also said it could still change.

Steve said in his chat today to expect the tower to be 28 stories. About how tall will that make it? Will it at least be as tall as the Chase tower?

Probably not. We need about 30 stories to top Chase. Although if the first two floors are very tall and it has some kind of tall structure on the roof, it could still beat Chase with only 28.

Yes, I'm sure the 28 story height is only a guess at this point. I'm sure it's not nailed down yet. I'm still hoping for 34 or 35.

Incidentally...

Generic Calendar/Clock - Countdown to Oct 24, 2013 in Oklahoma City (http://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/generic?p0=184&iso=20131024T00&year=2013&month=10&day=24&hour=0&min=0&sec=0&msg=Rainey%20Promised)

75 days (or less) before details are revealed.

Using 17 feet per floor (same as Devon Tower) 28 stories would be 476 feet, while Chase is 500.

This new tower will not justify for being anything less than 500 feet. I'll picket it if plans show <500.

My guess is something like this will be proposed.

http://www.johnherman.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Screen-shot-2010-09-20-at-8.32.52-AM.png

This new tower will not justify for being anything less than 500 feet. I'll picket it if plans show <500.

How about a 'rainey' dance ?

My guess is something like this will be proposed.

http://www.johnherman.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Screen-shot-2010-09-20-at-8.32.52-AM.png

If you mean size & shape, I'll agree, but if you're talking about architecture then I disagree.

Using 17 feet per floor (same as Devon Tower) 28 stories would be 476 feet, while Chase is 500.

Oh boy... Here comes the cavalcade of "476'?!?!? Don't even build it then" posts....

If you mean size & shape, I'll agree, but if you're talking about architecture then I disagree.

What kind of architecture do you think it will be?

Oh boy... Here comes the cavalcade of "476'?!?!? Don't even build it then" posts....

There will be people who oppose the demolition of the Stage Center for a 476 ft tower who might support it for a 700 ft tower.

There will be people who oppose the demolition of the Stage Center for a 476 ft tower who might support it for a 700 ft tower.

And, that would be idiocy. Period.

It would be the equivalent of a homeless guy turning down free McDonald's food because it wasn't steak.

And, that would be idiocy. Period.

It would be the equivalent of a homeless guy turning down free McDonald's food because it wasn't steak.

No, we aren't a homeless guy. We aren't starving for new business development. Remember that there were apparently 3 different bidding groups who wanted to purchase Stage Center. If the winning group puts forward a pathetic offering, expect heavy resistance. A sub-500 foot tower does not justify the removal of the old landmark. You can put something like that anywhere.

No, we aren't a homeless guy. We aren't starving for new business development. Remember that there were apparently 3 different bidding groups who wanted to purchase Stage Center. If the winning group puts forward a pathetic offering, expect heavy resistance. A sub-500 foot tower does not justify the removal of the old landmark. You can put something like that anywhere.

Can we at least wait until the renderings come out before we get all high and mighty about what we will and won't accept?

A 476 foot tower would completely change the skyline from this angle: https://hollybaumannphotography.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/20120217_blogpost_aerialphotography_devontower-3.jpg

No, we aren't a homeless guy. We aren't starving for new business development. Remember that there were apparently 3 different bidding groups who wanted to purchase Stage Center. If the winning group puts forward a pathetic offering, expect heavy resistance. A sub-500 foot tower does not justify the removal of the old landmark. You can put something like that anywhere.

I wish there was a 'Like' button in this thread. From the sound of Steve's chat this morning we would have been much better off if the original prospect would have acquired the land rather than Williams. Hopefully we all are pleasantly surprised though. What if we were to get a 28 story neo-art deco tower?

I wish there was a 'Like' button in this thread. From the sound of Steve's chat this morning we would have been much better off if the original prospect would have acquired the land rather than Williams. Hopefully we all are pleasantly surprised though. What if we were to get a 28 story neo-art deco tower?

But the entity that originally was set to acquire the stage center site is probably still considering other sites downtown I would assume.

There will be people who oppose the demolition of the Stage Center for a 476 ft tower who might support it for a 700 ft tower.That would be me lol, I still really haven't completely made up my mind yet, but this is something I think people might regret down the road.

For me, a 500 ft. tower might do it, I don't really know. A 700 ft. tower, yes please. 1,000 ft. I'LL HELP TEAR THE STAGE CENTER DOWN!!!!!!!

That would be me lol, I still really haven't completely made up my mind yet, but this is something I think people might regret down the road.

For me, a 500 ft. tower might do it, I don't really know. A 700 ft. tower, yes please. 1,000 ft. I'LL HELP TEAR THE STAGE CENTER DOWN!!!!!!!

Looking at the skyline, I think a 1,000+ footer would be great on the Cox site, which won't be going away for several years until the new convention center is completed.

Maybe we could finally build the X-Seed 4000 - in OKC. X-Seed 4000 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-Seed_4000). Just kidding.

Looking at the skyline, I think a 1,000+ footer would be great on the Cox site, which won't be going away for several years until the new convention center is completed.

Maybe we could finally build the X-Seed 4000 - in OKC. X-Seed 4000 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-Seed_4000). Just kidding.Agreed!

If it comes in the size of Chase it will look like downtown is shooting you the bird from the north or south. It really does need to come in somewhere taller than Chase but shorter than Devon IMO. Maybe 40 stories or so.

If it comes in the size of Chase it will look like downtown is shooting you the bird from the north or south. It really does need to come in somewhere taller than Chase but shorter than Devon IMO. Maybe 40 stories or so.

it probably will still look like that anyway, given the way the hand works a lot if not most people's pointer finger will extend up as the middle finger is fully extended, similar but not as exaggerated as how the pinkie is influenced by the ring finger's movement.

What kind of architecture do you think it will be?

My guess is more towards modern, an all glass structure.

4292

So if Steve is pointing to 28 stories (at the moment), does that indicate he's hearing that the primary occupant's presence will be of a non-HQ nature?
Perhaps it depends on the "mass" or footprint.

So whatever the height, lets not duplicate this Spanish skyscrapers problem



http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/18wdjzt13hur5png/ku-bigpic.png

The Intempo skyscraper in Benidorm, Spain ... was designed to be a striking symbol of hope and prosperity, to signal to the rest of the world that the city was escaping the financial crisis. Sadly, the builders forgot to include a working elevator.


The original design obviously included specifications for an elevator big enough for a 20-storey building. In the process of scaling things up, however, nobody thought to redesign the elevator system—and, naturally, a 47-storey building requires more space for its lifts and motor equipment. Sadly, that space doesn't exist.

Full Article: http://gizmodo.com/the-builders-of-this-spanish-skyscraper-forgot-the-elev-1065152844

Looking at the skyline, I think a 1,000+ footer would be great on the Cox site, which won't be going away for several years until the new convention center is completed.

Maybe we could finally build the X-Seed 4000 - in OKC. X-Seed 4000 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-Seed_4000). Just kidding.

Why not build the Chicago Spire for residential since they aren't going to?

I just returned from 9 days in Philly. I would presonally pickaxe Stage Center to the ground just to get a block of their 3 to 5 story buildings.

I just returned from 9 days in Philly. I would presonally pickaxe Stage Center to the ground just to get a block of their 3 to 5 story buildings.

We know.

I just returned from 9 days in Philly. I would presonally pickaxe Stage Center to the ground just to get a block of their 3 to 5 story buildings.

I'd sell tickets for folks to watch. But don't expect a cut. Sadly, tickets on that block have never sold as well as they should.

</meanstreak>

Weird. I live in Philly. Their DT is awesome and dense. We do have a lot of tall(20+) skyscrapers up here. Those are what makes the downtown look good. Philly is all about height right now because they fill they are behind on the skyscraper arms race with other cities of their size.

Yeah, Philadelphia is one of the best.

I just returned from 9 days in Philly. I would presonally pickaxe Stage Center to the ground just to get a block of their 3 to 5 story buildings.

You could probably get a half dozen blocks like there here without tearing down a single thing.

Im not intimately familiar with Philly, but as land values go up and downtown activity becomes more popular, I think we will have more low rise buildings constructed. We will probably see a lot of places like the Edge that fill up big empty spaces, and then that will push up values enough so that the smaller spots get developed into cool unique midrises.

You could probably get a half dozen blocks like there here without tearing down a single thing.

The problem is that Stage Center with its large setbacks and lack of any economic activity hinders walkability.