First level almost completed and 2nd level going up...

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok031616.jpg

I am very glad that this building is progressing as quickly as it is... As much as I hated to see the old buildings go away, at least the land is being used again, unlike OG&E Springs/Lake Rainey Williams. The north parking garage is going up quite quickly too, which is good to see. Please remind me, do they plan to have any ground-floor shell space in either of the two garages? This thread is so huge now I'm not quite sure where to look for that info.

In about another month or so, I should be able to see the top of the building appear above the trees in the view from my place.

The cranes are already visible and frame exactly where it will rise, and it will be fun to watch it grow.

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http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok032416.jpg

I just put this pic on Skyscraperpage.com. That thread hadn't been updated since December

They clearly need that parking pretty bad (somewhat surprising after all the oil layoffs the last year). They are absolutely trucking on that garage. We should take forum bets as to how many floors they get constructed before Garage 1 opens and Garage 2.

Walking by to the game a couple of nights ago and they still had a full crew at work a little after 6:00 pm.

are you serious about the parking need? I see two existing parking garages that are not being utilized. ....

Does EVERY new skyscraper need to have an attached garage to be viable in Oklahoma City? Is it not possible that office workers could park elsewhere and walk to their office tower?

Eventually, OKC has a plan for Regional Mass Transit (Commuter Rail) and local transit (Streetcar/Tram, Local and Express Bus) - with office workers having these options in the next 5 years; I hope there is a plan to repurpose these garages. I wish many could be built with the idea of vertical expansion at a later date - so a highrise (office, hotel, residential or a mix) could be built on top without tearing down the garage. Vancouver actually built an office tower this way; half was built initially but it was designed to always be expanded with more floors (which did eventually happen). Could we do this so not to have to tear down garages?

Nice pic from last week.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cd1r0YdUEAACcMg.jpg:large

are you serious about the parking need? I see two existing parking garages that are not being utilized. ....

Does EVERY new skyscraper need to have an attached garage to be viable in Oklahoma City? Is it not possible that office workers could park elsewhere and walk to their office tower?

Eventually, OKC has a plan for Regional Mass Transit (Commuter Rail) and local transit (Streetcar/Tram, Local and Express Bus) - with office workers having these options in the next 5 years; I hope there is a plan to repurpose these garages. I wish many could be built with the idea of vertical expansion at a later date - so a highrise (office, hotel, residential or a mix) could be built on top without tearing down the garage. Vancouver actually built an office tower this way; half was built initially but it was designed to always be expanded with more floors (which did eventually happen). Could we do this so not to have to tear down garages?

It'd be nice if at some point the city could require parking garages to be built so they could be converted to other uses in the future. I'm not sure on the engineering or cost specifics, but certain style parking garages can be converted to residential/commercial space.

We Need to Design Parking Garages With a Car-less Future in Mind - CityLab (http://www.citylab.com/design/2013/11/its-time-design-parking-garages-car-less-future/7583/)
"three key elements to an adaptable garage design are flat floors, comfortable floor-to-ceiling heights, and enough loading capacity (in other words, strength) to support another structural use. Those types of changes may cost a tiny bit more up front but will provide enormous savings down the line."

At the very least, the city could require that all public garages in the urban core meet these specifications.

Walked by again on the way to the game Saturday evening. I noticed that on the north end of the tower they were already forming for the next floor. This thing will move up pretty fast now.

here, here Montreal!

It will be a sight to see about this time next year once the 27 story BOK Plaza, 433 ft., structure begins to rise as it shoulders can be seen as part of the skyline.

Now, the yet to be determined specs for the 600 room or more convention center conference hotel will add an additional structure to the skyline--something probably no less than 440 feet--similar to the 614 room 447 ft., downtown Fort Worth Omni.

OG&E Springs will probably become OG&E headquarters' reality as the energy sector starts to rebound. They will probably build one or two 400-425 ft., structures that will impact the skyline. Who knows, they could come up with a new design concept--roll out one 500-600 ft., structure.

Our skyline will make a dramatic change around 2020. Let's hope our local economy rebound and becomes stable; quality job creation and expansion will make OKC a well-rounded place where OKC can attract & retain young professionals, bring back many individuals who can return home and take over their parents existing homes.

It will be a sight to see about this time next year once the 27 story BOK Plaza, 433 ft., structure begins to rise as it shoulders can be seen as part of the skyline.

Now, the yet to be determined specs for the 600 room or more convention center conference hotel will add an additional structure to the skyline--something probably no less than 440 feet--similar to the 614 room 447 ft., downtown Fort Worth Omni.

OG&E Springs will probably become OG&E headquarters' reality as the energy sector starts to rebound. They will probably build one or two 400-425 ft., structures that will impact the skyline. Who knows, they could come up with a new design concept--roll out one 500-600 ft., structure.

Our skyline will make a dramatic change around 2020. Let's hope our local economy rebound and becomes stable; quality job creation and expansion will make OKC a well-rounded place where OKC can attract & retain young professionals, bring back many individuals who can return home and take over their parents existing homes.

You were getting we fired up until you brought up OGE lol Not sure why you are characterizing that as "probably" still.

This project, BOK Park Plaza, is pretty underrated around here though. Easy to get bummed about what's not getting built but this will change our skyline quite a bit. This thing will be vertical in no time.

I'm excited about this skyscraper, and very hopeful about the conference hotel. I've kind of given up on anything happening with Lake Rainey Williams.

It's important that this city capitalize on skyscraper development. The opportunities for these kinds of buildings don't come along every day. However, I think one of the best things for this city is all the development in the 3-4 story height. OKC has an enormous amount of vacant land downtown. Now, in the last 10 years, a lot of that has been filled up (maybe half of it?). But there's still a whole lot left. As these big open spaces fill up with housing and restaurants and other things (like the Criterion that just opened), every one of those is taking up previously vacant or under-used land. Every one of those pushes property values downtown a little higher. They add people, they add excitement, they add activity. That's great. But the other thing they do, is they gradually make skyscrapers more economical.

I think this city needs about another 10 to 15 years of solid growth, adding apartments like the Metropolitan, adding townhouses like all that stuff south of St Anthony. And then as land becomes a lot more scarce, we're going to start seeing a lot more 10-20 story buildings popping up. We've got to get there organically. Like I said, another 10 to 15 years of growth like that, and then we just wait for the next oil boom. And THAT is when this city will see half a dozen skyscrapers under construction at once.

i like the organic approach, but we don't need to wait on JUST the next oil boom for our next new skyscraper. Hopefully the city is working internationally (and nationally) for companies to relocate OR open an office in Oklahoma City. The more of those we get the easier it is to justify AND FILL UP a spec skyscraper or two.

We need to get out at all of the conventions and what not worldwide with the OKC banner, promote OKC as business friendly and a place where you can have a US presence for not much expense; and where your employees could enjoy a full 100% quality of life. Just think United woke us up about QOL 20 years ago, now OKC arguably has the best QoL compared to peer and even larger cities and it's only going to get better as more projects complete and even more announced.

I am so proud of Oklahoma City and like was mentioned, we can't rest but continue this renaissance and that means OKC needs to get out and make itself known. We have a lot to offer now, we just need to capitalize on what we've become and take it to the next level. How about in the next 10 years we have another skyscraper boom with OIL/GAS and other industries. .... I also don't understand why OKC doesn't court ENERGY companies, you know the green energy. Also, why doesn't Devon and those guys get into it.

Anyway - hopefully these ideas find good heads in the city to run with it. I'm looking forward to the results and patronizing my home town!!

So the OG&E project is completely DEAD; like DOA.

If so, OG&E should surrender that parcel of land or put it on the market.

OG&E use to be one of OKC's strongest Fortune 500 companies; they are among the Fortune 1000 companies now. Completely dropped off the radar.

Again, you must remember that the Omni in Fort Worth is only 15 or so stories tall. The rest of the floors are million(s) dollar condos for sale. So take about a third of that building and you have the hotel.

The base of the 3rd floor is going in. After this level is complete, each subsequent floor will be uniform and things should start to move at the pace of about 1 floor per week.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok033016.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok033016b.jpg

I was at the airport the other day and was wondering if this building is going to block First National, City Place, Oklahoma Tower and Sandridge from that vantage point. I assume the very top of First National will be visible.

I was at the airport the other day and was wondering if this building is going to block First National, City Place, Oklahoma Tower and Sandridge from that vantage point. I assume the very top of First National will be visible.

I don't think so, BOK should stand just to the left of Oklahoma Tower from the airport.

I can't wait for it to get some heighth; I'm very anxious to see its impact on the skyline.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok041116.jpg

Don't know if this was posted, but they now have an official website for this building:

Home | BOK Park Plaza (http://bokparkplaza.com/)

Don't know if this was posted, but they now have an official website for this building:

Home | BOK Park Plaza (http://bokparkplaza.com/)

Pete have they changed the floor count to 23 instead of 27. Please tell me they haven't. I'm looking at their official website and it's only showing 23 floors. Bummer!!!!!

Pete have they changed the floor count to 23 instead of 27. Please tell me they haven't. I'm looking at their official website and it's only showing 23 floors. Bummer!!!!!

It just says floors 17-23 are available for lease.

Building will still be 27 floors.

Thanks Pete. Glad to hear that.

3rd level going up.

From here on until the very top, all the floors will be uniform so they should start hitting a pretty good groove soon.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok042516.jpg

3rd level going up.

From here on until the very top, all the floors will be uniform so they should start hitting a pretty good groove soon.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok042516.jpg

Here's a shot from street level from last Friday.
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This tower is going to be a beast in the skyline when it's done, despite the specs.

No matter how many renderings or models, seeing big structures like this take shape always surprises me.

Always so much bigger and impactful than anticipated; this is really going to change the whole feel of the that area and Myriad Gardens in particular.

Looking forward to it. This will help the skyline from the south and west especially and result in the Devon Tower not looking quite as dominant. I am also hoping it's well illuminated to give the night skyline more pop, especially since the Chase Tower and the Sandridge Tower have removed their lighting.

Looking forward to it. This will help the skyline from the south and west especially and result in the Devon Tower not looking quite as dominant. I am also hoping it's well illuminated to give the night skyline more pop, especially since the Chase Tower and the Sandridge Tower have removed their lighting.

They haven't removed their lighting...its just not turned on.

Looking forward to it. This will help the skyline from the south and west especially and result in the Devon Tower not looking quite as dominant. I am also hoping it's well illuminated to give the night skyline more pop, especially since the Chase Tower and the Sandridge Tower have removed their lighting.

Why do you hate dead horses so much? Anyway... Its amazing how fast that garage is going up and yes this is a great start to balancing the skyline! OKC on the rise! Literally!

This forum sometimes has a pretty toxic approach to height sometimes and I think most people will be happy with it being 27 stories. Height doesn't equal density, if you walk and spend time in Boston, there a very few buildings that are significantly tall like the Prudential Center, the rest are following appropriate urban design and will range from 3-10 stories depending on where you are. OKC has a lot of space in the future to work with and is far from done with growing up and out.

Why do you hate dead horses so much? Anyway... Its amazing how fast that garage is going up and yes this is a great start to balancing the skyline! OKC on the rise! Literally!

This seems a bit harsh. I don't see anything in bchris's statement that I or anyone else would disagree with.

Don't know if this was posted, but they now have an official website for this building:

Home | BOK Park Plaza (http://bokparkplaza.com/)

Cool website. I like how they really play up the streetcar.

3rd level going up.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok042516.jpg

I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but wouldn't it be the fourth floor?

I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but wouldn't it be the fourth floor?

Well, third floor below the structure and 4th above. :)

Ahhh, gotcha.

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This seems a bit harsh. I don't see anything in bchris's statement that I or anyone else would disagree with.

Thanks for pointing that out; glad to see that there is someone that has noticed bchris' improved attitude. I feel like his posting - especially over the past year or so since he moved near downtown - has become MUCH more positive and constructive, and rarely mines the negativity that he almost exclusively traded on in the past. I think there are a few posters here who haven't recognized this, and when they see his handle they view it with the expectation that his posts will be negative, and who then proceed to nitpick him to death. I know that as a general rule it is not healthy on a forum to talk about a poster, but I am doing so here from the standpoint that I think he has generally turned over a new leaf and should be left alone. Some of the comments he gets today over some of the most innocuous of posts border on bullying or harassment.

I've heard some people suggest that he's fair game because they have seen him continue to post negative stuff about OKC on other forums, but honestly dragging beefs from other forums to this one, or even from thread to thread in this forum, is bad form and borders on personal attack.

Sorry, I had to make my feelings known on this topic. Post away.

^100% agreed and feel the same way.

Thanks for pointing that out; glad to see that there is someone that has noticed bchris' improved attitude. I feel like his posting - especially over the past year or so since he moved near downtown - has become MUCH more positive and constructive, and rarely mines the negativity that he almost exclusively traded on in the past. I think there are a few posters here who haven't recognized this, and when they see his handle they view it with the expectation that his posts will be negative, and who then proceed to nitpick him to death. I know that as a general rule it is not healthy on a forum to talk about a poster, but I am doing so here from the standpoint that I think he has generally turned over a new leaf and should be left alone. Some of the comments he gets today over some of the most innocuous of posts border on bullying or harassment.

I've heard some people suggest that he's fair game because they have seen him continue to post negative stuff about OKC on other forums, but honestly dragging beefs from other forums to this one, or even from thread to thread in this forum, is bad form and borders on personal attack.
Sorry, I had to make my feelings known on this topic. Post away.

His attitude may have changed here, but not so much on other forums that he participates in. That is the source of my continued annoyance.

I can't take someone seriously who continually makes claims such as OKC is a better comparison to Bakersfield and Amarillo than Sacramento...or bashes OKC in every thread available. I don't think taking exception to a person like that is bad form or personal attack...it is the same person regardless of the venue they decide to make ridiculous comments in.

Thanks for pointing that out; glad to see that there is someone that has noticed bchris' improved attitude. I feel like his posting - especially over the past year or so since he moved near downtown - has become MUCH more positive and constructive, and rarely mines the negativity that he almost exclusively traded on in the past. I think there are a few posters here who haven't recognized this, and when they see his handle they view it with the expectation that his posts will be negative, and who then proceed to nitpick him to death. I know that as a general rule it is not healthy on a forum to talk about a poster, but I am doing so here from the standpoint that I think he has generally turned over a new leaf and should be left alone. Some of the comments he gets today over some of the most innocuous of posts border on bullying or harassment.

I've heard some people suggest that he's fair game because they have seen him continue to post negative stuff about OKC on other forums, but honestly dragging beefs from other forums to this one, or even from thread to thread in this forum, is bad form and borders on personal attack.

Sorry, I had to make my feelings known on this topic. Post away.

If he is so concerned with the lighting he should put up the funds. Sandridge has employees to pay and like it or not cotter ranch is private property, the owner can do what he wants. I don't disagree it doesn't look good and would love to see it lit up, but he beats dead horses, that is fact. Harping on how ugly and dark downtown is, is absolutely negative, and he is only non negative to avoid a vacation. Sorry to derail but come on, just because you aren't negative does not mean you are positive or constructive.

I know a lot of people are still bitter about the Bus Station and the buildings we lost but as said before this development is going on during an oil bust, think about that. The parking spaces they are creating will help beyond just BOK park Plaza. And we are whining about a couple buildings being dark. A little perspective please everyone.

Okay, back to discussing BOK Park Plaza please.

When can we see more construction pictures as its going up?

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok050716.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok051116.jpg

Starting to pick up the pace. Should be about 1 floor per week now.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok052016.jpg

I'm past ready for them to raise the crane.

Not messing around at all...

Will they put up another tower crane for the other garage?

^ No.

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Courtesy TNT tonight.

If there were like 30 more buildings in this pic it might look like New York. ;)

If there were like 30 more buildings in this pic it might look like New York. ;)

I think you left out a 0 on that number. :)

But there were some really nice shots of OKC last nite. Devon is such a beauty.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok053016.jpg