http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok112417.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok112417b.jpg

Crown was lit last night. Weird that Devon's LED's weren't on. Picture was taken 7:00PM yesterday. Looks like the crown lighting is still on in your photo too Pete.
https://i.imgur.com/jCrlTIw.jpg?1

In this shot you can see the outdoor plaza is pretty much complete.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok112717.jpg

Any word on when the crosswalk/stoplights will be installed at Hudson and Main? Will there be a crosswalk across hudson? It's desperately needed!

Any word on when the crosswalk/stoplights will be installed at Hudson and Main? Will there be a crosswalk across hudson? It's desperately needed!

Yes it is and you see people running across Hudson all the time; but I'm not aware of any plans to put in a crosswalk.

I heard that it's happening just don't know when. I don't see how they could install a light there and not a crosswalk.

BOK readies move to new tower

By: Molly M. Fleming The Journal Record November 30, 2017

OKLAHOMA CITY – Bank of Oklahoma employees will end their year packing their offices in preparation for a move in 2018.

The bank is moving 250 people into BOK Park Plaza, 499 W. Sheridan Ave., from the BOK Commerce Center at May Avenue and Britton Road, and BOK Plaza, 201 Robert S. Kerr Ave. Those employees will be working on floors 24, 25, 26, and 27. They are from the commercial lending department, wealth group, and financial securities group.

“The three groups are the primary marketing arm of the bank,” said John Higginbotham, Oklahoma City CEO. “It will save a lot of time going back and forth.”

Those employees will be up and running in the new space by Jan. 26, he said. The bank will also have a full lobby on the first floor, which will move from the existing downtown space on Feb. 1.

Higginbotham said the new space will have safety-deposit boxes with the latest in security technology.

“This is pretty monumental for our bank to move 250 people at one time,” he said.

Hines real estate is developing the 27-story office tower. The building has 692,716 square feet of rentable space. It also has two parking garages at Sheridan and Walker and Main Street and Hudson. The west garage will measure 35,000 square feet. The north garage will measure 20,000 square feet. Each garage, as well as 499 Sheridan, will have ground-floor retail space.

In Oklahoma City, Class A office space is tight, with a 6.5-percent vacancy rate in 2017’s third quarter, according to an NAI Sullivan report. The rate was flat compared to 2016’s third quarter.

In the Central Business District, vacancy for all office space is 6.3 percent, NAI reported.

The market also absorbed 8,773 square feet of Class A space in 2017’s third quarter.

When the building was announced in 2015, neighboring Devon Energy was supposed to lease 250,000 square feet there. Corporate Communications Director John Porretto said in an email that the company has secured space in the building.

Chairman Emeritus Larry Nichols asked the Downtown Design Review Committee to allow a bridge between the BOK building and Devon’s headquarters because it was needed for Devon employee collaboration. The DDRC was concerned it would take away from street activity.

“However, Devon has no plans to occupy the space at this time,” Porretto said.

Higginbotham said BOK’s new space will be a good tool for recruitment. The building offers a view of the forthcoming Scissortail Park and there will be bike racks installed outside.

“I’m really proud of the commitment that BOK is making to the Oklahoma City market,” he said. “We’re investing in a downtown facility that’s been somewhat difficult for our energy industry.”

BOK’s build-out was designed by Workspace Solutions, led by Scott Rice. Higginbotham took the executive team to the Steelcase office furniture headquarters in Michigan so they could pick the best options. BOK isn’t moving any of its furniture.

The new space is equipped with video screens that will display stories of the company.

He said he’s been reflecting on the leaders who made these decisions at their existing office.

“This has been a dream-come-true opportunity,” he said.

BOK readies move to new tower

By: Molly M. Fleming The Journal Record November 30, 2017

OKLAHOMA CITY – Bank of Oklahoma employees will end their year packing their offices in preparation for a move in 2018.

When the building was announced in 2015, neighboring Devon Energy was supposed to lease 250,000 square feet there. Corporate Communications Director John Porretto said in an email that the company has secured space in the building.

Hines probably never would of developed this tower if they new Devon was going to back out, that is a lot of square feet not accounted for, that was originally planned. Developers usually like the building to be at least 50% leased before they break ground...smh...

Hines probably never would of developed this tower if they new Devon was going to back out, that is a lot of square feet not accounted for, that was originally planned. Developers usually like the building to be at least 50% leased before they break ground...smh...

Hines didn’t pay for the building and Hines doesn’t own the building

I deleted a bunch of personal and political posts and apologize for my part in them.

Let's please stick to the discussing BOK Park Plaza.

Hines didn’t pay for the building and Hines doesn’t own the building

Then who paid for it & who owns it?

Update: did some research, based on the Wikipedia page it says Hines Interests Limited Partnerships owns the building. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/BOK_Park_Plaza

Thank you Pete for striving to keep things on topic. I know that's a challenging task but believe its very important. I applaud your efforts.

I deleted a bunch of personal and political posts and apologize for my part in them.

Let's please stick to the discussing BOK Park Plaza.

The skybridge will be a test. Does design review or a large employer win? Devon has been the "company that can do no wrong" as far as the city is concerned, given what an impact they've had. But you know what? Chesapeake was city's doll 15 years ago too, and they definitely fell off the wagon. And their development wasn't always smart. Look further back and you can look at other long-sine-gone companies like KerrMcGee too. So personally, i'd like to keep that skybridge off the building to keep the feet on the ground, doll company asking or not.

^^^^^^
The sky bridge is already approved and in fact fully constructed.

^^^^^^
The sky bridge is already approved and in fact fully constructed.

There are actually two as a part of this project, both complete: Connecting the tower to the north parking garage and connecting the parking garage to the Devon complex.

As a reminder, P180 money was used to build the skybridge from Devon to the parking garage to City Center East garage and through that garage and ultimately into Oklahoma Tower.

They have been lighting the crown in different colors... It was white 2 nights ago and last night it was reddish.

Note in the last 2 photos that Main Street and the sidewalk are now completely open as they ready the complex for BOK's move in next month.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok121417.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok121417a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok121417b.jpg

Anyone know why they didn't rebuild the sidewalk to P180 spec?

Anyone know why they didn't rebuild the sidewalk to P180 spec?

Do you mean the corner?

The part along Main seems to be the save pavers, trees, etc.

Do you mean the corner?

The part along Main seems to be the save pavers, trees, etc.

I'm talking about the north side of the north garage. The pavers are different and differently oriented. There is also no paved sidewalk, which isn't a huge deal. just not p180 spec. It doesn't look bad per se, it's just weird to suddenly transition to surfaces that look somewhat similar but obviously different mid-block. It's like someone looked at the design of the sidewalk once and then was asked to re create it from memory months later. Just strange that they didn't restore the p180 design that was put in before all those buildings were demolished.

Here is where the BOK sidewalk intersects with the existing P180 hardscape in the foreground.

You can see the BOK pavers are smaller, lighter in color and oriented perpendicular to Main Street rather than parallel.

Also, on the BOK side there is no concrete sidewalk, it's solid pavers from the street to the garage.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok121617b.jpg

Any word on when the crosswalk/stoplights will be installed at Hudson and Main? Will there be a crosswalk across hudson? It's desperately needed!

Main Street is now completely re-opened and this entire complex will open in January.

There is absolutely no sign of a crosswalk or signal at Main and Hudson.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok121717c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok121717a.jpg

Whoever designed that garage should never be allowed to design or build another structure anywhere within our solar system. Truly, who designs that and thinks, "Yeah, that's good. I want to be associated with thtat"?

Whoever designed that garage should never be allowed to design or build another structure anywhere within our solar system. Truly, who designs that and thinks, "Yeah, that's good. I want to be associated with thtat"?

Well, at least they built two of them.

Whoever designed that garage should never be allowed to design or build another structure anywhere within our solar system. Truly, who designs that and thinks, "Yeah, that's good. I want to be associated with thtat"?

Don't see anything wrong with that GARAGE.

Don't see anything wrong with that GARAGE.

By your logic, someone could take a dump on my doorstep and if i complained that it smelled bad, you would then say, "I don't see anything wrong with that TURD."

Well, at least they built two of them.

Two that look a whole lot better than ones in developments downtown whom we give a pass on because they serve apartments instead of commerce. Big double standard on this site. It seems to be not what you do but who you are.

Two that look a whole lot better than ones in developments downtown whom we give a pass on because they serve apartments instead of commerce. Big double standard on this site. It seems to be not what you do but who you are.

AGAIN, really really tired of you characterizing an entire site of thousands of posters as having one opinion. If you meant to address me directly, then do so.

And if you are referring to West Village, those garages have received plenty of criticism even though they aren't finished.

It has a better look than many other of our garages but it looks extremely odd next to a shiny new glass tower. The color and detail of it simply doesnt match the sleek glass tower.

Don't see anything wrong with that GARAGE.
Agree.

It has a better look than many other of our garages but it looks extremely odd next to a shiny new glass tower. The color and detail of it simply doesnt match the sleek glass tower.

I think that's where most of us sit. Wondering why they chose that particular material for the facade since it doesn't match anything around it at all....or even blend with it. I mean i know you dont have to, but personally, i think it stands out in a bad way. But i'm also willing to acknowledge that it holds cars no matter how it looks, so as far as the developer thinks, it's fine and they wouldn't have to do anything to "blend" unless the city forced them to, which i think would be a bit of a stretch.

I drove past it today hoping a fresh look would help. It didn't. It is downright ugly. The "vent" panels make it appear like the side of some facade hiding an electrical substation or utility. I'm fine with having a garage there, just needs to have a better appearance.

Due to the subtle variations in the panels, it's obvious there are hundreds of pieces stuck together in a patchwork rather than any flowing, clean lines.

I think they were going for a masonry appearance but the end result is just a sea of brown/beige.

Certainly looked a lot better in renderings, and the color turned out to be very different.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/hinesnow9.jpg

Parking garages require a great deal of ventilation, obviously. That's why most have either visibly open floors of striated concrete, or cover the openings or whole facade with some sort of mesh or fins. Personally, I would rather have a facade which hides the open floors and the look of a concrete parking garage. This facade hides the raw concrete floors and doesn't allow direct viewing of the inclined floors, etc. It appears they tried to create an impression of a "building" rather than a "parking lot". I think that is in fact preferable. The also attempted to create some interest and integration at the street level with commercial and faux commercial fronts which are considerably more finished out than most.

Do you think it would have been better to have a highly contemporary exterior as opposed to a more traditional look given the building they serve is modern? Would that have fit in better with the other elements on the block?

Two that look a whole lot better than ones in developments downtown whom we give a pass on because they serve apartments instead of commerce. Big double standard on this site. It seems to be not what you do but who you are.
In fairness, most downtown residential developers would like nothing more than to eliminate parking spaces required to build and market housing. They are eagerly anticipating a time when their residents are less car dependent and they’re watching/debating when the time will be that they can start providing less parking. It’s a ticklish subject, because they don’t want to build too few and have an unmarketable property.

They do recognize that - at least for the foreseeable future - the land use decisions made in the past mean that their residents can’t realistically live car-free. Many of them are working hard to change that, including themselves subsidizing loss-leader tenants like retail and grocery, in an attempt to make downtown more liveable and walkable. But believe me, they don’t like being in the parking business.

Contrast that with some of downtown’s recent corporate tower developments, which have taken seemingly antagonistic stances towards walkability, streetlevel interaction, bicycle lanes, traffic patterns, thoughtful multi-mode boulevard construction, streetcar, etc.. Not presuming to speak for anybody on the board, but I think the people who you’re railing against with this post are mostly just turned off by what they see as a corporate dismissal of urban living and walkability as pure novelty and even at times some seemingly intentional undermining behavior.

Perhaps these posters feel that corporate interests aren’t giving honest thought/effort to better integrating in a way that would encourage employees to interact with the rest of downtown or even LIVE in or near downtown (for those so inclined), but rather that the companies work from the assumption that 100% of their employees forever and always will be driving private cars to dedicated garages, walking through skywalks to get to their offices, grabbing lunch at the commissary, walking back through the skywalk to their cars, blasting down wide, fast streets to the expressway, and commuting back to the bedroom communities, which in turn gobble up their sales taxes and school-supporting property taxes, often leaving OKC high and dry revenue-wise.

Now, I for one see and appreciate greatly the value of these corporations, the jobs they bring, the taxes they and their employees contribute to our economy, the charitable giving, and on, and on. I’m sure the other posters do, too. At the same time I’d like to see some thought given to treating downtown less like a remote office park to be viewed from afar, commuted to, barely interacted with, and instead more like an organism to be nurtured, and a viable place where at least *some* of their employees might choose to work, bike to work, raise kids, walk to lunch, pay OKC property and sales taxes. Otherwise, why not just build your tower in the suburbs?

I’m not saying the balance will ever tip in favor of urban living - nor should it, perhaps - but the best cities have MANY lifestyle options, not just one.

Urbanized, I understand and agree with much of what you are saying. However, I don’t think Devon invested downtown just so they could make their workers drive downtown and destroy the urban fabric. If they were looking to do that they could have built anywhere. And apartment builders who put their garages on prominent corners of their development and don’t design street level interaction aren’t overly concerned with good urbanism either.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok122317d.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok122317c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok122317b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok122317a.jpg

Urbanized, I understand and agree with much of what you are saying. However, I don’t think Devon invested downtown just so they could make their workers drive downtown and destroy the urban fabric. If they were looking to do that they could have built anywhere. And apartment builders who put their garages on prominent corners of their development and don’t design street level interaction aren’t overly concerned with good urbanism either.

I would agree with this. And to be frank, developers are concerned with really one thing. How does this make me a dollar? Parking for residents isn't as profitable as leasing more space to tenants. So i wouldn't be so quick to give them the "urbanist award" for the year. True, there are better developers than others, but i think it's a bit too generic to put all corporate into one bucket and all residential into another. Each have their good and bad, depending on how you look at them.

OKC cannot support retail on every square foot of ground level downtown either. I'm not sure how we will get there, because we're going to have to up our residential density of the AVERAGE JOE downtown before you can make that work, and we still haven't seen anything downtown that really focuses on that group. The masses are what will eventually make downtown livable, but we're quite a ways away from supporting that. We're still looking at the upper end and there's only so much of that we can put in there and only so many specialty coffee shops/local clothiers/etc that all close by 5pm and dont bother with the weekend, before we pop that bubble. Now, you throw in some sort of urban growth boundary, and i think you'll make that more attractive to developers. But good luck with that. OKC sees the growth area as lifeblood. Throw in a boundary and i think you'll just see suburb growth instead.

I'm a little concerned for BOK Park now with so much of the space now being empty. Devon was going to be a pretty good part of that building, and it doesn't sound like BOK is going to eat up as much as i think we thought they would. And then, what are we going to do with their old-ugly-ass building once BOK is out? We got HELLA lucky with Continental taking Corporate Tower after Devon moved in, but we see the emptiness of Cotter with that same move...and it's not filling up. Those lower class buildings are going to have a hard time. And much to what i said above, we dont need more "convert to upscale residential" once the building is low on tenants.

OKC may not yet hve the residential density downtown (but I'd argue that it DOES) but OKC does have density of office workers and they should necessitate a significantly more amount of streetfront retail than is offered.

This would be more of a true fact IF OKC didn't have the tunnel system or the pedestrian bridge connecting garages to office towers; this would truly illustrate the amount of office workers we have and THAT TRAFFIC would warrant double or more of the amount of current retail options.

Because OKC and downtown are still growing and downtown is adding significant residential population, I think MOST new developments should have retail buildouts on the ground floor regardless if they are immediately used so that growth can create the market. To me, what OKC is missing besides the chain retail (7-11s, supermarkets, drug store, supplies) is local mom and pop restaurants. Go to other downtowns and that is what you mostly see in downtown storefronts; OKC has as much as you can count on your hand. This needs to change IMO and I'd charter the chamber and downtown OKC to take the lead on linking local (and ethnic/poor) merchants into these downtown retail spaces [perhaps having a grant and/or startup period on the rent/utilities to get them going].

Beautiful pics, Pete. Thanks a bunch.

The bus station sign is now illuminated, both the sign itself and the glass sarcophagus.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok123017a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok123017b.jpg

They were taking street barriers away yesterday.

^

They are all down now and the two parking garages are open.

Still a lot of construction tents and equipment in the plaza.

You can see in the first photo that the facade along Hudson has been set up for illuminated posters / artwork in each of the windows. This area will not have any retail.

The 2nd photo is of the parking entrance on Main to the north garage. The other garage entrances all looked finished and operational.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok123117b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok123117a.jpg

Some shots of the lobby which show the patterned walls and escalator.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok123117c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok123117d.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/499091015.jpg

I like looking at this building coming up I-35 from Moore going to downtown. This office tower really added density to the skyline & turned out to be a great project. Anything over 400FT is a pretty good height to have skyline impact. If & when OG&E adds their 25+ office tower next door, that will be really be nice!

i agree, still wish it was at least 550 though. ...

hopefully it fills up quickly and we'll get another, taller spec tower (and OGE Center) in the works. ....

Getting back to the parking garage, I think we are spoiled by the main street garage, which compared to other's in town, is pretty gorgeous. I think if nothing else, they could have done something with the panels so that there was variation in the color, instead of it being all one blah color.

Lobby tonight. The plaza is pretty much finished; should be opening their doors any day.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok011618.jpg

A friend of mine works for BOK and they've already begun moving furniture and equipment into their new offices upstairs... Been doing so for a couple of weeks now. I don't believe any employees have officially moved over just yet though.

A friend of mine works for BOK and they've already begun moving furniture and equipment into their new offices upstairs... Been doing so for a couple of weeks now. I don't believe any employees have officially moved over just yet though.

Yes, they are moving in but the building is not open yet.

Very close though.

Any word on restaurant or retailers? It looks like the retail space in the garage is walled off but can't tell.

John

Any word on restaurant or retailers? It looks like the retail space in the garage is walled off but can't tell.

John

Absolutely no building permits other than BOK on the top 4 floors and then a small branch in the lobby and Devon doing a very small office on the 2nd floor.

In the last two photos you can see they seem to be installing a traffic light and crosswalk at Hudson & Main.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok012018.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok012018b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok012018c.jpg

The bus station sign is now illuminated, both the sign itself and the glass sarcophagus.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok123017a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok123017b.jpg

"Sarcophagus." LOL

http://www.simpsontaxidermy.com/mam5-wtdeer.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bok012818.jpg

Does anyone know the final height on this building ? Originally it was to be a few feet shorter than the Oklahoma Tower, but it looks much taller from about every angle. I can't see how the ground elevation could be that much different between the two buildings.

I think Oklahoma Tower's listed height at 434' may be incorrect, actually being a little shorter.