OG&E's 12-story building at 321 N. Harvey is set to get a nice makeover.

In addition to replacing and opening up the storefronts and transoms, they will get a new sign and the light band around the top will be replaced with color-shifting LEDs.


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Inject this directly into my veins.

The ice storm did a number on those trees.

Amazing, this was the next item on my wishlist after the Pioneer and Telephone building storefronts being opened up.

OGE has been doing something on exterior the last month or so. I think maybe cleaning the stone of the building.

Well, guess this means they won't be building a new headquarters anytime soon. They just need to put the former Stage Center land up for sale to someone who will develop it.

^^^^Yep

Work has started:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/oge111421a.jpg

Work has started:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/oge111421a.jpg

This work has been ongoing for months. It seems they have been doing a sealing and cleaning of the exterior. This would be the final section of this work.

I then expect this other new work to take place.

was going to say that (that it's been there) but just wasn't sure what might be happening

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Been meaning to post. Looking great. So overdue.

That's a night and day difference between the before and after. Those new doors on the corner, so nice looking. A very good makeover.

That'd make a great residential property. Just from an outsider's perspective.

it does look better. My only feedback are two - why use tinted glass vs. clear and why did they not glass the upper portions of the first floor (that have the 'bay' windows)?

I cuould probably guess that they went with tinted glass to fit with the rest of the building, but clear would have been way better. And it would have been even better if there were clear glass on the top in the bay areas - both really would have opened up this building even moreso IMO.

The new LEDs replacing the old light band are scheduled to start going up this weekend.

why did they not glass the upper portions of the first floor (that have the 'bay' windows)?

^^^ This

^^^ This

The plans posted by Pete show those transom windows being replaced. Perhaps a supply chain issue? Those would be very specific sizes custom fit to each panel. Could be pricey right now.

They aren't finished with the project.

The are finishing up the transom windows this week. looks really good.17407

yes, noice! indeed.

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It's always been surprising to me how similar the OG&E building and Tulsa's ONG buildings are. I prefer the OG&E without the tan brick, but both are great buildings. Unlike OG&E, ONG is long gone from the building.

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looks awesome. Will only look better once the ground floor has retail tenants.

looks awesome. Will only look better once the ground floor has retail tenants.

There won't be any ground floor retail. It's all occupied by OG&E. There are meeting rooms and reception areas on the first floor of the building behind these new windows.

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Looking good! Thanks for the pics Pete.

The LEDs on the crown are a little behind schedule due to the constant wind we have been having. They can only put them up on Saturdays. Finding a window with low enough wind to put these up when you only have one day a week to work with has been challenging with the recent weather.

i just saw a similar building in Seattle, that was much more inviting on the bottom floor with its clear windows and obvious business retail activity. Not sure why OG&E isn't opening this up for retail - which would be a huge win for this section of downtown.

If they need more office space, they should probably lease it in one of the towers or build/anchor a new tower.

Baby steps. It's come a LONG way in a short time.

good point shawn :)

So I think the real question is, are they upgrading to put the building on the market soon, and finally building their new headquarters we all been waiting for?

Or are they upgrading because they are not moving anytime soon?

They are nowhere close to starting on a new building.

They are nowhere close to starting on a new building.

nope, in fact have consolidated space into buildings owned by the company and out of leased space in other downtown buildings.

Whats up with that floor near the top with a totally different window design?

Whats up with that floor near the top with a totally different window design?

Executive floor. Deeper, and functionally taller from the interior.

Executive floor. Deeper, and functionally taller from the interior.

Why are all the windows completely different and uglier/modern?

17463

Nothing to do with the windows, and I'm certain everyone here knows, but for those who may not, the difference in masonry design is where the building was added onto years after it was completed.

17463

Nothing to do with the windows, and I'm certain everyone here knows, but for those who may not, the difference in masonry design is where the building was added onto years after it was completed.

Yep - The Oklahoma Natural Gas building across the street also has a similar quirk. There's a crown on it where the old roof was, and now there's two more floors above the crown.

I believe bombermwc and I were asking about the floor that's one below the top one that has all modern windows, not where the building was added on to. Unless those aren't really windows and it's a maintenance/equipment floor...