Devon Energy Center

[okc_bel_air]

I had also been told there will be no 48th floor. Perhaps so the restaurant could be labeled 49 & 50?

The mechanical floor (not the crown) will be the 50th level but labeled 51.

The roof will be labeled 52. I was also told there will be a utility crane at the top for the window washers and if the need arises for any AC/mechanical work.

[Lafferty Daniel]

I heard there wont be a 4th, 8th, 15th, 16th, 23rd or 42nd floor, so I don't know what you all are talking about ;-)

Man, I miss that show so much.

[Reggie Jet]

Crews prepare to crown Devon Tower

By Brianna Bailey
Oklahoma City reporter - Contact 405-278-2847
Posted: 08:09 PM Friday, August 12, 2011

OKLAHOMA CITY – Over the coming weeks, construction crews will begin erecting the 60-foot steel crown that will top out vertical construction of the 800-foot Devon world headquarters tower.

The components of the crown structure are manufactured off-site and assembled in a very well-organized dance on top of the roof, said Gavin Kalley, project director for Holder-Flintco, the contractor for the tower.

Workers have poured the foundation for the 50th floor of the skyscraper and wrapped up vertical construction on the main part of the tower structure. The tower is now about 720 feet tall.

Observers will see the angular steel crown structure rise rapidly over the streets of downtown in the coming days, said John Wood, vice president for Houston-based Hines, which is developing the massive tower.

“When the steel begins to go up, the visible progress may seem to be accelerating here over the next few weeks,” Wood said.

Crews will begin the task of dismantling the large construction cranes that loom over the site after the crown is completed and remainder of the structure is glassed in – probably in early 2012.

“On one hand, you love having them there, but they’re attached to the building, so (you’ve) got to get them off so you can close things off,” Wood said.

It will take several weeks just to dismantle the cranes piece by piece once exterior construction is completed, Kalley said.

About 1,200 workers are on the $750 million construction site on any given day, although those numbers change over time. Some crews will leave when certain jobs like demolition are completed, only to be replaced by new workers who are skilled in other areas, such as interior construction.

A steel beam that will be one of the last to be hoisted to the top of the 800-foot tower has been placed on the first level of one of Devon’s downtown parking garages for company employees to sign. The beam was already almost completely covered with signatures by Friday afternoon.

Crews have continued working to erect the massive tower in this summer’s record-breaking heat, with afternoon temperatures in excess of 100 degrees most days. The workers have been taking periodic, mandatory breaks to cool off and have been given training to prevent heatstroke and other injuries.

Despite the weather, progress on the tower construction continues to move slightly ahead of schedule, Kalley said.

“You do feel more of a breeze up top and my team would say it’s a little cooler up there,” he said.

[Thunder]

IT....IS....NOT....800!!! Someone please, please for the love of Messiah, correct the reporter!!! *screams*

[Pete]

Yes, that is definitely not right. The tower will be 850 feet and the last concrete level is at 790 feet.

The roof will be labeled 52.

Right, but there is an enclosed floor below the roof and above the two-level restaurant that will be purely mechanical and that will be labeled level 51.

[OKCisOK4me]

Man, I miss that show so much.

Glad someone noticed ;-)

[jn1780]

In Vegas, MGM Resorts is going to demolish the Harmon Tower because of structural defects and could collapse in an earthquake. Good thing Devon has a better contractor and inspectors. LOL

[Groovemaster23]

Hey Thunder! you mean its not 720ft right now! did anybody catch that? what the &^%$! that article was from august 12th, last friday! And thunder i'm very sure it was talking about the tower being 800ft right now and then add the 60ft crown and bam! 860ft! But yeah, they were talking about it being 800ft right now with the crown to go, that's how it hit me. So don't panic Thunder buddy!

[Doug Loudenback]

Doug, I assume he was talking about the construction elevators on the outside of the building? I agree that would be akin to a thrill ride at an amusement park.

Yes.

[Doug Loudenback]

Doug, I assume he was talking about the construction elevators on the outside of the building? I agree that would be akin to a thrill ride at an amusement park.

Yes.

[cameron_405]

Most high rises have no 13th floor because of superstitions. The Devon tower apparently will not have a 48.

...depends upon on geographic location/culture, too.

Tetraphobia

"...tetraphobia is an aversion to or fear of the number 4. It is a superstition most common in East Asian regions such as mainland China, Taiwan, Japan and Korea..."

[Just the facts]

I'll bet they have no problem accepting $4 dollars in change when paying a $6 food bill with a $10 bill. Selective fear is the best kind of fear.

[Pete]

From today. Unfortunately from this angle, you can't see the first part of the steel crown construction:

[UnFrSaKn]

I'll take care of that tomorrow if it doesn't rain.

[SoonerBoy18]

When the Exterior of the tower is complete, are you guys going to be able to take photos of the interior construction?

[Pete]

The rotunda, garden wing and restaurant on the top floor will be open to the public, so I'm sure we'll be able to get photos as those areas are completed.

Sounds like that won't happen until the middle of next year.

[metro]

Taken about 5 minutes ago:

[OKC@heart]

Very nice shot thanks for posting! I always love the shots of the city when the light is at a lower level such as this. The colors seem more vivid or something!

[BoulderSooner]

The rotunda, garden wing and restaurant on the top floor will be open to the public, so I'm sure we'll be able to get photos as those areas are completed.

Sounds like that won't happen until the middle of next year.

from john williams about a month ago .. the garden wing (at least restaurant) will be open 1st q 2012 ..

[Pete]

I believe their plan is to complete everything but the interiors of the top half of the floors by early 2012 so they can start moving employees in on the lower levels.

So, that should mean the rotunda, garden wing, lobby and lower levels, park and auditorium will likely be complete in about six to eight months, and the rest of the building will be finished by late 2012.

[OKCisOK4me]

But that doesn't mean that they can't work on the restaurant, right?

[Pete]

I have no idea about the timing of the top-of-the-tower restaurant.

But, John Williams and his staff have a lot on their plates with the Colcord and garden wing.

[OKCisOK4me]

but, john williams and his staff have a lot on their plates with the colcord and garden wing.

a new hope

[Pete]

Here's what bouldersooner posted recently after speaking with John Williams:

both the new colcord spots should be open in the feb march time frame 2012 and the 49 floor (start of the V) restaurant, which will be in house, will open around sept 2012

[icecold]

Is there going to be a helipad on top?