Devon Plans Downtown Skyscraper

[RabidRed]

What about encouraging Devon and maybe others to build the world's tallest building in OKC? I could see a building with wind turbines on top that would power the whole building! Now that would be a sight and unique. Plus the building would get a plus for being green. A model for the world!

You could make part of the building residentual, part entertainment, and whatever you come up with. Now this would be an attraction that people from all over the world would come to see. We become a destination city.

[soonerfever]

I don't think that would ever happen. The current tallest building in the world, Burj Dubai, is costing the owners about $4 billion. Now while I think that the tallest skycraper should be in the US, since we are the birth place for skyscrapers, New York and Chicago can't even seem to put together a plan to build one. It's a marvel idea but I just don't see it happening in OKC.

[RabidRed]

I don't think that would ever happen. The current tallest building in the world, Burj Dubai, is costing the owners about $4 billion. Now while I think that the tallest skycraper should be in the US, since we are the birth place for skyscrapers, New York and Chicago can't even seem to put together a plan to build one. It's a marvel idea but I just don't see it happening in OKC.

He who does not dream is lost in mediocrity.

[Taggart]

Building the tallest here would be 4 times as expensive. Dubai gets almost free labor from surrounding areas.

I was working on the design of a huge mall project there and it was insane how cheap it was compared to American properties.

[donbroncho]

Ahh this is a good problem to have. Here we are debating about what kind of building the new tower will be. Years ago, this would not have happened. Hopefully more towers will be built and we get to do this all over again.

And for what its worth, Dubai can keep all their crazy tower designs...

[soonerfever]

He who does not dream is lost in mediocrity.

Your dream is just that....a dream. Larry Nichols isn't going to drop $4 billion+ on a building in OKC. I never said I wouldn't want it to happen. Besides who would occupy it? There is vacant office space in downtown OKC right now. Granted it's Class B and C. Nichols cares about downtown and doesn't want to over populate it with space that no one will use. If you were to build the tallest building in the world in OKC you would have just that. Empty space. I love OKC just like everyone else on this board but it isn't going to happen. Do you really think OKC would get something like this over Chicago or NYC? I don't want to start an argument I just want to make myself clear.

It has been 30 years sice OKC has built a skyscraper. Let just be happy that one is getting built. It's not going to be the tallest in the world but it will probably be one of the most iconic in the US.

[RabidRed]

Your dream is just that....a dream. Larry Nichols isn't going to drop $4 billion+ on a building in OKC. I never said I wouldn't want it to happen. Besides who would occupy it? There is vacant office space in downtown OKC right now. Granted it's Class B and C. Nichols cares about downtown and doesn't want to over populate it with space that no one will use. If you were to build the tallest building in the world in OKC you would have just that. Empty space. I love OKC just like everyone else on this board but it isn't going to happen. Do you really think OKC would get something like this over Chicago or NYC? I don't want to start an argument I just want to make myself clear.

It has been 30 years sice OKC has built a skyscraper. Let just be happy that one is getting built. It's not going to be the tallest in the world but it will probably be one of the most iconic in the US.

Tall doesn't mean you have to have lots of office space. Me thinks a building about 50 stories and then top it out with towers that have wind turbines. Maybe half and half...lol

[metro]

Care to show us an example of a 50+ story building with wind turbines on top?

[sgt. pepper]

i know of a 10 story building that will be built in OKC with wind turbines.

[metro]

where? when? who is building it?

[RabidRed]

i know of a 10 story building that will be built in OKC with wind turbines.

If you can do 10 why not 50?

[jbrown84]

Union Pacific Center.

[sroberts24]

sgt pepper tell us more of this building u speak of

[soonerfever]

Union Pacific Center.

For those who don't know this is one of Hines buildings. The same Hines that Devon has hired.

[metro]

i know of a 10 story building that will be built in OKC with wind turbines.

Dude that pic is of UPC in Omaha. (and I believe it's 17 stories if I remember right). You mentioned a 10 story building in OKC with wind turbines that produces the buildings own electricity. I'm curious as to more info about that.

[soonerfever]

Not trying to be rude but it's located in Omaha and according to Emporis it's 19 floors and 317ft.

[sgt. pepper]

It is a research building and it will be built near the ou medical center/childrens hospital area. By the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. It is suppose to be a hush hush project, so don't know much about it. Start construction summer 2008 and be finished by 2011. Looks similair to what jbrown posted.

[SOONER8693]

A Sheikh ( hope that is spelled correctly) has announced plans to build a scraper in the Middle East that will be 5280ft, one mile tall. Not in Dubai, but close enough so the Dubaiers can see it. I don't think anyone will top that for a long time. Estimated cost was 4 billion, if my memory is good.

[RabidRed]

What better way for an energy leader like Devon to build a building and use wind to power the building? It would make them look like the leader of saving the planet...

[RabidRed]

A Sheikh ( hope that is spelled correctly) has announced plans to build a scraper in the Middle East that will be 5280ft, one mile tall. Not in Dubai, but close enough so the Dubaiers can see it. I don't think anyone will top that for a long time. Estimated cost was 4 billion, if my memory is good.

I take it they aren't on the metric system?

[edcrunk]

I take it they aren't on the metric system?

i seriously doubt that... i think we're the only ones who don't use it.

[autoMATTic]

It is a research building and it will be built near the ou medical center/childrens hospital area. By the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. It is suppose to be a hush hush project, so don't know much about it. Start construction summer 2008 and be finished by 2011. Looks similair to what jbrown posted.

I can vouch for Sgt. Pepper on this one. Though, I do not know the specifics or whether the turbines were included in the final plans.

I do know that OMRF is very excited about its new diggs.

[HOT ROD]

Why dont they build it to 12 storeys? That way, it will count as a 'skyscraper'?

As for Devon, Im hoping for:

700+ Feet, 1.2M sq feet @ FSR of 14.6 gives 48 office floors/stories (assuming avg footprint of 25,000 sq feet and no spire).

700 feet would give OKC the titles that Tulsa currently holds (tallest office bldg in plains/surrounding states ex TX/CO, largest office bldg in state), yet would not significantly dwarf the existing skyscrapers downtown.

Something to consider, Tulsa's second tallest downtown building is over 150 feet shorter than BOK, yet you can barely tell in most angles. If done strategically, Devon Tower can beat BOK by 33 feet, capture the title, and still be in line with the rest of downtown OKC.

[OKCisOK4me]

If done strategically, Devon Tower can beat BOK by 33 feet, capture the title, and still be in line with the rest of downtown OKC.

Especially if another company--presumably American Fidelity--were to build themselves some downtown diggs as well. Imagine if they joined the race to alter our city skyline. That would be sweet...

[metro]

I wish Paycom, Loves, Hertz, and American Fidelity would build downtown.