Devon Plans Downtown Skyscraper

[shane453]

If they present it to OCURA it is automatically public before the employee meeting.

[metro]

That is if OCURA doesn't pull a last minute change of date, time and location of meeting. I seriously doubt it this time considering it's such a high profile project.

[BDP]

Devon Energy plans to present building proposal | NewsOK.com

[warreng88]

I wonder if this will include the "other building" across the street that is going to be connected or just the main building itself.

[metro]

"other building?"

All we know so far is that they will tie their building in to the Myriad Gardens. I imagine it will be some sort of pedestrian bridge.

[warreng88]

All we know so far is that they will tie their building in to the Myriad Gardens. I imagine it will be some sort of pedestrian bridge.

K, thanks Metro.

[CuatrodeMayo]

Cuz we need to keep people of the insanely busy streets of DT OKC...

I doubt it is a ped bridge.

[Pete]

I wonder if this will include the "other building" across the street that is going to be connected or just the main building itself.

I think you're referring to the "meetings" facility that is rumored to be a separate building but attached to the main tower.

I'm sure the plans presented will be for everything they are planning to build, since they will be seeking the approval from OCURA. Also, it's pretty clear they are anxious to finalize their plans so they can move towards construction.

[FritterGirl]

Cuz we need to keep people of the insanely busy streets of DT OKC...

I doubt it is a ped bridge.

They do want to make a "connection" to the Gardens. The original idea was to "drop" the auto traffic below grade and create a street-level pedestrian traffic.

That project, however, is not possible because of the cost involved in moving existing draining and utilities infrastructure that runs down Sheridan.

Not sure if they are looking at a pedestrian tunnel, or will have to go "up" above street level, hence a ped bridge.

[Platemaker]

A tunnel makes a heck of a lot more sense being that one already exists from Gardens to the building site.

[OKC74]

The 6 o'clock news had a blip this evening talking about the building and the upcoming announcement Wednesday...same as the article above. They are still reporting "at least" 37 stories...is this because that was the original announcement that was made, and they don't want to go out on a limb...? Because after all that we've read here, and the people that have these bits of inside information, it sure seems (I HOPE) that it will be much greater than 37 stories! I just have a fear that we've all gotten ourselve so hyped up and that they'll come back with "37 stories"...ugh. But I hope I am (and I think I am) wrong!!!

[Platemaker]

Prediction: 72 floors 270 meters

[OKC74]

Wow that's almost double what the original announcement was!! Is that wishful thinking or some inside info...? LOL!!

[plmccordj]

Someone posted 50 storeys at 750 feet the other day and said he had some inside information. That got everyone including me worked up about it just to see that he had later deleted the post. Now I am fearing the 37 forecast as well.

[OKC74]

I didn't notice that...!!

[plmccordj]

Yes. You can see what is left of the post on post 584 located here...

http://www.okctalk.com/159232-post584.html

[Pete]

I'm still hearing around 50 floors and 750' -- with the possibility of it being taller due to architectural elements (as opposed to more floors).

Also, the tower is rumored to be closer to the Colcord with the separate meeting facility west of it, but connected. There will be a large atrium as well and seems pretty certain a connection to the underground and the Myriad Gardens.

From everything I hear, it will be plenty tall and that we won't be disappointed in the design.

So, think positively and look forward to getting all the details in less than two days!

[plmccordj]

Thanks Pete,

Honestly I want a tall building more than a special design although I would love a well designed building. I guess what I am saying is that I would not cry at a box as long as it was significantly taller than the other buildings.

[BDP]

I agree with plmccordj, except in the exact opposite way. I'd much rather have a world class design than it to be just another tall building. Having a great and easily recognizable iconic design will do much more for Oklahoma City, image wise, than just another box that every city in every country around the world has. No one is going to be impressed with "tallest in Oklahoma", but I guarantee you no one would be expecting a world class design in Oklahoma at all. We ahve another opportunity with this building to help give Oklahoma an elevated image and a boxed in building won't do it, even if it is the tallest in the state.

[plmccordj]

BDP I agree with you completely but maybe I should clarify. No one would deny the leadership square buildings are iconic but they are not tall enough to be seen at a distance. I do think you make a good point.

[Pete]

Well, I'm pretty confident it's going to be the tallest in the state (and thus considerably taller than any current OKC building) and Larry Nichols has said from inception that it being iconic was more of a consideration than height. So, I think most people are going to be satisfied -- or as much as you can ever please a group that has very different ideas and preferences.

Besides the architecture and height, I think the way they are going to tie it into the gardens, create a large atrium and meeting structure, build up the existing parking structure, and how they landscape and make a great street-level presence.... It's all these things that will make the building/complex special and unlike anything in Oklahoma.

And when you consider there have been very few tall/large office buildings built in the last 20 years -- at least west of Chicago -- then you know it will really stand out in terms of just being newer, more modern and more reflective of the current trends and ideas that have certainly changed over the last couple of decades.


When you think about all this being completed just as the Ford Center is vastly improved and about the time Core to Shore, MAPS 3 and all the possibilities that will bring (massive convention center, Central Park, new boulevard, etc.) I think we're going to look back on this tower as the first step of many big things to come.

[mheaton76]

55 Stories is my prediction...It's a fun guessing game...




www.unitedstatesofmichael.com

[OKC74]

I'd like to see 60...

[Kerry]

Someone posted 50 storeys at 750 feet the other day and said he had some inside information. That got everyone including me worked up about it just to see that he had later deleted the post. Now I am fearing the 37 forecast as well.

Do we need any more proof that we are being monitored?

[Insider]

My prediction is 50-55 floors and 750'-800' tall (all based upon supposed inside information).

As far as the Myriad Gardens tie, the original announcement says they will try to incorporate this as well as a tie to the existing underground tunnel system. However, the tie will almost definately NOT be above ground as there is already a tunnel tieing the Myriad Gardens to the parking deck where the building is going to be built. This tunnel is in place, but has never been used. They want to complete this tunnel and use it. You can see it if you walk to the waterfalls on both sides of Sheridan. The tunnel starts just west of these on the north side and crossed under the street. It continues into the gardens (this is what is inside of the bridge crossing the lake).