Devon Energy Center

[metro]

Just think folks, that's just ONE floor, 49 more to go, although they won't be that tall. That pic just gives you some scale of how big this thing really is for those of you who haven't been down there yet.

[OKC@heart]

Yeah they have to preserve them so that they can be reused. It willl be quite interesting to watch how they do that very dramatic due to the size of the sections. With each section they will work to place back re-shoring, often like what is used on the lower floors or wooden posts that are adjustable and install them back to aid in carrying the load until the concrete reaches strength.

Most of the projects that I have worked on had more of a built up shoring system much less modular and even then they were really able to move fast in setting them up floor to floor, so this will be fun to watch!

[OKCisOK4me]

Just think folks, that's just ONE floor, 49 more to go, although they won't be that tall. That pic just gives you some scale of how big this thing really is for those of you who haven't been down there yet.

I just look at the port-a-potties on site and say "man, those things are small compared to that floorplate!"

[Lauri101]

Thanks for pictures all! I've been out on leave this week but will return next week nad hope to get some more shots from my angle. The structure will soon be so large it'll be difficult to get shots.
At least my office won't get so hot this summer with full shade!

[West Coast]

The lone white van is missing from the cam shot. It must have an oil leak from the size of the stain it that parking spot.

[Insider]

Just think folks, that's just ONE floor, 49 more to go, although they won't be that tall. That pic just gives you some scale of how big this thing really is for those of you who haven't been down there yet.

Actually, they are already working on floor 3. What you see is floor 1 (ground floor) and floor 3. Floor 2 is a 'mini floor' that does not extend all the way out to the outer pillars. They poured floor 2 on Monday or Tuesday of this week. The floor with the porta potties on it up against the elevator cores is the second floor in the first okcmomentum picture of post #1591.

[metro]

Why is floor 2 a mini floor? (what will it be used for), will they actually call it floor 2 on the elevator buttons, etc? Seems to me to just be a design aesthetic for the grand lobby and not a floor.

[Insider]

Why is floor 2 a mini floor? (what will it be used for), will they actually call it floor 2 on the elevator buttons, etc? Seems to me to just be a design aesthetic for the grand lobby and not a floor.

We have been wondering that also. I know the main lobby will be about 40 feet tall (2 stories). This can be seen in the images that are out there that show a lobby shot looking into the round rotunda. My coworkers and I think the 2nd floor will be a security floor where they will house the security offices. That way they are on a floor to themselves but are low enough to quickly respond if they need to.

[jn1780]

We have been wondering that also. I know the main lobby will be about 40 feet tall (2 stories). This can be seen in the images that are out there that show a lobby shot looking into the round rotunda. My coworkers and I think the 2nd floor will be a security floor where they will house the security offices. That way they are on a floor to themselves but are low enough to quickly respond if they need to.

I was thinking that this mini-floor will be connected to the rotunda somewhere on the west side (bridge/ elevated walkway?).

[metro]

Yeah, I'm still not convinced Devon is considering this an actual floor in the 50 stories.

[OKC@heart]

Usually a "Floor" like that is referred to as a mezzanine level and not considered an actual floor. I guess at this point it is just semantics.

[OKCisOK4me]

It's gonna be like that floor in "Being John Malcovich". Compared to all the other floors, you'll have to walk with a crooked back to get around & the only access to this floor is a mini elevator, lol...

[Watson410]

Why is floor 2 a mini floor? (what will it be used for), will they actually call it floor 2 on the elevator buttons, etc? Seems to me to just be a design aesthetic for the grand lobby and not a floor.

Read post #1375... you'll see it in the background. I doubt it'll be considered the 2nd floor..

[metro]

Read post #1375... you'll see it in the background. I doubt it'll be considered the 2nd floor..

So you basically confirmed my point, that it's not considered in the structures original floor count, although there will be some usable space, so technically I was generally correct in saying that we're starting to see 1/3 of floor two.

[HOT ROD]

I think this is why you see/hear them often say "50-storey tower" or "50 floors" but they engineers will say "51 levels".

If I recall correct, from the skyscraper definitions - a floor is an actual floor but can have any number, a level is the actual level. Many skyscrapers omit floor 13 or floor 4 in the 'official' records (say elevator placards), but obviously there is a level 13 and a level 4.

So I think here, we will have a 50-storey (or more if Devon add back the subtracted floors, somehow I suspect they will 'surprise us') skyscraper that actually has 51(+) levels where the extra 'level' isn't a floor but instead is a Mezz. level.

[redrunner]

I believe a while back someone posted a horizontal view representation of the tower showing the floor by floor height from the bottom all the way up to the top. Can anyone repost or tell what page it's on?

[jmarkross]

I think this is why you see/hear them often say "50-storey tower" or "50 floors" but they engineers will say "51 levels".

If I recall correct, from the skyscraper definitions - a floor is an actual floor but can have any number, a level is the actual level. Many skyscrapers omit floor 13 or floor 4 in the 'official' records (say elevator placards), but obviously there is a level 13 and a level 4.

So I think here, we will have a 50-storey (or more if Devon add back the subtracted floors, somehow I suspect they will 'surprise us') skyscraper that actually has 51(+) levels where the extra 'level' isn't a floor but instead is a Mezz. level.

I agree, HotRod...I think they will build the same structure originally planned, advertising was my career and I think it would make a nice big impact to--later in the construction--"decide" to continue with the original design as a emphasis on future success, which I think they will have--given the natural gas business prospects in the coming decades. Clever idea. And a classic example of good PR. I like it. It will exceed 900 feet in height, maybe more...

[OKCisOK4me]

...and still dwarfs the rest of downtown like the Wauchovia (or whatever bank) Building in downtown Charlotte did..which led to more highrise construction!

[OKC@heart]

I would love nothing more than to see that happen but that would be a pretty big and carefully orchestrated stunt, and would involve having the local building inspectors be along for the ride and require absolute silence. That would also mean that the revised renderings, and submitted plans that they paid big money for were revised all for the sake of a PR stunt.

Like I said I would love nothing more than to have that wonderful type of surprise unfold...however the realist in me thinks that this will be an awesome structure as it is currently planned and that stock holders while they like bold moves that strengthen the company would not look so favorably on the type of expenses that we are talking about for the publicity. Especially in this economy with gas prices as low as they are...but it is fun to think about!

I am not trying to rain on anyone's parade here but it would be a singularly unprecedented move.

[jmarkross]

It will be a great mystery for us all--here at least--to see what eventually happens. Sort of a reverse Skirvin Tower-type move, where the taller building was proposed and a shorter one emerged. My main thought was the reasons given for sawing off 75-feet of the structure seemed pretty bogus...and one does not plan a structure of this scale without good planning up front. I assume making it a bit taller would be physically possible--given the type of construction being employed. Maybe they will make it over 1000-feet...then they would really get T. Boone Pickens attention! He could move there and be so much closer to OSU home games! Seems silly to get so close to the "magic" number and not go all the way.

[plmccordj]

I It will exceed 900 feet in height, maybe more...

I thought they took four floors out and made it 850? Where did you hear 900+?

Never mind... I just read the rest of the thread to see you guys were talking in hypothetical wishful thinking. I would love that too but not holding my breath.

[OKCisOK4me]

I would love nothing more than to see that happen but that would be a pretty big and carefully orchestrated stunt, and would involve having the local building inspectors be along for the ride and require absolute silence. That would also mean that the revised renderings, and submitted plans that they paid big money for were revised all for the sake of a PR stunt.

Like I said I would love nothing more than to have that wonderful type of surprise unfold...however the realist in me thinks that this will be an awesome structure as it is currently planned and that stock holders while they like bold moves that strengthen the company would not look so favorably on the type of expenses that we are talking about for the publicity. Especially in this economy with gas prices as low as they are...but it is fun to think about!

I am not trying to rain on anyone's parade here but it would be a singularly unprecedented move.

And how do we know that they didn't produce both renderings at the same time and then release them in a timely manner?



Way to squelch Dallas' fears, lol...

[BPD]

Yeah, I heard a rumor that when Byron Mullens reports to the team this fall he will be eight feet tall. This is a fiendish plot to intimidate the NBA.

[jmarkross]

The whole controversy was initiated by Devon--and the reasons were dubious. There are two possible explanations--incompetence or sleight of hand? Public relations dictates controlling the message, so which would anyone prefer? I doubt the former...their track record certainly does not lead in that direction. But--a few mind games that lead to even better reality than the expectation is a coup de grace. It is just a fascinating aspect of this monumental event. I am just not at all convinced one designs and finds a way to build a 925' Tower--then decides to lop off a chunk to lower expectations for no reason at all...unless it might be to create an aura of self-reliance and ingenuity to overcome all obstacles. And, surmount the problems--and come back even stronger. A fourth quarter comeback against the odds. Otherwise--their eyes were bigger than their stomachs when they made the big announcement in the beginning.

[architect5311]

It is common as a project develops from Schematic Design to Design Development and into the Construction Documents phase for changes to occur. In the earlier phases of Concept and Schematic Design, where the 925' height was determined, the design is just that, conceptual and schematic. As the project develops, project programming, details, and scope is more refined and defined. In this case it sounds like the reduction in height may be due reprogramming and relocating the Data Center adjacent to the Records Storage Facility near the airport.