Doesn't the FNC have a slide in it as part of the fire escape? That's what I was told anyway....
Doesn't the FNC have a slide in it as part of the fire escape? That's what I was told anyway....
It isn't the cities that operate or own these skyscrapers.
Just think Soonerboy18, i have a homework assignment for you. I need you to check out theskyscraperpage.com then check out Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Seattle, and even around the world. I guarantee that you will find many buildings like our ol' classic mini-me empire state building that you want to demolish. I understand your point about upkeeping the buildings, but there are many hoops to jump through to get a project like that done. But what you have to understand is that these buildings give the city its character and classic feel and you don't just turn your back on that. They enhance the city, give the skyline and people a richness that you don't have if only brand new buildings are standing there. Never forget where you came from. This is what all the big, expansive cities do.
On the other hand, soonerboy, look at Dubai and see if it looks and feels comfortable. It is massive whizbang but there is no soul in glitz. The mideast's architecture of the past was tents which meant they had no architectural history to relate to so they end up creating these garish, gargantuan monsters that will eventually dry up in the desert when the oil is gone and they hadn't invested the billions to desalinize see water for human use. Our treasured buildings, if properly used and mantained will outlive those monuments to ostentation.
Having grand old buildings is good for a city because it shows history and stability. Nevertheless, having the same buildings rotting half full is like a cancer to a city who is trying to grow.
The first national could greatly improve with an updated crown and getting rid of that awful rusty looking staircase. There must be a better way to make a fire escape than to tack one on to the side of the building.
If the First National has troubled with getting tenants, then perhaps it is time to update the office space to make it more appealing. If they will not or cannot, then sell it to someone who will.
The same goes for any of the other underused buildings in the downtown area. There are plenty of companies who would love to be Downtown or in Bricktown. And would come if the available office spaces had the right appeal. A good example is the old “Bunte Candy Factory”, it has become a great office space for its tenants and then I look around at the other buildings down there setting empty and wonder why?
When I drove by this evening it appears the concrete boom is now gone. Hopefully they will be starting steel soon!
You can see the Devon tower from I35 in Norman by Univ North Park
August 10 2011
Wow, LOVE that second shot! Thanks so much.
We need some newer photos of the rotunda, garden wing, auditorium, Colcord work, etc. Any volunteers??
It's amazing how quickly and easily this thread gets derailed as to the original topic.
I can't wait til this thing is finished, at least just topped off. Local phonebooks and weather department backgrounds for TV broadcasts will all have to be changed for the better.
Looks like all that is left are the areas shown in yellow.
The tower is around 810 feet; only about 40 more to go:
Thanks for the illustration Pete. I've been thinking this ever since they've been working on the roof.
This thread is called "Devon Energy Center (Devon Tower)"... It's effect on downtown as well as the effect of downtown on it.. is still on topic. I see no subtitle to the thread title that limits it to any one subject area about the Devon Tower.
What I brought up about the old buildings was only to say "We (OKC) are beginning to move up in this world because of the Devon Tower (and other improvements like Bricktown)... lets not kill the chance by allowing neglected old buildings slow us down."
I've been down there now for a while and a lot of interesting things going on. The glass for the west side of the Auditorium is up. Just saw a flat bed truck deliver a bunch of grey triangular steel. Got some shots of the first piece go up. This must be the first steel for the crown or roof.
They've also torn up the one lane between the Auditorium and One North Hudson and moved the barricades to make room.
I don't know about anyone else but I am disappointed with the glass that they put on the rotunda. if you look at the earlier renderings the glass was basicallly clear, and gave it some contrast between it and the tower. now it seems like they used the same glass all over and it doesn't seem to have any character
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...3&postcount=14
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