Devon Energy Center

[hipsterdoofus]

Doesn't the FNC have a slide in it as part of the fire escape? That's what I was told anyway....

[SoonerBoy18]

WOW! You must be 18, huh? It may be empty but its a classic. Minus the fire escape stairs on the side of it, its like the Empire State Building's Mini Me.

Yes I'm 18. I just want to know why do Cities have these beautiful tall buildings, if hardly anyone works in them,..... Or keep up with its appearence

[Architect2010]

It isn't the cities that operate or own these skyscrapers.

[OKCDrummer77]

Doesn't the FNC have a slide in it as part of the fire escape? That's what I was told anyway....

I've heard of one in City Place, but not FNC.

[metro]

Doesn't the FNC have a slide in it as part of the fire escape? That's what I was told anyway....

City Place

[SoonerAce311]

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.

[USG'60]

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.

[sgfx]

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?

[okcpulse]

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?

Frist National Center as it stands now is mostly Class C office space. The demand is for Class A and Class B to an extent. The tower will need extensive renovations to be considered Class A space.

[kinggober]

When I drove by this evening it appears the concrete boom is now gone. Hopefully they will be starting steel soon!

[shawnw]

When I drove by this evening it appears the concrete boom is now gone. Hopefully they will be starting steel soon!

Looks to me like it's still there, just laying down, though they could be putting it away. Unless that black thing is something else...



(Photo is from 6:52pm 8/9/11)

[SoonerBoy18]

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.

I never thought it that way, thanks for teaching me something

[okcfollower]

You can see the Devon tower from I35 in Norman by Univ North Park

[earlywinegareth]

Frist National Center as it stands now is mostly Class C office space. The demand is for Class A and Class B to an extent. The tower will need extensive renovations to be considered Class A space.

Instead of office space, FNC could be converted to residential and hotel...but that's another thread.

[UnFrSaKn]

August 10 2011

[Pete]

Wow, LOVE that second shot! Thanks so much.



We need some newer photos of the rotunda, garden wing, auditorium, Colcord work, etc. Any volunteers??

[Of Sound Mind]

I have always thought that the First national look like an attempt to build a taller building, only to be stopped part way up and then someone stuck an old house roof on it.
Liberty (Chase) was built back in the 70's and spawned new life into downtown, with more modern looking buildings being built afterwards. I hope the Devon will do the same for OKC.
As far as the Chase goes, it needs a face-lift like the “Founder’s tower” did a few years back. Its mismatched windows make it look horrific like an old tenement, and it has always looked like an attempt to imitate one of the twin towers.
Do not get me wrong! I love our downtown. It has always been "my downtown" I am just glad to see new things happening and that finely OKC may be on its way to being a world-class city.

OMG Why cant Oklahoma City kep up with the condition of that buildng? I mean hardly no one works in that building so if you ask me I would demolish it, that picture is a turn off to the downtown area.. Im just saying

FNC was one of the tallest buildings west of the Mississippi when it was built. I did a quick search of various cities and found only 4 structures taller at that time: LA City Hall, Smith Tower in Seattle, and 2 buildings in Kansas City. That's it.

As far as FNC being a great example of the set-back style, the best compliment is to copy it. Here is an '80s version of FNC in San Francisco, 100 First Plaza. The similarities are obvious and it's exactly the same height. http://www.emporis.com/building/1001...o-ca-usa?lng=3

But back to topic. I think the way Devon tapers towards the top echos the top of the Ramsey Tower.

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?

Frist National Center as it stands now is mostly Class C office space. The demand is for Class A and Class B to an extent. The tower will need extensive renovations to be considered Class A space.

I never thought it that way, thanks for teaching me something

Instead of office space, FNC could be converted to residential and hotel...but that's another thread.

It's amazing how quickly and easily this thread gets derailed as to the original topic.

[OKCisOK4me]

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.

[dankrutka]

It's amazing how quickly and easily this thread gets derailed as to the original topic.

I don't think this helped keep things on topic. Lol.

[Pete]

Looks like all that is left are the areas shown in yellow.

The tower is around 810 feet; only about 40 more to go:

[OKCisOK4me]

Thanks for the illustration Pete. I've been thinking this ever since they've been working on the roof.

[sgfx]

It's amazing how quickly and easily this thread gets derailed as to the original topic.

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."

[UnFrSaKn]

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.

[UnFrSaKn]

They've also torn up the one lane between the Auditorium and One North Hudson and moved the barricades to make room.

[Richard at Remax]

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