Preftakes Block

[Praedura]

I've heard this now several times from Devon employees. It seems a new tower has been discussed somewhat openly starting a month or two ago.

Seems like their only option is to continue leasing some of the space they had hoped to vacate while they work to build more capacity. If they are almost out without all these new Houston people, you have to think they've been working behind the scenes on a new tower.

[Praedura]

Of course, this is all speculation... so perhaps I should add

[SharkSandwich]

I've heard this now several times from Devon employees. It seems a new tower has been discussed somewhat openly starting a month or two ago.

Seems like their only option is to continue leasing some of the space they had hoped to vacate while they work to build more capacity. If they are almost out without all these new Houston people, you have to think they've been working behind the scenes on a new tower.

From what I hear, I think it would be safer to say that the new tower is filling fast, but by no means is full.

[G.Walker]

I hope the speculated new Devon Tower is not the "Mystery Tower" that we have been discussing for the last 9 months. I was hoping for a new company to enter the Oklahoma City market, and add some diversity. Hopefully we get Devon Tower II, and another tower on Stage Center or EK Gaylord block.

[lasomeday]

I hope the speculated new Devon Tower is not the "Mystery Tower" that we have been discussing for the last 9 months. I was hoping for a new company to enter the Oklahoma City market, and add some diversity. Hopefully we get Devon Tower II, and another tower on Stage Center or EK Gaylord block.

The Mystery Tower is not the same as what is going on at Devon. They didn't expect to be this full. This is all unexpected growth and the decision to close the Houston office happened recently/relatively quickly.

[Spartan]

The only thing I don't want to see is landscaping between the sidewalk and the building. City zoning requires a certain percentage to be adjacent to the sidewalk and it should be enforced - with gusto. If I had to pick a second thing I don't want to see - a glass curtain wall.

I have no doubt I will be disappointed on both.

??

What's wrong with glass curtain walls?

[Pete]

Independent of Devon, I still think we are going to see something significant on the 4th & EKG triangle that was recently purchased.

[Bailey80]

Todays DOK said they currently have 1,700 employees downtown. How many parking spaces does their new 10 story garage have ? They may not need much parking if their new garage is adequate for both buildings. They could easily put a sky bridge from their Garden Building or parking garage over to the new tower.

From the Hines website: Devon Energy Corporation Headquarters, Oklahoma City, OK : Hines Interests

"In addition, an existing five-level, 1,000-car garage will be expanded vertically by adding five levels, and horizontally, to provide a total of 2,898 parking space"

[CaptDave]

I think those are the 5 levels that were added during the construction of the Devon Energy Center.

[Bailey80]

I think those are the 5 levels that were added during the construction of the Devon Energy Center.

Yes, this was part of the Devon Energy Center construction. If they have 1,700 employees downtown and a garage with almost 3,000 parking spaces, then they have some room to grow.

[Just the facts]

??

What's wrong with glass curtain walls?

The same thing that is wrong with EIFS.

[Pete]

Yes, that garage is for the exclusive use of Devon employees and visitors.

It will also be used for Vast and banquets but of course, almost all of that need will be after business hours so I think we can assume they could easily park another 1,000 employees in that facility.

[Teo9969]

I hope the speculated new Devon Tower is not the "Mystery Tower" that we have been discussing for the last 9 months. I was hoping for a new company to enter the Oklahoma City market, and add some diversity. Hopefully we get Devon Tower II, and another tower on Stage Center or EK Gaylord block.

It seems as though the initial speculation (that was going on around late January?) was related to AF/MidFirst and then in late February the idea that a corporate relocation was going to take place in OKC came up from somewhere and was conflated with the idea of a new tower.

I'll believe a "big splash" corporate relocation will happen when the news is released...in the meantime, I think it's best to assume that the development that is being speculated about downtown in regards to vertical structures will occur at the hands of Oklahomans and Oklahoma based companies. It seems as though MidFirst is still definitely on the table (4th and EKG), Devon's next project (Preftakes), and maybe some high-rise residential (hopefully on Stage Center...though it seems MidFirst could consider this site over 4th&EKG).

[Pete]

What's interesting is that the 4th & EKG property was acquired after the Stage Center site came on the open market.

So, that tells me that Devon is likely to do something on the Preftakes block, there is another project in the works for 4th/EKG and yet another development is likely to happen at Stage Center when they are done evaluating various proposals.

I see three major projects in the near future for downtown, and that's not including Century Center, FNC, everything going on at SandRidge, the convention center and hotel, all the rest of the MAPS 3 plus tons of smaller stuff.

[Just the facts]

Don't forget the plethora of mid-rise hotels in Bricktown/Deep Deuce. And maybe housing was dropped from the Main St garage for a reason.

[BoulderSooner]

Don't forget the plethora of mid-rise hotels in Bricktown/Deep Deuce. And maybe housing was dropped from the Main St garage for a reason.

Housing hasn't been "dropped". The city was never going to build the housing

[Pete]

The city definitely has fast-tracked that Main Street garage and if nothing was going to happen in that area in the near future, what would be the rush?

[Skyline]

Without digging through this thread. What was Preftakes quote about a new corporation or such? Could it have been corporate relocation, meaning Houston and Devon jobs?

[catch22]

Without digging through this thread. What was Preftakes quote about a new corporation or such? Could it have been corporate relocation, meaning Houston and Devon jobs?

I don't believe Preftakes talks about anything related to this...and I don't believe he has made any comments regarding this.

[SharkSandwich]

Yes, that garage is for the exclusive use of Devon employees and visitors.

It will also be used for Vast and banquets but of course, almost all of that need will be after business hours so I think we can assume they could easily park another 1,000 employees in that facility.

I don't think this is correct. I believe there are some non-Devon employees that park in that garage, but I don't know how many.

[lasomeday]

Yes, that garage is for the exclusive use of Devon employees and visitors.

It will also be used for Vast and banquets but of course, almost all of that need will be after business hours so I think we can assume they could easily park another 1,000 employees in that facility.

There are other companies that lease parking spots from Devon. Enterprise and a few other companies in the Oklahoma Tower that used the garage before Devon purchased it were grandfathered in to the current garage.

[Pete]

There are other companies that lease parking spots from Devon. Enterprise and a few other companies in the Oklahoma Tower that used the garage before Devon purchased it were grandfathered in to the current garage.

Ah, good to know. Thanks for the info.

[UnFrSaKn]

Without digging through this thread. What was Preftakes quote about a new corporation or such? Could it have been corporate relocation, meaning Houston and Devon jobs?

Are you thinking of Mark Beffort?

[Skyline]

Are you thinking of Mark Beffort?

Yes, my mistake, It was Mr. Beffort, thanks.

[Pete]

Steve mentioned this in his on-line chat today...

Pizza Town is closed and Steve says Preftakes is trying to acquire it.

I noticed it was closed when I walked by last week but forgot about it until now.