Devon Energy Center

[catcherinthewry]

OK, the source story doesn't seem to be written by a professional journalist, so I wouldn't concern myself too much with the "still standing" line.

I'm just saying I've read a lot of stories about the Devon Tower and no matter the professionalism of the journalist they've never felt compelled to mention that the Devon Tower is still standing.

[Dustin]

Is that really all they did in the MG for christmas decorations? It looks like all they did was wrap the trunks of the trees. I figured they would go all out this year.

[soonerwilliam]

I stll see there is a window out in one of the pics. Wow! I thought that issue was already taken care of by now. Wish they could get all the windows in and be done with it! This has been going on for quite awhile.

[Pete]

And the LED lighting is still far from complete, with a bunch of non-op fixtures.

Strange how long it's taken to resolve these issues when everything else was done so quickly and to such high standards.

[Popsy]

Is it possible that the problems are with the contractors and not Devon?

[Pete]

I know the biggest issue with fixing the windows and the LED lighting was getting access to the building maintenance unit (BMU), the crane on top of the building.

For whatever reason, it wasn't available for an extended period and it doesn't seem they've been using it much lately, if at all.

[catch22]

[Bullbear]

We had my partners birthday dinner at Flint Saturday night. A group of 8 and the food at flint was top notch. after Dinner went up to Vast for a drink at the bar. The space is awesome and a great view at night. I am not sure what time the restaurant closes but when we got up to the bar at 930 the place was empty. there were about 6-10 people in the bar and only one table of people eating in the restaurant. we had a great time in the bar and were very impressed. Also walked around Devon Friday evening taking pictures of the decorations, I think they did a great job!

[metro]

Yesterday was also a Monday after a holiday weekend, I'm sure probably their slowest night of the week.

[Rover]

...and some of us have worked on Chinese projects for American companies (3M, GM, Quaker Oats/Gatorade) and found that their entire gov't mandated process is corrupt, more so than here in the US, granted that was in the late 80's maybe they have improved. I spent from the middle of 1995 to early 1998 doing nothing but foreign work (Japan, China, Ireland, Russia, Mexico) and they were no doubt the worst to deal with. The whole "design bureau" setup is nothing more than a bribe, the work they did was absolutely horrendous and we had to redo everything they did. They did prelim drawings in Autocad of a Gatorade plant in Guangzhou and every sheet had a different "base" plan on it, nothing coordinated between the two. Eventually we took control of it and paid the "design bureau" as though they actually did some work. When it came to actual construction, just like here there were good ones and bad ones. Another co-worker who did apartment buildings in Guangzhou for another OKC based firm had pretty good experiences on his project. My main concern is the lack of building standards which allows the bad ones to build really bad things of which there are many more examples of in China than there is in the US in the same time period, mainly because their building industry is still maturing when ours is somewhat more mature. No doubt they will improve as time goes on from things like the Shanghai collapse. I just don't think building fast, especially a tower for the sake of building fast is a good idea anywhere.

The Telegraph - Nine held over Shanghai building collapse

I totally agree with what you said above. I have worked on projects and been on site for any number of large projects in China, and mostly they were fairly high quality. I agree about the design schools/bureaus who were required to do local "work", but did little. For the most part, we didn't see them getting in the way of a quality project, but were a financial and administrative obstacle if you weren't careful. But, most of my projects were designed by major US, British, French and Canadian designers and with international contractors. I think most of their problems have occurred not only because of corruption but also because of the exploding demand and such a low level of inventory. My point was to not paint with a total broad brush...there is often a China stereotype that many Americans use and have no idea what they are talking about. There is a lot of great and modern quality development going on there.

[soonerguru]

We had my partners birthday dinner at Flint Saturday night. A group of 8 and the food at flint was top notch. after Dinner went up to Vast for a drink at the bar. The space is awesome and a great view at night. I am not sure what time the restaurant closes but when we got up to the bar at 930 the place was empty. there were about 6-10 people in the bar and only one table of people eating in the restaurant. we had a great time in the bar and were very impressed. Also walked around Devon Friday evening taking pictures of the decorations, I think they did a great job!

This is weird because the word on the street is that it is "impossible" to get in there the rest of the year. Does one have to get reservations? If so, are there any available or not? Vast may want to work a bit on its viral marketing strategy, because a lot of people I know don't even bother trying to get a reservation there because they've heard they cannot.

[Bullbear]

Yesterday was also a Monday after a holiday weekend, I'm sure probably their slowest night of the week.

It was saturday night. I would think the busiest for dining. true it was after a holiday but with all the talk about being booked out for months it seemed wierd to be empty.

[Bellaboo]

Walked by the Devon HQ last night and the white lights in the trees are awesome along with the ornaments.........as impressive as the CHK campus, just not as large.

[catch22]

Looks like they are also about to put in a signalized mid-block crosswalk on Sheridan. They have paint outlines of the crosswalk "Piano Keys" on Sheridan, and fixtures for a traffic signal. (Actual poles not up yet, though.)

[Mr. Cotter]

The last of the broken windows are being replaced right now. Just a crew of two working on the lift.

[Rover]

Just FYI, was at Vast last night... next reservation spot for a Friday or Saturday is mid January unless you want to eat at 5:30 or 9:30. Farther out if you have more than 4 in your party.

[Bellaboo]

Just FYI, was at Vast last night... next reservation spot for a Friday or Saturday is mid January unless you want to eat at 5:30 or 9:30. Farther out if you have more than 4 in your party.

How was it ?

[Rover]

How was it ?

We ate at Flint and went to the bar at Vast. We hadn't been able to get reservations at Vast on any Friday or Saturday when we could go.

At Flint, the food was good, but not great. However, the service and the administration of the order was lacking proper execution. They have a new exec. chef, but still should have been managed better. I will go again, but am not so enthusiastic. I hope next time is better.

At Vast, the view at night is big league. I am excited to dine there and have reserved a table by the window. I may not eat, may just sit and stare.

[Just the facts]

Looks like they are also about to put in a signalized mid-block crosswalk on Sheridan. They have paint outlines of the crosswalk "Piano Keys" on Sheridan, and fixtures for a traffic signal. (Actual poles not up yet, though.)

Cool. It doesn't make sense to have to walk out the front door and the down to a interestion to cross the street.

[catch22]

Cool. It doesn't make sense to have to walk out the front door and the down to a interestion to cross the street.

Considering the intersection is placed mid block on the "superblock" it is essentially a pedestrian intersection on Harvey Ave. Sorry that doesn't conform to your principles.

[Anonymous.]

I think he is saying it will be convenient and proper - as having to walk to one end of the block or the other to cross into the gardens is what doesn't make sense.


And for what it's worth, that area where a signal is supposed to be going up has looked like that for a long time. Those same construction barriers defending the base of the future signal has been there since I can remember the street being reopened. So I wouldn't hold my breath for this to happen anytime soon - unless something has changed since I was through there last week.

[catch22]

I think he is saying it will be convenient and proper - as having to walk to one end of the block or the other to cross into the gardens is what doesn't make sense.


And for what it's worth, that area where a signal is supposed to be going up has looked like that for a long time. Those same construction barriers defending the base of the future signal has been there since I can remember the street being reopened. So I wouldn't hold my breath for this to happen anytime soon - unless something has changed since I was through there last week.

He has many posts opposing mid block crosswalks. He was being sarcastic.

[Just the facts]

Sorry for the confusion Catch22. Anonymous got it right. I love mid-block crosswalks. In a car going to the corner isn't a big deal but on foot it makes a big difference. And like you said, this is a super block and a crosswalk would normally be there.

[UnFrSaKn]

Today

[skanaly]

Looks like they are almost about to start the antenna!
About Devon now, does anyone know of any plans about christmas color LED lights? The crown has been lit up with regular light for the past couple nights, thought they might be programing something with new colors.