OKC Not Alone In Downtown Investments

[G.Walker]

One other thing because I think this is an important discussion...

There is the strong tendency here (and probably just plain human nature) to completely discount something as soon as it's done or nearly done.

Devon Tower isn't even finished and already people are talking like it's old news, completely in the past. Same with the Myriad Gardens. Virtually any city in the U.S. would KILL for either of those projects, which are both massive and world-class.

Remember how excited everyone was about Level?? Well, now it's mostly opened and nobody seems to care much any more.

Those most interested in development are insatiable, always looking for the next big project. I know, I feel it too... We (development obsessives) are also a chronically disappointed lot. Even when we finally get a big announcement, it's never big enough, cool enough, and certainly seems to take forever to happen. And even when something does pretty much measure up, we are very quick to sweep it aside in the constant search for what's next.

I think its more of we have not seen this type of development in OKC in a while and people are just excited and prideful of OKC. Before the year 2000, we could not even dream of developments like this, and now that they are coming, we want more, we want it to continue. We don't want to go back to the early 90's when there was no Bricktown, no Deep Deuce, no NBA.

Nonetheless, Oklahoma City is taking the right strides in becoming a great city, as long as we continue the momentum.

[G.Walker]

Updated photos of City Creek Center in Salt Lake:

City Creek Center by JasonCameron, on Flickr


Fountain at City Creek by JasonCameron, on Flickr


City Creek, Salt Lake City by CountyLemonade, on Flickr

[MDot]

Those look great G. Salt Lake is one of my favorite cities in all of the U.S.

[G.Walker]

Those look great G. Salt Lake is one of my favorite cities in all of the U.S.

I was actually was born and raised in the Salt Lake area. And one thing I remember as a kid, was how much time and effort was put into beautification of the city, they have great road infrastructure, parks, and architecture. Its a very clean, well kept city. I am actually going to take the family out there next Summer and I can't wait...

[MDot]

I was actually was born and raised in the Salt Lake area. And one thing I remember as a kid, was how much time and effort was put into beautification of the city, they have great road infrastructure, parks, and architecture. Its a very clean, well kept city. I am actually going to take the family out there next Summer and I can't wait...

I believe that. It's a beautiful city.

[Spartan]

Well, our light rail system seems to be working out pretty well for them...

[BG918]

Well, our light rail system seems to be working out pretty well for them...

Thanks to Istook and his Mormon cohorts in Salt Lake..

[G.Walker]

I have been tracking this development for a while now and glad its coming to fruition, great 44 story addition to the Milwaukee skyline:

http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee...ts-abeles.html

[CaptDave]

I have been tracking this development for a while now and glad its coming to fruition, great 44 story addition to the Milwaukee skyline:

http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee...ts-abeles.html

That would be pretty nice on the Stage Center site.....

[Pete]

Yes, that Milwaukee project would be a big hotel with condos above.

I really think that would be the highest and best use of the Stage Center site.

[Spartan]

I have been tracking this development for a while now and glad its coming to fruition, great 44 story addition to the Milwaukee skyline:

http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee...ts-abeles.html

Is that their Gold Coast?

[G.Walker]

I like following development in cities that are up and coming, that haven't made it there just yet. Following development in cities like New York, LA, Chicago, Miami, Dallas, etc just isn't fair, lol. I like following development in cities like OKC, Salt Lake City, Omaha, Nashville, etc....

[G.Walker]

Nashville just keeps coming out with the projects, they are on a roll:

http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville...-to-build.html

New/Proposed Nashville Downtown Developments:

The Pinnacle (2010)



The Encore (2008)



The Sobro (2014)



Giarratana Skyscraper (2015)



Omni Convention Center Hotel (2013)



New Convention Center (2013)

[G.Walker]

The Sobro (Update)

Site work done for proposed SoBro skyscraper | nashvillepost.com

[G.Walker]

New residential tower planned for downtown Nashville:

Dunn lands $60M contract to build Gulch tower | nashvillepost.com

[HangryHippo]

Nashville's downtown is awesome. That is a downtown, development wise, that I wish OKC could emulate more.

[G.Walker]

Yes, Nashville is booming right now...they are right behind Austin & Charlotte when it comes to urban development.

[MDot]

New residential tower planned for downtown Nashville:

Dunn lands $60M contract to build Gulch tower | nashvillepost.com

It would make me shiver with excitement if something similar was built in OKC. I don't know if OKC could support something like this at the moment, but within the next couple of years I think we could.

[ljbab728]

It would make me shiver with excitement if something similar was built in OKC. I don't know if OKC could support something like this at the moment, but within the next couple of years I think we could.

Actually, other than being mostly glass, that looks very much like the Regency Tower.

[MDot]

Actually, other than being mostly glass, that looks very much like the Regency Tower.

You know, that was actually the first thing that came to my mind when I saw it for the first time. It's probably just the way the renderings make it pop, but it would just be a welcoming addition architecturally if there was an all/mostly glass residential tower here of similar size to the Regency Tower.

[Praedura]

Tishman, China Vanke to Build 655-Unit San Francisco Condo Tower

Tishman, China Vanke to Build 655-Unit San Francisco Condo Tower | Commercial Property Executive



Not quite downtown but close to it. The Rincon Hill area of San Francisco being a former industrial area that's now turning into residential.

[G.Walker]

Not good for Tulsa...I am beginning to hate Houston...

Fuel Fix » BHP Billiton to expand in Houston, lease new tower

BHP Billiton Petroleum said Monday it will hire hundreds of new employees and lease a 30-story office tower to be built at 1500 Post Oak Blvd. to accommodate its expanding shale business and future growth.

Construction is expected to start later this year on the new building, which will be connected to the company’s current headquarters at 1360 Post Oak Blvd, creating a two-tower campus. A glass skybridge will connect the structures.

The buildings will house several thousand BHP employees, many still to be hired. Some 1,800 existing BHP employees will office there, including workers in other locations. Employees in downtown’s Wells Fargo Tower and a building in Tulsa, Okla. will relocate to the Post Oak headquarters.

[G.Walker]

Better article:

BHP expands in Uptown with new office tower - Houston Chronicle

[HangryHippo]

How can Houston continue to build new towers and their oil companies expand relentlessly and ours just lease around town (excluding Devon)? Are our companies that much smaller than Houston's?

[adaniel]

How can Houston continue to build new towers and their oil companies expand relentlessly and ours just lease around town (excluding Devon)? Are our companies that much smaller than Houston's?

No offense, but where have you been? Devon, Chesapeake, SandRidge, Chapparal, Mustang, Continental, Gulfport, etc. all own their space, and with the exception of CRT have expanded.

Do you not think that no energy company in Houston leases? I'm sure the vast majority do. The are some big majors down there, but in both Houston and OKC the average E&P or service firm is small and probably can just lease its space.