OG&E Tower

[Pete]

Not trying to be snarky, but having a hard time figuring out why one can't write more than 1"big news" article and contact necessary sources in a 2 week span? Taking holiday time for Christmas is one thing, and encourage those able to take time off to do so, but just for the sake of " it's hard work" is another. Journalists in "Big League Cities" write big stories multiple times a week if not daily.

Imagine me saying this is in a kind and respectful tone, because that's how I intend it: You clearly have no idea of what Steve puts into his job.

The dude is EVERYWHERE, all the time. He never misses a downtown meeting, is always out talking with people. Then he writes, blogs, tweets, chats all day every day. Not to mention, writes multiple books, helps spearhead Retro Metro, posts here, is great about responding to emails and messages... All this seven days a week. Honestly, I don't know how he does it.

I simply don't know anyone who works harder or more consistently. And I know a ton of driven people.


I say all this not to kiss Steve's arse, but because I have a very good idea now of what he does and I'm not exaggerating when I say I am in awe.

[UnFrSaKn]

Imagine me saying this is in a kind and respectful tone, because that's how I intend it: You clearly have no idea of what Steve puts into his job.

The dude is EVERYWHERE, all the time. He never misses a downtown meeting, is always out talking with people. Then he writes, blogs, tweets, chats all day every day. Not to mention, writes multiple books, helps spearhead Retro Metro, posts here, is great about responding to emails and messages... All this seven days a week. Honestly, I don't know how he does it.

I simply don't know anyone who works harder or more consistently. And I know a ton of driven people.


I say all this not to kiss Steve's arse, but because I have a very good idea now of what he does and I'm not exaggerating when I say I am in awe.

Like

[OKCRT]

I say we wait and see what the final design will look like. Again, these are conceptual plans only, and the true design work has not even started. When its all said and done, this tower might end up 'at least 20 stories'. And the parcel designated for the other tower is open any developer and that high-rise might end up being our first true modern residential high-rise in downtown. I think they just wanted to get something in front of the DDRC as soon as possible to get the Stage Center demolition process going, because they know it will take some time to get approved. I would not be surprised if the DDRC rejects his application for demolition, until he presents more concrete plans/designs for the site.

I doubt that the height will change much if any. OG&E knows what their needs are and they will be the only occupant so I don't see why they would change it. Too bad the new MLP didn't join forces with them in the same building. Maybe that is why they stated 25 stories at 1st? We all thought that 25 stories was too short and it was. But now we hear this and it's really a downer. This should be built somewhere up around Regency Tower. 35 stories or taller should be going on this stage center site IMO.

[td25er]

Geez, nothing is good enough for some people. Move to Manhattan if you want the best downtown life. This is a major improvement over the eye sore currently rotting there.

[HangryHippo]

I wouldn't mind temporary increases for a total conversion to natural gas (they should be called OCG&E) and for infrastructure improvements like buried lines. The scrubbers are okay and should help with smog and ozone pollution that can cause serious health problems especially those with cardio vascular diseases, but it seems like it would be a better long term solution to invest in the infrastructure to convert Oklahoma electricity to natural gas.

Either way, there's always going to be critics of what can be seen as superficial spending by a government sanctioned monopoly. That's a pretty easy target, especially in a state where many call themselves conservative.

Like!

[OkieNate]

Pete, did the $750 million price tag for the Devon Tower include office furniture and what not or only construction cost, and could this be why the price tag for this is at "only" $100 million, since OGE would be supplying their own? Or would office furniture etc. not significantly affect the price?

[shawnw]

I'm a little surprised Philly is able to build a 47-floor hotel/residential tower in downtown Philly for only $200M. Makes me think we should be able to do a little better here in the midwest with our $100M (e.g. pay for whole site, not just the office tower and parking, etc).

Skyscraper planned on Philadelphia record co. site | 6abc.com

[Pete]

Pete, did the $750 million price tag for the Devon Tower include office furniture and what not or only construction cost, and could this be why the price tag for this is at "only" $100 million, since OGE would be supplying their own? Or would office furniture etc. not significantly affect the price?

I believe the $750 million did not include furniture, fixtures and equipment -- only property and construction costs.

But Devon is almost 2 million square feet of space, plus the auditorium, rotunda, connection to the Colcord, etc.

The OG&E tower will likely only be about 500,000 square feet, if that much. Plus much less parking and other amenities.

The newest office construction downtown to compare would be the Parkside Building, which had a $35 million building permit; not including property purchase and demoliton.

Parkside is much smaller and won't have a parking garage, but it's also a unique, complex structure.

[OKCSteel]

You can't really tell whether it's leed certified ambitious by the drawing, however you get guess that OGE would try to be.. Certainly the green space on the roof helps in that regard, but it is harder with all glass face. Plus, there are levels of LEED. LEED is very misunderstood by most.

Sure, you can't tell for sure but the green space, the glass for daylight and what looks to be spots for electric vehicles makes you wonder. Also, I am a LEED AP so no misunderstanding here.

[jccouger]

The lack of activity on this thread speaks volumes to the quality of this project in relation to its expectations. Its nearly halfway down the first page, and people have literally waited YEARS for this announcement.

The 2 most exciting aspects of the entire project are A. it has "green space" on top of the parking garage, even though its right next to the best park in the city and soon the soon to be Maps park. So....? and B. it may have a urban target at street level. A target... SMH. Going to a target in my life has never made me excited. Ever. I get it will be nice for people living downtown, but the excitement of that will wear off in a few weeks time.

There is basically zero excitement surrounding the actual "tower" aspect.

[catch22]

What a bright ray of sunshine on a cloudy day you are.

of course people on here are disappointed, they had wet dreams of a 45 floor building. As Steve hinted at, people became emotionally invested in this mystery building.

I for one was very surprised and very pleased at most aspect of the plan so far.

[kevinpate]

How excited does one need to be about knowing another partial block in the core is going from decaying to vibrant, from desolated to active, from dead to alive? Unless one insists on only measuring success by distance from dirt to tippy top of crown, this project qualifies as a success. Lots of bodies across from MBG, business regulars and visitors alike, providing eyes and feet for the gardens and the new eateries in the area. Also providing, at least in my opinion, eyes and bodies for the new park to the near south as well.

Too old and fat to be doing backflips for anyone or anything, but do feel free to put me in the I'm ok with SC being demo'd and this replacing it column.

[Of Sound Mind]

The lack of activity on this thread speaks volumes to the quality of this project in relation to its expectations. Its nearly halfway down the first page, and people have literally waited YEARS for this announcement.

The 2 most exciting aspects of the entire project are A. it has "green space" on top of the parking garage, even though its right next to the best park in the city and soon the soon to be Maps park. So....? and B. it may have a urban target at street level. A target... SMH. Going to a target in my life has never made me excited. Ever. I get it will be nice for people living downtown, but the excitement of that will wear off in a few weeks time.

There is basically zero excitement surrounding the actual "tower" aspect.

Or people have the holidays on their mind... or the impending ice storm... or the same complaints have been hashed and rehashed that there's little left to re-rehash.

[jccouger]

Please point me in the direction of the forum rule book that says all posts must have rainbows and unicorns bursting from them.



Listen, I think we can all agree that this tower is an improvement over the stage center. But that does not mean it IS WORTH losing the stage center over. Let me ask you a hypothetical question.

Say a new company decides to move in to town, they release plans to build a giant 50 story tower in downtown Oklahoma City that rivals Devon in beauty, elegance and functionality, butttttt, they bought the land First National resides on and the building must be razed to build their new tower. Sure the new tower would be BETTER than First National but would you be willing to let go of that historic landmark JUST BECAUSE what would be replacing it is better?

[Bellaboo]

I also was one that wanted a more profound (as in tall) tower. What we got is exceptional as to what is there now, since the Stage Center is now defunct and has been for years. But on the drive in from the West today it dawned on me. For about a mile, let's say between Penn and Western, now when you glance over at the Devon tower with an amazing deep blue lighting outline from top to bottom, if the new tower was any taller, especially since it's so wide, the view would be severely compromised.

Now i'm happy the OG&E building will only be 14 - 16 floors tall. This building being shorter than expected is an unforseen blessing.

[modernism]

The lack of activity on this thread speaks volumes to the quality of this project in relation to its expectations. Its nearly halfway down the first page, and people have literally waited YEARS for this announcement.

The 2 most exciting aspects of the entire project are A. it has "green space" on top of the parking garage, even though its right next to the best park in the city and soon the soon to be Maps park. So....? and B. it may have a urban target at street level. A target... SMH. Going to a target in my life has never made me excited. Ever. I get it will be nice for people living downtown, but the excitement of that will wear off in a few weeks time.

There is basically zero excitement surrounding the actual "tower" aspect.

It's hard to make true judgment until the final designs are released. I don't like it so far, but that might change once dirt starts to turn. I don't understand why they would want "green space" this will deter employees using Myriad Gardens. Again, this plan might change totally before its all said and done.

[Steve]

OK....
What if ...
Original plans to have two corporate anchors ended up in a decision instead to go their separate ways in terms of physical headquarters?
What if one wasn't quite on the same timetable, but the project was designed to allow for that second company to build a third building on that same block?
You end up with three mid- to lower high-rise buildings instead of a 40-story tower. You ended up with more expansive skyline instead of just one more taller building. And what if this is combined with another tower or two built for other occupants?
What if this is about corporate space needs, corporate branding and skyline presence, timing projects in terms of financing, ensuring adequate planning for parking and traffic flow, and also about when and how the boulevard is designed? What's more important? Those considerations I just listed, or who has the biggest tower?
For what it's worth, I was surprised by the height as well. My sources were telling me 14- to 16-stories for OGE and about a dozen floors for either hotel, housing or other office tenants. I didn't know for sure until a week before I broke the story that it was two towers.
As for the design, read my story. This is a conceptual master plan. That's it. ADG doesn't even know if they get to do actual architectural design. This is building modeling or site concepts.

[shawnw]

Thank you Steve. With that information, I am very excited to see the end result of this site.

[jccouger]

How excited does one need to be about knowing another partial block in the core is going from decaying to vibrant, from desolated to active, from dead to alive? Unless one insists on only measuring success by distance from dirt to tippy top of crown, this project qualifies as a success. Lots of bodies across from MBG, business regulars and visitors alike, providing eyes and feet for the gardens and the new eateries in the area. Also providing, at least in my opinion, eyes and bodies for the new park to the near south as well.

Too old and fat to be doing backflips for anyone or anything, but do feel free to put me in the I'm ok with SC being demo'd and this replacing it column.

These people will be moving from one corner of downtown to the other. No new jobs will be added, other than construction jobs. And those only last as long as the actual construction. How exactly is that a huge improvement?

Now i'm happy the OG&E building will only be 14 - 16 floors tall. This building being shorter than expected is an unforseen blessing.

LOL, you are right. I would for sure hate for a spectacular new tower to block the view of another spectacular tower. We should just level all other buildings downtown so we can have a perfect 360 view of the Devon tower.

[BoulderSooner]

OK....
What if ...
Original plans to have two corporate anchors ended up in a decision instead to go their separate ways in terms of physical headquarters?
What if one wasn't quite on the same timetable, but the project was designed to allow for that second company to build a third building on that same block?
You end up with three mid- to lower high-rise buildings instead of a 40-story tower. You ended up with more expansive skyline instead of just one more taller building. And what if this is combined with another tower or two built for other occupants?
What if this is about corporate space needs, corporate branding and skyline presence, timing projects in terms of financing, ensuring adequate planning for parking and traffic flow, and also about when and how the boulevard is designed? What's more important? Those considerations I just listed, or who has the biggest tower?
For what it's worth, I was surprised by the height as well. My sources were telling me 14- to 16-stories for OGE and about a dozen floors for either hotel, housing or other office tenants. I didn't know for sure until a week before I broke the story that it was two towers.
As for the design, read my story. This is a conceptual master plan. That's it. ADG doesn't even know if they get to do actual architectural design. This is building modeling or site concepts.

So enable is building a tower in the future on the south half of this site.

[OKCisOK4me]

OK....
What if ...
Original plans to have two corporate anchors ended up in a decision instead to go their separate ways in terms of physical headquarters?
What if one wasn't quite on the same timetable, but the project was designed to allow for that second company to build a third building on that same block?
You end up with three mid- to lower high-rise buildings instead of a 40-story tower. You ended up with more expansive skyline instead of just one more taller building. And what if this is combined with another tower or two built for other occupants?
What if this is about corporate space needs, corporate branding and skyline presence, timing projects in terms of financing, ensuring adequate planning for parking and traffic flow, and also about when and how the boulevard is designed? What's more important? Those considerations I just listed, or who has the biggest tower?
For what it's worth, I was surprised by the height as well. My sources were telling me 14- to 16-stories for OGE and about a dozen floors for either hotel, housing or other office tenants. I didn't know for sure until a week before I broke the story that it was two towers.
As for the design, read my story. This is a conceptual master plan. That's it. ADG doesn't even know if they get to do actual architectural design. This is building modeling or site concepts.

Did you really just write your paragraph out in the way the real building will look when turned counter clockwise....?

[Just the facts]

You end up with three mid- to lower high-rise buildings instead of a 40-story tower. You ended up with more expansive skyline instead of just one more taller building. And what if this is combined with another tower or two built for other occupants?

^This. What would be better, downtown as it is now or take the 11 tallest buildings and replacing them with 10 story buildings but keeping the same amount of space? These 11 building would become 32 buildings all between 100 and 150 feet tall, plus all the other buildings downtown that were not in the top 11. Downtown's tallest would be 101 Park Ave (former Sonic bldg.) at 180' but there would be some awesome street-level density. Think Madison, WI.

I mentioned this before but Stage Center could easily fit 5 towers.

[jccouger]

OK....
What if ...
Original plans to have two corporate anchors ended up in a decision instead to go their separate ways in terms of physical headquarters?
What if one wasn't quite on the same timetable, but the project was designed to allow for that second company to build a third building on that same block?
You end up with three mid- to lower high-rise buildings instead of a 40-story tower. You ended up with more expansive skyline instead of just one more taller building. And what if this is combined with another tower or two built for other occupants?
What if this is about corporate space needs, corporate branding and skyline presence, timing projects in terms of financing, ensuring adequate planning for parking and traffic flow, and also about when and how the boulevard is designed? What's more important? Those considerations I just listed, or who has the biggest tower?
For what it's worth, I was surprised by the height as well. My sources were telling me 14- to 16-stories for OGE and about a dozen floors for either hotel, housing or other office tenants. I didn't know for sure until a week before I broke the story that it was two towers.
As for the design, read my story. This is a conceptual master plan. That's it. ADG doesn't even know if they get to do actual architectural design. This is building modeling or site concepts.

Like.

And just like that, I'm pumped again...

*moves backs to lurking in the shadows*

[Snowman]

These people will be moving from one corner of downtown to the other. No new jobs will be added, other than construction jobs. And those only last as long as the actual construction. How exactly is that a huge improvement?

Maybe not by OG&E but given the shortage of class A office space this will free up downtown and other companies growth, there will be parties bringing more jobs downtown in the space vacated.

[Steve]

jccougar, have you seen the OGE property on S Broadway?
Further, it's a domino effect. There is a back-up of people wanting space at Leadership Square. This will free up that space for someone from outside to move in....
Look at what happened with 20 N Broadway.