OG&E Tower

[pw405]

4 towers sounds a bit aggressive, 2 is more likely. But if 4 towers are the plan, it will probably be done in phases, and over a 10 year period.

When they build this type of "multi-tower-joined-by-a-base" project, isn't it always more economical to build all at once since rented equipment costs (cranes/workers/etc) can be averaged over more income generating assets?

[bchris02]

When they build this type of "multi-tower-joined-by-a-base" project, isn't it always more economical to build all at once since rented equipment costs (cranes/workers/etc) can be averaged over more income generating assets?

Exactly. Also, has anyone indicated this will be done in phases over a decade? I don't think I've read that anywhere.

[Pete]

Keep in mind that it will likely be three years from now -- at the earliest -- before any office space in this complex is open for business.

We are already completely out of Class A office space everywhere in OKC, not just downtown.

If you were Clayco and were looking to invest in new development, what would be a better bet than arguably the best property in one of the hottest economies in the U.S. that also happens to have near zero office vacancy?

Remember that the acquisition costs for Stage Center (and likely the land to the south) were pretty reasonable and therefore they should be able to build something here that wouldn't be a lot more expensive than any large new office building. So, you don't have a lot of risk of tons of cheaper office space coming onto the market and certainly not at a location as great as this.


Everyone knows that we need a lot more office space but it may take an outsider with deep pockets like Clayco to actually do it.

[Pete]

Another thought: Perhaps Clayco has talked to Continental about being part of this development.

CLR is already out of space and set to start moving people into Cotter Ranch Tower. What the heck are they going to do three years from now? You can bet they have some sort of long-term plan.

[ChrisHayes]

I'm really hoping it's a cluster of four brick towers. Especially if they got some flavor like in the above picture. That would be unique for the city and could really pop

[Dustin]

I'm really hoping it's a cluster of four brick towers. Especially if they got some flavor like in the above picture. That would be unique for the city and could really pop

I was thinking the exact opposite. "Please don't let it be 4 brick towers..."

[ChrisHayes]

I don't know. I was near Downtown earlier and looking at the skyline trying to picture 4 brick high rises. I'm not sure about it now. It would all depend on the size and design of them. But to have something on the to add balance in the skyline from the southwest is going to be nice.

[KayneMo]

How exciting!

[mugofbeer]

Any sense of jealousy wafting from across the Red River or KCMO?

[catch22]

Any sense of jealousy wafting from across the Red River or KCMO?

Wafting! Wafting!

[David]

Aw yeah, that's everything I've been hoping for since the news that Clayco was involved came out.

[Dustin]

I don't know. I was near Downtown earlier and looking at the skyline trying to picture 4 brick high rises. I'm not sure about it now. It would all depend on the size and design of them. But to have something on the to add balance in the skyline from the southwest is going to be nice.

Something like the Hilton Anatole tower in Dallas wouldn't be too bad. I would still rather have concrete, glass, metal tower over brick.

[Urbanized]

Where did anyone say it will be brick?

[hoya]

I'd rather have brick. All glass towers may be the current fashion, but nothing that gets built on that block is going to compare to Devon. Better for it to have its own style.

[dcsooner]

Any sense of jealousy wafting from across the Red River or KCMO?

You are joking, right? what have they got to be jealous of? the 8-10 towers in DT all built in 1980's or before excerpt 1? I will believe 3-4 new skyscrapers in OKC when they are built, not before. Don't believe the hype, this thing will fizzle.

[BrettM2]

You are joking, right? what have they got to be jealous of? the 8-10 towers in DT all built in 1980's or before excerpt 1? I will believe 3-4 new skyscrapers in OKC when they are built, not before. Don't believe the hype, this thing will fizzle.

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine...

[mugofbeer]

Yes. Wondering if this is The Big One that was supposed to impart all that jealousy.

[dcsooner]

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine...

just the facts, if that hurts so be it. tell me what does DT OKC have to make any Texas city or KC jealous? smaller cities than OKC have more impressive DTs.

[ljbab728]

Yes. Wondering if this is The Big One that was supposed to impart all that jealousy.

Uh, no.

[ljbab728]

just the facts, if that hurts so be it. tell me what does DT OKC have to make any Texas city or KC jealous? smaller cities than OKC have more impressive DTs.

LOL, nobody ever said this development would make any city, anywhere, jealous. That's just a very silly statement designed to provoke a response. If it turns out as Steve mentioned, it is still much better than we expected and will be big improvement on that area. We aren't Dubai where everything has to be over-the-top.

[Thundercitizen]

The sketch looks like a simple massing exercise. The color's just to make them pop. Could be some brick, but I'm guessing the color isn't meant to necessarily represent red brick.

[David]

just the facts, if that hurts so be it. tell me what does DT OKC have to make any Texas city or KC jealous? smaller cities than OKC have more impressive DTs.

"just the facts", except with no actual facts.

[bchris02]

You are joking, right? what have they got to be jealous of? the 8-10 towers in DT all built in 1980's or before excerpt 1? I will believe 3-4 new skyscrapers in OKC when they are built, not before. Don't believe the hype, this thing will fizzle.

I strongly don't believe this is what Steve is referring to as the project that would make KC/Dallas jealous. Why would it? Dallas has skyscrapers popping up all the time, in their suburbs, that are taller than this would be. Steve has said the big project will be in Lower Bricktown and will be entertainment oriented. Secondly, skyscrapers depend on the economy. OKC's economy for a better part of the last quarter of the 20th century was terrible. Combine that with failed urban renewal and mass flight to the suburbs and that's why there was no growth. That is why despite all the improvement in OKC, it is still behind its smaller peers in some ways. Things are changing though. The economy here is one of the best in the nation. Brain drain is turning to brain gain. OKC is getting positive media attention, something that a decade ago was inconceivable. It has an NBA team that all the naysayers said the city couldn't support. If there was ever a time for a skyscraper boom in OKC this would be it.

[bchris02]

Yes. Wondering if this is The Big One that was supposed to impart all that jealousy.

Multiple sources have said repeatedly it will be in Lower Bricktown and will be entertainment oriented if it happens. I am sure given all the hype, whenever the project is announced Steve and Pete will let us know that is the project.

[Pete]

I strongly don't believe this is what Steve is referring to as the project that would make KC/Dallas jealous.

Yes, this is not it. Steve has been hinting at something different; likely in Bricktown (even more likely, Lower Bricktown) and be at least somewhat entertainment based.


As I've stated before, the good news is that when the RFP's are due on Oct. 6th, the full packages will be released to the public.