OG&E Tower

[Plutonic Panda]

I was wrong in posting what I did. My post update will be online shortly. A much needed vacation starts Thursday.

Is that bad news for the development in terms of how tall and big it will be?

[ShadowStrings]

It seems to me that the apology makes it more likely that the site plan generally resembles ClayCo's actual plans. ClayCo was not "ready" for this information to be released, but it was.

[Pete]

Notice in all the conceptual plans that the mid-block E/W alleys are to stay open.

Not just on the conceptual Cox Center site but for the OG&E / Clayco properties as well.

Essentially, there would be four completely separate structures at street level, although likely connected by parking below grade.

[Urbanized]

I think the stair step configuration confirms what I suggested in this discussion long ago; there is indeed some concern about leaving MBG in shadow. The tapering to the south would allow for more hours of sunshine in fall and winter.

[Laramie]

Let's hope scenario two happens. That would be a game changer for the entire city.

This reminds me of the anticipation and excitement which centered around the announcement of the Devon Tower. Now we could have as many as four to six towers built within the next five to six years.

Just feels as though there will be news about some big project announcement any moment.

WATCHOUT, OKLAHOMA CITY!

Could this be our future...

"Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

[hoya]

Notice in all the conceptual plans that the mid-block E/W alleys are to stay open.

Not just on the conceptual Cox Center site but for the OG&E / Clayco properties as well.

Essentially, there would be four completely separate structures at street level, although likely connected by parking below grade.

[Snowman]

I think the stair step configuration confirms what I suggested in this discussion long ago; there is indeed some concern about leaving MBG in shadow. The tapering to the south would allow for more hours of sunshine in fall and winter.

The stair stepping likely has nothing to do with MBG, it is about aesthetics of the skyline.

If they were worried about more light getting to the gardens having had the wedding cake tiers on each side the building move in on the north and south edges of the towers, not the west and east sides (also notice the ones that cast the most shadow over the gardens have the least step from the streetwall edge), would pass more though (especially if there is any reflectivity on the building surfaces). At that height another five to ten floors is not going to make a huge difference on the percent of the day MBG is in shadows. Plus they show the first building's shadow going nearly all the way to the street, are they only worried just about the street trees getting light? (granted given our latitude the angle looks too wide, even on the winter solstice the shadow should not be that far north unless they were sloppy with the length cast as well)

[Plutonic Panda]

Pete, can I post a few if these images on my Facebook to share with friends and family? I'll give credit with a link

[Urbanized]

The stair stepping likely has nothing to do with MBG, it is about aesthetics of the skyline.

If they were worried about more light getting to the gardens having had the wedding cake tiers on each side the building move in on the north and south edges of the towers, not the west and east sides (also notice the ones that cast the most shadow over the gardens have the least step from the streetwall edge), would pass more though (especially if there is any reflectivity on the building surfaces). At that height another five to ten floors is not going to make a huge difference on the percent of the day MBG is in shadows. Plus they show the first building's shadow going nearly all the way to the street, are they only worried just about the street trees getting light? (granted given our latitude the angle looks too wide, even on the winter solstice the shadow should not be that far north unless they were sloppy with the length cast as well)

Sorry, I just don't agree with that assessment. The tallest buildings with the least setback are the furthest north; during the summer months they will actually provide a reprieve from the furnace blast. As the days grow shorter and the sun moves further south on the horizon, it will pass over subsequently lower and lower buildings with progressively more setback, until the buildings are so low that they will barely block at all, leaving tons of sunlight. The lowest building is on the eastern side, which will provide more light on winter mornings. The system/intent seems fairly obvious.

[LakeEffect]

Rest up man. I'm sure others tell you this but you work too hard.

Says the guy with a fresh cut on his neck. You rest up too!

[bombermwc]

Not to be a damp rag on this, but this is all conceptual work and far from an a project that is actually happening. Especially the Cox block....the city isn't going to let that go. it's too valuable to keep the side-by-side arena plan going to let go of that property.

I'll get excited when I see cranes doing stuff.

[warreng88]

Not to be a damp rag on this, but this is all conceptual work and far from an a project that is actually happening. Especially the Cox block....the city isn't going to let that go. it's too valuable to keep the side-by-side arena plan going to let go of that property.

I'll get excited when I see cranes doing stuff.

But when was the last time we have used the side by side arena plan? 2009 was the last time OKC hosting the Big 12 basketball tournament when the women's was played in the Cox and the Men's was played in the Ford Center.

[bchris02]

Not to be a damp rag on this, but this is all conceptual work and far from an a project that is actually happening. Especially the Cox block....the city isn't going to let that go. it's too valuable to keep the side-by-side arena plan going to let go of that property.

I'll get excited when I see cranes doing stuff.

I see what you are saying. I am cautiously optimistic. I will be a lot more optimistic once there are real renderings and not simply conceptual drawings. Hopefully the Clayco project gets officially announced soon. Personally I would love to see the Cox site developed into a mixed-use village with a canal running through it.

[PhiAlpha]

Not to be a damp rag on this, but this is all conceptual work and far from an a project that is actually happening. Especially the Cox block....the city isn't going to let that go. it's too valuable to keep the side-by-side arena plan going to let go of that property.

I'll get excited when I see cranes doing stuff.

If the city paid populous to create these renderings for the area around the new convention center, which include a redeveloped cox block, don't you think they are open redeveloping it? If not, why didn't they specify that they wouldn't want the ccc removed?

I don't think the city is going to be the Cox block to this development that you think they are.

[hoya]

The side by side arena thing is hugely overrated. The Cox Center land is vastly more valuable than the benefit we get from hosting the Big 12 basketball tournament every once in a while. Don't even bring up minor league sports, they're inconsequential.

Of course, this is still just a nice picture, and as was said, most of this is very far away and is just speculative.

[hoya]

Double post

[Pete]

The whole point of the study was to provide ideas and a guideline for future development.

Since the City itself owns the Cox Center, the fact that site was given so much attention gives you a pretty clear indication that it will be redeveloped sooner rather than later.

And well it should. That concrete monolith has 30 foot blank walls on four sides, covers a full block and will be even more of an obstruction when the Transit Hub is complete. It is arguably the best located property in all of OKC.


The biggest issue with it now is that it provides much-needed parking. Once there are some other parking alternatives that would allow for a 2-3 year redevelopment plan, you can bet that building will come down.

[Anonymous.]

I don't understand what the apology from Steve is about?

Was he not supposed to post the renderings per Clayco's unveiling in October? Or was he not supposed to post them, because they are pure speculative?


So much information is coming out so quickly surrounding the entire MBG site, that surely I can't be the only one having a tough time following?

[soonerguru]

I think the stair step configuration confirms what I suggested in this discussion long ago; there is indeed some concern about leaving MBG in shadow. The tapering to the south would allow for more hours of sunshine in fall and winter.

I agree. I would much prefer low-rise construction (up to say, 8 stories) flanking the MG park. Otherwise it's going to be a dark place.

[soonerguru]

If the city paid populous to create these renderings for the area around the new convention center, which include a redeveloped cox block, don't you think they are open redeveloping it? If not, why didn't they specify that they wouldn't want the ccc removed?

I don't think the city is going to be the Cox block to this development that you think they are.

I see what you did there.

[Teo9969]

If the city paid populous to create these renderings for the area around the new convention center, which include a redeveloped cox block, don't you think they are open redeveloping it? If not, why didn't they specify that they wouldn't want the ccc removed?

I don't think the city is going to be the Cox block to this development that you think they are.

Post of the Month. Brilliantly done sir…Brilliant.

[SoonerFP]

The whole point of the study was to provide ideas and a guideline for future development.

Since the City itself owns the Cox Center, the fact that site was given so much attention gives you a pretty clear indication that it will be redeveloped sooner rather than later.

And well it should. That concrete monolith has 30 foot blank walls on four sides, covers a full block and will be even more of an obstruction when the Transit Hub is complete. It is arguably the best located property in all of OKC.


The biggest issue with it now is that it provides much-needed parking. Once there are some other parking alternatives that would allow for a 2-3 year redevelopment plan, you can bet that building will come down.

Would it be possible to continue using the underground parking while the demolition of the Cox Center and subsequent rebuilding were going on? If they could use even part of it, that would help the parking situation. Plus, it looks like the parking plan diagram showed below ground parking to still be there even after the potential new construction.

[Pete]

Would it be possible to continue using the underground parking while the demolition of the Cox Center and subsequent rebuilding were going on? If they could use even part of it, that would help the parking situation. Plus, it looks like the parking plan diagram showed below ground parking to still be there even after the potential new construction.

I don't think so.

But, by that time, there should be much more parking around the new convention center.

[Spartan]

These graphics show the immense missed opportunity to connect the MBG and the Central Park.

This.

There is no reason why just a little bit of this concentrated development can't be pushed out further. The convention center doesn't have to block the park. If you move the hotel to a different site, then there is room for a convention center that blends and connects the two parks.

Also why is the massing staggered (and unorganized) as a principle? While these aren't renderings, it does recommend this approach as a principle with the high rises.

[ljbab728]

As per Steve:

Architectural firm, developer and builder selected for tower that will be headquarters for OGE Energy Corp. | News OK

Robert A.M. Stern Architects, the New York City firm that designed the 57-story Comcast Center in Philadelphia and the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, will design the new OGE Energy Corp. headquarters in Oklahoma City.
Rainey Williams, president of Kestrel Investments, also announced the OGE Energy headquarters will be developed and built by Clayco, a Chicago firm initially hired as a consultant earlier this year.

Plans will be submitted next month and this is of particular interest.

From the beginning Pete (Delaney) and I as we looked at the vocabulary of architecture around the country, we leaned away from the ultra-modern buildings. They (Stern) spoke to the language of the timeless classic kind of architecture we were seeking.”

This suggests that the final design will be nothing like the original depiction.