OG&E Energy Center

[metro]

OKC needs density more than it needs height. As cool as a 70+ story tower would be, this proposal is a grand slam. I'd have been pleased with just one of these towers. Now we are getting four. I cannot put I to words how happy this makes me. Complaining that they are too similar in height is like complaining that Kate Upton's boobs are too perky. Don't be that guy.

This! The OP about needing a few more stories must of been a part of the Choom gang; however REAL business decisions are based on reality and economics, not pie in the sky wishful thinking from common citizens. And last I checked, OKC is HUGELYYYYYYYYY lacking in the density department, who cares about height, we've discussed ad nauseum that tall buildings a dense/bustling city does not make.

[Bellaboo]

Wow, back after a year. This proposal is excellent. Love the Deco Echo.

Is there a good chance this will get built?

Yes

[OKCisOK4me]

Well, it would look way out of place anyways. Even the Khalifa Tower looks out of place, but all the tall surrounding buildings help. It is still considerably taller than any other building there.

Agreed AND those buildings there are taller than 80% of our buildings here.

[boitoirich]

Can we please keep the sexism off of the development forums. Please remember OKCTalk is a place for all to learn about projects, and many people do not necessarily care to read how members feel about anyone's body parts. Thank you.

[AP]

Can we please keep the sexism off of the development forums. Please remember OKCTalk is a place for all to learn about projects, and many people do not necessarily care to read how members feel about anyone's body parts. Thank you.

+1

[Plutonic Panda]

Can we please keep the sexism off of the development forums. Please remember OKCTalk is a place for all to learn about projects, and many people do not necessarily care to read how members feel about anyone's body parts. Thank you.

Are you joking or being for real?

[skanaly]

There's always too many comments on things that are irrelevant. Thanks boitorich for pointing that out, I apologize I'm also contributing to yet another off topic post but I love OKCtalk, I'm 19 now and have been a member since I was 13, it's what got me interested in downtown development. I just always hate to open up a thread and see things that have absolutely nothing to do with the topic. Sorry again for adding to what I don't like...it just had to be said

[Laramie]

There's always too many comments on things that are irrelevant. Thanks boitorich for pointing that out, I apologize I'm also contributing to yet another off topic post but I love OKCtalk, I'm 19 now and have been a member since I was 13, it's what got me interested in downtown development. I just always hate to open up a thread and see things that have absolutely nothing to do with the topic. Sorry again for adding to what I don't like...it just had to be said

Welcome to the OKCTalk forum skanaly!

Keep in mind that your opinions are valued; please feel free to express your inner feelings. Criticism of posters' opinions are common on this as with any forum. Don't allow it to discourage you from participation. There are times you will have to be thick-skinned and 'consider' the source. We are all individuals as we observe, examine & evaluate from our own perspective.

Good Luck and enjoy your experience.

[jccouger]

OKCtalk is honestly one of the most mild places on the entire internet lol. Pete does an amazing job moderating (all of these posts will probably be deleted, and should be), and most of the posters here do a good job not purposefully insulting each other & maintaining a real life persona.

Anyway, back to the towers.

I'm curious about something. Before Devon tower, how many square feet of office space was there downtown? After Devon tower + these towers how much office space will there be? I feel like we would have at least doubled the size of our downtown with the addition of these towers.

[soondoc]

What are the odds that perhaps a couple of these towers could be 5-10 stories taller and a couple could be a 5 or so shorter? It would look much better than having 4 same sized buildings. I'd much prefer a couple of 550 foot towers and a couple of 375 than all of them being in the 425-450 range. Do you all think some tenants will come along they will add a few more stories in the end. I think this would be great and the demand is there with the occupancy rate in DT.

[bchris02]

What are the odds that perhaps a couple of these towers could be 5-10 stories taller and a couple could be a 5 or so shorter? It would look much better than having 4 same sized buildings. I'd much prefer a couple of 550 foot towers and a couple of 375 than all of them being in the 425-450 range. Do you all think some tenants will come along they will add a few more stories in the end. I think this would be great and the demand is there with the occupancy rate in DT.

I think the proposals are what they are at this point and we can look forward to them actually getting built and transforming the western side of downtown OKC. Most cities of comparable size to OKC would love to have this development.

[Laramie]

Recall the forum participation on October 6 when Pete announced that he would release the new images:

I've got the full applications.

Give me a few minutes to get some images up.

We were all excited with anticipation; there were as many as 100 to 150 participants viewing 'Development & Buildings' section of the forum when the images were revealed. It reminded me of the day Devon Energy revealed their iconic skyscraper that changed the face of the skyline.

Devon initially hinted that they would need something the size of the 'Chase' structure. We got news as a 'whale of a building' was unveiled.

OG&E will be an integral part of this proposed project; our market is ready for more quality office space and mixed use developments. Clayco submitted a much better upgrade image over the previous structure. Let's hope they deliver...

From this > To this >

An exciting time to witness our city's transformation.

[NWOKCGuy]

Exactly. People that want taller need to realize that, especially with these residential buildings, Clayco is taking a major risk in an unproven market. As long as these buildings fill up fast, the next developer will go taller. Let's just hope we get a downtown/midtown grocery option soon.

[bchris02]

Exactly. People that want taller need to realize that, especially with these residential buildings, Clayco is taking a major risk in an unproven market. As long as these buildings fill up fast, the next developer will go taller. Let's just hope we get a downtown/midtown grocery option soon.

I agree completely.

I've posted this before but for me, downtown will have arrived when driving to the burbs is no longer necessary for basic necessities. That means a full-service grocery. That will also be when it becomes more practical to consider living in OKC without a car. Right now it can probably be done but not comfortably.

As for Clayco, OKC has needed a developer willing to take risks like this for the longest time. This is what will bring downtown to the next level.

[soondoc]

I totally get it with the residential towers. That is why I think I'd prefer to see a couple of 17-22 foot towers for those and 32-35 towers for the office buildings. I think the demand is so over and beyond for OG&E to build extra. This would allow them future growth or lease out to whom ever they want to fill a few floors and make money from them. Two taller commerical and slightly scaled back residential would test the market for future growth, perhaps even the Bricktown Towers.

I personally think the best thing is two 34 foot towers for commerical that would come close to 600 feet tall, and a couple 18-20 foot residential towers. Those would be a of good height of around 300 feet and also provide density. It would be by far the best test for residential housing DT and could open up a huge BT Towers if successful.

[adaniel]

^
You say this as if they can change the height on a whim. This is not SimCity.

Clayco, OGE, and all parties involved are working on a set budget. Changing heights involve a lot of complex economics and design changes.

This is a fantasic development and if I were you I would stop obsessing about how the height looks from certain angles. There is a lot more decision making here than this.

[musg8411]

^
You say this as if they can change the height on a whim. This is not SimCity.

Clayco, OGE, and all parties involved are working on a set budget. Changing heights involve a lot of complex economics and design changes.

This is a fantasic development and if I were you I would stop obsessing about how the height looks from certain angles. There is a lot more decision making here than this.

Yep. Let's not forget just how much money they will save in construction and planning with 4 nearly identical structures. Glass, Steel, and other materials as well as Architecture and Engineering costs drops dramatically when done this way.

[soondoc]

I thought I was also focusing on the untested residential aspect of it and the huge demand for commerical. Sorry if you thought I was obsessing but if you think about it, the total amount of floor space would be about the same. More however could be skewed towards the demand of commercial, that makes a lot of sense to me. What if the residential didn't fill up like the commerical? If the scaled back versions did, well we will have more coming up somewhere soon, like the BT Towers.

[OkieNate]

As we get closer to November I'm getting more and more excited for actual renderings and blue prints! Is there any real chance Clayco doesn't get the south block also? That would be a real bummer.

[catch22]

I'd guess it's a less than 1% chance they are not awarded the land and development rights. And the majority of that <1% would be them expressing their wish to no longer be considered for the property by submitting a withdrawal.

[Pete]

OCURA will be choosing a conditional redeveloper for the the south parcel in it's meeting next Tuesday, November 4th.

The winning developer is considered "conditional" until all the terms of the redevelopment agreement are finalized.

Would be completely shocked if Clayco isn't selected; from the OCURA agenda:


Background: The Authority authorized the issuance of a Request For Proposals (“RFP”) for property generally bounded by South Hudson Avenue, West Reno Avenue, South Walker Avenue, and the vacated West California Avenue at its July 16, 2014 meeting. The RFP was released on August 5, 2014 and provided 60 days to respond. On October 6, 2014, the submission deadline date, two redevelopment proposals were received.

Milhaus Development proposes to construct a 20-story, mixed-use tower consisting of approximately 300 residential units, 15,000 sf of commercial space, and a 450-space parking garage. The anticipated total cost of the project is approximately $80 million.

Clayco, Inc. proposes to create a comprehensive development in conjunction with the OG&E headquarters development directly north of the site offered by the Authority in the RFP. Clayco proposes two towers consisting of a 25-story commercial building, a 26-story residential apartment tower of approximately 253-units, and structured parking in between. The Authority site would total an estimated $280 million investment and would mirror the development on the OG&E site (with an anticipated investment of $250 million).

Both development teams will have 15 minutes to present their proposal to the Board at which time the Board will determine the proposal most responsive to the requirements of the RFP and will conditionally designate that respondent the redeveloper of the site.

Purpose of Agenda Item: To conditionally designate a redeveloper for the site generally bounded by South Hudson Avenue, West Reno Avenue, South Walker Avenue, and the vacated West California Avenue

Staff Recommendation: Designate conditional redeveloper(s) as determined most appropriate by the discretion of the board.

[gopokes88]

So were looking at at least $500 million for these 4 towers plus at least another $80 million for FNC (according to posts I've seen about what it would take to renovate it). That's over half a billion dollars in construction and investment starting in 2015 from 2 projects alone.

[catch22]

So were looking at at least $500 million for these 4 towers plus at least another $80 million for FNC (according to posts I've seen about what it would take to renovate it). That's over half a billion dollars in construction and investment starting in 2015 from 2 projects alone.

Announced within 30 days of each other too.

[Pete]

There is something else pretty substantial I'll be reporting on over the weekend as well.

The pace is definitely starting to pick up.

[jccouger]

There is something else pretty substantial I'll be reporting on over the weekend as well.

The pace is definitely starting to pick up.

Looks like Steve hacked Pete's account! JK, to both of you.

That sounds exciting! Also looks like I have plans this weekend *keeps pushing refresh*