OG&E Energy Center

[Spartan]

This is a failure if we end up TIF'ing an OG+E-only bldg with no assurances or performance incentives for delivering anything else, including a proposed apartment bldg.

This is just bad and all that's coming into focus is just how bad exactly this is. We're going to get what the market can support without subsidy, which isn't all that to get excited over.

[bchris02]

OG&E's existing tower. I never realized what an architectural jewel this was until my walk today. Wouldn't it be awesome for this to be re-purposed to include residential once OG&E moves into their new tower on the Stage Center site?

[Pete]

^

It has potential but always looks completely dead because they have all the street-level windows covered in clings or opaque glass blocks and the replacement windows in the upper floors are way too darkly tinted.

[dcsooner]

OG&E's existing tower. I never realized what an architectural jewel this was until my walk today. Wouldn't it be awesome for this to be re-purposed to include residential once OG&E moves into their new tower on the Stage Center site?

Looks like an outdated box to me. OKC has one of the oldest, boxy looking DT of many cities of its size,

[bchris02]

Looks like an outdated box to me. OKC has one of the oldest, boxy looking DT of many cities of its size,

The building itself isn't bad, but the owners have turned it into something that looks okay from a distance but does little for street interaction or vibrancy. This is a theme with most buildings in the CBD...as most of their employees live in Edmond so they don't care about downtown street life. However, I look at this building for its potential, not what it is. It could be something really special. OG&E will be moving into their new tower sometime within the next five years. My hopes is that the current building will be purchased and restored to glory.

[Plutonic Panda]

Looks like an outdated box to me. OKC has one of the oldest, boxy looking DT of many cities of its size,

It does. But that should change and for the better once we get more skyscrapers. Hopefully we'll get some real ones soon and not this 20 or 30 story stuff. I mean, it's nice, but I want taller buildings.

[HOT ROD]

the storefronts have so much unrealized potential, my god!

[dcsooner]

It does. But that should change and for the better once we get more skyscrapers. Hopefully we'll get some real ones soon and not this 20 or 30 story stuff. I mean, it's nice, but I want taller buildings.

I would be happy with a DT with buildings that had some uniqueness in design, Devon notwithstanding. The existing and proposed towers are basic with no architectural distinction to identify OKC and project a city on the move ala Charlotte when they began their DT building boon. Not necessarily the same height but vibrant.

[Plutonic Panda]

I would be happy with a DT with buildings that had some uniqueness in design, Devon notwithstanding. The existing and proposed towers are basic with no architectural distinction to identify OKC and project a city on the move ala Charlotte when they began their DT building boon. Not necessarily the same height but vibrant.

Those Towers Proposed by ClayCo were pretty cool. Not just a glass box. Anyhow, I wouldn't mind seeing several more glass towers as long they're tall. I don't want the glass towers to take over though.

[bchris02]

I would be happy with a DT with buildings that had some uniqueness in design, Devon notwithstanding. The existing and proposed towers are basic with no architectural distinction to identify OKC and project a city on the move ala Charlotte when they began their DT building boon. Not necessarily the same height but vibrant.

Is there even anything the city can do to encourage better architecture? As far as I know, that is up to the developer and as long as it meets guidelines set by the DDRC or a variance is granted, it can be built. Charlotte's more unique buildings were built by financial institutions that wanted an iconic building. That is how you ended up with the BoA tower, Hearst Tower, and Duke Energy (Wachovia) Tower. OKC has that with Devon, but most other HQs and major employers here are more interested in having a suburban campus than a downtown tower.

I would say Charlotte's downtown pulls above its weight for a city its size. It is truly unique and awesome, both from a distance and at street level. It compares more to Dallas than it does OKC from my own experience.

[Plutonic Panda]

Is there even anything the city can do to encourage better architecture? As far as I know, that is up to the developer and as long as it meets guidelines set by the DDRC or a variance is granted, it can be built. Charlotte's more unique buildings were built by financial institutions that wanted an iconic building. That is how you ended up with the BoA tower, Hearst Tower, and Duke Energy (Wachovia) Tower. OKC has that with Devon, but most other HQs and major employers here are more interested in having a suburban campus than a downtown tower.

I would say Charlotte's downtown pulls above its weight for a city its size. It is truly unique and awesome, both from a distance and at street level. It compares more to Dallas than it does OKC from my own experience.

Design Review. Don't they have authority or do they just make recommendations?

[bchris02]

Design Review. Don't they have authority or do they just make recommendations?

They have authority as to what gets built and what doesn't, but in OKC they don't even enforce good urbanism, let alone architecture that may be considered unique.

[Urbanized]

"Outdated box". SMH

[ljbab728]

Looks like an outdated box to me. OKC has one of the oldest, boxy looking DT of many cities of its size,

LOL, just LOL.

[David]

Looks like an outdated box to me. OKC has one of the oldest, boxy looking DT of many cities of its size,

That is ridiculous and silly.

[ChrisHayes]

How does this look like an outdated box but Hotel Black was an architectural masterpiece??? This is one of the cooler buildings in Downtown. That being said I'd like to see the first floor opened up to retail

[Architect2010]

"Outdated box". SMH

I was thinking the same thing...

[bchris02]

I agree with dcsooner on a lot of things but that specific building has so much potential and could really be something special in OKC. When OG&E moves into their new tower, my dream would be for it to be redeveloped into housing, with retail on the ground level and plenty of sidewalk interaction.

[Spartan]

Looks like an outdated box to me. OKC has one of the oldest, boxy looking DT of many cities of its size,

What are you talking about? Have you ever been to... DC?

Which is an amazing city.

[dcsooner]

What are you talking about? Have you ever been to... DC?

Which is an amazing city.

Lived 17 yrs in Springfield, VA 18 miles from the US capital until Jan 2014

[shawnw]

Harvey and McGee is the most architecturally significant intersection in OKC, per an architect giving a tour once.

[UnFrSaKn]

I would have said that is my favorite intersection in downtown, so I'm not surprised.

[Spartan]

Lived 17 yrs in Springfield, VA 18 miles from the US capital until Jan 2014

I know. That's why I asked if you've ever been to DC. You claim that old, short, boxy buildings are outdated and bad. Using your own terminology.

[dcsooner]

I know. That's why I asked if you've ever been to DC. You claim that old, short, boxy buildings are outdated and bad. Using your own terminology.

DC has height restrictions and obvious architectural restraints because it's the nations capital. Federal buildings have been and are generally conservatively built as required by the General Services Administration

[Chitty]

Heard that OGE will release a statement later today that the Tower HQ is not happening. I'm hoping it's bad information tho... that would be harsh news.