Devon Plans Downtown Skyscraper

[HOT ROD]

OMG, WRWA expansion and now the promise we won't be disappointed by what "obviously" will be the state's tallest skyscraper. And the NBA team. And the continuing Renaissance of Downtown!

MAN - if it weren't for the heat/humidity, I'd be moving back to Oklahoma City! Im sure LOTS of expats will be thinking the same thing (and moving back if they aren't allergic to the heat).

[metro]

A little sun might be good for ya.

[Steve]

Warren G, you know how much these folks don't like to be teased.
OK everybody, I'm going to tell you what I know: It's going to be bigger than a bread basket.

[sroberts24]

So if u say something ur wife will lose her job? or u will just have to sleep on the couch for a few days? Cuz i'm willing to risk u sleeping on the couch!

[metro]

Steve, by bigger do you mean wide or tall?

[warreng88]

So if u say something ur wife will lose her job? or u will just have to sleep on the couch for a few days? Cuz i'm willing to risk u sleeping on the couch!

Possibly both.... I would be ok with the second, she snores anyways.

[sroberts24]

i hope for ur sake she doesn't read these posts

[Midtowner]

Warren G, you know how much these folks don't like to be teased.
OK everybody, I'm going to tell you what I know: It's going to be bigger than a bread basket.

Would this bread basket happen to be 30-something stories or 50-something stories. Better yet, what would the height and square footage of said bread basket be, and how would they relate to the new Devon tower?

In what exact ways does this tower differ from this bread basket? Please be as specific as you can. Include pictures for reference.

Thanks.

[OKC74]

Does anyone think that Warren G is just rattling our chains...or does he really have an inside connection? ;-) I HOPE HE DOES, AND I HOPE WHAT HE'S SAYING IS TRUE!! Can't wait to find out CONCRETE DETAILS of the new tower...and hope it's BIG BIG BIG!!!

[Doug Loudenback]

Warren G, you know how much these folks don't like to be teased.
OK everybody, I'm going to tell you what I know: It's going to be bigger than a bread basket.

Only sexual degenerates LIKE to be teased (at least, for very long). Soooo ... ... tease on, teenage queen (no sexual subliminal or otherwise personal inferences are intended).

I'm guessing that the vertical height will be 50 stories, plus or minus 5. But, then, I don't know JACK!

What's your "guess" Steve & Warren G.? Teasing time is done ... give us your straightforward and unvarnished predictions! Inquiring minds want to know!

[BDP]

Does anyone think that Warren G is just rattling our chains

Well, he is the regulator.

[OKC74]

Oops...guess I didn't know that!! :-)

[yukong]

Does anyone think that Warren G is just rattling our chains...

No...but he does play a mean sax. No wait...wrong "G". Sorry

[okctvnewsguy]

I don't know if it means anything about anything, but last weekend, they put up a ton of chain link fence around certain areas of the bus station, I don't know why, the only explination I could come up with, is they are going to start tearing down part of the station.

[jbrown84]

The bus station? That's not Devon tower-related.

[Spartan]

Spartan, you've been warned before about personal attacks. Knock it off. ~ Pete

[sethsrott]

Please don't participate in personal attacks. ~ Pete

[AFCM]

Edited out as admin has addressed issue. Thanks. ~ Pete

[Kerry]

I guess the new rule is the more you post the smarter you are.

[warreng88]

It is funny that I am getting attacked for knowing something and not being able to talk about it. I really wish now that I wouldn't have said anything in the first place. I am wondering if some of these people are trying to annoy me or stir the pot so I will just give up info. Not going to happen. Again, I wish I could, but I can't.

For the record, I never said I would lose my job. I said my WIFE could lose her job.

[warreng88]

Does anyone think that Warren G is just rattling our chains...or does he really have an inside connection? ;-) I HOPE HE DOES, AND I HOPE WHAT HE'S SAYING IS TRUE!! Can't wait to find out CONCRETE DETAILS of the new tower...and hope it's BIG BIG BIG!!!

Just to clear it up, the only thing I really know is the size (floors)and small specifics like what the ground floor is going to look like. My wife has not seen the renderings (I don't even think they are done yet) she has just been told.

[Insider]

Just to clear it up, the only thing I really know is the size (floors)and small specifics like what the ground floor is going to look like. My wife has not seen the renderings (I don't even think they are done yet) she has just been told.

Devon posted new information today for their employees.

[Insider]

Where is the site?

The site consists of a substantial portion of the four-block area generally bounded by Sheridan Avenue on the south, Hudson Avenue on the west, Park Avenue on the north, and Robinson Avenue on the east, excluding the existing buildings fronting Park Avenue and Robinson Avenue and the East City Center Parking Garage. Much of the site is what is commonly known as the Galleria parking deck. It includes the West City Center Parking Garage. Standing on the site looking south, the Myriad Gardens will be our front yard.

Who owns the site now?

The Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority (OCURA) owns most of the parcels being considered for purchase. OCURA is an arm of the City of Oklahoma City; OCURA exists by Oklahoma statute to enable OKC to redevelop and rehabilitate lands considered to be “blighted” or deteriorated. OKC owns several small parcels. The Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority (COTPA) owns the West Parking Garage.

Who will design the building?

Devon’s management chose world-class architectural and design firms to design our building. Pickard Chilton, an internationally-accomplished architecture firm, will design the building.

Kendall/Heaton Associates, Inc., a Houston-based and world-renowned architectural design firm, will serve as architect of record. Gensler, a global architecture, design, planning, and consulting firm, will design the building’s interior. The Offices of James Burnett and Murase and Associates will team up as our landscape architects.

See these companies’ websites for more information about them and to see other projects they’ve completed. They are: www.pickardchilton.com; www.kendall-heaton.com; www.gensler.com; www.murase.com; and Landscape Architecture - The Office of James Burnett.

Who will build the building?

Hines Interests Limited Partnership was selected as Devon’s Development Manager. See its website, Hines Interests, for more information about Hines and their expertise with skyscraper construction. A general contractor will be chosen soon.

How big will the building be?

While the exact size is still under consideration, the building will likely be in excess of the 1.2 million square feet previously announced; however, at this time we are still working on the plan that will dictate the final size. As a frame of reference, the Chase Building at 100 North Broadway is approximately 540,000 square feet.

When will we break ground?

We hope to break ground by late summer 2009.

When will we move in?

The building is projected to open in 2012.

What amenities will the building have?

Devon’s management is in the process of determining all the amenities that the building will offer. However, it is certain that the ground level will include a large, enclosed atrium area, or “winter garden,” and an auditorium available for use by the public. Other possible amenities include cafés, a coffee shop, a fitness center, an ATM and dry cleaners.

Where will the employees park?

Discussions with OKC and COTPA will include Devon’s acquisition of the west City Center parking garage. That garage now holds approximately 1,100 parking spots. It was designed for the addition of five more floors. That construction will be complete before the building opens, so there will be room for all Devon employees. The building will also have limited underground parking.

What does LEED certified mean?

LEED’s New Construction Rating System guides and distinguishes high-performance commercial projects, including office buildings. LEED scores new construction on how well it meets the six categories and awards it certification at either certified, silver, gold, or platinum (the best) levels. Devon’s goal is to reach LEED certification at the gold level if possible.

What will happen to the office space vacated by Devon?

High quality office space is already in short supply downtown. With our new building project, we expect to see the revitalization of downtown continue. Experts believe that the space vacated by Devon will be in high demand.



This information was provided to its employees this morning and "all of the information provided can be made public so feel free to spread the news..."

[BDP]

Don't sweat it, g. You told us what you could and we appreciate that and respect you honoring the confidentiality by which your wife is bound. Hopefully, you'll continue to participate on the topic and maybe at some point you'll be able to answer questions not covered in the press as the process moves forward.

Thanks for the info.

[Luke]

Awesome!!!