Devon Energy Center

[bchris02]

The LEDs and the crown have been dark every night this week thus far. Being lit is starting to become the exception rather than the rule.

[HangryHippo]

The LEDs and the crown have been dark every night this week thus far. Being lit is starting to become the exception rather than the rule.

This is absolutely incorrect. I watched them flash go thunder down the sides and the rain in the crown for over 20 minutes last night.

[metro]

The LEDs and the crown have been dark every night this week thus far. Being lit is starting to become the exception rather than the rule.

Yep

[metro]

This is absolutely incorrect. I watched them flash go thunder down the sides and the rain in the crown for over 20 minutes last night.

Just because they had them lit for a playoff game, doesn't mean they aren't off more than they are on. I live DT so I see them nightly.

[HangryHippo]

Just because they had them lit for a playoff game, doesn't mean they aren't off more than they are on. I live DT so I see them nightly.

What are you talking about? I was responding to bchris02's post saying that they'd been dark every night this week, which wasn't true. The lights were on Tuesday night when there was no playoff game. You might want to have your facts straight next time.

[Dustin]

Devon Tower by Tres Senderos Photography, on Flickr

[Dustin]

Portal to Devon Tower by Tres Senderos Photography, on Flickr

[Teo9969]

Portal to Devon Tower by Tres Senderos Photography, on Flickr

One of the coolest architectural standouts in all of Oklahoma City

[Dustin]

Cool video of the May 31st storm coming through downtown.

[Pete]

This went out today via the Devon intranet.

Interesting that they go out of their way to shoot down rumors about new construction. I had heard from multiple inside sources that a new building was being openly discussed in the management circles.

Also, they just spent $1.5 million to build out a medical clinic on the 2nd floor of Corporate Tower and have more space leased there as well.



****************

Current space deemed adequate
Parking garage, additional building-space rumors laid to rest
Monday, June 3, 2013


Devon Tower is one of Oklahoma City’s most visible landmarks and is a frequent topic of conversation. It can be seen for miles in all directions and is a constant source of questions from visitors and Devon employees.

Because of its prominence, rumors tend to swell. To help dispel those rumors and provide employees with the most current information, a few frequently asked questions are addressed below.

Tower meets current needs

Devon is not building a new tower in Oklahoma City — or anywhere else.

“The rumor mill keeps turning locally about Devon constructing an additional tower downtown, but we have no current need or plans to do so,” said Alan Marcum, executive vice president, Administrative Services.

Though IT and other groups have been reorganized to open seating space, Devon Tower has enough room to meet current needs, said Shannon Fetz, director of Facilities and Real Estate.

“Through our current planning we have enough space to accommodate Devon’s short-term needs when it comes to space,” Fetz said. “We are constantly reviewing our existing space and current standards for office space.”

In addition, Devon has leased space in Corporate Tower that is being used for special projects and could be used for transition space.

Parking garage adequate

The parking garage is another aspect of employee questions. With 3,000 parking spots, availability won’t be an issue for some time.

Since construction on Hudson has been complete, employees can exit the west side of the parking garage heading north or south. The City of Oklahoma City plans to install a street light just south of Park Avenue on Hudson to help alleviate traffic concerns for those crossing two lanes of traffic to turn south onto Hudson.

“We’re working with the city to install the street light on Hudson, providing them as much detail as possible, down to timing the red light to ensure the most safety for our employees who exit the west side of the garage,” Fetz said.

Fetz said the current two-way direction of the garage has been successful. Once the street light is installed, the flow of the parking garage will be re-evaluated. Parking spaces also will be restriped with reflective paint.

The garage was updated last year with white ceilings and new lighting to make the space brighter and to improve safety.

Lighting, window washing work ahead

Employees also have commented about the tower lighting that appears sporadic or unlit in some areas.

“The timing has to be just right for us to complete the LED light strips,” Fetz said. “For our contractors to work on the outside of the building the wind must be below 25 mph, and that rarely happens in Oklahoma.”

The same is true for window washing. According to Fetz, the rig used for window washing is the same used for making repairs to the exterior of the building, and until that list of items is complete, the building windows are not as clean today as they will be in the future.

“When we complete all of the work outside the building that is currently using the rig, we will clean the building twice a year,” said Fetz.

Fetz said that though the building itself is finished, there is much work left to do.

“We’ve built an extraordinary facility for all of Oklahoma City to enjoy, and we should be proud, but there will always be work to do, repairs to be made. It’s a never-ending process.”

[Anonymous.]

They sure made the LEDs a priority for the cut-short playoffs...

[Pete]

Here is the plan for the Devon Medical Clinic on the 2nd floor of Corporate Tower.

Note that there are full locker rooms and what looks to be additional workout space to complement The Well health center located on the east side of their parking garage:

[HangryHippo]

Well, there goes one mystery tower. I wonder what this means for the Preftakes block? Perhaps he really is just squatting on that block.

[Pete]

I had heard from several reliable inside sources that Devon management had been openly discussing a new tower. This was about six months ago.

I suspect that has been placed on hold. If you read this carefully, it merely says "we have no current plans".

They are, however, having to lease space outside their complex to accommodate all their needs... And this after only opening their new HQ last fall.

[G.Walker]

With that being said:

Devon, Boeing earn state incentives for plans to bring up to 1,817 jobs to state | News OK

[metro]

I think this is more a PR move than anything. Notice how they say "current" or "short-term" a lot. They know the other tower from Continental or the Midstream Partnership, and they don't want to steal the thunder from that more than likely, as they are probably not looking for an announcement on a 2nd Devon facility in at least 6 months. That's my bet.

[Pete]

The state has cleared Devon to collect up to $66.8 million in tax rebates to create up to 989 new jobs over the next 10 years.

Currently, Devon has about 2,500 employees in OKC so this would be a lot of growth for them.

[Just the facts]

I think this is more a PR move than anything. Notice how they say "current" or "short-term" a lot. They know the other tower from Continental or the Midstream Partnership, and they don't want to steal the thunder from that more than likely, as they are probably not looking for an announcement on a 2nd Devon facility in at least 6 months. That's my bet.

In addition, Devon has leased space in Corporate Tower that is being used for special projects and could be used for transition space.

Transition to what and from what?

[metro]

Exactly my points. Devon is a LONG-TERM thinking company. Dodging rumors with short term responses doesn't quash long-term needs and rumors of additional space, even if it is just for vendors and/or medical space.

[Pete]

This is probably aimed at shareholders as well, particularly in light of the recent Chesapeake and SandRidge developments where there have been total revolts due to overspending and a lot of light shined on real estate development.

I'm sure they want to assure everyone (including employees) that they are not that type of company, they are happy with the fantastic facilities they have built and thus will hold off any new construction for a while.

But ironically, they ARE spending money, just on build-outs and rent on buildings they don't own. They probably don't want to face any criticism for more conspicuous development due to the current backlash being shown against energy companies perceived as reckless in their spending.

[Just the facts]

Let add this to the fire....

Devon is not building a new tower in Oklahoma City — or anywhere else

What about an FNC rehab or a subsidiary building a new tower?

[Pete]

^

It's not Devon's style to play word games.

They wouldn't come out with this if they weren't planning to stand down for a while.

There will be a time where they will need to build again, but I'm sure they want to digest what they've already done before running off towards yet another highly-visible project.



Also, to build again so soon would reflect badly on their planning and general management.

[Just the facts]

^

It's not Devon's style to play word games.

They wouldn't come out with this if they weren't planning to stand down for a while.

There will be a time where they will need to build again, but I'm sure they want to digest what they've already done before running off towards yet another highly-visible project.



Also, to build again so soon would reflect badly on their planning and general management.

So maybe they were planning something behind closed doors that was leaked and it was put on hold/canceled and this is the only public 'announcement' warranted.

[Pete]

They were definitely planning something and I have no doubt they are the ones behind all the Preftakes block purchases, so obviously they have much bigger plans.

I really think they are trying to distance themselves from any comparisons to SandRidge and Chesapeake, especially their lavish and over-the-top spending on real estate.

Devon is saying, "We are lucky to have what we have and are completely satisfied."


Yet, they ARE expanding, just in a much more low-profile way.

If they have all the space they need, why lease almost a full floor in Corporate Tower (where they already lease other space) and then invest at least $1.5 million to build out a medical clinic?

[hoya]

I would expect they won't announce anything for at least 5 years. That doesn't mean they aren't planning something. If they continue to grow and add more employees, and they end up leasing out a lot of office space all over the place like they did before the new tower, then maybe we'll see them build again. But at the moment, sitting tight and riding out the Chesapeake/Sandridge fallout might be the best move. Devon is nothing if not cautious.