New Devon World Headquarters tower located in Downtown OKC on the southern edge of the CBD. The tower will ultimately reach a final height of 850 feet (282 m), and will amass over 1,800,000 square feet. It is estimated at $750,000,000 and is designed by Pickard Chilton Architects.

The tower will become the tallest in Oklahoma (current tallest: 607 ft), and in OKC (current tallest: 500 ft). Construction began October 6, 2009 and will be completed in 2012.

looks quite promising. great height too

More renderings. I'll also point out that at 925', this will be taller than Dallas' tallest, Bank of America Plaza.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_06_skyline.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_02_rotundaentrance.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_05_insiderotunda.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_03_generallayout.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_01_rotundaentrances.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_07_interiorlobbys.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_08_diningcourts.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_09_southwestcornerparks.jpg

Very, very nice. I wanna see more night shots with the skyline.

WOW, such a great design!

Congratulations.

this is an amazing thing to be built in the heart of america

Nice design!!!! ^^
:cheers:

whats the statues?

My Lord! over and above my wildest expectations. I would have been mightely impressed by 700 feet.

I like it :) Very nice and classic.

WOOOOW! OKC definently could use this! Will be the greatest modern tower in Oklahoma. Looks amazing! Tall as hell for OKC. congrats OKC :okay:

courtesy of Doug L. (who has the OKC press kit)

Congrats to OKC!

:banana:

Downtown Skyline
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_06_skyline.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/devon_8-20_2008_01s.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_06_skyline.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_02_rotundaentrance.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_05_insiderotunda.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_03_generallayout.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_01_rotundaentrances.jpg



Interior Lobby
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_07_interiorlobby.jpg


Dining Court

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_08_diningcourts.jpg

Park at Southwest Corner

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_09_southwestcornerparks.jpg

Site Designs

lots of water integrated
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_10_siteplanbuildingview.jpg

Cross-section view

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_11_towrcrosssection.jpg

South Elevation
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_11_towrcrosssections.jpg

Isn't their going to be a significant retail component ?

There's going to be retail, but I don't think I would call it significant. Not in a Time Warner Center sense. That kind of retail is "vision" for south of the Myriad Gardens fronting the new Boulevard that will replace I-40.

Can't say I'm not jealous by this. This is awesome for OKC!

Devon Energy (a company that most in OKC had no awareness of 7-8 years ago) has 1700 employees currently spread over downtown in 5 different buildings. This will consolidate them and allow for growth up to 3000 employees, which they expect to have by 2012 or soon after. They will be the sole tenant.

It includes a 10 story garage, meeting space, a six-story glass rotunda connecting it all, first-floor retail, and a park outside.

The rotunda is designed to fall right on the "Harvey Axis", a line that is being used as a focal point for redevelopment of a massive blighted area south of downtown. It will connect the OKC National Memorial to the Devon HQ, the Myriad Botanical Gardens, a new iconic central park, and the Oklahoma River on the south end.

Any retail spaces at the podium, like a mall? I'm hoping they include a high-end mall at the podium just like the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. That way, it will draw more crowds.

Looks great! Something like this is what the Oklahoma skyline need.

Any retail spaces at the podium, like a mall? I'm hoping they include a high-end mall at the podium just like the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. That way, it will draw more crowds.

There will be retail on the first two levels of the "podium".

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D92M6OP00.htm


Devon plans 925-foot skyscraper in Oklahoma City


Devon Energy Corp. will build a new headquarters in downtown Oklahoma City that includes a 54-story, 925-foot tall skyscraper that will be the tallest building in Oklahoma and cost upward of $750 million.

CEO Larry Nichols said the building, set to be completed in 2012, will house more than 2,200 employees initially with annual payroll of $265 million. Devon employees are now located in five buildings in the city.

Mayor Mick Cornett said it was by far the largest private construction project ever undertaken in Oklahoma City.

Nichols said Devon is growing, with over 40,000 natural gas and oil wells still to be drilled "and we're building on that everyday." Officials believe 3,000 employees will eventually work in the new building.

The company bills itself as the largest U.S.-based oil and gas producer and is 221st on the latest Fortune 500 list with $12.1 billion in revenue.

The skyscraper will eclipse the 52-story Bank of Oklahoma Tower in Tulsa. Oklahoma City's tallest building is now the 36-story Chase Tower.

Nichols said the project shows the company's commitment to the city, and the complex is being designed to blend in with the city's existing architecture and now overpower it.

As to the future of Devon, Nichols said every large company he is aware of being sold either had problems or wanted to be sold.

"I can assure you we have no problems and we don't want to be bought," he said.

Adjacent to the 1.9 million square-foot building will be a glass rotunda that will be 100 feet tall and 100 feet in diameter, where employees will enter the building. Nearby will be a large conference center and park area.

The project is being managed by Hines, which has offices in 16 countries, and Pickard Chilton is the lead architect. Other companies involved in the development include Glensler, Kendall Heaton Associates and Cushman Wakefield Co.

Jon Pickard, one of the founders of Pickard Chilton, said the skyscraper will be illuminated and a large urban park nearby will include fountains, a green space, a pavilion and a reflective pool.

He said the six-level glass "knuckle," or rotunda, is the heart of the project's design, which he said is an attempt to "create a beacon" in the center of the city.

The peak construction work force for the project is estimated at 500 employees. The project received unanimous approval of the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority.

"I think today we are seeing what in the future will be the heart of our city. This is a magnificent, magnificent building," said Stanton Young, chairman of the authority

According to a database compiled by the Chicago-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat the proposed tower would be the 20th tallest building in the United States as of today. The only cities with taller buildings would be Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Houston, Philadelphia, Cleveland and Seattle.

It would also be the 54th tallest building in the world. However, dozens of taller buildings have been proposed and not yet built.

Officials said the Devon project will generate revenue to help develop the 17-acre Myriad Gardens area across the street.

Cornett said it will anchor the Core to Shore plan, referring to development of an area south of downtown to the Oklahoma River which is expected to pick up after Interstate 40 is moved south of its current location.

More renderings. I'll also point out that at 925', this will be taller than Dallas' tallest, Bank of America Plaza.

by 5 feet, whopped dee doo, i didnt know there was a Dallas v Oklahoma City contest going on for tallest building in the Midwest. (Houston still beats both)

I would like to see it built but wont be surprised if it isn't built.

gotta love the Express Elevators, straight to the top floors from the lower level. for the big shots! lol.

Oh, it will be built - Devon can pay CASH and still have billions left over. This isn't like the 1980's when OKC took a big hit due to the SnL situation. And natural gas is not the same as OIL - there's tons of it, and Devon controls MOST of it in the world.

Naaah, Im very confident this one will get built - of all the skyscraper proposals of today, this one is for sure!

I wouldn't be surprised if it's a little taller (might as well break the 1,000 foot mark, it's only 75 feet - send those 3 top curtain walls up 75 more feet) - that for penis envy; then it's a supertall! lol.

As for Dallas - we all still love Dallas and it will always be the big D; but there were a LOT and I mean a LOT of corporate relocations from OKC to Dallas (and Houston) over the past 25 years (last one was 2005, long time OKC corporate citizen Kerr McGee to Houston). I think the 'point' about being taller than Dallas - was meant moreso for reference than anything, since many OKC residents had envy of Dallas getting everything.

Given OKC's renaissance of the past 15 years and the next 5 (which will surmount all that haapened in the 15); I would not be surprised at all if those relocations came back, and more. It was said, OKC is where Dallas was in the early 1980s, I can totally see that - you could too if you visit.

Perhaps OKC wont be as big as Dallas in the future, but it will forever be MUCH BETTER than what I grew up with and definitely should be a solid Tier II city (if you've seen/heard about all of the plans) - that's for sure.

I wish they could fast track this one, and start construction end of 2008 (or at least spring 2008). Like I said, Devon has the cash - and unanimous OKC approval! Get er dun!

i didn't know we could do spring of 2008 again.

i didn't know we could do spring of 2008 again.

You're hating this, aren't you ?

My gosh! That's gorgeous! Congratulations OKC!

Those of us in Baltimore are so jealous we could spit! :lol:

You're hating this, aren't you ?

Im not jealous, its just kind of like "Hey Dallas, we are going to have a bigger tower then you!" and those of us in Dallas are like........."and your point? Chicago, New York, Houston, Atlanta, Las Angeles, Cleveland, Philadelphia and Seattle all have bigger towers. So what was that 'Taller then anything in Dallas' comment about?"

I mean, Good for Oklahoma City, its a great thing for a growing city, and can help to develop it to a recognizable skyline for the new NBA team on night shots. I would like to see it get built but hold back on the cockyness.

this is an outstanding office tower, and i'm sure it will get built, (big oil has ALOT of cash these days......!!!) not withstanding though, this looks like a great development for downtown Oklahoma City..!

The tower is just wonderful, sharp and elegant, a great signiture skyscraper....

Im not jealous, its just kind of like "Hey Dallas, we are going to have a bigger tower then you!" and those of us in Dallas are like........."and your point? Chicago, New York, Houston, Atlanta, Las Angeles, Cleveland, Philadelphia and Seattle all have bigger towers. So what was that 'Taller then anything in Dallas' comment about?"

I mean, Good for Oklahoma City, its a great thing for a growing city, and can help to develop it to a recognizable skyline for the new NBA team on night shots. I would like to see it get built but hold back on the cockyness.

You're one to talk.

Im not jealous, its just kind of like "Hey Dallas, we are going to have a bigger tower then you!" and those of us in Dallas are like........."and your point? Chicago, New York, Houston, Atlanta, Las Angeles, Cleveland, Philadelphia and Seattle all have bigger towers. So what was that 'Taller then anything in Dallas' comment about?"

I mean, Good for Oklahoma City, its a great thing for a growing city, and can help to develop it to a recognizable skyline for the new NBA team on night shots. I would like to see it get built but hold back on the cockyness.

Taller than anything in Dallas? Dallas is our regional Tier 1 city, and it's in a metro 6-7 times the size of ours. Dallas is the place OKC people go when they want to hit the big town. So it's kind of an interesting fact that it's taller than anything in Dallas. For us little OKC people. That's all. We've been starstruck by Dallas for decades, and now we are shellshocked to see that we are going to get something in our city that's on par with something we might expect from Dallas. So is it so much cockiness? I dont think... I mean, we know that we aren't a city on the level of Dallas or Seattle or Chicago- but we are about to have a building that is. It's neat.

OOps, I meant spring 2009.

Honestly, knowing Larry Nichols (like I know him .... ,but still)

considering his 'public' track record - I would n't be surprised if we see construction much sooner than his predicted '3rd quarter 2009'. He ALWAYS downplays things so that people dont over react or get things blown out. Just like this tower - he pre-announced it at least two years ago, that he wanted to build a new skyscraper downtown. But he said, the time wasn't right, but he will do it. He also said, he wasn't concerned about height or being the tallest. Then, months ago, he said it would be iconic but he wasn't concerned about height - and that he didn't want to rush construction in consideration for downtown (he doesn't want to dump a whole bunch of office space on downtown OKC if it isn't ready to absorb it).

He really cares about OKC - I can see, if building owners market their space that Devon is currently in well; it wouldn't be long to get that absorbed (esp since it is at least 3 year horizon b4 Devon would vacate).

Like I say - Nichols downplays very exciting news. He's up to something, especially considering the unanimous city approval and he has the cash!

Im not jealous, its just kind of like "Hey Dallas, we are going to have a bigger tower then you!" and those of us in Dallas are like........."and your point? Chicago, New York, Houston, Atlanta, Las Angeles, Cleveland, Philadelphia and Seattle all have bigger towers. So what was that 'Taller then anything in Dallas' comment about?"

I mean, Good for Oklahoma City, its a great thing for a growing city, and can help to develop it to a recognizable skyline for the new NBA team on night shots. I would like to see it get built but hold back on the cockyness.

I agree B-T.

I just think many in OKC have had to put up with so much sh*t from Dallas over the years that they're a little excited that the tower will be taller than anything in the big D. You have to admit, Dallas has had the BEST of OKC for many years ------, lots of companies and residents moving to dallas from OKC since the 70's. And Dallas depends(ed) on OKC so much - so much so that OKC is more or less a exurb in many ways, an extended market for Dallas.

Now to have something of their own - a sense of pride. I think that's all it is. Dallas will still be the Big D - just like you said, many cities have taller buildings than Dallas but Dallas is still better than most cities (save Chicago, NY, LA, and SF IMO and Im sure most would agree).

Let OKC have their fun, dont take too personal - I think they deserve a moment of spotlight.

That said, honestly

Is Dallas on the same level as Chicago? I agree, it is on the same level as Seattle; but Seattle isnt on the same level as Chicago.

New York, Chicago and LA (and SF), those are the only Tier I World Class cities in every aspect. I think SF is borderline, but probably is in most aspects.

Dallas is a top Tier II city, probably on the top of Tier II - with Philly, DC, Boston, and Miami (maybe these 5 are at the low end of Tier I but I definitely would not put them at the same level of NY, Chicago, etc on ANY ranking). Then comes Atlanta, Houston, and Seattle - strong Tier II cities. Then Denver, MSP, Detroit, Baltimore, Phoenix, STL. Then would come Indy, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Cincy, KC .... OKC being at the very end of Tier II I'd say.

Nothing against Dallas or Seattle (I live here), but honestly - we aren;t at the same level as chicago and NY. By any measure! But for sure, Dallas is WAY ahead of OKC, no argument - everyone knows that. Shoot, Dallas is ahead of Seattle, if we didn't have the water and mountains - we wouldn't even be ranked so highly (especially given our politicians......)

Amazing design. Very nice!

Wow I am speachless. Had to log in just for this. This height and this this location...what a pleasant surprise. And from my new favorite architecture firm too. Congrats!

More renderings. I'll also point out that at 925', this will be taller than Dallas' tallest, Bank of America Plaza.


Really? Now THAT is impressive!! Congrats about that too to having a chance at having the tallest tower in that region. Thats Hard to believe! good for OKC :cheers: This puts so many cities in shame

Color me impressed. We don't get many of these in the heartland.

Why is any time OKC gets something like a new NBA team or a new thousand-footer or a top ranking on Forbes or anything so controversial?

I'd really like to know why people on this forum get pissed anytime more great news comes out of OKC.

Great for OKC and I really see this happening. Now we have to wait until 2009, keep this thread updated with updates!

Kind of surprising. Haven't seen much of anything this scale even proposed in this region for years. A beauty, too.

Truly amazing tower. Haven't see such a simple and clear design since the Comcast tower in Philly. Congratulations to the architect.

CONCRATS OKC! Beautiful tower. Hope it gets built. Wish Indy could get a new tallest, but that's probably not gonna happen for a long time.

:pepper::carrot::cucumber::banana:Yeah OKC! glad to see our petro $$$ staying in the USA instead of always going to Dubai Skyscrapers.

:pepper::carrot::cucumber::banana:Yeah OKC! glad to see our petro $$$ staying in the USA instead of always going to Dubai Skyscrapers.

:lol: :nuts: :cheers:

Totally agreed.

This is an opportunity for them that can't be passed up!!!!

This should be App instead of Pro.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The sluggish economy will not slow Devon Energy's plans to erect its 54-story corporate headquarters in downtown Oklahoma City.

Devon's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Larry Nichols says work continues on the $750 million project, which would be the tallest building in Oklahoma.

Nichols says the company is working on final plans and getting approval for those now. It intends to start building the tower about a year from now.

Devon employees are now located in five buildings in the city.

Seems like they keep moving the start date back though.

^^ be happy for what you get

I love it! :okay: So Simple and Clean. :D

Seems like they keep moving the start date back though.

Yea, at first it was to be started in spring of 09. Now it looks like it'll be fall of 09. I wish they would just get started..

Push backs. First sign that a building wont be built.

Push backs. First sign that a building is a building.

I have rarely seen any building in the US over the last 30 years that didn't have some sort of delay. Timetables are to sell space, not to actually give an estimate of when someone actually thinks things will get started.

Push backs. First sign that a building wont be built.

Try reading the article backup posted above. This is an oil company, Devon will pay for this up front in cash.

Hey, i live in Dallas, we have 2 projects that have been delayed by 4 years. Its a death note in these economic times. Tisc. Was a beautiful design.

Hey, i live in Dallas, we have 2 projects that have been delayed by 4 years. Its a death note in these economic times. Tisc. Was a beautiful design.

Let's be fair though. Just because Dallas can't get it up doesn't mean that other cities can't.

you think its wise to pay up front for a building in cash? especially one this tell, and in this market? Not even Trump does that and he builds towers Everywhere.

Dallas already has its up, and its green. where is yours?

Im sorry, im sorry, did i just get drawn into a sex battle?

wow, i walked right into that one.

I would like to see this built. But i dont think we will see it in the next few years,

Things just get better and better for OKC:lol: First an NBA franchise and now a great tower. Love the design, its a real skyline definer.

Arist what are you talking about? Now you're just babbling on about something, I can't quite tell.

My point was, don't say it won't get built. Plenty of buildings get delayed. Do I think it's wise to pay in cash? Well Idk about those kind of things, point was they have plenty of cash to do it, don't worry. This is an oil company.

It almost sounds like your jealous. But I can't blame you, of all the cities in the Midwest and we'll have probably one of the most magnificent towers to ever be looked upon in this region.

you think its wise to pay up front for a building in cash? especially one this tell, and in this market? Not even Trump does that and he builds towers Everywhere.

Dallas already has its up, and its green. where is yours?

he wasnt saying literally in cash stupid sh*t, he was saying they already have the money and are ready to pay up front, what kind of stupid company would get hundreds of millions of dollars in cash to pay for a building?, you are an idiot:bash::bash::bash::bash::ohno::ohno::ohno:

^^ Why thank you backupcoolm3n, you nailed it.

^^ why thank you lol
that guy is just an idiot, and doesnt even make any sense
cant wait for this to be built btw

According to the people I talk too this thing is far from a go, at least not at its current size. A delay this early in the project is a very telling sign, and with the movement away from oil gaining a lot of steam Devon is reevaluating its future needs for office space.

As far as paying for the building upfront, a lot of large companies can do that. They just dont because its stupid. Paying close to a billion dollars upfront could be financial suicide for a company as small as Devon, that money is much better off being spent elsewhere and on the things a company knows best. In this case that is obviously not building skyscrapers.

THERE'S NO DELAY!! I don't know where anyone is getting that.

Yea, at first it was to be started in spring of 09. Now it looks like it'll be fall of 09. I wish they would just get started..

It was always expected to start construction in Q3 of 2009...

Push backs. First sign that a building wont be built.

There's been no pushing.


And Devon is not an oil company, it's an energy company. It's assets are evenly divided between oil and natural gas and they have no allegiance to traditional energy sources. We aren't going to be moving away from oil and natural gas anytime soon, and even as we do, Devon will adapt.

This should be changed to "Apr".

Its ok. Most of these people are just mindless migots that don't know a thing about OKC. A lot of them seem to think that we have a bad economy? Uhhh, news flash! Oklahoma City has one of the strongest economies in the U.S. I know the national economy still effects us, but its not slowing down this tower.

And what is this delay we're hearing about? IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN PLANNED FOR A THIRD QUARTER 2009 GROUNDBREAKING! Where is this April stuff coming from? There's no delay, what the hell are you guys talking about. Especially some of you that should know better.

Lol. I just saw J Brown's post. I put the exact same thing.

According to the people I talk too this thing is far from a go, at least not at its current size. A delay this early in the project is a very telling sign, and with the movement away from oil gaining a lot of steam Devon is reevaluating its future needs for office space.

As far as paying for the building upfront, a lot of large companies can do that. They just dont because its stupid. Paying close to a billion dollars upfront could be financial suicide for a company as small as Devon, that money is much better off being spent elsewhere and on the things a company knows best. In this case that is obviously not building skyscrapers.

You seem to be campaigning against this project.

Is Devon Going to fill the entire building?

Yes, but not immediately.

When they move in they will occupy almost all of the building, but they're going to have extra space for future growth which is smart because you don't want to move into a building and then immediately grow out of it.

It is a privately owned building so yeah, its theirs and only theirs.

They will be the only tenant. The building is being designed to meet their projected growth for 4 years from now. The tower portion of the project will be secure and thus not really work for leasing out to other tenants, even if they have some available space for the first few years.

Ok, so it was always planned for 3rd quarter, but I thought when they announced the plans back in the Spring, they said it would be a year before construction would start. Now it's Fall and they're saying construction will start in a year. So delay or no? According to classof and jbrown there is no delay, so let's clear that up.

And for the last time, no one said anything about it being smart or stupid to pay up front. My point was is that Devon has plenty of money to fund this project, there's no need to worry about funds, since they are an oil, excuse me, energy company.

And yes Devon will eventually fill the entire building. I think right after completion they are going to move in 1,000 or more employees, is that right jbrown and classof? And the building is fit to hold 3,000 or 4,000 of their employees. Something like that, I forget all the details

Ok, so it was always planned for 3rd quarter, but I thought when they announced the plans back in the Spring, they said it would be a year before construction would start. Now it's Fall and they're saying construction will start in a year. So delay or no? According to classof and jbrown there is no delay, so let's clear that up.

The "one year from now" thing was said when they revealed the tower plans just a couple months ago. So no delay.

They announced plans in August and a year from that would be Quarter 3, 2009. We knew nothing but speculation of a tower in spring of this year. We found out that a skyscraper was being planned in late spring/early summer. But we knew no details of when it would break ground until August 21st.

Gosh dangit Jbrown.

Well, there was an announcement about 9 months ago that they were going to build on that site, but it wasn't until around August 20 that they revealed the rendering, height, square footage, site plan, and begin construction date.

Ok, I was confused. I thought they released the renderings in the Spring. Ok my bad everyone. Dang it's only been that long?

wow, this is a very impressive tower, the entrance also looks top class. :okay:

Yes it is very unique I think. I forget the specs already but I think it'll either be 5 or 10 stories tall. All the specs should be on the fornt page somewhere. But yea it's a very nice atrium and goes wonderful with the tower.

this will change the city skyline for good.

this tower looks so good but i really wish it wasn't going to stick out of the okc skyline like a sore thumb....but with okc seemingly booming lately im hoping that there will be support towers built around it before too long

Most of the people outside of OKC see that it will look awkward, at least imo, but the people of OKC are hopeful and use Charlotte as a reference and their Bank of America tower I think it's called. We're hoping that some residential or a hotel will propose something taller than 500 feet that will help blend it in.

moved post

WTF this is approved not proposed

More information continues to come out about the Devon Tower site. We now know the site will include an auditorium, retail space on the ground levels, a connecting structure to the neighboring boutique hotel the Colcord, and a fully public rotunda that will be the main entry to the entire facility.

Current Construction Timeline

Early 2009 - Parking facility construction begins
Spring/Summer 2009 - Site prep begins
November 2009 - Foundation complete
Late 2010 - Parking facility complete
Early 2013 - Full completion of site

-----

The site for the project is located on the surface parking lot adjacent and to the right of the large public greenspace at the center of this photo:

http://photos.newsok.com/2/showimage/518412/lead620/

In an 93 page report that included all of the schematics, I only found one new rendering, which shows the curtain-wall parking garage and the tower in the background:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v321/eyeblink/devon.jpg

-------

Panel OKs Devon plan for building
BY STEVE LACKMEYER
Published: November 21, 2008


Inspired by the success of the New York Times’ new Manhattan headquarters, architects designing a world headquarters for Devon Energy are proposing to construct an auditorium at the corner of Hudson and Sheridan avenues.

The auditorium is one of several new details revealed Thursday as Devon Energy successfully presented its plans for approval by the Downtown Design Review Committee.

Weather considered
Architect John Pickard said designers have met challenges designing retail spaces along the ground floor of the "podium” building that will be just west of the 54-story tower and rotunda.

They want to open the spaces to the park, but also must contend with Oklahoma’s changing weather.

Their answer was to create rooms with French doors that could open up into the adjoining gardens and pavilions, designed to be open during fair weather and enclosed with glass during extreme conditions.

Pickard said the rotunda is designed to not just be a dramatic space — but a space that will be filled with people.

He said garage connections are designed to force all of Devon’s work force, as well as the public to enter through the rotunda.

Similar changes are being planned for the neighboring Colcord Hotel, which Devon bought in August.

‘Very urban thing’
Committee members praised the plans, but urged Devon Energy to consider adding a retail level on the first floor of a garage extension to face Hudson Avenue.

Member James Loftis noted the Devon project meets the city’s desires for urban architecture downtown compared with a "suburban” style building approved by the committee in September.

"This is a very urban thing — it goes far beyond anything I thought we’d see in our lifetimes,” Loftis said.

He also praised Devon Energy for placing the public rotunda instead of the tower in the center of the block.

"It’s phenomenal — I can’t wait,” member Richard Tanenbaum said.

"Why don’t you start construction now?”



------------


Devon plans auditorium at world headquarters
by Kelley Chambers
The Journal Record November 21, 2008

OKLAHOMA CITY – Devon Energy Corp. is tweaking and refining its plans for a world headquarters now set for completion in 2013.

Initial plans released by the company in March called for several structures on a piece of Urban Renewal land.

In August Larry Nichols, CEO of Devon, unveiled plans for a 54-story skyscraper, an additional 400,000-square-foot office building connected to the tower by a glass rotunda, and park space on the southwest side of the site.

One new addition presented to the Downtown Design Review Committee on Thursday included an auditorium nestled in the park space at the corner of Hudson and Sheridan avenues.

Jon Pickard, principal with the architecture firm Pickard Chilton, said the auditorium will be similar to the Times Center, a 378-seat auditorium built by the New York Times in Manhattan.

The Devon auditorium will likely seat about 250.

Pickard called the auditorium the “jewel of the park,” and said the company wants it to be available for community use.

“As we developed the design and we started to better analyze the needs of Devon for meeting facilities it seemed to be that an auditorium would help support the Devon corporate mission,” he said.

“It was always there as a thought, we just hadn’t developed it.”
Pickard said the auditorium is still a concept at this point and the exact size and cost have not been determined.

The second floor of the office building, dubbed The Podium, will also be a conference center.

Plans for parking were also discussed.

John Wood, vice president with Hines, and project officer for the Devon site, said plans are in the works for Devon to acquire the west side of the City Center Garage and add five floors exclusively for the company’s use.

Wood said the company would like to start work on expanding the garage upwards, and to the west toward Hudson Avenue, in the first quarter of 2009 and it should take 21 months to complete.

Plans for the tower call for demo work on the site beginning next year and the foundation for the tower could be in the ground by November.

The current timeline for the project calls for completion in early to mid-2013.

WTF this is approved not proposed

We'll ask them to move it to the regular forum when they actually start construction I think.

That's a great tower. Nice addition.

I can't see a project of this magnitude even starting before the end of the financial crisis (Mid 2010).

I love it. The atrium looks so elegant :okay:

I can't see a project of this magnitude even starting before the end of the financial crisis (Mid 2010).

this is rumored to have a different way of paying for then the usual means.

^ It's called already having lots of money.

Devon one of Fortune's Top 10 Stocks for 2009.

Its about time we stopped taking buildings as long as a highway for granted, yes i mean Dubai

I love Dubai but i also love buildings that make a city a totally different place

This is great it is like my city of Liverpool getting a 925ft tower were our current tallest is 440ft, so i can imagine how those of OKC feel

The atrium is superb the way when you look upward it frames the tower. This is the sort of stuff we are tought at university, finally i can see some meaning behind a tower, not just throw it up because you can!

yeah, this one is definitely going to happen. Devon has billions of dollars IN CASH on hand, record profits for the last several years. If you look at market capitalization, Devon looks better than all three automakers, most of the major airlines, and many 'heritage' US companies - COMBINED!

Devon definitely IS the #1 Independent Petroleum company in the US. To give you an idea, Devon made $2.6B in After Tax PROFIT for 3rd Quarter 2008 ALONE!!!!!!! :nuts:

Since they are NOT financing their new skyscraper (ie, they're paying cash) - it WILL happen. All approvals are in - site prep in 4 months (or sooner if the winter isn't going to be bad).

yeah, this one is definitely going to happen. Devon has billions of dollars IN CASH on hand, record profits for the last several years. If you look at market capitalization, Devon looks better than all three automakers, most of the major airlines, and many 'heritage' US companies - COMBINED!

Devon definitely IS the #1 Independent Petroleum company in the US. To give you an idea, Devon made $2.6B in After Tax PROFIT for 3rd Quarter 2008 ALONE!!!!!!! :nuts:

Since they are NOT financing their new skyscraper (ie, they're paying cash) - it WILL happen. All approvals are in - site prep in 4 months (or sooner if the winter isn't going to be bad).

:applause:

.... Since they are NOT financing their new skyscraper (ie, they're paying cash) - it WILL happen. All approvals are in - site prep in 4 months (or sooner if the winter isn't going to be bad).

:omg: Someone in America's, actually, paying for THEIR OWN project? :shocked: I can't believe it. :ohno: This isn't the American way!

^^ And it's American oil money, not that Dubai crap.

Very nice...OK City is a great place...been there a few times and loved it. Our tallest tower sits at 902' so you guys will have us beat by 23'. Love the design....rock on OKC!

Very nice...OK City is a great place...been there a few times and loved it. Our tallest tower sits at 902' so you guys will have us beat by 23'. Love the design....rock on OKC!

I thought it was 921? Anyway thanks for the comments. The design is really new here and hopefully it will trigger a new modern high rise boom.

WOW, I love it, my heart's racing.... I LOVE the scale model, an I LOVE the archiectural drawing, CAN WE SEE MORE OF THIS ON THE SITE, PLEASE........

I thought it was 921? Anyway thanks for the comments. The design is really new here and hopefully it will trigger a new modern high rise boom.

Ah...my memory fades as I get old...you are correct. I hope so too. I really like OKC and this scraper would look fantastic on the skyline.

That's a WOW!

hmmm how about reversing its rooftop: :)

courtesy of Doug L. (who has the OKC press kit)

Congrats to OKC!

:banana:

Downtown Skyline
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_06_skyline.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/devon_8-20_2008_01s.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_06_skyline.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_02_rotundaentrance.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_05_insiderotunda.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_03_generallayout.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_01_rotundaentrances.jpg



Interior Lobby
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_07_interiorlobby.jpg


Dining Court

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_08_diningcourts.jpg

Park at Southwest Corner

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_09_southwestcornerparks.jpg

Site Designs

lots of water integrated
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_10_siteplanbuildingview.jpg

Cross-section view

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_11_towrcrosssection.jpg

South Elevation
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_11_towrcrosssections.jpg

I'm honestly a bid envious but still hope for the best. I kind of wish Tulsa could something as high and modern, our skyline has been stuck in the 70's for far too long. The stadium recently built is cool of course but it's not something you see from far away.

^^ Tulsa's infill is kind of a different character. Lots of loft and rowhouse developments going on particularly in the Cherry Street area over the last 4 years or so. For OKC, historic renovations and new loft construction, in addition to all the new public facilities downtown, have been going on at a strong clip for nearly a decade. So Tulsa is just chronologically behind OKC- maybe give them five more years- as more people start going to the BOK Center and not being afraid of downtown the city will be in a much more exciting place!

I've not heard any new news on Devon, but the CEO of the company Larry Nichols recently did an interview about the tower with News 9:

http://www.news9.com/Global/category.asp?C=116601&autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=3314521

Tulsa was a tad overbuilt. Of course if we get some more significant developments going on around the BOk Center we may in the future see a residential mid rise or hotel. But don't count on it too soon. The only thing that has any steam, hardly, is a new downtown hotel by the BOk Center. And we've all seen how that has gone.

So Q3 2008 was a $2.6 billion profit, Q4 2008 is a $6.8 billion loss. Devon says the loss is a product of an accounting rule that will no longer be in effect for 2009. Most importantly, the loss will NOT alter plans for the Devon Tower.

-------

Devon Energy reports record loss
BY RANDY ELLIS
newsok.com

Published: February 4, 2009

Oklahoma City-based Devon Energy Corp. today reported a record $6.8 billion loss for the fourth quarter of 2008 — a sudden turn of events since the company reported a record $2.6 billion profit the previous quarter.

The $6.8 billion quarterly loss amounted to $15.42 per common share. For the year, Devon lost $2.1billion, or $4.85 a share. That was also a record.

Devon stock was trading down more than 5 percent in mid-morning trading as financial results did not meet analysts expectations.

The dramatic reversal at Devon is not the result of any major change in the way the company does business, said Vince White, Devon's senior vice president of investor relations. Instead, he said it is a reflection of oil prices that plunged from about $140 a barrel in mid-2008 to about $40 a barrel at the end of the year.

Securities and Exchange Commission rules required the company to value its oil and natural gas properties based on oil and gas prices on Dec. 31, resulting in a $7.1 billion non-cash charge, White said.

Accounting rules will change next year so that oil and gas properties will be valued at average prices throughout the year. Had those rules been in effect this year, Devon would not have had a loss, he said.

Despite the fourth quarter loss, Devon remains in good financial shape, White said.

Devon, Oklahoma's largest publicly traded company, has more than $3 billion in cash and unused credit lines and the non-cash charge does not impact the company's cash flow, cash position or access to credit lines, he said.

“It does not change the value of what we own at all,” White said. “It is purely an artifact of accounting.”

J. Larry Nichols, Devon's chairman and chief executive officer, was similarly optimistic about the company's underlying performance last year and its prospects for the future.

“Despite the effects of the sharp fourth-quarter declines in oil and natural gas prices, 2008 was a very successful year for the company,” Nichols said. “Cash flow reached an all-time record of nearly $10 billion. We increased oil and gas production by six percent and drilled 2,441 wells with a 98 percent success rate. In addition, we added 584 million barrels of proved reserves before price revisions at a very attractive cost per barrel.”

White said the loss does not alter Devon's plans to build a new office skyscraper in downtown Oklahoma City.

“We will need this building to accommodate our future growth,” he said.

http://newsok.com/article/3343215

I love it now lets building it in new york just joking or am I. And talk about big cities with a small skyline. You should see columbus ohio 15 largest city in the U.S and our tallest buildings a little over 300 feet now thats sad.

Actually its almost 700 Ft. tall. The Rhodes Office Tower, yeah.

Yeah I remember it 629 feet give or take. I was born in NYC so all the builds look small to me. The icon of the city is art deco style LeVeque Tower built in 1927.

good news shane. Hopefully we'll start to see some significant movement with this building in a month.

They're saying parking garage construction next quarter.

first time i see this project. very elegant design of the tower, would fit in the city :)

This building is ugly and OKC is garbage... LOL just kidding.

This is a beautiful building! I was voted biggest Sonics fan in Seattle by FSN but I haven't let that cloud my perception of your city. It looks like there's a lot going on worth getting excited about in OKC.

btw, here's a blog on my ESPN about the relocation and our 2 fan bases.

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/DA_GLOVE_of_UDUB/blog/posts/70147

oops... double post

This building is ugly and OKC is garbage... LOL just kidding.

This is a beautiful building! I was voted biggest Sonics fan in Seattle by FSN but I haven't let that cloud my perception of your city. It looks like there's a lot going on worth getting excited about in OKC.

btw, here's a blog on my ESPN about the relocation and our 2 fan bases.

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/DA_GLOVE_of_UDUB/blog/posts/70147

Thanks for the love from Seattle... Mostly we just get hated on from you Pac Northwesterners... ;)

Well, from another Pacific Northwesterner, I think this is a gorgeous, elegant design.

It'll be a spectacular crown jewel for Oklahoma City.

Wow, when built, this is a truly landmark for Oklahoma city. Nice design :)

This building is ugly and OKC is garbage... LOL just kidding.

This is a beautiful building! I was voted biggest Sonics fan in Seattle by FSN but I haven't let that cloud my perception of your city. It looks like there's a lot going on worth getting excited about in OKC.

btw, here's a blog on my ESPN about the relocation and our 2 fan bases.

http://sportsnation.espn.go.com/fans/DA_GLOVE_of_UDUB/blog/posts/70147

Get outta here you coffee sipping, book readin' sissy!

Lol, congrats on getting the biggest Sonics fan, quite impressive.

Get outta here you coffee sipping, book readin' sissy!

Lol, congrats on getting the biggest Sonics fan, quite impressive.

Thanks man, it was actually a proud moment for me lol.

The coffee sipping book reading is pretty accurate haha.

So this project is a go? What kind of impact will it have on downtown office space?

What kind of major projects have been proposed for OKC but never made it? It always interests me.

So this project is a go? What kind of impact will it have on downtown office space?

What kind of major projects have been proposed for OKC but never made it? It always interests me.

Pre-construction has already started, preparing a loading dock or something that will be used during the construction of the parking garage- so it's a go.

Currently the downtown occupancy rate is around 75-80%, depending on who you ask. Most people involved with leasing office space say there is hardly any contiguous, Class A office space for expanding/relocating companies. Devon will leave a ton of office space spread over five buildings when they move to their new building (which will NOT have leasable space). There are other companies within the city and reportedly outside of the city who are sort of waiting with baited breath for the large chunks of quality space to become available when Devon moves to its new building.

Your second question interests me too- I always like seeing the past of what was proposed and what never came to be. In OKC, there is actually a pretty long list of things that were cancelled during the oil bust and bank collapses in Oklahoma City in the early 80s.

Here are some of the cancelled buildings from the days when money was flowing in OKC even more than it does today:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/miscbuildings/okc2ndtime_nearskirvin_howardand-1.jpg
(http://dougdawg.blogspot.com)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/miscbuildings/okc2ndtime_myriadhilton_howardan-1.jpg
(http://dougdawg.blogspot.com)

Leadership Square, below, was originally designed to be 60 stories and was broken into two smaller towers.

http://www.priceedwards.com/announcements/tronox/leadership.jpg

Before that, architect I.M. Pei drew up some grand plans for a modern downtown for Urban Renewal. They demolished all of the downtown retail core and hundreds of historic structures including theaters, apartments, and hotels to make room for grand new plans. Only a tiny fraction of the plans were realized, as the oil bust also cut those plans short. But without Pei's demolition derby, the site of the Devon Tower would not be vacant- so we have that dark time to thank for Devon's location.

Pei Plan

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/miscbuildings/okc2ndtime_pei_cocs.jpg
(http://dougdawg.blogspot.com)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/miscbuildings/okc2ndtime_pei_ocuras.jpg
(http://dougdawg.blogspot.com)

So here's hoping that nothing serious happens to Devon and their tower doesn't join the big graveyard here.

I'm pretty sure that Johnson Burgee had a 50 story proposal during the oil boom of the 80's.

Superb!

Some cool towers that didn't get built. Of course that's the case with every city in the world.

Thanks for the love from Seattle... Mostly we just get hated on from you Pac Northwesterners... ;)

Ignore it. All the Sonics issue did was spread ignorance among our cities regarding the other city.

Ignore it. All the Sonics issue did was spread ignorance among our cities regarding the other city.

Precisely.

And Shane answered all your questions. Yes this project is a go and money should not be an issue for Devon. All that is against this tower now is time actually.

If that Devon Headquarters is built, it'll remind us of the Pittsburgh Skyline at the time when the US Steel Tower was first built in 1970. It's more than 100m meters taller than the existing tallest building in Oklahoma City.

I have very mixed emotions about this beauty. As a fellow Oklahoman, i congratulate you. As a Tulsan, I hope it doesn't get completed.

Really like this....classic design but contemporary enough to satisfy future planning......

I have very mixed emotions about this beauty. As a fellow Oklahoman, i congratulate you. As a Tulsan, I hope it doesn't get completed.

It would look much better in Tulsa no? haha.

^^ Actually i think it would! Tulsa has a great skyline as it is. Wouldn't it look great next to Oral Robert's Tower? Haha no. It would seriously look great in Tulsa though! There's some great building spots in Tulsa (parking lots) downtown!

Actually, it probably would look better in Tulsa. It wouldn't stick out of context with the existing skyscrapers as bad; heighth wise. But I think all other sources point towards Oklahoma City.

Of course it would look better in Tulsa. We have more height than bulge like OKC does. What if the cityplex towers and the Devon Tower were in downtown Tulsa? Tulsa would have a crazy skyline.

I love this tower...my kind of architecture.

it will look amazing, and will spark more developments, OKC will fill in the height difference in the upcoming years

one other thing, kinda corny, but everyday i drive by downtown and just try to imagine what its going to look like from every angle. It is so exciting, its funny b/c my girlfriend is tired of hearing about it but we will be driving to a movie downtown and i will say just think in a few years it will look completely different down here! i tell her to take the chase building and put it on top of itself and thats basically the size of building we're looking at.... she doesn't care but i find it so freakin exciting, can't wait for construction to start.... not too long now!!!

Wow, very nice design... ! The atrium impresses a lot !

Devon has already started site prep work on the property. And as world construction prices go down, the likelihood of Devon Tower being built goes up. Devon has already had the cash set aside for the project, and now it looks like it will cost less than they have planned for.

Scrapped skyscrapers benefit Devon
Construction Costs for tower may drop
BY STEVE LACKMEYER
Published: April 3, 2009

Planned skyscraper projects are being scrapped around the world, leaving Devon Energy looking at significant potential cost savings as it proceeds with construction of its 54-story world headquarters.

Klay Kimker, Devon’s corporate services manager, is aware that some local residents worry the economic downturn will claim its tower, as well. But both Kimker and Chief Executive Officer Larry Nichols say the project is still on track.

"We were very hopeful when we started the project that costs might go down,” Kimker said. "There were some indications that some of the pricing was high historically. And obviously any reduction in cost is of benefit to Devon and to the project.”

Devon estimated the tower’s cost at $750 million when project designs were unveiled in August. Kimker said any cost savings won’t be known until after a contractor is hired. Interviews with the top two finalists are ongoing and a choice is expected within weeks.

John Wood, project manager with Hines, the tower developer, thinks speculative skyscraper construction will be a lot less common in the future.

Two years ago, as Devon was preparing to make public its plans for a tower, skyscrapers were being announced across the country in what was a "go-go economy,” Wood said. Lenders, he said, were fueling the construction with aggressive interest rates and terms.

"There has been a fundamental shift in how real estate projects are capitalized,” Wood said. "And there are definitely a lot of people out there who think it’s a permanent shift.”

Wood, however, thinks towers — like the one to be built for Devon Energy — will continue to be built as companies look to modernize their workspaces.

Competition heats up
Just a year ago, Oklahoma contractors were worried about labor shortages and some public works jobs had to be readvertised because of a lack of bids.

That may be changing. Douglas Tapp, executive director of the Oklahoma Association of General Contractors, is already seeing out-of-state companies bidding for local jobs.

"Obviously, there’s not as much work as there was eight months to a year ago,” Tapp said. "We’re still doing OK. Most are feeling fairly comfortable through this year. The problem they (Oklahoma contractors) are running into is there isn’t enough work coming out on the bid board now that will carry them into next year.”

Tapp said the industry is waiting to see how much of the Devon tower project employs local labor. The project, he said, might be timed perfectly with the expected drop in jobs.

"We’re pretty comfortable there will be some of our state players involved,” Tapp said. "I’m not privy to how they’re going to split it up. You would hope that once the big tower gets going and started, it might trigger some other entities to start their work.”

^^ That's great news. I'm very excited about this tower. Any pics of the future site would be appreciated by all!

Wow such a tall tower for such a small city. :(

^^ That's great news. I'm very excited about this tower. Any pics of the future site would be appreciated by all!

Where the fire truck is in this picture:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v321/eyeblink/norman/P4240023.jpg

The blue and white parking garage has been purchased from the city for $18 million and it will be where we see the first construction as Devon builds additional levels on top.

Streetview

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v321/eyeblink/futuredevon.jpg

More streetview: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=oklahoma+city&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=37.871902,61.259766&ie=UTF8&ll=35.466479,-97.518489&spn=0.001191,0.001869&t=h&z=19&iwloc=addr&layer=c&cbll=35.46648,-97.518718&panoid=LlBmW8_TdEo_ukSpMeSQNA&cbp=12,37.856250682021475,,0,3.708751793400281

Wow such a tall tower for such a small city. :(

OKC has over half a million people. Hardly small.

thats a small city, compared to San Diego. That's what i meant (in my mind) hehe

I know you meant population but in area OKC is one of the 3 largest cities in the US...a little known fact.

Great building, but it definitely won't fit in.

Thanks Shane453 for posting those pics. I can't wait for this one!

one other thing, kinda corny, but everyday i drive by downtown and just try to imagine what its going to look like from every angle. It is so exciting, its funny b/c my girlfriend is tired of hearing about it but we will be driving to a movie downtown and i will say just think in a few years it will look completely different down here! i tell her to take the chase building and put it on top of itself and thats basically the size of building we're looking at.... she doesn't care but i find it so freakin exciting, can't wait for construction to start.... not too long now!!!

I talk about it to my family and girlfriend too when we are down there or I'm looking at pictures, etc. and they get so tired of hearing me talk about OKC and this new tower. They just don't understand!

Resembles the Manila Tower, a proposed skyscraper in Manila.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b210/ofngol/manila-tower.jpg

Anyways, a great design! Very modern. :D

^^ wait, what? where's the thread on that? di ko pa alam yan ah. :lol:

Looks like something in Chicago I recall. FNB2?

Great building, but it definitely won't fit in.

even better! the building will stand out even more.

very nice design, I want something like this for Houston :(

For those of you who think this proposed tower would look better in Tulsa than it does in Oklahoma City, the tower is being constructed because the Oklahoma City skyline should rival Tulsa's skyline. Sure, Tulsa has taller buildings, but Oklahoma City has a larger population than Tulsa.

^^ http://www.skyscrapercity.com/images/icons/icon10.gif ANOTHER, " Mine is bigger than Yours " , debate?

This building looks beautiful.

paraguay is the best...

Great building, but it definitely won't fit in.

Sure it will, it will be reminisent of the days when the IDS Center was the only tower that dominated the Minniapolis skyline, for the better part of 10 years...!

And this is a fine tower, well proportioned and massed, and of course this tower could only be built, (now) in, you guessed it ......Oklahoma City..!!!

Devon just reported another $4 billion loss in the first quarter 2009. Rumors are rampant that the tower will be scaled back or not built at all.

Devon just reported another $4 billion loss in the first quarter 2009. Rumors are rampant that the tower will be scaled back or not built at all.

Let's hope not. Though with the economy rebounding, the price of energy will increase, meaning more revenue for companies like Devon. So I wouldn't put this one in the grave just yet.

even better! the building will stand out even more.

very nice design, I want something like this for Houston :(

Patience. That sucks to hear about the loss. I would still think that it would be built at it's current 925 ft proposal though.

Devon just reported another $4 billion loss in the first quarter 2009. Rumors are rampant that the tower will be scaled back or not built at all.

Probably won't be built in OKC at all.

isn't this building approved?

^I heard on a local radio station today (and I live in the OKC Metro area) that construction is on schedule on the Devon Tower. The main reason why Devon is wanting it built is to consolidate all of its offices into one structure instead of the five buildings they are in right now. So yes, it is getting built.

Bravo for OKC!

Sweet....I can drive up to see this one when it gets built....gonna look stunning in OKC!

An article about Devon Tower posted from The Journal Record, (looks like this one is definetly on track) :cheers:

Nichols wants to see more people on foot in downtown OKC
by Kelley Chambers

The Journal Record May 14, 2009

OKLAHOMA CITY – If Larry Nichols gets his way, he’ll one day look out his office window in the 54-story Devon Tower onto a lush botanical garden across the street. He would also be able to watch his employees and others downtown visiting the garden and hitting the streets on foot.

Last year Nichols, CEO of Devon Energy, announced plans for the company’s world headquarters in downtown Oklahoma City. With the creation of a Tax Increment Financing district that the company will pay into, Nichols said he wants to see those funds help revitalize downtown’s green spaces and make the central business district friendlier to pedestrians.

http://www.journalrecord.com/article.cfm?recid=98639

Sorry Cashville, wish all you might, but this beaut is getting built. :]]

Devon just reported another $4 billion loss in the first quarter 2009. Rumors are rampant that the tower will be scaled back or not built at all.
Rumors? Where? Where you live maybe? Rumors in your own head? Sheesh...

^I heard on a local radio station today (and I live in the OKC Metro area) that construction is on schedule on the Devon Tower. The main reason why Devon is wanting it built is to consolidate all of its offices into one structure instead of the five buildings they are in right now. So yes, it is getting built.

Yep. And if there is any delay at this point it's because the economy (finding out they can get a better deal). They can get this tower built cheaper than they originally thought since everything has slowed down last I heard. But as of right now everything is on track.

And to answer AmericanSkyscraper22, yes this project was approved pretty much right after it was proposed.

From Tulsa, i envy OKC so badly right now. This is probably one of the most beautiful buildings ive ever seen and the older building in the background blends nicely. Good job, i hope OKC has moved from urban sprawl to downtown renovation and improvements instead. Congrats OKC

Here's an article from The Journal Record,

http://www.journalrecord.com/article.cfm?recid=98847

Devon plans to hire Flintco for headquarters projectby Kelley Chambers
The Journal Record May 21, 2009

OKLAHOMA CITY – Devon Energy’s new headquarters building is a step closer to fruition.


**Looks like work is scheduled to begin December 1st. :banana:

^^ great news!!!! :)

Alright, thanks for the link.

Here's an article today from newsok.com. A contractor has been picked, work will start later this year.

http://newsok.com/experience-is-a-winner-for-devon-contractor/article/3373091

"Experience is a Winner for Devon Contractor"
BY STEVE LACKMEYER
Published: May 28, 2009

Flintco, the contractor that built Ford Center, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, two downtown hotels, and renovated the convention center, Civic Center Music Hall and the Skirvin Hilton will next add the state’s tallest skyscraper to its downtown Oklahoma City bragging rights.

oct. 1st construction begins!

Sweet! I can't wait to drive up and see this monster in person. It will look very tall in that skyline...probably much like the Transco Tower in Houston back when it was built.

^^From Tulsa, i envy OKC so badly right now. This is probably one of the most beautiful buildings ive ever seen and the older building in the background blends nicely. Good job, i hope OKC has moved from urban sprawl to downtown renovation and improvements instead. Congrats OKC

From OKC,to Tulsa We(OKC) have had envy of your skyline for decades now! Tulsa has always had the better skyline in Oklahoma,and OKC is just now passing you at least in height,but still not by the # of skyscrapers and highrises!I agree with you,it just might be the most stunning skyscraper,outside of NYC,Chicago!:)

it just might be the most stunning skyscraper,outside of NYC,Chicago!:)

Well i wouldn't go that far, i think Miami's got a few good ones going up.. amogst other built ones, The Transamerica Pyramid in SF for example
But yes, this is great for Oklahoma City.. lets just hope it's tornado proof! :storm:

Well i wouldn't go that far, i think Miami's got a few good ones going up.. amogst other built ones, The Transamerica Pyramid in SF for example
But yes, this is great for Oklahoma City.. lets just hope it's tornado proof! :storm:
^^
I agree with you! Miami is a beautiful stunning city!in the running for the nations 3rd best skyline??????

^^
I agree with you! Miami is a beautiful stunning city!in the running for the nations 3rd best skyline??????

Indeed it is, and by what i said i'm not slating Oklahoma or it's skyline in any way, I love the place and i actually wanted to go to university there (im a British National) but they refused me :lol:

Wonderfull!!!!!

Indeed it is, and by what i said i'm not slating Oklahoma or it's skyline in any way, I love the place and i actually wanted to go to university there (im a British National) but they refused me :lol:

^^I guess you would be talking about The University of Oklahoma! maybe Oklahoma State University?OCU,Uco?:banana:

I propose a 75 ft flag pole so this can be a supertall :nuts:
This is one of the most impressive proposals for the U.S. period. It is an awesome design top to bottom.

I propose a 75 ft flag pole so this can be a supertall :nuts:
This is one of the most impressive proposals for the U.S. period. It is an awesome design top to bottom.

^^I would love to have supertall in OKC, but i am satisfied with almost doubling are current tallest in height!!!!!:cheers:

No doubt....I can't wait to take a trip to see this one!

A beautiful, stunning, gorgeous design. Really elegant. I truly hope this one gets built ... I was so depressed about the demise of the Signature Tower in Nashville and the Chicago Spire.

Yes I agree that outside of New York and Chicago, Miami is a city with an impressive skyline. Here in Philly we have the 975 ' Comcast Tower which is also one of the great skyscrapers in the US.

A beautiful, stunning, gorgeous design. Really elegant. I truly hope this one gets built ... I was so depressed about the demise of the Signature Tower in Nashville and the Chicago Spire.

Yes I agree that outside of New York and Chicago, Miami is a city with an impressive skyline. Here in Philly we have the 975 ' Comcast Tower which is also one of the great skyscrapers in the US.

^^^^ agreed the Comcast tower set Philly's skyline OFF!!! it looks great now,Philly doesnt get the respect it deserves for its skyline! it has height and density,with a mix of old school buildings ranging from the 1700's to ultra modern sleek skyscrapers! I like Philly's skyline!:banana:

To dmoor's comment a page back- I understand that OKC does envy Tulsa in respect to our skyline but Tulsa's skyline is our pride and joy and the one thing we have at #1. Tulsa has been going through about a decade of an inferiority complex where we try to make our city receive national attention and try to bring people in but to no avail. Oklahoma City's MSA receives 15,000+ people each year while Tulsa gets 5,000+ if its lucky. Oklahoma City and Tulsa used to have a healthy competition but it seems as if now Oklahoma City is jumping leaps and bounds and Tulsa is left to fend for itself. The state government respectively has all but forgotten that a third of its income comes from the Tulsa area. In fact, the state government is so preoccupied with OKC's problems that i sometimes wonder if they even know Tulsa is in Oklahoma. I hope that after Brad Henry leaves (and i did support Brad Henry), that the next governor will be from Tulsa regardless of their party. If it happens to be a super-ultraconservative from Tulsa to an moderate Democrat from OKC, ill vote for the ultraconservative just to show that this part of the state is still populated. But don't think that Tulsa is out. The BOK Center, a new ballpark, Downtown renovations, the Art Deco columns, Brookside improvements, the revival of Brady and Blue Dome districts, and hopefully that Bronze indian statue that will be several hundred feet high will put Tulsa on the map. That said, for both Tulsa and OKC, the cities have nothing going for them (no identity). I think that OKC should try to bring back its Indian/Cowboy roots (kinda like Fort Worth) and Tulsa should bring back a more Art Deco/Italian Villa/Terracotta City identity. Hopefully both of our cities will grow as i do love Oklahoma a lot. If you've read all the way down here, thanks for your time.

I prefer Tulsa as well. I like both cities but Tulsa has better architecture and I think it's a prettier city. My wife is from that area and she loves Tulsa, too.

I do like the Bricktown [I think that's the name] area in OKC though...very cool. I need to get back up to Tulsa someday soon to see how it's looking these days. Last time was in the 90's.

a little over 2 months till const. starts!!!!!!!

If it happens to be a super-ultraconservative from Tulsa to an moderate Democrat from OKC, ill vote for the ultraconservative just to show that this part of the state is still populated. But don't think that Tulsa is out

Sorry, but that is incredibly selfish. Voting for someone that most likely isn't what's best for our state just because he/she comes from Tulsa? With that thinking, Oklahoma will never amount to anything and it may be the very reason why Tulsa is in the situation it's in, that is, if people from Tulsa have the same mindset as you when it comes to electing important officials; especially our State Governor. Just Saying. But please don't take that offensively. I love Tulsa. I was born there actually.

BTW, I don't envy Tulsa's "prettiness". Actually, it's kinda of petty to always use that as a reason why Tulsa may be better than said city, because honestly, you can't grow beautiful hills and natural forestry. Oklahoma City is located in the flatter, more desolate part of the state when it comes to terrain. We can't change that. It's permanent. Tulsa's scenery isn't something that is accomplished., because we all know that if Oklahoma City could somehow grow legs and walk, it wouldn't be here, it's be in some picturesque valley or some coastal paradise.

Oh and that wasn't directed towards anyone. I just always kinda figured that terrain and scenery are predetermined, and the ability to construct a beautiful, functioning city, no matter the location is what's really important.

Sorry, but that is incredibly selfish. Voting for someone that most likely isn't what's best for our state just because he/she comes from Tulsa? With that thinking, Oklahoma will never amount to anything and it may be the very reason why Tulsa is in the situation it's in, that is, if people from Tulsa have the same mindset as you when it comes to electing important officials; especially our State Governor. Just Saying. But please don't take that offensively. I love Tulsa. I was born there actually.

BTW, I don't envy Tulsa's "prettiness". Actually, it's kinda of petty to always use that as a reason why Tulsa may be better than said city, because honestly, you can't grow beautiful hills and natural forestry. Oklahoma City is located in the flatter, more desolate part of the state when it comes to terrain. We can't change that. It's permanent. Tulsa's scenery isn't something that is accomplished., because we all know that if Oklahoma City could somehow grow legs and walk, it wouldn't be here, it's be in some picturesque valley or some coastal paradise.

Oh and that wasn't directed towards anyone. I just always kinda figured that terrain and scenery are predetermined, and the ability to construct a beautiful, functioning city, no matter the location is what's really important.

^^Good points,I agree with you 100% on your post, but lets get back to topic-The DEVON TOWER will change OKC's skyline so dramatically,and hopefully more highrises will follow! it would be nice to have a couple 600-700 footers and then it would even it up!:banana:

I'm hoping Rick Dowell comes through with his residential tower, doesn't appear that it's going to be that way though. OKC can also hope for a high rise hotel, something other than all these little Holiday Inns and the like. The NBA and growing entertainment districts that prompt more tourism can definitely help anchor in a high rise hotel. Other than that I really don't see OKC getting another tower. I know a lot of us hoped for Chesapeake to build one but that can't happen. Maybe a few more big corporations will move into downtown when Devon Tower is complete and prompt construction of another high rise office. Who knows? Personally I'm still waiting on wind energy to pick up and some new big wind energy company makes it's home in OKC or Tulsa.

It's definitely in the top 25 of most beautiful designs in America, imho. It's (or rather going to be) such a sleek tower, it's wonderful that OKC is getting this.

I think this design will be a good suit for Oklahoma City. I'm really looking forward to this being built.

I'm hoping Rick Dowell comes through with his residential tower, doesn't appear that it's going to be that way though. OKC can also hope for a high rise hotel, something other than all these little Holiday Inns and the like. The NBA and growing entertainment districts that prompt more tourism can definitely help anchor in a high rise hotel. Other than that I really don't see OKC getting another tower. I know a lot of us hoped for Chesapeake to build one but that can't happen. Maybe a few more big corporations will move into downtown when Devon Tower is complete and prompt construction of another high rise office. Who knows? Personally I'm still waiting on wind energy to pick up and some new big wind energy company makes it's home in OKC or Tulsa.

It's definitely in the top 25 of most beautiful designs in America, imho. It's (or rather going to be) such a sleek tower, it's wonderful that OKC is getting this.

^^^^dowells tower will never happen! and it would be great if one of the two metro's could draw in a wind energy co.,as for the additional highrises-:banana:I would like to see a 30-35 st. 350-450 ft hotel tower be built here but it probb wont happen any time soon,we will have to wait to see what is on the MAPS 3 ballot if a convention center is on the ticket and one gets built then the need for a hotel highrise wil be likely!

New rendering of Devon:

http://mysite.verizon.net/res17zef/devona.jpg

NICE!!!It's about time some more renderings have came out! I wanna see one at night time!

Why is this tall building in Oklahoma City? It should be in Houston,TX

:-D

Nice one!

^^ No, it should be in Oklahoma City.

New renderings have come out:

http://mysite.verizon.net/res17zef/devona.jpg


http://mysite.verizon.net/res17zef/devonb.jpg


http://mysite.verizon.net/res17zef/devonc.jpg


http://mysite.verizon.net/res17zef/devond.jpg


http://mysite.verizon.net/res17zef/devone.jpg

Also, the thread title needs to be changed from "pro" to "app". That should have been done months ago.

Beautiful renders. We're gonna have to make two trips to see this one....one when it gets topped out and one when it's fully clad. It is going to dominate the OK skyline in a big way!

Beautiful renders. We're gonna have to make two trips to see this one....one when it gets topped out and one when it's fully clad. It is going to dominate the OK skyline in a big way!

^^^^^^Yeah it will! there's a rendering that is from the SW part of OKC that looks like the skyline is flipping you off!!!!:lol:

Wow, this is a pretty slick looking tower.

great project, classy and modern at the same time!

It's sharp and it's clean, if a little plain but very good quality for headquarters.

It's sharp and it's clean, if a little plain but very good quality for headquarters.

^^^Plain? It will be leed certified and a reflecting pool will sit around the 3 sided oval shaped tower to make it look like it is floating on water!:banana:

Being LEED Certified doesn't change how plain it appears. And a reflecting pool will only help it's appearance if you were actually on the tower's grounds or close by.

It is a bit conservative, but I like it a lot. I think it's beautiful the way it is.

Being LEED Certified doesn't change how plain it appears. And a reflecting pool will only help it's appearance if you were actually on the tower's grounds or close by.

It is a bit conservative, but I like it a lot. I think it's beautiful the way it is.

^^I was just stating I dont' think the renderings and design are plain but, yeah I'll go with you on a little conservative!I like your avatar!where were you standing in that pic?

^^I was just stating I dont' think the renderings and design are plain but, yeah I'll go with you on a little conservative!I like your avatar!where were you standing in that pic?

Umm. It's the parking garage that is right next to the Chase tower and Skirvin. I wanna say it's the Santa Fe parking garage that has the OU emblem on it.

From The Journal Record,

http://www.journalrecord.com/article.cfm?recid=101550


Technology brings Devon plans to life
by Kelley Chambers
The Journal Record August 14, 2009

OKLAHOMA CITY – When Larry Nichols sets foot in the new Devon Tower for the first time three years from now, John Wood, vice president and project officer with real estate firm Hines, wants it to feel like home.

I have visited a few forums, and I have heard rumors that the Devon Towers height is being reduced from 925' to 908' (-17'),like I said these are just rumors!

Not really rumors. That came from the mouth of Hines exec John Wood.

Strange.....why 17'?

Strange.....why 17'?

Here is the article...No worries.:)

http://www.newsok.com/devon-shortens-plans-for-tower/article/3393122?custom_click=lead_story_title

Kimker said space requirements changed when the company decided to build its data center separately at Will Rogers World Airport to ensure business continuity in case of a disaster. That change resulted in the height of the "podium” building next to the tower changing from seven to six stories.

Expectations changed further as global architecture firm Gensler began laying out chunks of office space floor by floor, said John Wood, project supervisor with Hines development company.

Refined drawings showed a floor initially thought to hold 10 offices could hold 12, while floor-to-floor height changed from 15 feet to 14 feet and 8 inches, Wood said.

"Design of a project like this is a continuum,” Wood said. "We’re constantly looking to refine the program and make sure it’s as specific as possible for what the user needs are and then you tailor as best as you can. A 50- story tower at 1.8 million square feet — that’s still something.”

Well that makes sense...thanks for sharing the article. The height change will be imperceptible anyway.

New height is 825 feet.

925' minus 17' isn't 825' by any stretch....where'd you get that number?

The 908' number is from an article that refers to the tower as 54 floors.

Today its learned that the tower is only 50 floors. So subtract 60' for those floors in the original floor height, and 17 more feet* for the height loss on the remaining floors with the new floor height. That gets you to 831' then I just took 6' feet off the crown assuming they would keep it at a similar scale and to bring it to a nice 825' number.



*I doubt it, but will admit its possible that the 17' that were originally lost came from the reduced height per floor which could mean the new height is between 840-850'.

The 908' number is from an article that refers to the tower as 54 floors.

Today its learned that the tower is only 50 floors. So subtract 60' for those floors in the original floor height, and 17 more feet* for the height loss on the remaining floors with the new floor height. That gets you to 831' then I just took 6' feet off the crown assuming they would keep it at a similar scale and to bring it to a nice 825' number.



*I doubt it, but will admit its possible that the 17' that were originally lost came from the reduced height per floor which could mean the new height is between 840-850'.

Can you come up with a legit article?

A legit article for what? All it takes is a little common sense. Why would they talk about building a more efficient tower and the take was is essentially dead space at the top of the tower that was originally 60' in height and turn it into 120' or more in height.

According to post 209 just above the tower is 908' and 50 floors. Can't access that article, but if someone else can we might be able to get this straightened out. No other mention of height under 908' so far. Coomon sense takes a back seat to print...find us the article!

I'm hearing 850 from reliable sources.

According to post 209 just above the tower is 908' and 50 floors. Can't access that article, but if someone else can we might be able to get this straightened out. No other mention of height under 908' so far. Coomon sense takes a back seat to print...find us the article!

I agree. Come up with a legit article. If the tower is reduced to 850' then it will probably look better against the skyline anyway.

According to post 209 just above the tower is 908' and 50 floors. Can't access that article, but if someone else can we might be able to get this straightened out. No other mention of height under 908' so far. Coomon sense takes a back seat to print...find us the article!

At no point in time does that article mention a height, just says the floor count has been reduced.

Here is an article that talks about 908', and says the tower is 54 floors.

http://www.newsok.com/devon-officials-put-money-on-doing-their-tower-right/article/3392766

I'm hearing 850 from reliable sources.

Yeah, somebody who seems to know what they are talking about posted that in the Devon thread in the SE development forum.

People, Cashville has been wanting this tower to be cancelled altogether since it was proposed. Why? Because he's jealous, simple as that. So all he's trying to do is talk down the tower as much as he can. It's pathetic how thorough he's become, obsessive in a way. Point is Cashville is that OKC is getting this tower one way or another, no matter what height either it's still going to look amazing.

But if you're numbers prove to be somewhat accurate (which I'm not going to add and subtract floor heights and obsess like you), I won't say anything because honestly I won't be surprised. I was expecting this tower to be in 800s from the first announcement and I think it will be better for Devon.

I was hoping that the tower would pass the Dallas height record so that someone here would get jealous and plan a new taller tower!

But if you're numbers prove to be somewhat accurate (which I'm not going to add and subtract floor heights and obsess like you), I won't say anything because honestly I won't be surprised. I was expecting this tower to be in 800s from the first announcement and I think it will be better for Devon.

Yeah its obsessive, probably took all of a minute to come up with those numbers.

architect5311 on OKCtalk.com posted these Sketchup models showing the reduction:

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk92/gandjdunlap/DEVONTOWER-Redux.jpg

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk92/gandjdunlap/1-southelevation.jpg

It's not that big of an impact on the look of the building, and it's still probably the most impressive construction project in the country at almost 2 million sf.

it's still probably the most impressive construction project in the country at almost 2 million sf.

:ohno:

http://superjchung.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/freedom-tower.jpg

I am sad about the reduction,but when these plans 1st came out I would have flipped for a 850' tower,infact a poll I started on okmet.org,no one even came close or expected to hear 925' or even 850'-I was thinking 700-750 and even if there are more reductions,so what I'm just glad to see a new tower in OKC!

Cashville. Poor example. Everyone knows how slowly that tower is progressing. That particular project, and the whole surrounding development area has been a poor construction area at best. And for good reason I suppose, but also because of lack of true desire for it. For it supposedly being the shining example of America's strength and durability, the Freedom Tower is kinda sad, even if it is much grander. Choose another and I might agree with you.

Anyways. I think those models of the difference of 925' and 850' show how big of a deal this is. It's so minimal it's not even worth fretting over. And I guess it makes the other people who though it was going to stick out horrible, slightly more content with it's surroundings.

Um, no its a great example. The roof is going to be at least 500' taller than Devons roof, clearly its a a far more impressive construction project.

Its not like I picked the Chicago Spire, from the Freedom Tower U/C thread there is something clearly going on here.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=419362&page=500

But keep living in your bubble with the rest of the OKC peeps and keep telling yourself that the ever-shrinking Devon Tower is the top construction project in the country.

Devon is head-and-shoulders about fraid-of-em tower in terms of design.

Not surprisingly Dale is not getting the point. Shane makes a dumb comment about how Devon Tower is the most impressive construction project in the country then goes on to mention the size of the tower. Freedom Tower is clearly a far more impressive tower from that standpoint.

And the design aspect is debatable (and you immediately discredit your self with your stupid name for FT) , neither are anything cutting edge on that standpoint. Towers of Devons ilk are in are the current fad these days. Just different variations on the same design.

If you remember correctly the reason they ended up with this particular architect was because they wanted something similar to their previous designs, and thats what they got. Not anything special outside the height aspect compared to the other buildings in the city.

Not surprisingly Dale is not getting the point. Shane makes a dumb comment about how Devon Tower is the most impressive construction project in the country then goes on to mention the size of the tower. Freedom Tower is clearly a far more impressive tower from that standpoint.

And the design aspect is debatable (and you immediately discredit your self with your stupid name for FT) , neither are anything cutting edge on that standpoint. Towers of Devons ilk are in are the current fad these days. Just different variations on the same design.

If you remember correctly the reason they ended up with this particular architect was because they wanted something similar to their previous designs, and thats what they got. Not anything special outside the height aspect compared to the other buildings in the city.

I thought that fraid-of-em tower was as apt as it was clever, what with its bunker-style base.

And what's the deal with your OKC hatefest ? Devon beats hell out of anything going up in your podunk town, I'll bet.

Cashville is a terrorist... he likes hijacking threads... Oh!! Burn!!! Ouch!


Haha.

About 1 month till const. starts!!!!

I thought that fraid-of-em tower was as apt as it was clever, what with its bunker-style base.

And what's the deal with your OKC hatefest ? Devon beats hell out of anything going up in your podunk town, I'll bet.

Yeah Nashville is podunk, try again Dale. I hope you are not as terrible at life as you are at Internet trash talk.

It's a clean, modern, sleek design. It soars!

I hope they build this one, and doesn't turn out to be a pipe dream like Nashville's Signature Tower.

About 3 weeks until const. starts!!!! it will be great seeing a skyscraper rise in DT OKC it's been soooo long!

Yeah Nashville is podunk, try again Dale. I hope you are not as terrible at life as you are at Internet trash talk.

You're right of course. You don't deserve trash talk. You deserve the ... Batman Building.

*snickers*

Don't be a fucking moron Cashville. I don't live in any bubble and I never ever even remotely touted the Devon Tower as the top construction in the country. Try Again.

And no, I respectfully disagreed, I don't believe the Freedom Tower is a good example of a bigger project at hand when it has been in almost a complete stand still. It is just now accumulating any sort of notable progress. I wasn't trying to argue, I even said pick another example and I would agree. You're really touchy, you know that? XD No offense against the Freedom Tower, I do think it's amazing.

"Ever-Shrinking Devon Tower." Lmao, it was reduced one time due to re-management of space. It was even stated that it was not a reduction. Ever-Shrinking. Oh lord. What will you come up with next?

They could clip 300 feet off the thing and it would still be taller than anything in Dollypartonville.

Don't be a fucking moron Cashville. I don't live in any bubble and I never ever even remotely touted the Devon Tower as the top construction in the country. Try Again.

And no, I respectfully disagreed, I don't believe the Freedom Tower is a good example of a bigger project at hand when it has been in almost a complete stand still. It is just now accumulating any sort of notable progress. I wasn't trying to argue, I even said pick another example and I would agree. You're really touchy, you know that? XD No offense against the Freedom Tower, I do think it's amazing.

"Ever-Shrinking Devon Tower." Lmao, it was reduced one time due to re-management of space. It was even stated that it was not a reduction. Ever-Shrinking. Oh lord. What will you come up with next?

The Freedom Tower was only at a standstill once....right after they dug up a few bodies they hadn't found before. That site has been rocking ever since. I certainly will never understand why people think this tower is slow. If you knew anything about the maze of services and subways beneath the original towers, you'd no doubt realize this project has been anything but slow.

Not surprisingly Dale is not getting the point. Shane makes a dumb comment about how Devon Tower is the most impressive construction project in the country then goes on to mention the size of the tower. Freedom Tower is clearly a far more impressive tower from that standpoint.


Also not comparable since Devon is still a PROPOSAL, not a construction project quite yet. Then again, what people consider "impressive" is kind of subjective anyway. I could see where someone could be more excited about Devon. Large scale for Ok. City...great design vs. a painfully slow moving project in NYC, whatever the reason.

Devon is head-and-shoulders about fraid-of-em tower in terms of design.

The name was changed to One World Trade, by the way. Hey you'll come up with something. Freedom Tower is a little too yahoo Americana for New York, anyway. As in say, "freedom fries"?

Then again, maybe this thread should be about the Devon tower.

Also not comparable since Devon is still a PROPOSAL, not a construction project quite yet. Then again, what people consider "impressive" is kind of subjective anyway. I could see where someone could be more excited about Devon. Large scale for Ok. City...great design vs. a painfully slow moving project in NYC, whatever the reason.



The name was changed to One World Trade, by the way. Hey you'll come up with something. Freedom Tower is a little too yahoo Americana for New York, anyway. As in say, "freedom fries"?

Then again, maybe this thread should be about the Devon tower.

Or we could just carry on ... absent the requisite school-marming.

^Or else the 42-year old 'internet savant' should carry on a 3 city vs. thread like a 12 year old. You obviously need much more than a "school marm" as the crappy element you ultimately are on any of these boards.

I assume you were banished from NA skybar. And if it was self imposed so much the better.

^Or else the 42-year old 'internet savant' should carry on a 3 city vs. thread like a 12 year old. You obviously need much more than a "school marm" as the crappy element you ultimately are on any of these boards.

I assume you were banished from NA skybar. And if it was self imposed so much the better.

I wasn't banished from the NA skybar. Rather, I became irretrievably bored debating apes with throats of parrots.

No offense, of course.

And thus, the Devon Tower thread falls into the same habitous ways of all Oklahoma City threads. Oh well. Only 2 weeks until construction starts. Mhmm. ;]

Confirmation of new height revealed. 850 feet/50 floors, I submitted a request to update the thread title as well.

Plans on track for construction of Devon tower
http://www.cnbc.com/id/32774380

Less than 2 weeks to construction!

Less than 2 weeks to construction!

Are they doing any preparations of the site for a ground breaking ceremony? I know they are just starting out with the parking lot, but you would think with a project such as this, it's a big PR event for Devon and the mayor's office/city council.

Cool!

OKC deserves a new tower...Let's hope it goes well, I'd like to see it as I usually pass-through OKC once or twice a year.