OKLAHOMA CITY | Devon Headquarters | 257m | 844ft | 52 fl | Com

[Hot Rod]

there are plans in the works to do just that, and there are significant rumors for new towers - although the companies have not been disclosed. And that includes MORE corporate relocation, possibly a game changer or two as OKC is in a momentum expansion period.

I seriously doubt tax breaks were used to build this tower, since Devon had a significant profit that was based on production (which doesn't get a tax break). Most of the tax breaks, as I understand it, are for exploratory drilling so that companies can claim a loss if they 'miss'. I also believe this is moreso for off-shore, so you can look to Houston's skyline for the presumtion that oil company tax breaks may have helped build. There are exploratory companies in OKC who probably qualify for the tax breaks, a LOT - but none of them are in owner occupied skyscrapers (hence, most of them are very small). Houston has many more.

The two things that arguably has been holding OKC back (one being antiquated BIG BROTHER state liquor laws, the other being state income tax) are BOTH up for modernization and repeal. This SHOULD help give OKC a very significant advantage over most other big cities or at least level the playing field, since OKC's lowest national cost of living and cost to do business would only be enhanced by no-state income tax and a MODERN liquor policy. It appears as if the state likes what they see with OKC's Renaissance, and they want it to continue so the city can play with the big boys or at least have a seat at the table.

Just so you know; Devon has pre-paid their property tax already in an up-front 'loan' they gave to the city for them to rebuild most of the streets in the CBD and refurbish the now wonderful Myriad Gardens (definitely top 5 interactive downtown park in the US). And it is just Oklahoma culture, to pay your fair share.

That is why OK is heavily republican state (federal govt wise), because they typically are not on the federal govt teet but often are heavy contributors for programs that mean nothing to the state. I think Devon and Devon tower speaks to what Oklahoma really is.

[kanye]

11 March by absolutwade


15 March by Neilheeney


16 March by jgtec

[Hot Rod]

omg, pic 1 is simply beautiful! Is there a more naturally pretty skyscraper than Devon Tower?

[Philly Bud]

Elegant structure.

Certainly the nicest building in Oklahoma City!

[PinkFloyd]

That last pic is awesome. Great looking building.

[Hot Rod]

Highlights from recent picture takes from local OKC television station KFOR

Awesome twilight linear skyline shot, before the lights turn on


Silver Skyscraper appearance


Night aerial of downtown


courtesy of mcca7596

[kanye]

19 March by lifeinpose

[Hot Rod]

very nice vantage point - very urban!

[Assurbanipal]

Very handsome tower!

[aarhusforever]

Beautiful photos of a beautiful tower

[Hot Rod]

Testing in NBA 'OKC Thunder' Blue March 19,2012
image hosted on flickr

courtesy of Pete Brzycki

[Hot Rod]

Opening Day Interior shots (Rotunda and Garden Wing), from the Oklahoman:






courtesy of Pete B

[CrazyAboutCities]

Nice interior. Need a bit of colors then it is good to go.

[Kimiwind1184]

The interior looks good. But why the status wasn't changed to complete? Since they already inaugurated the big building.

[spectre000]

Originally Posted by Kimiwind1184

The interior looks good. But why the status wasn't changed to complete? Since they already inaugurated the big building.

Only a small portion of its finished. I think it should be changed once the top floors are finished, particularly the restaurant. When that's open to the general public, then we should call it "Complete".

[Hot Rod]

yeah, there is only a few floors that are finished and ready for occupancy. Waves of folks are scheduled to 'relocate' to the tower as floors complete. This week was the grand/official opening and saw the first 80 people move in. The site itself is still a construction zone and will be for a while longer.

The floors themselves will not all be complete until late this year/early next year. Case in point - the Executive team is scheduled to move into temporary floors in a week or so while their offices on top of the tower are being completed.

I agree that we should leave it as T/O and not Complete until at least the restaurant/observation at the top is open to the public, expected to be in September. I don't know if there is another classification greater than T/O but less than fully Complete that we could tag. ...

[desertpunk]

A city forever changed

image hosted on flickr

Automobile Alley by absolutwade, on Flickr

image hosted on flickr

Generational Architecture by absolutwade, on Flickr

[Hot Rod]

I agree, that is the Automobile Alley district of downtown, and it does look wonderful - especially so with the beautiful monstrous Devon tower in the skyline behind.

There is speculation that another tower may be built and would appear on the left side of that shot but would be closer in to AAlley. There is also hard proposal that hasn't fully released to the public that a new tower of some height will be built and appear immediately left of the white skyscraper in this pic.

We'll see what is announced to the public shortly (as folks generally think they were 'waiting' for Devon Tower to open as a courtesy/milestone for the city, then make other announcements). Good times in OKC!

[Hot Rod]

pw405 walked through on his lunch break today. Not the best quality shots from his cell phone, but ... we has been itching for some interior shots!



They had a nutrition demonstration similar to Men's Health "Eat This, not That":



Looking East:



Tower view from Rotunda:


Facing south in Rotunda:

[kanye]

23 March by absolutwade