Posted May 22, 201015 yr Does anyone have any thoughts about the new skyscraper being built in Oklahoma City? Love it, hate it...? I didn't see anything at this site about it, so I thought I'd start this new thread. http://okc.about.com/od/attractionsandevents/a/okcdevontower.htm
May 22, 201015 yr Kinda basic, inoffensive. OKC deserves a signature building at this point. This one will do. I prefer Key Tower and Queen City Square.
May 23, 201015 yr It's another corporate tower by Pickard Chilton (architects of Atlanta's Symphony Place, Chicago's 300 North LaSalle and Nashville's Pinnacle); they do a good job at producing pleasantly designed (aka non-envelope pushing but tasteful) office towers. One of their founders was a senior associate with Cesar Pelli, and like Pelli's earlier work, they stick to relatively simple massing with "high gloss" facades like you see here: clevelandskyscrapers.com Cleveland Skyscrapers on Instagram
May 23, 201015 yr Want to see the dough roll in for something like this? Just appeal to the religious community and tell them that we are going to use it to pray for them and spread the mission....
May 23, 201015 yr Religious community? Meaning Hindus? This tower is being constructed by/for Devon Energy http://www.devonenergy.com/Pages/devon_energy_home.aspx clevelandskyscrapers.com Cleveland Skyscrapers on Instagram
May 23, 201015 yr Oklahoma City isn't the first midsized city to push the envelope for taller structures in a smaller city. Dubai comes to mind. So does New Orleans, Jacksonville, and Mobile, Alabama. Hell, Bartlesville, Oklahoma. I think it's a fine, non-offense tower. And just an FYI, the tower has been pushed-down to 850 feet. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
May 23, 201015 yr Religious community? Meaning Hindus? This tower is being constructed by/for Devon Energy http://www.devonenergy.com/Pages/devon_energy_home.aspx I know what that this particular building is by an energy group. If you want me to get specific on the religion thing, then be prepared to get out the axe for sending it off topic, but just don't blame me. Maybe there is a different thread for that..but, my comment was in reference to someone mentioning how it would be good to see something like this on the parking lots on P.S. It was a joke in reference to the Oral Roberts comments as well. Sorry you didn't get it.
June 13, 201015 yr its a nice silly tower. silly as in ridiculous, but why not? what better reason to do it than as a stunt? good to see america thinking tall again. and yeah its sleek and bland, but it will certainly be impressive on the skyline and for lord knows for how many miles around. they sure better have public restaurant/bar/observation floors at the top! yes!?!?
June 14, 201015 yr I really miss Cleveland's observation establishments like Top Of The Town. Is the Sammy's at the Huntington Building still open?
July 10, 201014 yr It would be nice if Cincy built something like this when the economy completely rebounds. I'm not complaining though i'm happy with QCS and The Banks.
June 19, 201113 yr Hello guy's from here in OKC,I just registered to your fine site and it has to be one of the best urban forum's I've ever seen!I just wanted to give an update on The Devon Energy Tower u/c here in OKC,it is now at 700'ft+ and has about 3 more floors to go until the crown is constructed!Here is a link to an up to the minute webcam of the construction site http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=19584&page=1 again glad to visit your fine site and I'll be back for more updates if you guy's dont mind!
June 19, 201113 yr Thank you and welcome! You're building a wonderful tower in Oklahoma City! "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
June 19, 201113 yr The six story rotunda!There will also be a performing arts theartre on the west side lawn that will seat 500 and just announced a few months ago Devon will make the very top two floors an observatory viewing deck and a 5 star resturant!
June 19, 201113 yr Kinda basic, inoffensive. OKC deserves a signature building at this point. This one will do. I prefer Key Tower and Queen City Square. ^^I agree with this post!I love the Key tower and Queen city lights up the night sky beautifly.The Devon Energy tower will be a three sided oval shaped tower that will achieve slightly below the highest Leed certification,It will light up with thousands of LED's on all three indentions then come together into the crown!Excuse me for being so excited,this doesnt happen to often in Oklahoma!
June 19, 201113 yr I like the new tower so far, and I'm pleased with what the same architecture firm did here with 300 N Lasalle
June 19, 201113 yr I like the new tower so far, and I'm pleased with what the same architecture firm did here with 300 N Lasalle ^^Just curious,what is your favorite tower in Chicago?Mine would be Auqa,Trump,300 n lasalle,ofcourse Sears( Willis)tower!
July 4, 201113 yr <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/25585774?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/25585774">Devon Energy Tower Time Lapse - Oklahoma City (June 2011)</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/williamhider">William Hider</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
July 15, 201113 yr im sure it looks nice from far away. but big deal. that site plan and building orientation leaves little to be desired. might as well be in the 'burbs. seems we never learn how to make a quality urban environment. you certainly dont get there by buildings things that only look good a mile away.
July 15, 201113 yr im sure it looks nice from far away. but big deal. that site plan and building orientation leaves little to be desired. might as well be in the 'burbs. seems we never learn how to make a quality urban environment. you certainly dont get there by buildings things that only look good a mile away. ^^No,it looks great up close too!Site plan and orientation?I dont think you have seen more than what's posted on this forum,and what 850'ft tower do you know of thats in the burbs'?As far as the urbanity aspect-come on man it's OKC,but that said The taxes used by building this tower were put into a TIF and used for Project 180,which is the largest streets and beutification project ever undertaken in the United States and has re-done 180 acres of dt OKC streets to be more pedestrian friendly with bike lanes and also to be more attractive!I respect your opinion and thanks for the reply!
July 15, 201113 yr atlas?Without this tower being built there would be no bike lanes,pedestrian friendly streets and sidewalks and like I said 180 acres of all dt OKC are being re-done or are alllready done and not to mention the redesigned urban park!Was it more or less Urban before Devon built this tower?
July 15, 201113 yr MAPS 3 will also build a new Convention center,6-7 mile long streetcar route with modern strretcar and Hub,70 acre urban park and a handfull of other things!Check out whats going on in OKC,it might suprise you!
July 18, 201113 yr MAPS 1 (Metropolitan Area Projects) program that began on December 14, 1993, when voters approved the MAPS sales tax. A crowd of more than a thousand gathers for the dedication of the Norick Downtown Library and the celebration of the completion of MAPS. It is believed Oklahoma City is the first city in the country to undertake a public facility enhancement project of this size. The Projects: •The Ford Center •The AT&T Bricktown Ballpark •The Bricktown Canal •State Fairgrounds Improvements •The Oklahoma River •The Oklahoma Spirit Trolleys •Renovation of the Myriad into the Cox Business Services Convention Center •Renovation of the Civic Center Music Hall •The Norick Downtown Library How We Did It MAPS was funded by a temporary one-cent sales tax approved by city voters in December 1993, and later extended an additional six months. The tax expired on July 1, 1999. During the 66 months it was in effect, over $309 million was collected. In addition, the deposited tax revenue earned about $54 million in interest. That was used for MAPS construction, too. Day to day operations are handled by the MAPS office, whose staff members are all City employees
July 18, 201113 yr "MAPS for Kids"MAPS 2 is a 10-year, $700 million construction and renovation program to improve school facilities throughout Oklahoma City's 24 school districts. Mayor Cornett at the opening of the Wheeler Community Learning Center. The plan includes over $500 million in projected OCMAPS sales tax revenue (collected over 7 years) and approximately $180 million from District I-89 General Obligation Bonds. Program budgets for I-89 include $52 million for technology projects and $9 million for bus fleet replacement. OCMAPS also provides funding to the 23 other public school districts that serve Oklahoma City resident students. Current tax projections show that an additional $153 million will be collected and disbursed for approved projects in the suburban school districts. The Vote The OCMAPS program became a reality on November 13, 2001, when Oklahoma City voters approved it. The temporary sales tax for schools will be collected for seven years with 70% going to District I-89 and 30% going to the suburban districts. The new Douglass High School, built by "MAPS for Kids." Voters also approved a $180 million bond issue to fund additional projects within Oklahoma City Public School District I-89 only. The Structure The OCMAPS Trust is the governing body in charge of sales tax funds and management of bond projects. The trust is made up of seven members, appointed by the Oklahoma City Council and the Oklahoma City I-89 School District. MAPS – the Metro Area Projects – served as a model for the creation of the "MAPS for Kids" OCMAPS program. In fact, many of the people who worked on MAPS are now working on the OCMAPS program. The City OCMAPS Office is responsible for management and control systems, budgets, cash flow, oversight of design and construction contracts, and comprehensive reporting. The office manages all I-89 projects and the suburban schools funding program.
July 18, 201113 yr MAPS extension(Ford Center improvements)A plan for such buildout improvements began in 2007 in the wake of acquisition of the Seattle SuperSonics by an Oklahoma-City based ownership group in October 2006. Originally, city officials had hoped to include Oklahoma City Arena buildout improvements as part of a planned 2009 "MAPS 3" initiative. However, given the impending relocation decision of the Sonics ownership group in late 2007, the City Council of Oklahoma City placed a sales tax initiative on the city election ballot on March 4, 2008.[4] This initiative was passed by a 62% to 38% margin, and extended a prior one-cent sales tax for a period of fifteen months in order to fund $121 million in budgeted improvements to the arena, as well as fund a separate practice facility for a relocated franchise.
July 18, 201113 yr MAPS 3 is a seven-year, nine month one-cent sales tax initiative that began on April 1, 2010 to improve the quality of life in Oklahoma City. The initiative funds eight projects and is estimated to raise $777 million, including $17 million in contingency funds. A citizen oversight board has been appointed to review financing and make recommendations to City Council. MAPS 3 includes the following projects: A new, approximately 70-acre downtown park linking the core of downtown with the Oklahoma River A new modern streetcar, plus potential funding for other rail transit initiatives such as commuter lines and a transit hub A new downtown convention center Sidewalks to be placed on major streets and near facilities used by the public throughout the City Fifty seven miles of new public bicycling and walking trails throughout the City Improvements to the Oklahoma River(USA rowing,kayaking Olympic training cntr.), including a public whitewater kayaking facility and upgrades intended to achieve the finest rowing racecourse in the world State-of-the-art health and wellness aquatic centers throughout the City designed for senior citizens Improvements to the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds Oklahoma City voters passed the initiative by 54% on December 8, 2009
July 27, 201113 yr Construction of the 50th and final floor,you can see the inward taper at the top and the V where the Crown will start!Photo from Thunder @ OKCTalk!
July 28, 201113 yr topped out! thx for the updates. awesome news about the obsevation area and bar/restaurant at the top. i had a feeling okc would not let us down with that, but still you never know. now we can all enjoy the views when we visit.
July 28, 201113 yr I stand by my critique. The park looks nice but the building siting is horrendous.
July 28, 201113 yr my main gripe is with the open space in front of the tower/lower portion of the tower. that seems to be wasted IMO. These plazas, time and time again, fail in terms of bringing vitality to the street. See Nationwide's plazas on High Street in C-Bus, P&G's in Cincy, Comcast's in Philly. I could go on and on and on.
July 28, 201113 yr my main gripe is with the open space in front of the tower/lower portion of the tower. that seems to be wasted IMO. These plazas, time and time again, fail in terms of bringing vitality to the street. See Nationwide's plazas on High Street in C-Bus, P&G's in Cincy, Comcast's in Philly. I could go on and on and on. ^^Fair enough!The South side is the Lawn area which will have an auditorium and landscaping but the West side is built right up on street level and has ground level retail and a 10 story parking garage,The East side butts up against OKC's first highrise the Colcord(built in 1910) Hotel which Devon owns and will be connected to the tower.The North side connects with the 440'ft Oklahoma tower and shares a skybridge!Before this tower was built all that stood was two parking garages and a parking lot in the same exact area,Devon didnt create a superblock but just built on an exsisting one!
July 29, 201113 yr <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/27041515?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/27041515">Devon Energy Tower Time Lapse - Oklahoma City (July 2011)</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/williamhider">William Hider</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
July 29, 201113 yr Devon Tower TIF(Project 180)Transforming Downtown Oklahoma City 180 Degrees The initiative, named Project 180, is a four year, $154 million redesign of downtown streets, sidewalks, parks and plazas to improve appearance and make the central core more pedestrian friendly. Plans call for the addition of landscaping, public art, marked bike lanes, decorative street lighting, and additional on-street parking spaces. The first phase of streetscape construction for Project 180 began along Reno in August 2010. Other portions of the phase one streetscape began in late 2010 and includes construction on East Main Street, North Walker, Sheridan, North Robinson, Dean A McGee, North Harvey, and NW 5th Street. Also included in the first phase of Project 180, and nearing completion, is the dramatic transformation of the Myriad Botanical Gardens. Plans call for changes throughout the garden, including the addition of a grand performance lawn, a children's discovery garden and play area, water features, an ice skating rink, a restaurant, a dog release area and the addition of a new grand entrance to the Crystal Bridge Conservatory. One of the biggest changes to the Myriad Botanical Gardens was the re-glazing of the 22 year-old Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory. After re-painting, the Conservatory's aging acrylic panels were replaced with new more durable clear panels. The Myriad Gardens and Crystal Bridge closed for construction beginning April 26, 2010 with portions reopening April 25, 2011 in time for the 2011 Festival of the Arts. A few of the renovations inside the Myriad Gardens remain closed for construction with an anticipated completion for fall of 2011.Phase two of the streetscape construction began July 2011 and includes Hudson, North Robinson, Sheridan, Colcord, Couch and Walker. This phase will include the renovation of both the grand lawn at City Hall and Bicentennial Park, located in front of the Civic Center Music Hall. Construction is slated to be completed by January 2014. The improvements are being paid for through Tax Increment Financing (TIF) from construction of the Devon Tower ($115 million) and General Obligation Bonds passed in the 2007 bond election ($24,585,000). http://okc180.com/
July 29, 201113 yr LED light testing on the Myriad Gardens Crystal bridge,it will be able to syncrhonize with the Devon Tower LED's!
October 25, 201113 yr ^ Very cool picture! “All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.” -Friedrich Nietzsche
October 25, 201113 yr ^^Thanks it's not mine,this pic was posted over on OKCTalk without a source and I really dont like posting peoples stuff w/o credit given but this pic was just so cool!
October 25, 201113 yr Sandridge Energy will be building a new tower that will only be about 300-350 ft tall and then the new convention center hotel will be 650 rooms and have limited space to build on so it is speculated that it would be a tall hotel,maybe 400-500 ft+,there will be more additions to the skyline in the upcoming years but nothing like the Devon tower!
December 27, 201113 yr Pretty cool Nike commercial seen on ESPN,showing the OKC skyline, Chesapeake arena and the Devon Tower at the end! Basketball Never Stops-Spotlight Return
January 7, 201213 yr not exactly but it looks kind of like columbus in an earlier era with only leveque or maybe cle w/ only terminal too. the cc hotel and the others mentioned will balance it out more. devon looks good.
March 14, 201213 yr ^^Lots of rumors of maybe two new towers going up both over 500ft tall!Hopefully these rumors come true,so that the skyline will balance out!
May 11, 201213 yr my main gripe is with the open space in front of the tower/lower portion of the tower. that seems to be wasted IMO. These plazas, time and time again, fail in terms of bringing vitality to the street. See Nationwide's plazas on High Street in C-Bus, P&G's in Cincy, Comcast's in Philly. I could go on and on and on. I do understand your gripe, so not trying to refute it or anything, but I think Devon at least marginally met the concerns of urban street interaction with the placement of the garden wing lining Hudson Avenue as well as the auditorium (not shown in the site plan posted in this thread) which anchors the intersection at Sheridan and Hudson, which is by all means a major local intersection. The auditorium IMO has a slightly Seattle Central Library kind of vibe to it, so I think they did well. Inside the garden wing (immediately overlooking the plaza) is Nebu, which is the corporate diner which has become an instant favorite with the downtown community. That, along with other amenities (and the landmark rotunda is supposed to line up with a new pedestrian spine for downtown), draw the community in and creates activity during the day. During the weekends and evenings the Myriad Gardens, our "central park" which just got a massive grounds renovation, is remarkably active - Sheridan Avenue (the street that passes the tower) is kept as a passive space due to the park, however there is newly installed lush landscaping (and rows of trees) which provides definition of space just the same as a traditional street wall would were there one. Again, not refuting, just wanted to provide more full context. There isn't really any way to view this as an unenlightened development because the Garden Wing AND the new parking garage (which has ultra-modern glass-encased retail storefronts that will open soon) that line Hudson are in appropriate urban form, and the auditorium is an excellent anchor for the intersection. Devon also paid for the grounds renovations of the park as well as dozens of major streetscaping projects all across downtown, with rising tide lifting all boats thinking. Devon has been an essential community partner. Not to mention that this site has a tragic near history, as it was once home to OKC's incredible Main Street core, which was razed in the 1970s for a Galleria that never happened after the 80s oil bust decimated our business community overnight. The grand old movie palaces and rows of boutiques were demolished and the entire 4-block site in the end was simply repurposed as a bi-level (with underground parking) parking structure throughout the 90s and 2000s. So it's best to put bad memories of disastrous urban renewal efforts behind us, and what better way than with a new tallest skyscraper. Here is the auditorium:
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