OKC Devon Energy Tower (925 ft, 54 st)

[I45Tex]

Here's a rearranged excerpt of the wiki list of tallest habitable structural space by state:

1974 Illinois 1,450
1930 New York 1,250
1992 Georgia 1,023
1989 California 1,018
1982 Texas 1,002
2007 Pennsylvania 975
1991 Ohio 947
1985 Washington 937
1992 North Carolina 871
1990 Indiana 829
1973 Minnesota 792
1976 Massachusetts 790
2003 Florida 789
2004 New Jersey 781
2007 Alabama 745
1977 Michigan 727
1984 Colorado 714
1972 Louisiana 697
1976 Oklahoma 667
2002 Nebraska 634
1988 Missouri 632
1991 Iowa 630
1994 Tennessee 617
2005 Nevada 614
1973 Wisconsin 601
1993 Kentucky 550
1986 Arkansas 546
1972 Oregon 546
1984 Connecticut 535
1973 Maryland 529
2007 Virginia 508
1972 Arizona 483
1996 Hawaii 429
1927 Rhode Island 428
1998 Utah 422
1990 New Mexico 351
1987 South Carolina 349
1999 Mississippi 347
1988 Delaware 330
1989 Kansas 320
1899 DC 315
1891 Vermont 306
1983 Alaska 296
1932 West Virginia 292
1985 Montana 272
1978 Idaho 267
1972 New Hampshire 259
1934 North Dakota 241.67
1962 South Dakota 210
1969 Maine 204
1960 Wyoming 200

Oklahoma is still 19th on this fairly meaningless metric. There is speculation - with Devon planning to build more than 1.2Msf on one block in downtown Oklahoma City - that, since they are already valuing hometown pride over the industry reasons to prefer to add employment base at their Allen Center downtown Houston offices, they will also go for pride and make the gesture of building tall. Tulsa has the four tallest buildings in the state (and a significantly nicer skyline than FW or Saint Louis).

[I45Tex]

Word is that renderings will be released on the twentieth of August.

[Tnekster]

Hope Oklahoma City gets a good one.

[UptownDallas]

Devon plans state's tallest building for downtown Oklahoma City


By The Associated Press
8/20/2008 11:30 AM

OKLAHOMA CITY — The chief executive of Devon Energy Corp. says its new proposed downtown headquarters will be the tallest building in Oklahoma.

CEO Larry Nichols told the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority Wednesday that the oil and natural gas company's planned tower would have 54 stories and stand 925 feet tall.

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.

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

Nichols says the Devon tower would cost more than $750 million and be scheduled for completion in 2012.

[mrowl]

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_06_skylines.jpg

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

[I45Tex]

http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral for renderings.

They are going to do a Charlotte-type thing and rebrand the downtown and the city by building something completely different. The shaft will be 1.5 Msf and the .4 Msf base will have a giant indoor area designed for citizens to enjoy passing through between the core and Myriad Gardens. Gerald Hines flew from London to discuss the 925' tower.

[gchrisbailey]

A whole 4 feet taller than BofA...that's completely noticeable from ground level... :rolleyes:

It won't be built...and it would stick out (in a bad way) considering that OKC's current tallest is 500ft...

although it's nice to hear some life come out of Dallas' biggest suburb...

[JFire2]

Man ... I hope this gets Hillwood's attenton to where the redesign of Victory Tower is something even taller than the 650' that was planned. And pleeeaaasse let Museum Tower break groud this fall.

Seriously ... how can OKC have a taller building than Dallas? It's like the Twilight Zone or something.

(And how is something that is only 54 stories be 925 feet tall?)

[Double Wide]

I will be surprised if it is built

[cowboyeagle05]

Its not about height its about making a building that is economically viable in the neighborhood I could care less if Dallas ever builds a new skyscraper I just want good solid development in the city center that does not participate in a fortress tower motif. Towers that participate in the neighborhood will do much better in the long run when it comes dealing with companies that are going to always be bought sold and moved out of town.

I agree with the consensus here that is will not get built. I wouldn't spend much time on the idea that Oklahoma might get a taller tower who cares and is their downtown in solid footing more so than Dallas? Do there urban areas have solid infill development and or a contiguous urban fabric that promotes more future economical growth? If so then the tower might prove to be successful project until then Im not expecting much.

[vman]

A whole 4 feet taller than BofA...that's completely noticeable from ground level... :rolleyes:

It won't be built...and it would stick out (in a bad way) considering that OKC's current tallest is 500ft...


I agree, it would really throw OKC's skyline off balance. It would be better to build two mid rise towers. It reminds me of a building recently built in Atlanta. Anway, it is an awesome building and I would love to see it built......HERE.

[gchrisbailey]

I agree, it would really throw OKC's skyline off balance. It would be better to build two mid rise towers. It reminds me of a building recently built in Atlanta. Anway, it is an awesome building and I would love to see it built......HERE.

I agree...I like the design...I think it or something a little taller would be nice in that gigantic, empty parking lot on Griffin next to the Woodall Rogers...

[AeroD]

Why would this not get built? The energy sector of the economy is doing gangbusters. Why not invest some of that money in some real estate, and then sell it?

[Avadon]

Seriously now. Have they never heard of tornadoes? To speak nothing of this little thing we call "severe wind events." Oy!

[MarkL2023]

I hope they get it. It would be great for them. Just imagine if they got a basketball team and a huge tower in the span of a few months. HUGE. anyway, I wish Dallas would do some huge tower too but I understand that they will come eventually if we keep up the infill with 20 and low 30 something towers.
I wish we had some more angles

[UptownDallas]

I will be surprised if it is built

That was my initial thought, then I checked Devon's latest balance sheet.

The building will cost $750 million; Devon has over $47 billion in assets, roughly $5 billion of which consist of cash and accounts receivable. They also generated net cash flow from operations of $5.2 billion during the 1st 6 months of the year.

In other words, they can pay for this building with their pocket change and don't need to borrow a dime. The total building cost of $750 million can be funded with just over 3 weeks' of the company's normal operating cash flow.

Gerald Hines (of Galleria and Momentum Place/Comerica Tower fame) is the developer.

[MarkL2023]

^^^^ that is awesome. I really hope this happens. I would love for the area to get some more attention

[AeroD]

Seriously now. Have they never heard of tornadoes? To speak nothing of this little thing we call "severe wind events." Oy!

Hong Kong has monsoons.

Miami has hurricanes.

Tokyo has Godzilla.

Man will not let Mother Nature and her Four Horsemen stop humanity from building pretty buildings.

[UptownDallas]

Its not about height its about making a building that is economically viable in the neighborhood I could care less if Dallas ever builds a new skyscraper I just want good solid development in the city center that does not participate in a fortress tower motif. Towers that participate in the neighborhood will do much better in the long run when it comes dealing with companies that are going to always be bought sold and moved out of town.

In connection with this development, Devon has purchased the adjacent boutique hotel, which will be integrated into the development. In addition, they have also committed substantial funds to the upgrading of the Botanical Gardens located directly across the street.


I agree with the consensus here that is will not get built.

Check Devon's financial statements.... the cost of the building is a rounding error to them.



I wouldn't spend much time on the idea that Oklahoma might get a taller tower who cares and is their downtown in solid footing more so than Dallas?

Yes.



Do there urban areas have solid infill development and or a contiguous urban fabric that promotes more future economical growth?

Yes.


If so then the tower might prove to be successful project until then Im not expecting much.

If you visit, you will find they have made incredible changes in the last 10-15 years. The downtown is vibrant, full of bars, restaurants, NBA basketball (coming this fall), baseball stadium, several new hotels, townhomes, loft apartments, vibrant close-in neighborhoods, etc., etc.

Extremely competent and focused municipal government.

[AeroD]

If you visit, you will find they have made incredible changes in the last 10-15 years. The downtown is vibrant, full of bars, restaurants, NBA basketball (coming this fall), baseball stadium, several new hotels, townhomes, loft apartments, vibrant close-in neighborhoods, etc., etc.

Extremely competent and focused municipal government.

Just one problem, it is still Oklahoma.

[UptownDallas]

Just one problem, it is still Oklahoma.

My comment suggested visiting, not actually living there. :eek:

[AeroD]

My comment suggested visiting, not actually living there. :eek:

Point taken.

[mrowl]

I will be surprised if it is built

Devon has the money, and they need 2 Million sq ft for its workforce, I will be surprised if this is not built.

And with the massive growth, and the transit system in planning stages in OKC, they are really taking huge leaps forward.

[FoUTASportscaster]

Seriously ... how can OKC have a taller building than Dallas? It's like the Twilight Zone or something.

What difference does it make? Does it automatically make OKC a better place? Is Dallas a better place than Paris because we have a taller building? Is Houston a better place than Dallas because they have a taller building? Can I really mnake a post that is all questions and no statements?

[DalLove444]

925 ft and only 54 stories? Why the f+++ do they need such extremely HIGH ceilings???????????? :huhcld: :roflmao2:

[DalLove444]

Theres an almost identical thread: Oklahoma City: Devon Tower (925 ft - taller than anything in DFW) (http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/showthread.php?t=8219)

[RobertB]

Theres an almost identical thread: Oklahoma City: Devon Tower (925 ft - taller than anything in DFW) (http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/showthread.php?t=8219)
Merged it in. The most interesting tidbit from the original thread:

Word is that renderings will be released on the twentieth of August.
Nailed it! Good job!

[DalLove444]

^Thanks Robert :)

[Spjz]

Just one problem, it is still Oklahoma.I've entertained plenty of out of towners in Dallas who were surprised at how un-Texan they thought it was. Perhaps a nice shiny new tower will do the same for OKC.

[MarkL2023]

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

[hamiltonpl]

That's beautiful. But I don't see how it could be built in this poor economy and in Oklahoma.

[allforone]

how it could be built in this poor economy? okc's is doing fine. it was also just named the most recession proof city in the nation by forbes. for the record the city's first 2 skyscrapers were built during the grat depression.
it may stick out cuz of the height, but i remember 2 massive buildings dwarfing anything on new yorks skyline.

[NThomas]

That's beautiful. But I don't see how it could be built in this poor economy and in Oklahoma.

This looks great! Is there any info on what the atrium looking building at the base will house?

Despite the economy, Devon is in a sector that is still doing ok. I don't see them filling for ch. 11 anytime soon.

If only Chesapeake would do the same here... (No, the Pier 1 building lease doesn't count, I want a new building!)

[Tnekster]

Despite the economy, Devon is in a sector that is still doing ok. I don't see them filling for ch. 11 anytime soon.

If only Chesapeake would do the same here... (No, the Pier 1 building lease doesn't count, I want a new building!)

True, I agree that Devon could pull it off if they wanted to. Also, there is always room for a seond tower on the Chesapeake site.

[NThomas]

Some more purty renderings:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_01_rotundaentrances.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_07_interiorlobby.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_10_siteplanbuildingview.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_11_towrcrosssection.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/devon_tower/presskit_11_towrcrosssections.jpg

[psukhu]

That's beautiful. But I don't see how it could be built in this poor economy and in Oklahoma.

Check out the article in today's DMN talking about the boom in the natural gas industry and their current demand for office space.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/DN-gasoffice_22bus.ART.State.Edition1.3de0597.html

[Platemaker]

If only Chesapeake would do the same here... (No, the Pier 1 building lease doesn't count, I want a new building!)

I wonder if you realize that Chesapeake's headquarters are located in OKC as well...

[NThomas]

Starting this month, Chesapeake will fill about half of its new 20-story tower, but it still needs more space. It rents about 120,000 square feet in two other downtown Fort Worth buildings.

Between Chesapeake's presence in the Pier 1 building and the other two leases in DTFW, Chesapeake only fills enough space comparable to the 26-story St. Ann Court in Dallas. I'm guessing Devon will lease the majority of the new building to others after they fill out their needs?

[dfw79]

Between Chesapeake's presence in the Pier 1 building and the other two leases in DTFW, Chesapeake only fills enough space comparable to the 26-story St. Ann Court in Dallas. I'm guessing Devon will lease the majority of the new building to others after they fill out their needs?

The only portion of the Devon facility that will not be occupied by them will be the first couple floors. They will be securing the remaining of the builiding and only Devon employees will have access to those areas. They intend to fill out the builiding as they expand their HQ staff to over 3000.

[Downtown OKC]

Do you all realize Chesapeake's world HQ is in Okc? They are an OKC based company. FYI Forbes just ranked OKC #1most recession proof city in America. OKC is booming right now!

[H_R]

Guys, Chesapeake Energy is based in Oklahoma City, and they are building a wonderful HUGE campus world headquarters in the city's near NW side (near Nichols Hills). It's quite impressive. Im shocked that nobody here mentioned that, nor did the DMN.

I don't think they will be expanding down here, if anything - they might decide to build a tower in downtown OKC and have a much smaller presence in DFW. Devon chose to build their new world headquarters tower in downtown OKC to consolidate, perhaps that might mean a smaller presence for them in Houston too.?

Both Chesapeake and Devon are OKC's most prominent energy companies, I don't think they're going anywhere.

Anyways, congratulations to Oklahoma City for your new tallest! She is a beautiful building and definitely my new favourite signature tower that's an almost supertall, that's for sure!

[UptownDallas]

If only Chesapeake would do the same here... (No, the Pier 1 building lease doesn't count, I want a new building!)

You realize, of course, that Chesapeake is also headquartered in Oklahoma City, just like Devon?!?

[Downtown OKC]

Yes, don't you all realize Chesapeake (the ones who purchased Pier One HQ in Ft.Worth), are an OKC based company and their world HQ is in OKC??? They have a MASSIVE campus in OKC and are developing TONS of real estate and upscale retail/mixed use projects in OKC. They employ over 3,000 at their HQ alone in OKC and tons all over the state of OK as well as 5,000 workers in Texas, mainly field workers and about 500 or so in the Ft. Worth Pier One building. OKC is booming with energy companies right now.

FYI to answer the question above about the new 925ft. Devon Tower, NO it will be 100% owner occupied by Devon only, approx 3,000 employees. They are not spec building and leasing out additional space. They are building an 4,000 annex that will house conference facilities, health club, and will have some retailers (dry cleaners, food court, etc.).

[MarkL2023]

http://www.globest.com/news/1229_1229/oklahomacity/173262-1.html

Devon's $750M HQ Build Reflects OKC's Progress
By Amy Wolff Sorter


OKLAHOMA CITY-The proposed 1.9-million-sf Devon Energy Corp.'s world headquarters will be the largest and tallest office tower in Oklahoma City, with experts saying the $750-million project is indicative of where the city has been going for awhile. When completed in 2012, the 54-story office tower in the CBD will be a central point for Devon Energy's current operations.

Plans for the building were unveiled before the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority in recent days. The authority, which has approved the high rise, owns the development site along Sheridan Avenue. Pickard Chilton Architects Inc. of New Haven, CT has designed the building and Houston-based Hines Interest is its development manager.

In March, Devon Energy announced plans to remain headquartered in Oklahoma City and build the high rise. The company is leasing 669,668 sf in five buildings in the CBD: its headquarters at 20 N. Broadway Ave. and space in First National Center at 120 N. Robinson Ave., Chase Tower at 100 N. Broadway Ave., Corporate Tower at 101 N. Robinson Ave. and a North Broadway Avenue building near Third Street.

Mark Beffort, managing director in Oklahoma City for Grubb & Ellis Co., says the authority's approval came as no surprise. He adds, however, that the building's height raised some eyebrows. "We didn't anticipate 54 stories," he says. "We were thinking somewhere in the 40-story range. This will really provide a significant landmark to Downtown Oklahoma City."

In terms of the headquarters spurring additional development in the central core, Beffort says that's been happening for awhile. "We're already doing a lot of things there. A significant number of residential units are being built for lease or for sale. There's a significant amount of retail. We have a night life now in the Downtown," he adds. "The city is spending significant amounts of money with what we call the 'core-to-shore' area."

In other words, the Devon headquarters is more a confirmation of Oklahoma City as a viable metro rather than the start. "Building a new building of that type will add new credibility to Oklahoma City's central core," Beffort says.

Mark C. Snead, director of Oklahoma State University's Center for Applied Economic Research in Stillwater, OK, agrees with Beffort, adding that the building may be somewhat behind the curve. "The reason Devon is staying there, and is building there, is because the past four years have witnessed explosive growth for the company, the city and the state," he tells GlobeSt.com. "The building isn't an early sign--it's almost remarking on the obvious."

Snead acknowledges that to those outside the state, a 1.9-million-sf world headquarters positions Oklahoma City as a full-blown metro rather than a victim of the oil bust or what he dubbed as the "perceived Midwest malaise that goes from the Texas border to the Canadian border.

"Larry Nichols [Devon's CEO] said he wanted to change the reputation of Oklahoma City and start pointing people to positive and vibrant parts of the area," Snead says. "He nailed it with what this building will be a sign of."

[Tnekster]

Good deal for OKC. Hope they get some more.

[mannypr]

I think that its great for them to get a building this size. For some reason Dallas has become the place to beat in the region. We have Houston in the southeast, Austin in the south, Fort Worth in the west and now that Oklahoma City is becoming more competitive we have somebody north of us. No other city in the region can say the same. We are in the epicenter of it all so I dont see why some people arent happy with the news. Yeah they will have a taller building, but Dallas has so many 20 and 30+ buildings going on that soon enough we would have to build them taller and it wont be just one. I also cant wait till the Oklahoma basketball team starts playing because rivalry in sports is fun and we will now have 3 teams around us to beat. Hopefully one of these cities or San Antonio get an NFL team soon because its getting lonely and boring w the Texans.

[allforone]

just to let the people that think its not being built

http://www.newsok.com/article/3358577

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

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.

Devon tower schedule:
Site preparation work is already under way for Devon tower, and the company has struck an agreement with the city to buy the west City Center garage for $18 million. Significant demolition and construction are expected to start later this year.

[Texas Super]

Does anyone know if they have hired a general contractor yet?

[NThomas]

Does anyone know if they have hired a general contractor yet?
It's a joint venture between Atlanta-based Holder Construction and Tulsa-based Flintco Construction.

[NThomas]

Devon Energy Tower cuts floor heights and 4 stories.

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

I'm guessing that it won't be taller then BoA in Dallas anymore right?