Pickard says they never set out to build what is certainly the largest building in the city, maybe in the state.
“Height is fleeting. Beauty is not.”
Nichols:
Started with number of employees, then came up with 1.9 million square feet to house them.
400,000 square feet for the “podium.” And then 1.5 million square feet for the tower.
My laptop is about to lose battery power now. I just want to make note that Jack Money and I have been working together on this coverage. We’ve been tag-teaming on downtown coverage in one way or another for a dozen years.
Architect Rand Elliott Mayoral aide David Holt just commented the tower will the 21st highest building in the United States.
August 20th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Steve and Jack, what a tremendous job you’ve done! I feel like I was at the meeting. I’m not sure how comfortable I am with the height (it does indeed dwarf the current skyline) but I *do* like the design, and I’m very impressed with the work put in to make it an integral and dynamic part of the CBD.
Altruistic Plug: If you folks want to get more insight into Steve and Jack’s downtown tag-teaming, check out their beautiful book “OKC: Second Time Around.” It’s an award-winning title, and you can buy it at Full Circle Books.
August 20th, 2008 at 11:26 am
I think the building is too tall and kind of ugly, but what can you do? Great coverage in your blog, now that I know where it is.
August 20th, 2008 at 11:54 am
That’s an awful lot of glass for a building in the plains.
Plus, I am reminded by my Tulsa friends of the OneOk fiasco. There’s still a lot of time from now til 3Q09
August 20th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Too tall?!? Too much glass?!? Seriously, guys?!? Come on…there are much taller buildings that are all glass built in hurricane zones, earthquake areas, etc. If you don’t like it for aesthetic reasons, I disagree, but that is fine, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. All this does is give OKC a signature building on its skyline. One that signifies the growth and energy (pun intended) that is OKC today.
August 20th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
yeah it truely does give and indentifiable skyline to okc.. Am sure the details to it all well be much greater that what can be presented in a mode.
August 20th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
BigOkie and Lee must be Tulsans.
August 20th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
it’s awesome!!!!
Not too tall, it will spur additional development as companies rrelocate to downtown OKC from around the nation (now that Devon will give up a considerable amt of space currently occupied). When those companies open a small starter office in OKC - they will be impressed with the city (likely) and may desire additional space, perhaps spurring private skyscraper developments or leasible towers - ala Charlotte (which Nichols pointed out).
Great move Devon, he is a sentinel of Downtown Oklahoma City!
August 20th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
FWIW, I believe the Devon Tower will be taller than BOA Tower Seattle (tallest in Seattle). lol.
August 20th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Im missing a post. Sent before immediately before my 1:18pm post.
August 20th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
HR, actually Columbia Center is 937 feet in Seattle, 12 feet taller than Devon will be. How could you forget Columbia Center considering you’re from Seattle? Anyhow I hope this gets built quickly. It is iconic.
August 20th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
For those of you thinking this may be too tall for the current skyline, remember this won’t be the last building constructed downtown.
Charlotte had a similar situation (new building about twice the height as any other when built) and a great new skyline has grown around it since.
Buildings like this set the bar higher for everyone who follows, and that’s a good thing — not only in height, but quality, connectivity to the community, etc.
Awesome, awesome news for OKC and thanks for Steve for making us all feel like we were at the presentation.
August 20th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Thanks for the great posts!
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Many people think the BOK Tower to be tallest building in Okla however the Citi Plex Towers old Oral Robert Hospital is tallest bldg in Oklahoma 60 stories.
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:12 pm
BOK Tower in Tulsa not tallest bldg in Okla the Citi Plex Towers (old ORU hospital) has 60 full stories in South Tulsa.
August 23rd, 2008 at 1:35 am
Ah, the great tower debate again. This one used to confuse me. Yes, it’s true that CItyPlex has more stories. But due to lower floor to ceiling heights, CityPlex is actually shorter than BOK Tower. BOK Tower is 667 feet high, while CityPlex is 648 feet high.