Some sketchup perspective on the location and construction progress.....

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk92/gandjdunlap/DEVONTOWER-VIEW3.jpg

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk92/gandjdunlap/DEVONTOWER-VIEW35.jpg

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk92/gandjdunlap/DEVONTOWER-VIEW4.jpg

Bonus View
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk92/gandjdunlap/DEVONTOWER-VIEW7.jpg

Thanks for this post Architect5311 this illustrates exactly what I was saying but verifies it graphically. Look at the first illustration and notice the shape of the shear walls that form the elevator cores. You will notice that it matches exactly the geometry scrawled in the earth that we are all watching with rapt attention. Then as mentioned above the curtain wall and then exterior main columns (which are being installed currently). Again great timing and thanks for the extrusions that you did! Will really help many understand what the plan is communicating.

Pure coincidence, I was looking at the same thing.........OKC

Upper Floor Plan rotated w/ North downward.........note core shape compared to costruction photos above, as noted by OKC@heart.

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

Looks quite smaller than ever before. This the building thinner than the black tower?

Nothing's changed other than the height Thunder.

It gotten shorter again?

It gotten shorter again?

There has only been one reduction in height from its original 925'. None since.

Okay, I was just saying with the presentation and graphic designs, it appeared so huge previously. Now with the outline outside on the ground, it appear much smaller.

But you know how buildings look small on the outside when actually is huge on the inside. Let's hope it will be more than spacious.

Okay, I was just saying with the presentation and graphic designs, it appeared so huge previously. Now with the outline outside on the ground, it appear much smaller.

But you know how buildings look small on the outside when actually is huge on the inside. Let's hope it will be more than spacious.

Well the outline on the ground is not the extent of the building rather the extent of the elevator cores. Outside of that will be the circulation space around the core, and then outside of that will be the exterior (main tower supporting columns) and then based on the floor plans the floor plates cantilever out a bit, so it is going to be quite a bit bigger than the shape that you see in the dirt as of now.

That is a huge elevator shaft! How many elevators?

Can someone please update the Devon Tower wiki? Also if whomever can upload some pics of the renderings of Devon Tower on the wiki it'd be great. There are currently none.

Thunder, I can't remember exact count on elevators, I think 36. Here are some other facts from Page 1 though.

Let’s start with the facts:

• 50 stories (originally announced at 54 stories)
• 850 feet tall (originally announced at 925 feet)
• 1.8 million square feet (originally announced at 1.9 million sq. ft.)
• Six story “podium” building due west of the tower (originally announced at 7 stories)
• Six story atrium/rotunda centered on Harvey Avenue
• Large public park with water features
• Auditorium on the corner of Hudson & Sheridan, approx. 250 seats (not in the original announcement)
• Will be connected to the Colcord Hotel (also currently owned by Devon)
• City Center west parking garage purchased by Devon for its exclusive use and will be increased to 10 floors (from existing five).

Estimated completion late 2012; construction start Oct. 2009 (groundbreaking Oct. 6)
Estimated cost is $750 million.
Estimated TIF district at $115 to $175 million over a 25-year life ($95 million line of credit extended to OKC in September of 2009).

I was wondering where the best place to take pictures is? My daughter and I drove downtown last weekend with the best intentions of taking some nice pictures to post here, but found the construction site to be walled off like a prison. I’m guessing the only good place to take pictures (other than nearby office buildings) is the east garage. Does anyone know if access to the garage is restricted?

Also to those who have posted pictures, please keep it up. The close-ups are great!

Does anyone know if access to the garage is restricted?

I believe it is now for month parkers only... So you can't just grab a ticket and pull in.

However, I'm sure you can park nearby and just walk in and up the stairs at the far southwest corner.

Then, you will have a great vantage point from the top of the east garage.

Good luck!

Thanks! I'll ride the trusty bicycle down there this weekend and maybe I'll have better luck.

I was wondering where the best place to take pictures is? My daughter and I drove downtown last weekend with the best intentions of taking some nice pictures to post here, but found the construction site to be walled off like a prison. I’m guessing the only good place to take pictures (other than nearby office buildings) is the east garage. Does anyone know if access to the garage is restricted?

Also to those who have posted pictures, please keep it up. The close-ups are great!

Yes, you can freely walk through the east garage but you will have to park along the street to the north of the garage. The elevator is located on the north side of the garage which you can take up to the top and then walk across. Or you can walk up the 5 flights of stairs. I'm too lazy to do that.

Yeah, just walk in the east garage. Also walk over to Hudson Avenue on the SW corner of the library and take photos of the west garage progress. I ride my scooter over there frequently by the construction entrance and take pics.

Here are some pics I took this morning around 10:30.

The work site looks like a colony of ants. There is so much going on it's hard to imagine how something of this scale stays organized. Very impressive up close.

What's the best way to post pictures on here? I seem to have exceeded my daily allowance of uploads.

Here are some pics I took this morning around 10:30.

The work site looks like a colony of ants. There is so much going on it's hard to imagine how something of this scale stays organized. Very impressive up close.

What is the cluster of digging going on directly west of the main tower? Is that the based for the rotunda?

Pic #3 on post #586 illustrates how big the site really is! That hole for the west construction crane is massive in that pic with all the guys working on it! Amazing...

What is the cluster of digging going on directly west of the main tower? Is that the based for the rotunda?

As OKCisOK4me stated, I think the general consensus is that the digging west of the tower is the foundation for the tower crane.

And that they are likley to pour it later today or tomorrow. Just my guess but they have a lot of the steel in place and should be all tied up later this afternoon and then they can pour the foundation cap that will tie the supporting columns together. I can't wait for them to set the base section of the tower crane! Woohoo!!!

Here's a close up of the piers being uncovered. It also illustrates the enormous size again. Oh and I (obviously) figured out how to post full size images.

http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac277/dedndcrusr/7.jpg

Thanks for all the great new pictures. I'll try and take/post some tomorrow from my regular vantage point.

Tower crane base being lifted into place

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w219/ndobbs84/c9da24ff.jpg

update: they have picked it back up and moved it to the side to complete the work on the foundation

They have replaced the base on the foundation, for now at least...we'll see if they leave it and pour inplace for the anchor bolts or if they are just aligning it....hmmm...

Are these construction site workers local or a mixed bag? I only ask because of the other lime green vested onlookers who are watching on site with anticipation from above the hole knowing, like us, that this is a "most awesome" moment...

Pics from noon-ish Friday 2-19-10:

http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww242/luckynedpepper/Feb192010-a.jpg

http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww242/luckynedpepper/Feb192010-b.jpg

http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww242/luckynedpepper/Feb192010-d.jpg

http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww242/luckynedpepper/Feb192010-f.jpg

http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww242/luckynedpepper/Feb192010-g.jpg

http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww242/luckynedpepper/Feb192010-i.jpg

http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww242/luckynedpepper/Feb192010-k.jpg


http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww242/luckynedpepper/Feb192010-l.jpg


http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww242/luckynedpepper/Feb192010-m.jpg


http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww242/luckynedpepper/Feb192010-n.jpg


http://i724.photobucket.com/albums/ww242/luckynedpepper/Feb192010-p.jpg

Awesome pictures, DelCamino - thanks for posting!

Sorry I didn't get any yesterday - what with the attack on one of our offices in Austin, we were all in somewhat of a tizzy.

Great pics Del...THX

Man thats alot of cranes one jobsite....whens the last time we saw that in OKC?

I was wondering....and someone might have mentioned it before....which companies got the contracts for the tower..esp electrical?...I heard it went to an out of state firm.

Thanks for sharing pictures DelCamino!

I have been curious about who has the electrical on the project myself.

......Man thats alot of cranes one jobsite....whens the last time we saw that in OKC?......

Yeah. When I was taking the picture, I was counting them - counted 14, included traditional cranes, concrete pumps, etc. Even then, I'm sure I missed some. It's all very cool.

I just drove by a few minutes ago. The crane is put together to 11 stories now, about 1 story higher than the Colcord, and the cab of the crane has been installed and it was near the top!

The word going thru the union shops is that Oil Capital got the electrical on the job.

Some from today around noon. It's amazing how much changes in only few days.
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac277/dedndcrusr/1.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac277/dedndcrusr/5.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac277/dedndcrusr/6.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac277/dedndcrusr/2.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac277/dedndcrusr/3.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac277/dedndcrusr/4.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac277/dedndcrusr/7-1.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac277/dedndcrusr/8-1.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac277/dedndcrusr/9.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac277/dedndcrusr/10.jpg

The word going thru the union shops is that Oil Capital got the electrical on the job. Do you know where Oil Capital is located?

Do you know where Oil Capital is located?

They are based in Tulsa.

They are based in Tulsa. Thanks.. I worked for Tulsa Electric back in the late 70's to early 80's. Don't remember Oil Capital Electric. Are they union?

No, Oil Capital is an open shop and is becoming a very successful competitor for the big work in the state.

No, Oil Capital is an open shop and is becoming a very successful competitor for the big work in the state. Thanks!

those were great pics! thanks dednd for posting!

This could easily be placed in the "Favorite Vantage Point of Downtown OKC" thread but I felt it appropriate to be here. Tonight driving home from work, sitting at the Independence/NW Expressway light, I got butterflies looking at downtown and being able to see the lights of the crane from that distance! Its gonna be so cool with each passing week to be at that light and see this tower going up, up, and up!!!

I was just going to ask if someone could snap some photos of the crane on the skyline.

Would be a very cool sight to see.

I'll drive by on Wednesday and get some photos.

Here are some pics from today from worthy cook:

Flickr: gldncane's Photostream (http://www.flickr.com/photos/45571065@N04/)

Construction continues on Devon Energy building
BY STEVE LACKMEYER The Oklahoman
Published: February 24, 2010

A 28-story construction crane now looms over the downtown skyline as construction continues on the future Devon Energy Corp. headquarters.

The crane, which went up over the weekend, is designed to grow with the building structure and will ultimately reach 947 feet high, said Gavin Kalley, project director with Holder-Flintco.

"This thing will grow,” Kalley said. "We will jump it five times. The initial crane height is 250 feet … in the end it will be 950 feet tall with the hook, and add the ball and it’s 1,000 feet.”

Klay Kimker, vice president of administration, has witnessed building projects in the state going back to early 1970s construction of Chase Tower, which is currently the tallest tower in Oklahoma City.

"In all the years I’ve been in real estate in Oklahoma, I don’t think there has been a tower (crane) this tall,” Kimker said.

Kalley said the cab operator currently must climb up the entire tower to get to his post. The cab has heating, air conditioning and communications for operators, who work 10- to 12-hour shifts. But as for other accommodations, Kalley noted operators must "learn to manage their functions appropriately.”

Kimker said another two cranes, smaller in size, will be added to the site for construction of a six-story podium building next to the office tower. The cranes will be in place for the next two years.

Kalley could not estimate how much the tallest crane costs, but added "it’s not an inexpensive operation.”

The $750 million Devon headquarters will be 50 stories high when completed — the tallest in the state — and is expected to open by 2014.

NewsOK (http://www.newsok.com/construction-continues-on-devon-energy-building/article/3441837?custom_click=lead_story_title)

The $750 million Devon headquarters will be 50 stories high when completed — the tallest in the state — and is expected to open by 2014.


Expected to open by 2014??? When did they add another year to the project? I thought the only date that had been put out there was the end of 2012? I hope it's not that long.

Expected to open by 2014??? When did they add another year to the project? I thought the only date that had been put out there was the end of 2012? I hope it's not that long.

Kill the motor, dude. The year was inaccurately reported. It the completion date was extended, we'd all know. It doesn't take 4 years unless your building a 2,600 ft. supertall.

I sure didn't think that 2014 date was accurate. Especially at the pace they are moving I figured if anything it might get done sooner than late 2012. Just wanted to make sure I didn't miss some announcement. I'm really looking forward to watching the pad of the tower go in. Awesome stuff!

As recently as a couple of weeks ago, Devon said they were on or ahead of schedule.

the comments below the article are pretty amusing. people will complain about anything

As recently as a couple of weeks ago, Devon said they were on or ahead of schedule.

Yeah, they said they were ahead of schedule, but we had some nasty weather and lost a few days, so I'd imagine they are about right on schedule. Hopefully when the weather gets nicer, they can get back ahead of schedule before severe weather season.

pretty sure they said they were still ahead of schedule despite all the bad weather... could be mistaken

Here are some pictures from today 2/24/10

Sorry for the Flickr link, but I've been unable to figure out how to upload photos to here.

JLC


Devon construction - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlcinokc/sets/72157623503297608/)

Here are some pictures from today 2/24/10

Sorry for the Flickr link, but I've been unable to figure out how to upload photos to here.

JLC


Devon construction - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlcinokc/sets/72157623503297608/)

No. 604 is terrific. It's ART. :kicking::

Yeah, thanks for posting those. They were excellent!

I really liked #583, with the sun behind the crane.

Here are a few more photos of the Devon site. These are taken at night and I've taken a few more close ups of the site work. Once on the site click on View as Slideshow for larger images.Devon Tower Construction Stock Photography - Images | Alonzo Adams Photography (http://archive.alonzoadamsphotography.com/c/alonzoadamsphoto/gallery/Devon-Tower-Construction-Stock-Photography/G0000omGSMWGhqKM)