Devon Energy Center

The Devon Energy Center (also known as the Devon Tower) is a 50-story corporate skyscraper in downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It is the tallest building in the city and state, though it has fewer floors than the 52-story BOK Tower in Tulsa. It is tied with Park Tower in Chicago as the 71st tallest building in the United States; at its completion Devon Tower was tied as the 39th tallest. Construction began October 6, 2009, and was completed in October 2012.[4] The tower is located next to the historic Colcord Hotel, which Devon currently owns, on Sheridan Avenue between Hudson and Robinson Avenues.

Not to be confused with a similarly named building, being Devon Energy's office in Houston, Texas, Devon Energy Tower (Houston).
Devon Energy Center
Devon Energy Center, April 2012
Record height
Tallest in Oklahoma since 2011[I]
General information
StatusCompleted
TypeOffice with restaurant
Location333 W Sheridan Ave
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Coordinates35°28′00″N 97°31′03″W
Construction startedOctober 6, 2009
CompletedOctober 2012
Cost$750 million (est.) (c. $956 million today[1])
OwnerDevon Energy Corporation
Height
Architectural844 ft (257 m)[2]
Roof844 ft (257 m)[2]
Top floor746 ft (227 m)[2]
Technical details
Floor count50 (+2 basement floors)[2]
Floor area1,800,000 square feet (167,000 m2)
Lifts/elevators52 (total)[2]
Design and construction
Architect(s)Pickard Chilton
DeveloperDevon Realty Advisors Inc.
Main contractorHines
References
[3]

The office tower, a six-story rotunda, and a six-story podium structure comprise more than 1,800,000 square feet (170,000 m2) and was initially estimated to cost $750 million;[4] however, the first formal appraisal of the tower and complex came in at only $707.9 million.[5] It serves as the northern anchor of Oklahoma City's aggressive Core to Shore downtown redevelopment project.[6]

Background

Devon World Headquarters LLC, a subsidiary of Oklahoma City-based Devon Energy Corporation, built the new skyscraper to replace their existing corporate office, which was located inside the Mid America Tower (now the Continental Resources Center), as well as other commercial space that the company had been leasing in a number of office buildings in the central business district.

The Devon Energy Center was originally planned to be 54 stories and 925 feet (282 m) tall. However, subsequent space planning revisions—including a decision to locate the data center to a separate facility for security reasons—resulted in a reduced height to 844 feet (257 m), including 50 stories.[7]

Site preparation and demolition began October 6, 2009. The Holder Construction Company served as primary general contractor, and Flintco, Inc. the minority partner in the joint venture.

History

Construction

Construction started on October 6, 2009. The first crane was installed on February 25, 2010, and the second crane was installed on June 25, 2010. In July 2010, construction had reached above street level. In September 2010, construction topped the 10th floor. In November, workers started installing glass on the bottom levels of the tower. In December 2010, the building reached the 22nd floor.

Upon completion of the 34th floor, Devon Energy Center surpassed the 500-foot (150 m) Chase Tower (since renamed BancFirst Tower) as the tallest building in Oklahoma City on March 10, 2011.[8] On May 17 of that year, the Devon Energy Center became the tallest building in Oklahoma, rising above Tulsa's 667-foot (203 m) BOK Tower. In June 2011, the building reached the 46th floor. On July 5, 2011, the building reached the 46th floor while the glass reached the 36th floor. The building marked its topping out at 50 stories in a ceremony held on September 21, 2011, as the Devon Energy Center reached its final height of 844 feet (257 m).[9]

Completion and opening

On October 23, 2012, the building marked its opening ceremony. It was confirmed by Devon Energy CEO, J. Larry Nichols that there would not be an observation deck; however, a restaurant named "Vast" on the 49th and 50th floors would be open to the general public. Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett attended the opening ceremony and stated, "The visual impact it has on the city is so striking and so identifiable. It took just over three years to complete the building that has quickly become a staple in our city's skyline."[10]

On June 14, 2022, conservative activist Maison Des Champs conducted a free solo climb along the tower as part of an anti-abortion protest. (Incidentally, weeks prior to his feat, the Oklahoma Legislature passed several laws severely restricting abortion access in the state, including one banning the practice from the moment of conception.)[11] He had previously gained media attention for climbing The New York Times Building in Manhattan,[12] the Aria Resort and Casino in Las Vegas[13] and the Salesforce Tower in San Francisco to protest abortion or COVID-19 safety protocols.[14] Des Champs—who only used chalk for gripping—was arrested after reaching the roof of the building, and was subsequently charged on two trespassing complaints.[15]

Tenants
  • Work site February 2010
    Work site February 2010
  • June 2010
    June 2010
  • August 2010
    August 2010
  • March 2011
    March 2011
  • February 25, 2012
    February 25, 2012
  • Looking north
    Looking north

See also

References
  1. 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  2. "Devon Energy Center – The Skyscraper Center". Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. August 20, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  3. "Devon Energy Center". SkyscraperPage.
  4. "The Devon Tower". About.com. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
  5. Brian Brus (2 May 2013). "Devon HQ appraised at $707.9M". The Journal Record. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  6. "Core to Shore". City of Oklahoma City. Archived from the original on 27 May 2010. Retrieved 15 March 2010.
  7. "Devon shortens plans for tower". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 2010-05-01.
  8. "Construction continues | Alternate Crop". Archived from the original on 2012-07-07. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
  9. Lackmeyer, Steve (22 September 2011). "Oklahoma City's Devon Energy Center is topped out at 50 stories". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  10. Mills, Chellie "Devon Tower celebrates opening, restaurant" KFOR.com (October 23, 2012)
  11. Dishman, David (14 June 2022). "Person seen climbing Devon Tower in downtown OKC". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  12. "'Pro-Life Spiderman' strikes again, scales New York Times building". KTVU. May 5, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  13. Lacanlale, Rio (4 August 2021). "Man scales 600-foot Strip hotel to protest new COVID mask mandate". Las Vegas Review Journal. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  14. Gleeson, Scott (4 May 2022). "Anti-abortion 'Spiderman' arrested after climbing Salesforce Tower in San Francisco". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  15. Kari King (June 14, 2022). "Man scales Oklahoma City's Devon Tower as anti-abortion protest". KFOR-TV.
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