OKLAHOMA CITY | OG&E Energy Center | 4 HIGHRISES | 380 - 405FT 25 - 26 FLOORS

Architect2010 · #1 Posted **Oct 10, 2014, 8:45 AM**

http://newsok.com/residential-towers...rticle/5349013

Clayco, based out of Chicago, has been contracted by Rainey Williams to design a new headquarters for Oklahoma/Arkansas utility company Oklahoma Gas & Electric. (OG&E). However new plans were unveiled by Clayco on October 6, 2014 proposing a redevelopment of the entire block.

Architect: Robert A.M. Stern Architects
Developer: Clayco
4 towers: 2 twin office towers and 2 residential

OG&E HDQ: 405'
Office Tower 2: 395'
Residential 1: 380'
Residential 2: 380'

Part of the plan included demolishing the Brutalism marvel Mummers Theater, designed by John Johansen of the famed Harvard Five. After much controversy, the Mummers met it's demise much like it's Baltimore cousin, the Mechanic Theatre.

Note that in the massing model presented with Clayco's plans, there are two other towers depicted on the long speculated and rumored Predtakes Block. This Clayco proposal may just be the beginning as it is rumored Pickard Chilton will be involved in one of the two rumored towers.

All images are courtesy of OKCTalk.com, although the plans are in public domain via the RFP presentation.

Double L · #2 Posted **Oct 10, 2014, 9:07 AM**

Wow, way to go Oklahoma City! For real.

Plokoon11 · #3 Posted **Oct 10, 2014, 9:32 AM**

Nice! Glad to see more projects in this city! The bldgs remind me of the older versions of the 2007 Comcast Tower with the open window / columns at the tops.

Wheelingman04 · #4 Posted **Oct 10, 2014, 4:36 PM**

Way to go OKC!!

summersm343 · #5 Posted **Oct 10, 2014, 4:52 PM**

Awesome for OKC! Congrats!

chris08876 · #6 Posted **Oct 10, 2014, 5:03 PM**

I like it. This would be a significant development in most cities. Has a A.M Stern vibe to it.

Architect2010 · #7 Posted **Oct 10, 2014, 6:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris08876

I like it. This would be a significant development in most cities. Has a A.M Stern vibe to it.

You would be correct as they are responsible for the design.

chris08876 · #8 Posted **Oct 10, 2014, 7:20 PM**

Lol, funny because I didn't even read it at first until after I posted the comment. Stern has a way of making all of his designs, well, similar.

Just look at his NYC designs compared to this, and also, the tower he wants to build in Chicago. Remarkably similar. But, I love his designs either way. Very impressed overall.

nab777 · #9 Posted **Oct 12, 2014, 1:45 AM**

Love the design of these buildings. Well executed. Imo I wish they were a bit taller to balance out the skyline. Congrats to OKC !!!

Rail>Auto · #10 Posted **Oct 12, 2014, 5:59 AM**

Like I said in the city compilation thread, I like the density but I'm not too keen on the design. Being as close as it is to the original site and with the current design, I wish the developers would make these look more like OKC's historic Biltmore that was demolished.

Hot Rod · #11 Posted **Oct 12, 2014, 7:31 AM**

There is a possibility for a hotel to be added to the block as well.

Clayco has a very aggressive construction schedule, set to begin in Mar 2015 with the OGE tower, April with the first residential tower, July for the second office tower, and Feb 2016 for the second residential tower. All will be finished by 2017.

City council is set to review/approve as early as Nov 4. The council must approve final design (to which Clayco could immediately start OGE tower and Residential 1 on the former Stage Center block). The council will also vote to approve Clayco for the south block as well, providing the entire site that Architect illustrates.

One side note, there is a competing bid for the south block (which includes ONLY the second office tower and residential tower in the Clayco proposal), in this bid by Milhaus of Indy - they wish to build a 20 storey residential tower and parking. It is assumed that this bid will be rejected in favor of Clayco, however, it is ALSO assumed that Milhaus will get to build its tower somewhere else in downtown OKC.

Cashville · #12 Posted **Oct 12, 2014, 4:35 PM**

Nice get for OKC, the design/setup looks like something that would fit in nicely in the Buckhead, Sandy Springs areas in Atlanta. Hopefully all the towers get built.

dc_denizen · #13 Posted **Oct 12, 2014, 5:25 PM**

always nice to see utilities building offices in downtown.

vandelay · #14 Posted **Oct 12, 2014, 10:14 PM**

Very stately looking office buildings. Not quite traditional and not quite modern. It looks like an evolution of both architectures. OKC is really flush with petrodollars aren't they?

Having Pickard Chilton do the residential and RAMSA do the office buildings is an interesting switch.

photoLith · #15 Posted **Oct 14, 2014, 3:13 AM**

Wow thats awesome, OKC needs some new towers to balance out Devon Tower, and these will extend the skyline nicely.

futuresooner · #16 Posted **Jan 14, 2016, 7:25 PM**

CANCELLED

Due to plummeting oil prices and an overall lack of need for new office space in downtown OKC, the plug has been pulled on this ambitious development.

Daily Oklahoman newspaper:
http://newsok.com/article/5471877

Sic'EmBears · #17 Posted **Jan 14, 2016, 10:07 PM**

That's a shame.

It had some beautiful Robert Stern-like qualities.