| Devon Energy Center | |
|---|---|
 Devon Energy Center, April 2012 | |
 Interactive map of Devon Energy Center | |
| Record height | |
| Tallest in Oklahoma since 2011[I] | |
| General information | |
| Status | Completed |
| Type | Office with restaurant |
| Location | 333 W Sheridan Ave Oklahoma City,Oklahoma, United States |
| Coordinates | 35°28′00″N97°31′03″W / 35.46667°N 97.51750°W /35.46667; -97.51750 |
| Named for | Devon Energy Corporation |
| Construction started | October 6, 2009 |
| Completed | October 23, 2012 |
| Cost | $750 million (est.) (c. $1.03 billion today[2]) |
| Owner | Devon Energy Corporation |
| Height | |
| Architectural | 844 ft (257 m)[1] |
| Roof | 844 ft (257 m)[1] |
| Top floor | 746 ft (227 m)[1] |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 50 (+2 basement floors)[1] |
| Floor area | 1,800,000 square feet (167,000 m2) |
| Lifts/elevators | 52 (total)[1] |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Pickard Chilton |
| Developer | Devon Realty Advisors Inc. |
| Main contractor | Hines |
| References | |
| [3] | |
TheDevon Energy Center (also known as theDevon Tower) is a 50-story corporateskyscraper in downtownOklahoma City, Oklahoma. It is the tallest building in the state, though it has fewer floors than the 52-storyBOK Tower inTulsa. It is tied withPark Tower inChicago as the75th 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 historicColcord Hotel, which Devon currently owns, on Sheridan Avenue between Hudson and Robinson Avenues.
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]
Devon World Headquarters LLC, a subsidiary of Oklahoma City-basedDevon 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 thecentral 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.
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 renamedBancFirst 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 itstopping 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]
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 MayorMick 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 afree solo climb along the tower as part of ananti-abortion protest. (Incidentally, weeks prior to his feat, theOklahoma 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 climbingThe New York Times Building inManhattan,[12] theAria Resort and Casino inLas Vegas[13] and theSalesforce Tower inSan Francisco to protest abortion orCOVID-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]
| Preceded by | Tallest Building in Oklahoma City 2011—current 257m | Succeeded by incumbent |
