Devon Energy Celebrates 40 Years, Reaches New Heights

As Devon Energy celebrated its 40th anniversary on March 10, 2011, workers continued building the company's new massive tower in downtown Oklahoma City at a remarkable pace.

Thursday, March 10th 2011, 4:04 pm

By: News 9


Kirsten McIntyre, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- As Devon Energy celebrated its 40th anniversary on March 10, 2011, workers continued building the company's new massive tower in downtown Oklahoma City at a remarkable pace of about a floor a week.

Construction crews poured the foundation for the new building in March 2010. It took 15 hours and almost 26 million pounds of concrete. The tower now stands 35 floors. 

Devon Energy's skyscraper has changed the downtown Oklahoma City skyline. When work is complete, the tower will stand 50 stories, making it the tallest building in the state.

"There is activity on the job site almost 24 hours a day, five days a week, and then Saturdays and Sundays during the day," said Project Director Gavin Kalley. "We're ranging anywhere from 900 to 1,000 workers."

Work has reached a critical stage. Crews are now focused on tapering in the top of the tower. Construction has to be precise to get the structure right.

"At the very top of the building, we'll have about a nine-feet distances from where the curtain wall started to where it's canted in from the top, which makes it a very elegant appearance in the skyline," Construction Manager Shannon Fetz said.

The tower is just one aspect of Devon's $750 million project, which also includes several smaller buildings. Workers have called the project a once in a lifetime opportunity.

"The landmark that all of us who are part of this project can point to and speak to for generations as to our involvement because this building will be around for a long time and continue to play a major part in this community for a long time," Kalley said.

The tower is expected to be finished by the middle of next year, and employees should move in by the end of 2012. Crews will use almost 17 football fields of glass to complete the structure.

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