BancFirst to Start Renovation of City’s 2nd Tallest Tower
Excerpt from the OKCTalk article — September 16, 2019
“After purchasing the former Cotter Ranch Tower last year and announcing plans for a major renovation inside and out, BancFirst has filed building permits to start the work on Oklahoma City’s second-tallest building. The bank currently owns and occupies a building directly west of the tower and plans to move its downtown and other workers into the tower once their space is ready.
The renovation will include completely replacing the black exterior glass with new, blue-tinted glazing, adding lighted signage and an extended crown, removing half of the ground-level pillars and completely reworking the large surrounding plaza and lobby. The lower-level space that connects to the city’s Underground tunnel system will also be reworked with a large banking area and glass light wells.
Originally built as the headquarters for Liberty Bank in 1972, at 500 feet it reigned for almost 3 decades as Oklahoma City’s tallest building until the completion of Devon Energy Center in 2012.
The property changed hands several times before the most recent 14-year ownership by the Cotter Family which was often tumultuous with frequent complaints of lack maintenance and a slow bleeding of tenants that has resulted in a near 50% vacancy rate.
BancFirst has worked to secure several existing long-term tenants such as Hall Estill law firm and the Petroleum Club.
The bank also teamed with Continental Resources to purchase the adjacent Santa Fe Parking Garage from the city of Oklahoma City.
Design work on the tower is by Bockus Payne Architecture.”