An unexpected location has become the potential site for the tallest building in the United States: Oklahoma City. Developer Scot Matteson recently revealed plans to include a 134-story tower, standing at 1,750 feet, to the planned Boardwalk At Bricktown development. This initial plan positioned the tower slightly shorter than the 1,776-foot-tall Freedom Tower at One World Trade Center in New York City. However, Matteson has now aimed higher, announcing plans to increase the height of the Legends Tower to 1,907 feet – a symbolic figure representing the year Oklahoma became a state in 1907. If successful, the Legends Tower would be the tallest building in the U.S. and the fifth tallest in the world. Currently, the tallest building globally is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, standing at 2,716 feet. Furthermore, the new tower would be more than twice as tall as Oklahoma City’s current largest building, the 50-story Devon Energy Center, which was completed in 2012 and is also the tallest building in the state.
The developer envisions the building as “an iconic destination.” Referring to a period of growth, Matteson expressed belief in Oklahoma City’s ability to support large-scale projects. He stated, “We believe that this development will be an iconic destination for the city, further driving the expansion and diversification of the growing economy, drawing in investment, new businesses, and jobs. It’s a dynamic environment, and we hope to see The Boardwalk at Bricktown stand as the pride of Oklahoma City.” The proposed project would bring Las Vegas-style entertainment to the Lower Bricktown area, covering over 3 acres and planned to host more than 2 million square feet of residential, retail, and entertainment development, including two Hyatt hotels, condos, apartments, stores, and restaurants. Additionally, it will feature a lagoon and a boardwalk. Another addition to the area is a new arena for the NBA franchise Oklahoma Thunder, with an expected cost of at least $900 million. The construction of the first three 345-foot towers is scheduled to commence this year, and the Legends Tower would follow upon their completion. According to the developers, the top floors of the tower will consist of a public observatory, restaurant, and bar, providing visitors with sweeping views of the city.
While there is optimism surrounding the project, some doubt the feasibility of constructing such a tall tower in Oklahoma City. World-Architects questioned the rationale behind building such a tall tower in OKC and whether it will actually come to fruition. Similarly, Construction site The B1M expressed skepticism, stating that Oklahoma City lacks the hyper-dense urban dynamic typically associated with producing supertall skyscrapers. Developers argue that Oklahoma City needs more residential and entertainment options; however, concerns about the region’s tornado activity persist. As of 2024, Oklahoma City is estimated to be the 18th largest city in the U.S. with a population of 702,837, demonstrating an annual growth rate of 0.73%, as reported by World Population Review, based on U.S. Census estimates. To proceed with the project, developers must secure a zoning variance or rezoning for the project area, as the current maximum allowed height is 300 feet, according to the Oklahoma City Free Press, citing comments from a city public information officer Kristy Yager. Yager stated, “They would need to rezone. We understand the applicant’s representative is preparing a new SPUD (simple planned unit development) application, which would go to Planning Commission for a recommendation and City Council for a final decision.”
Despite the uncertainties, there is local support for the project. The Oklahoma City Council approved a record $200 million in tax increment financing to be paid after the first two apartment towers are built. Renee Hoover-Payton, president of the Oklahoma Association of Realtors, expressed excitement about the developments, stating, “The Boardwalk at Bricktown and associated developments look exciting for Oklahoma City, and really the whole state, but we know they have a long way to go to get the project off the ground. That the development has nearly 2,000 urban, residential housing units associated with it is a bonus for our capital city, and (the association recognizes) the great potential of adding to Oklahoma City’s urban housing mix.”
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