π So, How Tall is the Tallest Building in Oklahoma City? A Hilariously High Deep Dive! π€£
Hold onto your cowboy hats, folks, because we're about to dive headfirst into the dizzying, sky-scraping drama of Oklahoma City's architectural scene. Forget what you think you know about the "Big Friendly"—this isn't just about friendly smiles and open spaces anymore. We're talking serious vertical ambition, the kind that makes your neck hurt just looking up.
You asked how tall the tallest building in Oklahoma City is, and let me tell you, that question is a total can of worms right now! It's less a simple answer and more a multi-story saga involving current champs, mind-blowing proposals, and a whole lotta math that might make your head spin faster than a tumbleweed in a tornado. Grab a huge soda, put your feet up, and prepare for a journey from solid ground to the very top of the Sooner State's skyline. This is going to be a long ride, but we promise it'll be packed with more information than a librarian wearing a fanny pack.
Step 1: The Reigning Champ – Meet the Big Kahuna (For Now!)
Let's start with the undisputed heavyweight champion currently dominating the OKC skyline. This isn't some old-school oil derrick; this is a sleek, modern marvel that decided to go full-on vertical flex on the entire state.
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| How Tall Is The Tallest Building In Oklahoma City |
1.1 The Official Answer: The Devon Energy Center
Right now, the building that officially holds the title of the tallest building in Oklahoma City (and the entire state of Oklahoma) is the Devon Energy Center, sometimes just called the Devon Tower.
Its official, certified, "don't-even-try-to-argue-with-it" height is a whopping 844 feet (257 meters).
Yeah, you heard that right. Eight hundred and forty-four feet! That's not just a tall building; that's the equivalent of stacking about 140 average-sized Oklahoma pickup trucks end-to-end. (Please do not try this at home; we are not responsible for property damage or confused tow-truck drivers). Completed in 2012, this glass-and-steel giant shot up like a rocket and took the title from the previous champ, the BancFirst Tower (which is a respectable 500 feet but now looks like the little cousin at the family reunion).
1.2 Fun Facts to Drop at Your Next Cookout
The Devon Tower is more than just a pretty face; it’s a whole vibe.
It’s a Skyscraper Sandwich: It holds the title of the tallest building in the Great Plains states—that's the massive stretch between Chicago and Dallas. Basically, it’s the tallest slice of bread in the middle of America's architecture sandwich.
The Big Swirly Top: Its distinct, slightly circular and pointed design often draws comparisons to a gigantic, futuristic flower vase or, depending on who you ask, a super-villain's secret lair. We prefer the vase analogy—it's much more AdSense-friendly!
It’s a 50-Story Superstar: It has 50 stories, which means if you forgot your keys in your 50th-floor office, you're either going to have a serious cardio workout or you’re calling an expensive locksmith. Probably the latter.
Step 2: The Plot Twist – An Unbelievable New Challenger Enters the Ring
Just when you thought the Devon Tower was going to ride off into the architectural sunset with its "tallest" trophy, a new, utterly audacious challenger appeared on the horizon. This is where the story gets absolutely wild.
Tip: Train your eye to catch repeated ideas.
2.1 Enter: The Legends Tower
A proposed development, known as The Boardwalk at Bricktown, has thrown down the gauntlet with plans for a tower so tall it doesn't just aim to be the tallest in Oklahoma City—it wants to be the tallest in the entire United States! This giant-to-be has been officially named the Legends Tower.
Proposed, utterly shocking, "are-you-kidding-me" height: 1,907 feet (581 meters).
Let’s take a second to process that. 1,907 feet! That number is more than twice the height of the current champion, the Devon Tower (844 feet). It's so high that if you tried to yell at your friend from the top, they wouldn't hear you; they'd just see a tiny, waving speck of a human silhouette.
2.2 Why 1,907 Feet? It’s a History Nod!
That height isn't just a random, ego-driven number, though that certainly helps with the bragging rights. It’s actually a sweet tribute:
1907 is the year Oklahoma was officially admitted to the Union as the 46th state. It’s like the developers gave the building a super-spire that doubles as a birthday candle for the state.
The developers want to surpass One World Trade Center in New York City (which stands at 1,776 feet, honoring the Declaration of Independence) to become the new tallest building in the U.S. Talk about a mic drop moment for the heartland! It would also rank as one of the tallest buildings in the entire world.
2.3 The "Pie in the Sky" Doubts (and Why We Love 'Em)
Now, this is the part where we need to be real: the Legends Tower is a massive undertaking, and a lot of folks are saying it’s a total pipe dream.
Tornado Alley Jitters: People are understandably concerned about dropping a nearly 2,000-foot glass-and-steel toothpick right smack in the middle of Tornado Alley. Engineers are going to have to make this thing hurricane-proof, super-solid, and probably include a built-in bunker.
"Small City, Big Tower": Oklahoma City is a booming, awesome place, but its population is smaller than the cities that usually host these supertalls (think NYC, Chicago, Dubai). Economists have questioned the logic of building a structure that massive. Is there enough demand for the offices, apartments, and hotel rooms? The developers are betting big on OKC's future.
So, when you ask "how tall is the tallest building," the answer is: It's 844 feet, unless a 1,907-foot dream-scraper actually gets built!
Step 3: Measuring the Monster – An Amateur's Guide to Skyscraper Height
Okay, let's say you're on the ground, craning your neck, and you decide you want to try and measure a skyscraper yourself. Forget your tape measure—unless you’ve got a drone with a few miles of string, that’s a no-go. Architects use fancy lasers and GPS, but we're going old-school, geometry-style, like a student who just remembered a high school lesson right before an exam.
QuickTip: Scan the start and end of paragraphs.
3.1 The Shadow Method (The "Broomstick" Technique)
This is a classic, thanks to an ancient Greek named Thales. You only need a few things: a sunny day, a tape measure, and a straight object—like a broomstick, a yardstick, or even your friend (if they stand perfectly straight).
Measure Your Object: Find a straight object (the broomstick) and measure its height ().
Measure Its Shadow: Measure the length of the object's shadow on the ground ().
Measure the Building's Shadow: Quickly measure the length of the building's shadow (). You need to be fast because the sun moves!
Do the Math: Since the sun hits both the building and the object at the same angle, they create "similar triangles" (look it up, it’s legit!). You can find the building's height () using a simple proportion:
Rearrange the formula to solve for the height:
Pro-Tip: Make sure you measure the building's shadow from its very base. If the skyscraper is 844 feet tall, you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
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3.2 The Angle of Elevation Method (The "Smartphone" Technique)
This is slightly more high-tech because your phone can act as a clinometer (a tool to measure angles). There are even apps for it!
Measure Your Distance: Walk a measurable distance away from the base of the building ().
Measure the Angle: Use your clinometer (or app) to sight the very top of the building and measure the angle from the ground ().
Use Trigonometry (No Panicking!): Remember the tangent function from high school math? Tangent () relates the opposite side (the height, ) to the adjacent side (your distance, ).
Solve for the height:
Important Note: This gives you the height from your eye level up. You'd still need to add your own height to the final number. And if you’re measuring a 1,907-foot Legends Tower, you’ll need to walk a mile or two away to get a good angle, or your phone will just read a confused 90 degrees!
Step 4: The Architectural Legacy of OKC (Beyond the Giants)
Oklahoma City’s skyline isn’t just about two super-talls. It's a patchwork quilt of cool architecture that tells a story.
4.1 The Art Deco Gems
Downtown OKC is full of awesome buildings from the 1920s and 30s, when Art Deco was all the rage. Buildings like the First National Center and City Place Tower stand as a testament to that era, with their sleek lines and cool geometric designs. They might be dwarfed by the Devon Tower, but they have a timeless, Great Gatsby-era swagger the new guys just can't match.
4.2 The Capitol Building’s Little Secret
Tip: Read actively — ask yourself questions as you go.
Get this: The Oklahoma State Capitol building is the only Capitol in the U.S. that has a working oil well right underneath it—or at least, right on its grounds! They literally built the seat of power over the source of the state’s wealth. It’s a hilarious, uniquely Oklahoman fact that perfectly sums up the state's roots. That’s what we call 'drilling for democracy,' folks!
4.3 Googie, Googie, Go!
Look around the older parts of the city and you'll find examples of Googie Architecture. Googie is a fun, space-age style from the 1950s and 60s, full of daring angles and starburst motifs. Think of buildings that look like they were designed by an architect who had way too much coffee and watched The Jetsons a lot. Founders Tower is a great example—it was originally a very cool, cylindrical mid-century office building.
Step 5: What All This Height Means for the "Big Friendly"
So, why all the fuss about who has the tallest building? Is it just a giant game of architectural King of the Hill? Well, yes, but also no.
5.1 A Symbol of Optimism and Ambition
Building a supertall skyscraper is a monumental declaration of a city's confidence. The Devon Tower’s rise signaled Oklahoma City's recovery and emergence as a modern, forward-thinking metropolis. The proposed Legends Tower, if it ever gets off the ground, would be an even more audacious symbol—a massive vote of confidence in the city's future. It screams, "We're not just a fly-over state; we're building the future, baby!"
5.2 The Skyscraper Effect
When a huge tower goes up, it draws attention, tourism, and—crucially—business. The taller the building, the more global headlines it makes. It’s like a giant, glittering magnet for investment. Everyone wants to see the world-class structure, and when they come, they spend money. That's the skyscraper effect in action!
5.3 The Bottom Line on Height
QuickTip: Revisit this post tomorrow — it’ll feel new.
The answer to your initial question is currently 844 feet (the Devon Energy Center). But the conversation, the dream, and the sheer audacity of the future answer is a staggering, potentially US-record-breaking 1,907 feet (the Legends Tower). Keep your eyes on the OKC skyline, because it just might be about to get a whole lot higher! It's a classic American story: always aiming higher, even if it feels a little bonkers.
FAQ Questions and Answers
How tall is the current tallest building in Oklahoma City?
The currently completed and occupied tallest building in Oklahoma City is the Devon Energy Center, standing at 844 feet (257 meters).
How to measure the height of a building without climbing it?
You can use the Shadow Method (also known as the Broomstick Technique) or the Angle of Elevation Method using trigonometry (specifically the tangent function) and a simple tool like a protractor or a smartphone app.
How much taller is the proposed Legends Tower than the Devon Tower?
The proposed Legends Tower, at 1,907 feet, would be over 1,000 feet taller than the current Devon Tower, effectively more than doubling its height.
How many stories does the Devon Energy Center have?
The Devon Energy Center has 50 stories and was completed in the year 2012.
How will the Legends Tower's height compare globally if it is built?
If built at its proposed 1,907 feet, the Legends Tower would become the tallest building in the United States and the Western Hemisphere, and would rank among the top ten tallest buildings in the world.
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