Oklahoma City is Going Vertical: The Skinny on the Nation's Next Skyscraper Legend!
Hold onto your hard hats, folks, because the skyline of the American heartland is about to get a serious, serious glow-up. Forget the coastal heavy hitters for a second—New York, Chicago, we see you, but Oklahoma City is coming in hot with a proposal that is, frankly, bonkers. We're talking about a new building so tall it makes the current tallest towers look like tiny LEGO creations. So, how tall is this magnificent, sky-scraping piece of ambition? The planned, record-shattering height of the Legends Tower is a dizzying 1,907 feet! Yeah, you read that right. Nearly two thousand feet of pure, unadulterated vertical swagger, right smack-dab in the middle of Oklahoma. It’s a whole mood.
This isn't just some regular-sized building that got a little too much coffee; this is a supertall skyscraper, a behemoth, a modern marvel destined to become the undisputed, tallest building in the entire United States, dethroning the venerable One World Trade Center by a cool 131 feet. It’s the kind of move that makes you spill your sweet tea and go, "Wait, what?" So, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving deep into the hilarious, complicated, and utterly ambitious saga of how Oklahoma City decided to tell the world, "Go big or go home."
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| How Tall Is The New Building In Oklahoma City |
Step 1: The Tall Tale of the Tape—What's the Deal with 1,907?
The name of this soon-to-be king of the cityscape is the Legends Tower, and it's the centerpiece of a massive mixed-use development called the Boardwalk at Bricktown. Before we get into the nitty-gritty of rebar and rhetoric, we gotta talk about that number: 1,907 feet.
1.1. It’s Not Arbitrary, It's History, Baby!
You might be thinking, "Did they just pull that number out of a hat?" Nope. This ain't their first rodeo. The height is a direct, symbolic shout-out to the year 1907, which is when Oklahoma officially became the 46th state admitted to the Union. It’s an architectural Easter egg, a clever nod to history, just like how One World Trade Center's 1,776 feet references the Declaration of Independence.
Fun Fact Alert: The original proposal for the tower was a mere 1,750 feet—a respectable height, but still shorter than the big dogs. Clearly, the development team got a taste of ambition and decided to go full throttle, requesting a zoning change for 'unlimited height' and cranking the plans up to the symbolic 1,907 feet. Talk about a glow-up!
1.2. Why Oklahoma City? The Great Plains Question
This is the question that's got everyone scratching their heads. Skyscrapers of this magnitude usually pop up in mega-metropolises with populations that make a small country blush. Oklahoma City? While it's a rapidly growing and dynamic city, some critics have been quick to call this a "pie-in-the-sky" dream, raising eyebrows about whether the local market can truly support a structure of this scale.
The Developers’ Vision: The folks behind the project, Matteson Capital and the architects at AO, are pushing back with a big vision. They see this tower as a catalyst, an iconic landmark that will catapult OKC onto the global stage, attracting high-end residential, hotel, and retail business. It's a statement, a declaration that the state known for its open spaces is now ready to reach for the heavens. It's bold. It's even a little bit sassy.
Tip: Reread if it feels confusing.
Step 2: The Vertical Blueprint—A City Within a Tower
The Legends Tower isn't just one skinny stack of steel and glass; it’s a colossal, mixed-use complex. The entire Boardwalk at Bricktown development encompasses a whopping five million square feet of space. That’s enough room for a small village, or at least a really nice mall.
2.1. What's Inside the Monster?
This ain’t no one-trick pony. The tower is designed to be a bustling vertical neighborhood.
Residential Units: Plans include an impressive 1,776 residential units—another subtle nod to American history, for those keeping score—ranging from luxury condos with breathtaking views to much-needed affordable housing options.
Hotel Space: Get ready for a fancy stay, because the project is set to include two Hyatt hotels, offering hundreds of new rooms for visitors.
Retail and Entertainment: The base will feature over 110,000 square feet dedicated to shops, restaurants, and entertainment. Imagine grabbing a latte at the base of the tallest building in the USA. Talk about a photo op.
The Crown Jewel: The tippy-top of the supertall tower is planned to feature a restaurant, a bar, and an observation deck. This will be the highest point of public access in the Western Hemisphere. Hope you’re not afraid of heights, because the view from up there will be the literal definition of epic.
2.2. The Three Little Towers (and One Big Brother)
The Legends Tower is the alpha, but it's not alone. The full Boardwalk development includes three smaller (but still substantial) towers clustered around the base, each standing at about 345 feet tall. These will house more residences and the hotel components. The whole ensemble is designed to create a vibrant public plaza that integrates with the existing Bricktown neighborhood, turning the area into a major hub of activity.
Step 3: Navigating the Gauntlet—Approvals and Engineering Hilarity
Building the biggest skyscraper in a region known for its fierce weather is not for the faint of heart, or for architects who like a calm, quiet life. This project has to leap through a series of bureaucratic hoops and solve some serious engineering puzzles.
3.1. The Zoning Battle Royale
Before a single shovel could hit the ground, the developers needed the green light from the city. The initial zoning for the site had a height limit of just 300 feet. Can you imagine pitching a 1,907-foot tower to a city council whose zoning says 300? That's a bold play, Cotton.
The City Council eventually voted to approve the development’s request for "unlimited height" in that zone. This was a monumental win—a clear sign that Oklahoma City is seriously committed to making this dream a reality. The unanimous support showed the local leadership is ready to roll the dice on this ambitious vision.
Tip: Don’t just scroll — pause and absorb.
3.2. Tackling Tornado Alley: The Wind Factor
This is where the jokes get serious. Oklahoma is in "Tornado Alley," an area famous for its strong winds and, well, tornadoes. Designing a delicate glass tower to withstand a prairie windstorm that could flip a semi-truck is no small feat.
The Engineers' Solution: The structure is designed with a massive, robust concrete core and perimeter concrete columns. The engineering team, including Thornton Tomasetti, is applying high-level structural design to ensure the skyscraper has an appropriate aspect ratio (the width-to-height ratio) and the necessary stiffness and damping to handle those intense lateral forces. They’re basically building a giant, immovable fortress that also happens to be shiny and full of apartments. Expect a lot of high-tech testing to make sure this thing can weather the storm—literally.
3.3. The FAA Says, "Hold Up, Big Shot!"
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The biggest remaining hurdle? The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). A 1,907-foot building is literally reaching into the sky, which naturally puts it in the flight path of nearby regional airports. The FAA flagged the proposed height as a potential "hazard to air navigation."
The Ongoing Dialogue: The developers are currently in negotiations with the FAA. This is a crucial step; if the FAA deems the height too dangerous, they can force the developers to trim the tower down. It's a high-stakes game of chicken: Will the FAA let the symbol stand at 1,907 feet, or will the building have to settle for "second tallest in America" status? This isn't just about height; it’s about air traffic safety. The final verdict could literally chop off the top of the dream.
Step 4: The Construction Timeline and the Future Vibe
If everything goes according to plan (and let’s be honest, in construction, the only thing that goes exactly to plan is the lunch break), this project will fundamentally transform Oklahoma City.
4.1. The Phased Rollout
This development is too massive to build all at once. It’s being tackled in phases. Site preparation and underground work, like the parking garage, are expected to kick off first. The three smaller, but still major, hotel and residential towers (like the Ruby and Emerald Towers) will likely be completed in the first wave. The Legends Tower itself is slated to begin construction by 2026 and is optimistically expected to be finished by 2030.
Reminder: Short breaks can improve focus.
4.2. Transforming Bricktown
The Boardwalk at Bricktown will inject a massive dose of energy and density into a part of Oklahoma City that’s already been revitalized. It’s located right by the Paycom Center (home of the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder) and the proposed site for a new sports arena. This isn't just a new building; it's the anchor for a whole new entertainment and residential district.
It’s an audacious gamble, a belief that if you build it really, really tall, they will come. It signals a new era for Oklahoma City, moving past its reputation as a purely sprawling, horizontal city to one that embraces a dynamic, vertical urban core. The city is ready to play in the big leagues, and they're building the biggest court possible.
Step 5: The Economic and Cultural Ripple Effect
The impact of the Legends Tower stretches far beyond its footprint. A project of this magnitude sends shockwaves through local and national conversations.
5.1. Billions of Bucks and Jobs
The estimated cost of the entire Boardwalk development is a staggering $1.5 billion. Securing full funding for a project this size in a smaller market is a monumental achievement in itself. This influx of capital translates directly into a massive number of construction jobs for years, followed by a permanent boost in hospitality, retail, and residential service jobs. It's an economic engine disguised as a very, very tall building.
5.2. New National Landmark Status
Once complete, the Legends Tower will be an instant national landmark. It will shift the narrative about where American architectural innovation is happening. For decades, the title of America's tallest has belonged to New York or Chicago. Now, it’s Oklahoma’s turn to flex. The city will become a global topic of conversation, attracting tourists, businesses, and possibly even more ambitious developers ready to jump on the bandwagon. It's a statement that says, "We're not just flyover country anymore; we're the destination."
The sheer audacity of the 1,907-foot Legends Tower makes it one of the most exciting and debated construction projects in the country. It's a massive risk, a historical tribute, and a vertical vision for the future, all rolled into one incredible, mile-high package. Keep your eyes on the Oklahoma City skyline—it’s about to change forever.
FAQ Questions and Answers
Tip: Context builds as you keep reading.
How is the Legends Tower being designed to handle Oklahoma's strong winds and tornadoes?
The tower is being engineered with a massive, reinforced concrete core and perimeter columns to provide exceptional structural rigidity. The design, by AO and Thornton Tomasetti, is specifically focused on handling the strong lateral forces common to the region, with the goal of creating a structure that can withstand the intense wind loads of Tornado Alley.
What is the significance of the 1,907-foot height for the Legends Tower?
The height is a symbolic and deliberate choice. It pays homage to the year 1907, which is when Oklahoma was officially granted statehood and admitted to the United States as the 46th state.
Is the Legends Tower guaranteed to be the tallest building in the United States?
While the plans have been approved by the Oklahoma City Council, the final height is still subject to approval and negotiations with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Due to its proximity to regional air traffic, the FAA could require a height reduction, but currently, the approved plan is for 1,907 feet, which would make it the tallest in the nation.
Where in Oklahoma City is the Legends Tower being constructed?
The tower is the main feature of the Boardwalk at Bricktown development, located in the dynamic Bricktown neighborhood of downtown Oklahoma City, close to the city's entertainment and sports venues, including the Paycom Center.
What types of units and amenities will the new skyscraper offer?
The Legends Tower will be a mixed-use behemoth, offering a total of 1,776 residential units (including both luxury condos and affordable housing), multiple Hyatt hotels, significant retail and entertainment space at its base, and a public observation deck, restaurant, and bar at its peak.
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