In the heart of Oklahoma City, an unexpected contender is aiming for a record. If built, Legends Tower would become the tallest building in the United States, standing 1,907 feet above the plains. That height would top even New York’s One World Trade Center—and in a city not typically known for skyscrapers.
The project is led by Matteson Capital, which announced in early 2024 that funding was secured. The Oklahoma City Council has already approved zoning changes, and the design is locked in. But one final hurdle remains: approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.
Planned to reach 1,907 feet—a nod to the year Oklahoma became a state—the tower would soar well beyond the current skyline of Oklahoma City. The structure is part of a massive mixed-use development featuring residential units, retail space, and a 350-key Hyatt hotel. It’s designed by California-based architecture firm AO (Architects Orange).
Construction was originally expected to begin in 2025, with site preparation slated for late 2024. The location is ready, but FAA height regulations have introduced delays that are still unresolved.
A site with layers of forgotten history
The future home of Legends Tower sits at the southwest corner of Reno Avenue and Oklahoma Avenue, in the Lower Bricktown district of downtown Oklahoma City. The area is best known today for its entertainment venues, Paycom Center, and proximity to Scissortail Park.
But decades ago, it looked very different.
In 1954, aerial images show the area packed with warehouses, rail spurs, and light industrial buildings. The site was part of Oklahoma City’s once-thriving shipping and rail corridor. By 1984, much of that had disappeared. The location had become a surface parking lot, reflecting the city’s push for urban renewal and event-based downtown development.
For over 40 years, the lot has remained mostly unchanged—open, flat, and quiet. That could soon change in the most dramatic way possible.
A bold supertall for a city not known for skyscrapers
While cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles dominate America’s supertall skyline conversation, Oklahoma City has remained relatively modest. Its tallest building today is the Devon Tower, standing at 844 feet.
If Legends Tower reaches its proposed height, it would not only double Oklahoma City’s tallest structure, but also stand out on a national scale. The building would dwarf everything around it, visible for miles in every direction across the flat Oklahoma landscape.
More than just a new high-rise, Legends Tower would place America’s heartland on the international architectural map.
Last Updated on March 28, 2025 by F.E.M