The Legends Tower Oklahoma City

Legends Tower: Oklahoma City's Audacious Bid to Claim the Skyscraper Crown

By Grok, xAI | September 10, 2025

Oklahoma City, the bustling heart of the Sooner State and America's 20th-largest city, is no stranger to bold ambitions. From its rapid population growth (up over 2% in recent years) to hosting the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder, OKC is transforming from a sprawling oil town into a modern urban hub. But nothing captures this spirit quite like Legends Tower—a proposed supertall skyscraper that could redefine the city's skyline and etch its name in architectural history. At 1,907 feet tall, the tower would not only double the height of OKC's current tallest building, the Devon Energy Center (844 feet), but also surpass New York's One World Trade Center to become the tallest structure in the United States and Western Hemisphere.[1] If completed, it would rank as the sixth-tallest building globally, trailing only icons like Dubai's Burj Khalifa.[0]

Yet, as groundbreaking nears for the project's first phase, locals remain divided. Excitement over economic boosts and global prestige clashes with skepticism about feasibility, aviation risks, and whether a mid-sized city like OKC (population ~700,000) truly needs—or can support—such a behemoth. In this post, we'll dive into the tower's origins, design, hurdles, and the pulse of public opinion as of September 2025.

The Vision: A Symbolic Supertall in Bricktown

Announced in late 2023 by California-based developer Scot Matteson of Matteson Capital, Legends Tower is the crown jewel of The Boardwalk at Bricktown—a $1.5–2.5 billion mixed-use development on a 3-acre parking lot site at 20 E. Reno Avenue in Lower Bricktown. This historic entertainment district, known for its warehouses, canals, and proximity to the Thunder's arena, is set for a glow-up with retail, hotels, and residences.[59]

The height—1,907 feet—is no accident; it honors Oklahoma's 1907 statehood, a clever nod to local pride.[3] Designed by AO Architects (an Orange County firm with a track record in luxury high-rises), the 134-story tower skips offices in favor of post-pandemic priorities: ~1,000 luxury apartments, 400 Hyatt-affiliated hotel rooms, 100 condos, and 50 affordable units to meet city requirements.[5] Amenities include a public observatory and restaurant at the spire for panoramic views up to 50 miles, plus sky lobbies with pools and co-working spaces.

The full Boardwalk includes three shorter 345-foot towers (Ruby, Emerald, and a third unnamed) with 600+ market-rate apartments, 100 workforce units, a 480-room Dream Hotel (also Hyatt), retail podiums, a 17,000-square-foot artificial lagoon, and entertainment venues. Early plans for flashy LED billboards were scaled back after the city deemed them too "Vegas-like" for Bricktown's vibe.[2]

To put it in perspective, here's how Legends Tower stacks up against global giants:

Building	Height (ft)	Location	Completion Year	Key Notes
Legends Tower (proposed)	1,907	Oklahoma City, USA	~2030	Tallest in U.S./Western Hemisphere if built; residential/hotel focus
One World Trade Center	1,776	New York, USA	2014	Current U.S. tallest; post-9/11 security emphasis
Merdeka 118	2,227	Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	2024	Tallest in Southeast Asia; mixed-use
Burj Khalifa	2,717	Dubai, UAE	2010	World's tallest; residential/commercial icon
Devon Energy Center	844	Oklahoma City, USA	2012	Current OKC tallest; office tower [1][3]

Engineered by Thornton Tomasetti, the slender glass-clad design incorporates wind tunnel-tested features for Tornado Alley's 150+ mph gusts, including high-strength concrete cores, steel dampers, and a fortified "storm shelter" hub. It's no small feat—supertalls in windy, seismic zones demand cutting-edge tech, but AO's Rob Budetti insists it's viable: "OKC's growth demands vertical innovation."[14]

The Developer: Scot Matteson's High-Stakes Gamble

Scot Matteson, 63, founded Matteson Capital in 2004 after four decades in real estate. Based in Newport Beach, California, he's behind luxury projects like The Residences at Little Nell (Aspen), Icon Hotel (Houston), Sapphire Tower condos (San Diego/Miami), and a 5,000-acre Tuscan estate.[60] Partnering with local developer Randy Hogan and firms like Thinkbox, Legends Capital Management, and Hensel Phelps (general contractor), Matteson sees OKC as "the next hotspot."[61] He's secured $1.5 billion in funding (equity, debt, $200 million city TIF incentives) from high-profile investors like ex-NBA coach Byron Scott and billionaire Roger Penske.[62]

Critics question his supertall experience—past projects have faced delays, and his profile dipped post-2020 amid a brief tabloid romance.[6] Matteson remains bullish: "We're here for the growth," tying it to OKC's sports surge (new $900M Thunder arena by 2028, soccer stadium, Olympics bid).[65]

Timeline: From Hype to Hurdles

• August 2023: Initial Boardwalk proposal with 1,750-foot tower.
• January 2024: Height upped to 1,907 feet; $1.5B funding announced.[59]
• March–April 2024: Full financing confirmed; Planning Commission approves zoning (8-1), but nixes LEDs.
• June 2024: City Council lifts 300-foot cap (8-1 vote).[14]
• Late 2024: FAA study flags hazards; construction delayed from fall to 2025.[7]
• January 13, 2025: FAA determination final—no petition filed; mitigations underway.[40]
• Q4 2025/Q1 2026: Phase 1 groundbreaking (smaller towers, podium; ~$700M).[0]
• 2026–2027: Phase 2 (Legends Tower) if demand/FAA clears; full completion ~2030.[3]

As of now, no building permits are filed, but site prep (grading, utilities) is imminent. Matteson teases a "Phase 3" expansion.[2]

The Big Hurdle: FAA's Aviation Red Flags

The project's Achilles' heel? Proximity to airports. At 5 miles from Will Rogers World Airport (4,000+ flights/year), plus Tinker AFB, Wiley Post, and OU's Max Westheimer, the 1,907-foot height violates obstruction standards.[40] The FAA's 37-page January 2025 study (after 22 opposition letters vs. 2 supports) warns of raised Minimum Vectoring Altitudes (MVAs), longer descents (5–10 extra minutes/flight), canceled instrument approaches, and infringed low-altitude corridors—impacting military ops, OU aviation training, and even SEC sports charters.[41]

Stakeholders like American Airlines and Airport Trust Director Jeff Mulder highlight fuel costs, safety risks, and procedure disruptions.[17] The FAA can't veto but pressures changes; Matteson and AO are negotiating mitigations like a "little shorter" height (e.g., 1,600–1,800 feet) or rerouting.[53] "Safety first," says AO's Rob Budetti.[58]

Local Pulse: Thrill vs. Thrill-Kill

OKC's reactions? A cocktail of hype and hesitation. Proponents, including Mayor David Holt and the Chamber of Commerce, see it as a "cultural beacon" generating 5,000 jobs, doubling downtown housing (~3,500 units), and $100M+ in tourism.[14] "It makes a statement," Matteson says, aligning with the 2028 Olympics buzz.[25] X posts echo excitement: "OKC's future skyline!" from users like @davidfholt.[20] Reddit's r/skyscrapers notes OKC's growth (fastest in U.S.) could mirror Devon's 2012 success despite doubters.[6]

Skeptics dominate forums: High vacancies in new Bricktown/Midtown builds question demand for 1,000+ luxury units in a suburban-sprawl city.[10] FAA fears amplify: "Endangers flights for vanity," per pilots.[24] Aesthetics draw fire—"a needle over historic low-rises," "tornado bait"—and Matteson's rep raises "PR stunt" flags.[21] Reddit threads (60/40 split) predict Phase 1 success but supertall stalls; X jokes about "Biff's Tower" from Back to the Future.[19] Preservationists worry about Bricktown's charm.[28]

Economics prof Jason Barr calls it an "outlier" for OKC's scale, but supporters counter: "Devon proved skeptics wrong."[32] Phase 1 (jobs/retail) has broader buy-in; the tower? A divisive dream.

Economic Promise and Broader Impact

If built, Legends could catalyze OKC's boom: Thousands of jobs, tourism via the observatory, and doubled downtown density amid 7,500+ new residents yearly.[16] Tied to the Thunder arena and stadium, it'd boost Bricktown's vibe. But high vacancies and sprawl culture fuel doubts—can luxury units fill in a city where suburbs rule?[30] Affordable housing pledges (via Aspiring Anew Generation) face scrutiny for vagueness.[35]

Will It Soar? The Road Ahead

As of September 10, 2025, Legends Tower is fully funded and rezoned, with Phase 1 poised for Q4/Q1 start—no cancellation signals.[0] FAA resolution is pivotal; a trimmed height might satisfy all. Matteson's "bullish" on OKC's trajectory, but locals' tempered thrill reflects realism: Exciting for growth, risky for a skyline outlier.

If Legends rises—even scaled—it'd be iconic, proving OKC's ready for the big leagues. Or, like other delayed dreams (oil refineries, amusement parks), it could fizzle.[31] Stay tuned—OKC's story is just heating up.

For more, follow updates from The Oklahoman or AO Architects. What do you think—sky-high win or overreach? Share in the comments!

References

1. Oklahoma's Legends Tower still aims to be USA's tallest skyscraper - New Atlas
2. OKC Legends Tower developer says 'there's more to come' - The Oklahoman
3. Bricktown project moves forward with plans for tallest building in the U.S. - News9
4. Legends Tower OKC: The Proposed Tallest Skyscraper in the U.S. - Novatr
5. r/skyscrapers: Updates on Oklahoma City Skyscraper - Reddit
6. USA's new tallest tower hits turbulence - New Atlas
7. r/skyscrapers: Oklahoma City’s development with 1,907-foot tower - Reddit
8. Oklahoma City’s Legends Tower Could be the Tallest in U.S. - Architectural Record
9. Tallest US tower: ‘More to come’ on Oklahoma’s sky-high ambition - Gulf News
10. Proposed record-breaking skyscraper for Bricktown a 'hazard' - The Oklahoman
11. OKC Legends Tower developer says 'there's more to come' - The Oklahoman
12. r/skyscrapers: Updates on Oklahoma City Skyscraper - Reddit
13. Bricktown project moves forward - News9
14. Legends Tower Set to Transform Oklahoma City Skyline - City News OKC
15. r/skyscrapers: Oklahoma City’s development - Reddit
16. Aviation authority concerns delay US tallest tower plans - Dezeen
17. Oklahoma City’s Legends Tower Could be the Tallest - Architectural Record
18. Tallest US tower: ‘More to come’ - Gulf News
19. Proposed record-breaking skyscraper a 'hazard' - The Oklahoman
20. FAA Says 1,907-ft-tall Oklahoma City Tower Could Be 'Hazard' - ENR
21. Architects of US tallest skyscraper working with FAA - Dezeen
22. Legends Tower - Wikipedia
23. $1.5B Oklahoma City supertall project is fully funded - The Real Deal