New image from matteson adds a 345ft spire to the building to I guess drum up interest. Maybe he needs investors. Anyway, I think this further illustrates the lack of likelihood the mega tower gets built. I really need to see tower cranes up for the second phase before I believe it

I mean, tallest building sounds better to potential investors than 2nd tallest building.

Might as well just double the height and make it the tallest building in the world

New image from matteson adds a 345ft spire to the building to I guess drum up interest. Maybe he needs investors. Anyway, I think this further illustrates the lack of likelihood the mega tower gets built. I really need to see tower cranes up for the second phase before I believe it

Thank you for posting that.

These images are updated. The spire on the super-tall (named Legends Tower) and the "Residences by Hyatt" signage as well.


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/boardwalk012224a.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/boardwalk012224b.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/boardwalk012224c.jpg

This press release is from just 3 days ago:

**********

ORANGE, Calif., Jan. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Matteson Capital, a multifaceted real estate investment and development company operating since 2004, and AO, a leading full-service architecture firm with design expertise spanning the full commercial and multi-family real estate spectrum, announced today that they will request a variance from the City of Oklahoma City to increase the height for one of the towers in the already entitled development known as The Boardwalk at Bricktown. If approved, the height variance will make the structure the tallest building in the United States and currently fifth tallest in the world.

The ambitious development features a collection of three towers, each rising to 345 feet, and a fourth striking supertall tower, referred to as Legends Tower, that ascends to 1,907 feet, creating an impressive silhouette against the Oklahoma City skyline. The symbolic height honors the year that Oklahoma was admitted as the 46th state of the United States.

Spanning approximately 5 million square feet, the project is a mixed-use marvel, including a 480-key Dream Hotel by Hyatt with 85 residential serviced condominiums in the Dream Tower; an additional 350-key Hyatt hotel with 100 serviced condominiums in the Legends Tower; 1,776 residential units ranging from market-rate to affordable workforce and luxury options; and a vibrant retail and restaurant scene with over 110,000 square feet of space designated for commercial use, food and beverage, and a workforce development center for the community at the street and second levels. The top floors of the supertall tower will consist of a public observatory, restaurant and bar where visitors will be able to enjoy the sweeping city views.

Notably, the design incorporates extraordinary public spaces that are poised to become central hubs for community engagement. Among these is an impressive 17,000 square foot lagoon and water feature surrounded by a boardwalk that adds a tranquil, yet lively, entertainment atmosphere to the development. Additionally, the project boasts several expansive roof-decks, providing residents and visitors with unparalleled views of the city and creating an urban oasis in the heart of Oklahoma City.

“Oklahoma City is experiencing a significant period of growth and transformation, making it well-positioned to support large-scale projects like the one envisioned for Bricktown,” said Scot Matteson, CEO of Matteson Capital. “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.”

Bricktown, in particular, has become a premier destination within Oklahoma City. Expanding this vibrant hub is a priority for the city with more professional sports, entertainment and transit. The area already boasts attractions such as the Amtrak station; a movie theater; an NBA sports arena, which is home to the OKC Thunder; the recently renamed Oklahoma City Dodgers’ minor league baseball stadium; as well as a forthcoming soccer stadium. The public also voted to fund a $900 million bond to build the Thunder a new state of the art arena in the area. The recently completed convention center is another opportunity to showcase this catalytic project, which will further complement the Bricktown Entertainment District. The Boardwalk at Bricktown aligns perfectly with the city's trajectory of becoming a center for cultural and economic activity.

“We are excited to embark upon this pivotal undertaking with a carefully assembled team of talented and experienced architects and designers from within our ranks,” said Rob Budetti AO managing partner. “Crafting a project of this significance is an honor, and the collaborative process with the City, Matteson Capital, Hensel Phelps, and a top-notch team of engineers, consultants, and development partners has been exceptional. Managing the intricacies of such a project, ensuring seamless integration of all components, is a significant challenge. Fortunately, this aligns with one of AO's core strengths."

A development of this magnitude requires the subject matter expertise of multiple parties. In addition to architectural firm AO and developer Matteson Capital the project team includes development partners, ThinkBox and Legends Capital Management; structural engineers, Thorton Tomasetti; civil engineers, Johnson & Associates; fire life safety and energy, Siemens; general contractor, Hensel Phelps; and hotel management companies, Hyatt and Dream. The finance team for the project includes BCREM Incorporated and Global Economic Strategies. The legal team is headed by Greenberg Traurig, LLP.

At 345 feet, the three towers would be just below City Place (393 feet) to be the 8th, 9th and 10th tallest in OKC.

1 Devon Energy Center 844 50
2 BancFirst Tower 500 36
3 First National Center 443 33
4 BOK Park Plaza 433 27
5 Oklahoma Tower 410 31
6 Strata (formerly Sandridge) Tower 393 30
7 City Place Tower 391 33
8 Valliance Bank Tower 321 22

At this point I hope the tall boy is built just for the lulz

They keep doubling-down on all this.

Not sure what to make of it but would be thrilled if we get the 3 towers.

I don’t think I’ve read on whether the proposed super tall is office or residential. Either way, it’s extremely difficult to imagine this is actually happening. Someone else had mentioned it, but where is the demand for that much space? Feels like not that long ago that Pete was talking about all the office vacancies in downtown OKC.

I don’t think I’ve read on whether the proposed super tall is office or residential. Either way, it’s extremely difficult to imagine this is actually happening. Someone else had mentioned it, but where is the demand for that much space? Feels like not that long ago that Pete was talking about all the office vacancies in downtown OKC.

It's going to be residential, if built, I believe.

I don’t think I’ve read on whether the proposed super tall is office or residential. Either way, it’s extremely difficult to imagine this is actually happening. Someone else had mentioned it, but where is the demand for that much space? Feels like not that long ago that Pete was talking about all the office vacancies in downtown OKC.

If you read the press release, sounds like Legends Tower will be all hotel and residential.

If you read the press release, sounds like Legends Tower will be all hotel and residential.

Ahh, thanks for the clarification, Pete. Reading does help, lol.

https://www.aoarchitects.com/project/the-boardwalk-at-bricktown/

I think just being around the tower would freak me out for fear of it falling over. I know that is unlikely but still.

If you read the press release, sounds like Legends Tower will be all hotel and residential.

I assume they have some MOU with Hyatt for the Legends Tower? Or are they not really liable for using their brand in a proposal/press release like that?

I assume they have some MOU with Hyatt for the Legends Tower? Or are they not really liable for using their brand in a proposal/press release like that?

Hyatt owns the Dream brand who is in one of the first 3 towers ..

IIRC the 85 "residences" in the dream hotel tower is up from the original 22

Hyatt owns the Dream brand who is in one of the first 3 towers ..

IIRC the 85 "residences" in the dream hotel tower is up from the original 22

They do, but there was a mention os strictly Hyatt, not Dream. I wasn't sure if they would have had talks about both.

I'm convinced this is some elaborate April Fools joke played by someone who has beef with OKC. I'll give it a chance of happening if there is still talk after April 1st. Lol

Should be called The Alva, because that's how far away you'll see it.

There is no demand or reason to build a skyscraper this tall in OKC. Matteson Capital is just doing it, just because he can. I guess to make history.

Just doesn't make any sense. We will see what happens, but not calling in to work to wait and see.

There is no demand or reason to build a skyscraper this tall in OKC. Matteson Capital is just doing it, just because he can. I guess to make history.

Just doesn't make any sense. We will see what happens, but not calling in to work to wait and see.

except they currently have NO plans to build it ..

I would feel so so good about this project happening if there were maybe 3 other confirmed developments in the 900-1,200 foot range. Let’s get something on the Ford site!

I would feel so so good about this project happening if there were maybe 3 other confirmed developments in the 900-1,200 foot range. Let’s get something on the Ford site!

Why do people keep referring to an unplanned, just hypothetical, phase 2 as the whole project? 3 towers will be built, and, sometime far in the future, phase 2 may happen!

Why do people keep referring to an unplanned, just hypothetical, phase 2 as the whole project? 3 towers will be built, and, sometime far in the future, phase 2 may happen!

We all know that the tower is aspirational right now. We’re just here to discuss what has been proposed. I said what I would personally like to happen before a supertall would get developed in OKC (which I would love to happen one day!!)

Okay, that much height added for a spire? I'm sure they'll be using that spire for emergency broadcast systems, cellular device amplification, and radio signal transmissions, but seriously... that's got to be the biggest phuk-u to New York City I've ever seen. Madness if it gets built. I'm sure the developers are just doing this for notoriety, but something tells me that the planner would be highly disappointed if the units don't sell as well as he wants them to. My only advice is keep these units at a fair $1100-1500 a month and watch the other towers fill up. Then he'll have every right to full-send this project into orbit, because he's planning this out like he reeeeeaaaallly wants to, while also hedging his bets on the safe side.

I'm all for the proposed 1907 ft. tower. No doubt it takes out of staters to make Oklahoma and Oklahoma City see BIG! What other cities in the U. S. have a developer wanting to build the nation's highest skyscraper in it? If it isn't more than just a few, then better take it seriously.

I’m starting to think guys ego is the only demand this project needs it seems like he legit wants to pull this off(and I’m only half joking)

If Matteson Capital were serious about this aspiration they'd stack the three 345' phase-1 buildings, leaving only 872' more to reach the 1907' record height. Even if they just stacked the 3 phase-1 buildings into a single tower (and forgot about their aspiration) it would result in a building taller than Devon.

It seems they're either serious about this tower, or aiming for the stars to hit the moon.

Okay, that much height added for a spire? I'm sure they'll be using that spire for emergency broadcast systems, cellular device amplification, and radio signal transmissions, but seriously... that's got to be the biggest phuk-u to New York City I've ever seen. Madness if it gets built. I'm sure the developers are just doing this for notoriety, but something tells me that the planner would be highly disappointed if the units don't sell as well as he wants them to. My only advice is keep these units at a fair $1100-1500 a month and watch the other towers fill up. Then he'll have every right to full-send this project into orbit, because he's planning this out like he reeeeeaaaallly wants to, while also hedging his bets on the safe side.

$1100-1500 is not a financially realistic amount unless you are talking about very, very small apartments.. If you want to compete in the real world you have to pay real world prices. Got to get over the small thinking about everything to be real players.

I’m not here to make a case for the supertall, but too many folks here and in general insist on only seeing the world through their own lenses and circumstances, without considering the possibility that other people might have different priorities, tastes and personal means.

Basing an opinion on the average or median individual income of a city’s residents allows for zero nuance and ignores the fact that the metro has nearly a million and a half folks, exactly half or who are above the median by definition; many of them WELL above. It also ignores the existence of two income households, couples with no children, etc.

Also, many of the comments are disassociated with the present reality of the market. You’d currently be hard pressed to find even a halfway-decent apartment in or around downtown in the above-mentioned $1100 range. Aging, poorly-maintained buildings like the Aberdeen and Regency are more than that. Most halfway upscale apartments are ALREADY $1500 or more. Many well above $2000.

It’s of course an outlier, but apartments at First National range from around $3000/mo for a tiny one bedroom and ~$4500 for a two bedroom to ~$8K/mo and even ~$13K/mo for the penthouse units.

Just because something doesn’t appeal to YOU or isn’t in YOUR budget doesn’t mean there’s not a market for it.

That tower looks like 1 WTC (Freedom tower) with the spire.

Yes couldnt agreed more with you! Urbanized

There is no demand or reason to build a skyscraper this tall in OKC. Matteson Capital is just doing it, just because he can. I guess to make history.

Just doesn't make any sense. We will see what happens, but not calling in to work to wait and see.

Where do you get your information? Do you work for Matteson Capital?

I’m not here to make a case for the supertall, but too many folks here and in general insist on only seeing the world through their own lenses and circumstances, without considering the possibility that other people might have different priorities, tastes and personal means.

Basing an opinion on the average or median individual income of a city’s residents allows for zero nuance and ignores the fact that the metro has nearly a million and a half folks, exactly half or who are above the median by definition; many of them WELL above. It also ignores the existence of two income households, couples with no children, etc.

Also, many of the comments are disassociated with the present reality of the market. You’d currently be hard pressed to find even a halfway-decent apartment in or around downtown in the above-mentioned $1100 range. Aging, poorly-maintained buildings like the Aberdeen and Regency are more than that. Most halfway upscale apartments are ALREADY $1500 or more. Many well above $2000.

It’s of course an outlier, but apartments at First National range from around $3000/mo for a tiny one bedroom and ~$4500 for a two bedroom to ~$8K/mo and even ~$13K/mo for the penthouse units.

Just because something doesn’t appeal to YOU or isn’t in YOUR budget doesn’t mean there’s not a market for it.

If I am not mistaken, Oklahoma City is not even one of the top 40-50 large metros in the country for new apartment construction in the past five years. Regardless of the exact number, the fact that our new apartment construction is not keeping pace with population growth, and is in fact a limiting factor, is one of the more pressing problems we face in terms of development. We simply need more apartments being built in the city at all price points.

This is really peaking my interest haha. I understand how much of a pipe dream this is, but the skyscraper enthusiast in me won't let me look away!
Imagine what this would do for the image of the City. Combine the current position of the Thunder to make possible HUGE playoff runs in the coming years, the resort, the all but confirmed Olympic event, and while all this is happening the images of the City could include the construction of the tallest building in the U.S...

Oh! I forgot to mention the new 1 BILLION dollar arena, and the soccer stadium.

It sounds like some folks here have a lot of enthusiasm and optimism for the potential development of the Matteson Capitol skyscraper in Oklahoma City. It's true that sometimes people underestimate what can be achieved, and it's always exciting to see ambitious projects come to life. The addition of a residential and hotel component could indeed increase the chances of the project being realized, as it may attract more interest and investment. The presence of influential families and companies in the area could also contribute to the success of the project. As for the possibility of hosting the All-Star game, having a new arena and a luxury hotel nearby could certainly make Oklahoma City a more attractive destination for such events. It's great to see your enthusiasm for the project and the potential benefits it could bring to the city.

This thing is hilarious and I hope it gets built.

I am far more excited about the dense, 35-story towers that represent the first phase of this development. They will be considerably more impactful to the city and have a far better chance of getting done. I like the density of these towers on their lot, I like the location strategically at the crossroads of Bricktown, the traditional CBD and the Scissortail Park area. I think they will have the potential to have a big impact on Bricktown and street-level retail and services, which is of supreme importance to the health of the city. I still think the lagoon is a waste and these things should be built in an outward-facing manner in order to bring life to the streets around them, rather than concentrating their residents on an interior artificial feature.

At the end of all that, if there is further demand for 100+ stories of residential (I have serious doubts), I would much rather see five 20-story buildings (or even ten 10-story buildings) scattered strategically on infill lots around the inner core. The way I see it, an absurdly tall building will be so out of place that it will invite ridicule and laughter, not envy. What will always be better is to have more streets within the core activated by additional buildings and more vacant lots disappearing.

I am far more excited about the dense, 35-story towers that represent the first phase of this development. They will be considerably more impactful to the city and have a far better chance of getting done. I like the density of these towers on their lot, I like the location strategically at the crossroads of Bricktown, the traditional CBD and the Scissortail Park area. I think they will have the potential to have a big impact on Bricktown and street-level retail and services, which is of supreme importance to the health of the city. I still think the lagoon is a waste and these things should be built in an outward-facing manner in order to bring life to the streets around them, rather than concentrating their residents on an interior artificial feature.

At the end of all that, if there is further demand for 100+ stories of residential (I have serious doubts), I would much rather see five 20-story buildings (or even ten 10-story buildings) scattered strategically on infill lots around the inner core. The way I see it, an absurdly tall building will be so out of place that it will invite ridicule and laughter, not envy. What will always be better is to have more streets within the core activated by additional buildings and more vacant lots disappearing.

Same. Although I do wish Devon would’ve built to their original planned height. The biggest problem okc’s inner core has ( aesthetically ) is lack of infill or even worse surface parking lots or 2 to three story developments. I do think the lack of infill does a tremendous amount of damage in perception of okc as a city. There are angles (from the south) where DT looks like there are only 4 buildings. Does give a low rent vibe.. but surface parking lots and 2 story banks are cheap and going vertical is not.,

I think this is going to get built. The press release had more info on the 3 towers at 345 feet: two residential with workforce and market rates plus the Hyatt Dream hotel tower and residences (nearly 500 hotel rooms plus 80 hotel serviced condos). No doubt this phase 1 will happen, sounds like they have met with the city on this more than just the TIF.

Then they asked OKC for a variance for phase two now known as Legends tower at 1775 feet, plus a 132 spire to equal 1907 (OK as a state), itself containing a Hyatt hotel and 100 hotel condos - becoming the tallest building in the western hem. I'd be ok with it being 1889 feet (OKC's birthday) but 1907 is significant.

think about the supertall, it will be hotel and residences. If it's 100 residences and the rest a Hyatt hotel with observation and restaurant on the top 6 or so floors, I could really see it happening. It would be OKC's Space Needle type observation tower - just it would all be livable (vs just the top). And to think, the actual building height, if built, of the supertall at 1775 is significantly taller than the Freedom tower (1,368) or the Sears Tower in Chicago 1,450 feet. Legends as a building will be 325 feet higher than Sears. WOW

the fact that they have another press release, updated with more details that they've met with the city and asked for variance on the supertall, and they seem bullish the other two towers will be built along with the rest of the downtown development announced and still to come (Olympics, REHCO, Cotton Seed), I could totally see this supertall being built. And the fact that 1907 is not some arbitrary height number, I believe it WILL be built - again, as OKC's observation tower. WOW

In the press release they said that they will request a variance, not that they have already done so:


Matteson Capital, a multifaceted real estate investment and development company operating since 2004, and AO, a leading full-service architecture firm with design expertise spanning the full commercial and multi-family real estate spectrum, announced today that they will request a variance from the City of Oklahoma City to increase the height for one of the towers in the already entitled development known as The Boardwalk at Bricktown. If approved, the height variance will make the structure the tallest building in the United States and currently fifth tallest in the world.

I kind of wonder why they just didn't make it 1 foot taller.


Spanning approximately 5 million square feet, the project is a mixed-use marvel, including a 480-key Dream Hotel by Hyatt with 85 residential serviced condominiums in the Dream Tower; an additional 350-key Hyatt hotel with 100 serviced condominiums in the Legends Tower; 1,776 residential units ranging from market-rate to affordable workforce and luxury options; and a vibrant retail and restaurant scene with over 110,000 square feet of space designated for commercial use, food and beverage, and a workforce development center for the community at the street and second levels. The top floors of the supertall tower will consist of a public observatory, restaurant and bar where visitors will be able to enjoy the sweeping city views.

One to many 'Merica references? :)

So what would be the hypothetical parking space count needed for this many residences?

If I am not mistaken, Oklahoma City is not even one of the top 40-50 large metros in the country for new apartment construction in the past five years. Regardless of the exact number, the fact that our new apartment construction is not keeping pace with population growth, and is in fact a limiting factor, is one of the more pressing problems we face in terms of development. We simply need more apartments being built in the city at all price points.

What is the current vacancy rate for rental properties in OKC and how does that compare to the 40 largest metros?

What is the current vacancy rate for rental properties in OKC and how does that compare to the 40 largest metros?



US Rental Vacancy Rate



US Major Metro Area (data courtesy of Census.gov)

Vacancy Rate Q1, 2023




Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville, SC…………………….
15.3%


Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ……………….
12.8


Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ……………….
12.3


Birmingham-Hoover, AL………………………………………………………………..
11.9


North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL………………………………………………..
11.8


Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR……………………………………….
11.2


Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN………………………………………………….
10.9


Raleigh, NC24………………………………………………………………………………..
10.9


Dallas-Ft. Worth-Arlington, TX………………………………………………………
10.8


Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ……………………………………
10.1


Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, TN……………………………..
9.9


Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA…………………………………………….
9.8


New Orleans-Metairie, LA…………………………………………………………….
9.6


Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY ………………………………………………………..
9.5


Oklahoma City, OK……………………………………………………………………….
9.4


Kansas City, MO-KS………………………………………………………………………
8.7


Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL…………………………………………….
8.7


Tulsa, OK……………………………………………………………………………………..
8.7


Richmond, VA……………………………………………………………………………….
8.6


Tucson, AZ ………………………………………………………………………………….
8.4


Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI…………………………………………………….
8.3


San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX…………………………………………………
8.2


Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL……………………………………………………………..
8


Jacksonville, FL…………………………………………………………………………….
7.5


Austin-Round Rock, TX…………………………………………………………………
7.3


Baton Rouge, LA……………………………………….
7


Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, ……………………………..
7


St. Louis, MO-IL…………………………………………………………………………….
6.9


Pittsburgh, PA……………………………………………………………………………….
6.8


Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, …………………………..
6.8


Columbus, OH………………………………………………………………………………
6.4


Toledo, OH………………………………………………..
6.3


Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN7………………………………………………………………….
5.9


San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA………………………………………………
5.9


Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ……………………………………..
5.6


Salt Lake City, UT………………………………………………………………………..
5.6


Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ……………………………………………
5.5


Dayton, OH…………………………………………………………………………………
5.5


Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV……………………………………………
5.5


Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV……………………….
5.5


Memphis, TN-AR-MS…………………………………………………………………..
5.3


Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ………………………………………………………..
5.2


Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT……………………………………
5


Albuquerque, NM……………………………………………………………………….
4.9


Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA………………………………………..
4.9


Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-W…………………………………………..
4.7


San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA……………………………………….
4.7


Knoxville, TN…………………………………………………………………………….
4.6


Providence-Warwick, RI-MA……………………………………………………
4.6


Sacramento-Roseville-Arden-Arcade, CA…………………………………
4.6


Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC…………………………………………
4.5


Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL…………………………………………….
4.5


Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD ………………….
4.5


Urban Honolulu, HI……………………………………………………………….
4.5


Greensboro-High Point, NC………………………………………………………..
4.4


Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO………………………………………………….
4.1


New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ……………………………….
4.1


Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT…………………………………………….
4


Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY4………………………………….
3.8


Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI……………………………………………………..
3.8


Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA…………………………………………………..
3.8


Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI……………………………
3.7


Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, …………………………………..
3.5


New Haven-Milford, CT……………………………………………………………
3.5


Akron, OH …………………………………………………………………………….
3.3


San Diego-Carlsbad, ………………………………………………………
3.3


Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA……………………………………………………
3.3


Syracuse, NY………………………………………….
3.1


Columbia, SC………………………………………….
2.9


Fresno, CA………………………………………………
2.9


Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH3………………………………………
2.7


Cleveland-Elyria, OH8…………………………………………………………….
2.5


Rochester, NY……………………………………………………………………….
2.5


Worcester, MA……………………………………………………………………….
1.7


Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN……………………………………………..
1.2

Thank you for researching and posting this information. I am surprised at the numbers of southern cities that occupy the top 15.

Same. Although I do wish Devon would’ve built to their original planned height. The biggest problem okc’s inner core has ( aesthetically ) is lack of infill or even worse surface parking lots or 2 to three story developments. I do think the lack of infill does a tremendous amount of damage in perception of okc as a city. There are angles (from the south) where DT looks like there are only 4 buildings. Does give a low rent vibe.. but surface parking lots and 2 story banks are cheap and going vertical is not.,

Largely agree with you, although I've never understood the need to "go vertical" simply for the sake of "going vertical." I definitely don't want one-story strip malls anywhere in the core but, especially in Midtown, I love the 3-10 story buildings that have been rising in the last few years. (In the "innermost" core - the CBD - I would want substantially taller than that). But I would rather get all those infill lots developed even if it means fewer skyline-changing buildings. The view from the highway is fine for eye candy purposes, but street-level interaction is the name of the game. Look at Washington DC as an example: a great urban city in my estimation, with not one building taller than the US Capitol. I'm always jealous in older cities of the block-after-block-after-block of density. If we could do that up to 13th and over to Classen, then we can talk about 100+ stories in Bricktown.

they want to make a statement with the Legends tower. OKC doesn't have a landmark tower, yes Devon tower is currently serving that purpose but it was not built to be a landmark tower; it was built to be an office building. OKC doesn't have a space needle or a true landmark - I see this tower, Legends tower, as being OKC's observation landmark p particularly when you see the height (1907) and that the top 6 floors look to be restaurant/observation.

while I agree with you stl in principle, in reality developers don't always follow logic if they have other intentions. This developer looks to capitalize on OKC's momentum and be the first-to-market for high-end hotel condos and luxury apartments in OKC. This is evident with the phase 1 three towers. It also appears they want to capitalize on the downtown momentum of the stadium, new arena, and other projects announced (including infill) - to make a statement with the Legends tower becoming OKC's landmark. 1907 says it all to me, along with the 6 top floors; and it surely would put OKC on the map much moreso than Devon.

Everybody sees things from their own perspectives and neither of us is "right" or "wrong."

Personally I find it hard to believe a developer will spend what will easily be hundreds of millions of dollars to build a 134 story building just to make a statement. Who in the world would finance that? And why would a California developer care about "creating a landmark" in Oklahoma City? He will build it if the market need will dictate it and if he could get financing. I just doubt either of those will materialize.

I see people talk about OKC wanting/needing a landmark structure a la the space needle. But very few cities really have that. What is the landmark structure in Phoenix? Or Charlotte? Or Pittsburgh? Or for that matter since they are booming cities - Austin or Nashville? I will tell you from experience that St. Louis has a landmark - the Gateway Arch - and the urban core of this city has faded pretty dramatically in the 60 years since it was built. Not one iota of difference has the Arch made to St. Louis beyond a pretty picture as you cross the river. Not saying these things have to be mutually exclusive. You could have a landmark and a thriving city. But this just seems like a vanity project. And not realistic. I think this developer is capitalizing on the attention this is getting (It was in the Daily Mail in London, for God's sakes!) and bully for him.

It's fun to speculate and dream and that's what this thread is about. But the 35 story towers in Phase 1 will be their own game changer, and in a good way, and have a much better chance of happening.

I love the development, the 3 buildings that are realistic. If they were to do a 4th building, would much rather see a tower between 700'-775' to bridge the gap in the skyline between Devon and Bank First buildings.

I am far more excited about the dense, 35-story towers that represent the first phase of this development. They will be considerably more impactful to the city and have a far better chance of getting done.

I almost always agree with this view... except in this case. I think it's better for the OKC core to have a lot of infill of 3-6 story, mixed use buildings rather than any more towers. Generally, I could care less if another tower was ever built in OKC.

However, if the tallest building in the U.S. was actually bulit in OKC it would have a pretty large impact. It would immediately become a destination and create a lot of buzz, even if some people think it ridiculous. I suspect that would actually be more impactful in terms of catapulting OKC's core urban development forward in the end.

St. Louis has a landmark - the Gateway Arch - and the urban core of this city has faded pretty dramatically in the 60 years since it was built. Not one iota of difference has the Arch made to St. Louis beyond a pretty picture as you cross the river.

The Gateway Arch and a residential/hotel/observatory tower are two very different things with very different capacities to make economic impact. People can go inside of, live in, and dine in this tower, as well as the height and exterior being a tourist draw itself. But yes, I agree that if there was a different intention for this project, it would be much shorter. But I'm all for dreaming big with this.

It seems they're either serious about this tower, or aiming for the stars to hit the moon.

If the new $5.5 billion refinery actually gets started this year in Cushing and the $2 billion American Heartland theme park near Vinita gets started as well, then maybe this mega Legacy Tower won't seem so much like a far-fetched dream.

Other than the dramatically insane issue with scale compared to the rest of the skyline, I'm a bit less incredulous about this than I was previously.

This development is going to happen; it's only a question of how tall this building will be. Why not make the biggest building?

The marketing savvy of this development group is next level. This has now generated two rounds of international news coverage. Talk about a way to stimulate additional development. If you think about it, the retail portion of this development is probably fielding all kinds of inquiries as a result. And while it's hard to imagine a single development that includes affordable housing units, a hotel, and luxury condos, there probably is a way to pull it off and maybe these folks are just really ambitious and cutting edge in their thinking.

To the folks saying they wish this were split up by like four or five towers, I understand that viewpoint. However, if you could build the tallest building in the US that in itself would provide a lot of free marketing fodder. It's also a more efficient use of land, and would likely create a domino effect of additional high-rise development in OKC.

A lot of supertower residential buildings in New York and other cities are used primarily as investment vehicles for rich people around the globe. There are buildings that have opened there that were 100% sold out with scarcely any residents actually living in them. Residential real estate has been on quite a run, and if you're going to invest in a high-rise residential property, why not invest in the tallest apartment building in the Western Hemisphere? Suddenly it doesn't seem quite so insane.

Putting down the bong for a moment, yes, this is unlikely to be built at this scale, but this aggressive and ridiculously successful public relations campaign will no doubt have folks from all over the world inquiring about putting down deposits.

At worst, this PR bonanza will be a massive boost for the retail component of this development. Those renderings are all over the world, now. Hundreds of millions of people will see those renderings.

Very impressed with the savvy of this group. Whatever amount of money they are paying to their PR team is not enough.

It's also entirely possible that this development group is being blackmailed by Plutonic Panda, and this is just an elaborate troll operation.

It's now even got a whole piece from ABC News.

https://abcnews.go.com/US/plans-proposed-new-tallest-building-america-location-surprise/story?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=dhfacebook&utm_content=app.dashhudson.com/abcnews/library/media/372201970&id=106665288

It's now even got a whole piece from ABC News.

https://abcnews.go.com/US/plans-proposed-new-tallest-building-america-location-surprise/story?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=dhfacebook&utm_content=app.dashhudson.com/abcnews/library/media/372201970&id=106665288

I still believe the chance of this happening is extremely low, but that's some great publicity for our city at a national level.

I still believe the chance of this happening is extremely low, but that's some great publicity for our city at a national level.

With that, the publicity that the proposal brought will bring the publicity for the "It's going to be half the height" or "It's not happening" announcements. A less-than-likely project getting this much attention doesn't sit right with me. Don't get me wrong, I really want this to happen.

I would be beyond thrilled if we get the 3 towers.

New Yorkers are not too happy, lol.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvlfU9XBlEc

That's a pretty funny. I could watch an hour of New Yorker's reacting to this proposal. Maybe they could go over to MSG and get some Knicks' fans reactions to the proposal after a loss. Lol.


This development is going to happen; it's only a question of how tall this building will be. Why not make the biggest building?

Of course, this is not true. Developments don't to fruition all the time. It's possible this one doesn't too. I don't know how you could have been on this board for very long and not realize that proposals, even good ones, don't always happen.