Oklahoma City to Build America’s Tallest Skyscraper

Oklahoma City is set to make history—not with an oil boom or a new sports franchise, but with a skyscraper that will shatter U.S. height records.

A proposed development called The Boardwalk at Bricktown has been officially approved for “unlimited height,” clearing the way for a 1,907-foot tower that will stand 131 feet taller than One World Trade Center in New York City. Surprisingly, the future tallest building in America won’t rise in Manhattan, Chicago, or Los Angeles—but right in the heartland of Oklahoma.

Designed by AO and developed by Matteson Capital, the project will transform Oklahoma City’s skyline and position the region as an unexpected but bold player in global architecture.

“AO is delighted that the Oklahoma City Council has approved the development team’s request for unlimited height for the Boardwalk at Bricktown,” the architecture firm said in a statement. “We are grateful that the city council has embraced the vision of Matteson Capital and the entire design team to transform the city into a global destination.”

Inside the Boardwalk at Bricktown: A Vertical City

Planned as a five-million-square-foot mixed-use complex, the development is more than just a tower—it’s an entire district stacked into the sky. According to AO:

“The Boardwalk at Bricktown will deliver an exciting architectural tapestry of modern design and a rich mixed-use experience at the heart of a vibrant entertainment district.”

The project includes:

• Four towers rising from a shared base
• Three towers at 345 feet each
• One central tower—Legends Tower—soaring to 1,907 feet

The architectural symbolism runs deep. The chosen height, 1907 feet, is a tribute to the year Oklahoma became the 46th U.S. state.

The structure will feature:

• 1,583 residential units
• A luxury hotel (Dream Hotel by Hyatt)
• 203,000 square feet of dining, retail, and entertainment
• Open plazas and pedestrian promenades at the base

“A catalyst for urban evolution, The Boardwalk embodies the spirited essence of Oklahoma City, honoring its rich past, dynamic present, and promising future,” AO shared.

Construction Timeline — When Will It Be Built?

Phase One

‍Expected to begin later this year and includes the Dream Hotel, Dream Tower condominiums, and two residential apartment towers.

Phase Two

‍Featuring the record-breaking Legends Tower, is projected for completion by 2030, according to Gulf News.

If completed as planned, the Legends Tower would become:

The 18th building in U.S. history to hold the title of tallest
The first outside New York and Chicago in decades
A new global icon rising from Oklahoma’s plains

Current Tallest Buildings in the U.S.

RankBuildingLocationHeight1 (Current)One World Trade CenterNew York City1,776 ft2 (Future)Legends Tower – Boardwalk at BricktownOklahoma City1,907 ft2 (Current)Willis TowerChicago1,451 ft3Central Park TowerNew York City1,550 ft

What This Means for Oklahoma City

This development is more than just a skyline statement—it's a symbolic shift in where American ambition lives. Long seen as a mid-sized regional city, Oklahoma City is now positioning itself among global capitals of architecture, tourism, and innovation.

If New York builds landmarks to legacy and Chicago builds monuments to industry, Oklahoma City is building one to possibility.

Originally reported by Katherine McLaughlin, Mays Chawla.