Work on America’s tallest skyscraper ‘to begin in June’ as it gets green light after last-minute 26ft adjustment
AMERICA’S tallest skyscraper could break ground in June after receiving approval from the city.
The building just received approval for a height increase, resulting in a skyscraper taller than One World Trade Center.
The building is called the Legends Tower and will be built in Oklahoma City.
AO Architects, helming the project alongside Matteson Capital, announced that the project is scheduled to break ground in June.
“On behalf of AO, we are extremely pleased that the Oklahoma City Planning Commission has unanimously approved the requested unlimited height limit and has granted the development team the ability to negotiate on a comprehensive signage program for the Boardwalk at Bricktown,” said AO managing partner Rob Budetti in a statement.
“This endorsement underscores our confidence in the vision and design of this landmark development, representing Oklahoma City’s imminent transformation into a global destination and its bold stride towards the future.”
Matteson Capital shared that a final vote for the project is scheduled for June.
Originally, the tower was planned to be 1,750 ft – just 26 feet less than One World Trade Center.
But then, a last-minute change was made to build the tower to stand 1,907 feet tall.
In a statement released at the time, Matteson Capital shared that the height would be in honor of Oklahoma’s history.
“The symbolic height honors the year that Oklahoma was admitted as the 46th state of the United States,” said the statement.
The Legends Tower will be included in a complex called Boardwalk at Bricktown.
The complex will consist of four buildings, housing all manner of amenities.
As of now, two Hyatt hotels, various restaurants, retail and residential units will occupy the complex.
Three of the towers will rise to 345 feet.
The fourth, called the Legends Tower, will be the one to stand at 1,907 feet.
Atop the tower, guests will have access to stunning views, restaurants, and bars.
There will also be an observation deck.
This height will make it the tallest building in America, a spot that’s currently occupied by the One World Trade Center in New York, which stands at 1,776 feet.
The Legends Tower will be the sixth tallest building in the world.
It will follow the Burj Khalifa in Dubai (2,717 feet), the Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur (2,228 feet), the Shanghai Tower in Shanghai (2,073 feet), the Makkah Royal Clock Tower in Mecca (1,972 feet), and the Ping An Finance Center in Shenzhen (1,965 feet).
“Upon completion, the Boardwalk at Bricktown will undoubtedly earn the city the recognition it deserves, setting a new standard for urban innovation and architectural excellence,” continued the AO Architects statement.
TOP-5 TALLEST BUILDINGS IN THE WORLD
The Bricktown Tower will join the ranks of the highest skyscrapers in the world. Here's the top-5:
- Burj Khalifa, UAE
At 2,717 ft tall, the structure in Dubai has been the tallest since 2009. It broke multiple world records, including world’s largest light and sound show staged on a single building. - Merdeka 118, Malaysia
Located in the capital Kuala Lumpur, this building is a megatall skyscraper spanning 2,227 ft height. It is also the tallest building in Southeast Asia and Malaysia. The spire of the building was finally completed in 2022. - Shanghai Tower, China
Synonymous to the name, it is located in Shanghai and is the tallest building in China at 2,073 ft. It is also the tallest and largest LEED platinum certified building in the world since 2015. The LEED is awarded to green structures that are environmentally sustainable. - Abraj Al-Bait Clock Tower, Saudi Arabia
A government-owned complex of seven skyscraper hotels in Mecca is aimed at catering the pilgrims and its tallest tower stands at 1,972 ft. It is also the sixth-tallest freestanding structure in the world. - Ping An International Finance Centre, China
At 1,966 ft tall, this skyscraper was completed in 2017 and is the second tallest building in China. It is also the second largest skyscraper in the world by floor area and holds the record for having the highest observation deck in a building.