Plans are afoot to build a skyscraper that would trump One World Trade Center, which is currently the tallest building in the US.
Dubbed the ‘Legends Tower,’ the proposed building is set to grace the skyline of Oklahoma City. The city’s planning commission recently greenlit a request for an increase in height submitted by the tower’s developer.
The designers envision the structure to reach a staggering height of 1,907 feet (581.3 meters), a deliberate nod to the year Oklahoma attained statehood.
If realized, this ambitious height would exceed the height of New York’s One World Trade Center by over 200 feet (61 meters). Globally, only five other buildings would stand taller.
The story behind the height
Initially, developers had proposed a tower standing at 1,750 feet (533.4 meters) before the height increase was proposed. The Legends Tower is primarily planned to be residential, housing 1,750 apartments, along with a Hyatt hotel boasting hundreds of rooms.
The tower forms part of the larger mixed-use development known as Boardwalk at Bricktown, which includes three additional towers at its base, standing at 345 feet (105.2 meters) tall, designated for retail spaces.
The project’s estimated cost, which includes features like a lagoon and a nearby boardwalk, stands at $1.6 billion.
Developers have indicated plans to commence construction on two of the towers this summer. The entire project expected to be completed within 24 to 30 months.
The Oklahoma City Planning Commission has granted its approval for the project. However, there remain potential obstacles, including a city meeting scheduled for June 4 to discuss a zoning change.
Assuming all goes smoothly, construction on this remarkable project is anticipated to commence by July of this year, as per an article published in The Oklahoman.
Why Oklahoma?
Currently, New York and Chicago boast the top 10 tallest buildings in the US, with populations of around 8 and 3 million, respectively. In contrast, Oklahoma City has a population of about 700,000.
Additionally, the proposed Legends Tower would be more than twice the height of Oklahoma City’s current tallest building.
Critics of the Legends Tower have raised concerns about the structure’s feasibility. Members of the city’s planning commission and local residents question the practicality of such a large structure in a city not accustomed to tall towers.
Moreover, the city’s susceptibility to tornadoes adds another layer of concern, reports Wall Street Journal.
However, Rob Budetti, managing partner of California studio AO, which is designing the tower, assures that engineers will reinforce the elevator shaft with a sturdy concrete core for stability. Additionally, the skyscraper’s windows will be designed to withstand tornado-force winds without damage, making it one of the safer places to be in the event of a tornado, the studio claims.
Securing the full funding of $1.5 billion in early March of this year marks a significant step forward for the project. Developer Scott Matterson anticipates that site preparation could commence as soon as June.
Despite progress, uncertainty looms over whether the ambitious tower will indeed come to fruition, with even Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt expressing reservations.
“In my observation private developers often announce plans and some of those plans happen, and some don’t,” said the mayor to CNN. “I have no strong opinion and look forward to following their effort.”
