The United States may soon have a new — and surprising — location for the country's tallest building, and if approved, it won't be anywhere near New York.
In a new proposal from AO Architects and real estate developer Matteson Capital, the Boardwalk at Bricktown, if approved for construction, would be a 1,907-foot-tall skyscraper that would officially be the sixth tallest building in the world right in the heart of Oklahoma's downtown city.
“Designed to be the tallest building in the country, this bold project encompasses over 3 acres and over 2 million square feet of residential, dining, retail, dining and entertainment space,” AO Architects’ press release states.
The complex would feature hotel and residential towers, “each with their own unique luxury amenities, creating a dynamic urban center for tenants and visitors,” the designers say.
In a new proposal from AO Architects and real estate developer Matteson Capital, the Boardwalk at Bricktown, if approved for construction, would be a 1,907-foot-tall skyscraper that would officially be the sixth tallest building in the world right in the heart of Oklahoma's downtown city.
AO Architects
The Boardwalk in Bricktown would also house brand new, state-of-the-art dining and retail spaces with open plazas.
“Dining, retail and open spaces enhance and enliven the streetscape, creating interaction and connection, and inviting the world to experience the best that OKC has to offer,” said AO Architects. “As a catalyst for urban development, The Boardwalk embodies the spirited essence of Oklahoma City and honors its rich past, dynamic present and promising future.”
The facility would include a collection of three towers, each 345 feet tall, and the fourth tower – currently called the Legends Tower – standing 1,907 feet tall, with that specific number honoring the year in which Oklahoma became the 46th state was from the United States.
In a new proposal from AO Architects and real estate developer Matteson Capital, the Boardwalk at Bricktown, if approved for construction, would be a 1,907-foot-tall skyscraper that would officially be the sixth tallest building in the world right in the heart of Oklahoma's downtown city.
AO Architects
“The project spans approximately 5 million square feet and is a mixed-use marvel, including a 480-room Dream Hotel by Hyatt and 85 serviced condominiums in the Dream Tower; an additional 350-room Hyatt hotel and 100 serviced condominiums in Legends Tower; 1,776 housing units ranging from market to affordable workforce and luxury options; and a vibrant retail and restaurant scene with over 110,000 square feet of commercial, food and beverage space, as well as a community workforce development center on the street and second levels,” the developers said. “The top floors of the Supertall tower will consist of a public observatory, a restaurant and a bar where visitors can enjoy the breathtaking views of the city.”
However, the proposed development still requires final approval from the City and there is no guarantee that it will be built under the current application at this time.
“To be clear, you would have to do a rezoning, not seek a variance. Their existing SPUD was specifically negotiated, including building height (“The maximum height of a building shall be 300 feet, except that the height is limited to 80 feet within 20 feet of the northern SPUD boundary.),” Kristy Yager, Public information officer for the city of Oklahoma, a zoning official told the Oklahoma City Free Press. “We understand that the applicant’s representative is preparing a new SPUD application that will be forwarded to the Planning Commission for recommendation and City Council for a final decision.”
In a new proposal from AO Architects and real estate developer Matteson Capital, the Boardwalk at Bricktown, if approved for construction, would be a 1,907-foot-tall skyscraper that would officially be the sixth tallest building in the world right in the heart of Oklahoma's downtown city.
AO Architects
The tallest building in the United States, at least currently, is One World Trade in New York City, which opened in 2014 and has a symbolic height of 1,776 feet. If built, the new building would dwarf the tower by 131 feet and become the tallest in America.
“Oklahoma City is in a significant period of growth and transformation and is therefore well positioned to support large-scale projects like the one planned for Bricktown,” said Scot Matteson, CEO of Matteson Capital. “We believe this development will be an iconic destination for the city, further driving the expansion and diversification of the growing economy and attracting investment, new businesses and jobs.” It is a dynamic environment and we hope The Boardwalk at Bricktown will become the pride of Oklahoma City.”
The Burj Khalia in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is the tallest building in the world at 2,717 feet, followed by Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which is 490 feet lower at 2,227 feet. Rounding out the top five are the Shanghai Tower in Shanghai, the Abraj Al Bait Clock Tower in Mecca and the Ping An International Finance Center in Shenzhen.