Oklahoma became a state in 1907, and a proposed tower in Oklahoma City would match that number at 1,907 feet tall. The Legends Tower would be the tallest building in the U.S., surpassing New York City’s Freedom Tower which stands at 1,776 feet. Part of a massive $1.6 billion mixed-use development project, the building, estimated to cost $770 million, would be the fifth tallest building in the world.
But will it really happen? The Legends Tower was originally proposed to be 1,750 feet tall, but the developer update plans to increase the height of the building to 1,907 feet, according to the Oklahoman. The tower would be more than twice as tall as the tallest existing building currently in Oklahoma City, and some skeptics are certain the proposed tower is a publicity stunt by the developer.
One major concern, say skeptics, for a building this tall in Oklahoma City is that it’d be highly susceptible to the region’s threat of tornadoes. Another reason is that more office space sits empty now than at any time since 1979, according to CNN. A statement from Oklahoma City mayor David Holt about the project appears to be lukewarm, at best: “In my observation private developers often announce plans and some of those plans happen, and some don’t. I have no strong opinion and look forward to following their effort.”
Still, Oklahoma City is going to give it a go. The city council has approved $200 million in tax incremental financing for the proposed project.
Greg Zimmerman is senior contributing editor for FacilitiesNet.com and Building Operating Management magazine.
