Yep, i love architecture! There are a lot of problems though, especially if they want to build this in OK city. OK is definitely not ready for tourism like this. No trains, it needs to be earthquake and strong storms, getting citizens approval, etc. I think it might get accepted if they lower the height a bit. The skyline will also look a bit goofy. It also is just another glass-covered skyscraper. I want to see more unique buildings like the bronze one in NYC.
Why? What value do they add? The most beautiful and livable cities in the world don't have the tallest sky scrapers. I'd rather see an emphasis placed on the quality of what we see and experience at ground level. BTW - the original World Trade Center had a lot of vacant space. And the vacancy rate would have been worse if the government didn't rent a lot of space there. Who or what is going to fill such a building in Oklahoma City? Cows?
As a Chicago guy, I’m not mad or annoyed-just very, very confused. Massive structures like this are generally built in cities 1) where there’s already a dense urban fabric, 2) where there are tons of people (usually with tons of money), which leads to 3) lots of demand. I can’t imagine how the economics for a 1,900+ foot tower could make any kind of sense in OKC in the mid 2020s.
OKC's one of the fastest growing cities in the US, and a lot of people have been migrating to Oklahoma in the past 20-30 years. As someone who's grown up there, I'd love to see it happen
@@TheLittleTrombone_01 The entire population of OKC would not even fill Manhattan. And even NYC is struggling to fill towers like this. Planning ahead is one thing. This is betting the farm with no back up plan.
When OKC built the Devon Tower, I thought it was strange because it dwarfed all the other buildings there and looked out of place. The fact they're trying to outdo themselves with this new one is hilarious.
It is pretty crazy. It almost feels like an April Fools prank. I did read it comes with like $200 million in handouts so maybe that was the appeal for the city. They love giving away money to businesses while heavily taxing the people. We pay about 9% sales tax on groceries and they give out $200 million for something like this. Oklahoma is weird. All the taxation of a blue state with all the corporate giveaways of a red state.
@@jonesyokc 9% tax on groceries??? Wow! Not here in Ohio where there is 0% tax on actual food. There is tax on soda, beer and such, but not on actual "food food".
I hate when cities build massive skyscrapers in a downtown that has a weak skyline. It looks so odd and ridiculous when the skyline doesn’t fit the skyscraper.
Oklahoma City resident here. I’m skeptical that this will ever be built to plan, though I would love to be proven wrong. I just don’t see there being that much demand for high rise condo’s/apartments around here. Regarding the location of our new NBA arena I’ve also heard a lot of talk about it being built on the former Myriad/Cox Convention Center site. It’s all speculative at this point, but there are a lot of reasons why that that site would make a lot of sense.
@@musiclightsseven with that, I don't think the OKC market could support it. Tall buildings even in much denser cities are sitting half empty. Even in New York, the super tall residential buildings are empty with the apartments bought as investments or to have money in some concrete assets. This would completely screw up the local market
@@CortexNewsService There's never really a downturn in the real estate market as so long as the city is sustainable with a large population, amenities, and diverse in industries and so forth. Places like NYC, Chicago, is more resistant to downturn than say a one trick pony like Detroit. OKC seem to be moving too fast with this super tall building. The city would be better off building several more Devon style buildings first, build more attractions, then go big afterward.
Fellow Utahn spotted! Yes, it is already happening, albeit on a smaller scale with the Astra. The Triad Center in the 1980s had a proposal for the Zion Social Hall Center, which was a plan for twin 45-story office towers at a height of 561 feet. Due to the discovery of very shady dealings, the scope of the Triad Center was cut back dramatically, permanently halting the construction of several planned buildings.
@@scratchpad7954that is true. Today part of that site is the Delta Center home of the Utah Jazz. if I remember correctly, the triad proposal would’ve consist of three city blocks. Salt Lake’s current tallest building is still under construction, called the Astra as you mentioned. But even that is only roughly 450 feet. only about half the height as Oklahoma’s current tallest the Devon Tower. Salt Lake is past due for a 500+ footer.
I pass by the 270 Park Ave site daily in my walk commute, so it's interesting to get your reaction to it. The OKC tower seems like an attention grabber and I can't imagine it being economically viable, but if it does go through, I think it would be pretty cool.
OKC born and raised, don't think this will happen to that scale. The 3 other buildings of this project will be built, and probably the 4th, but I doubt it will be much taller than Devon Tower. Yeah the city is growing, but the population is still only about 650,000 (1.2+million if you count the whole OKC Metro Area). I just don't think we have the need for something that big at the moment.
@@rchilde1 Still doesn't change the level of demand being slightly off by 70k. This type of height is very tough to justify in a city under multiple millions.
You didn't mention that One World Tower (Freedom Tower) in New York is 1776 feet tall for the year the Declaration of Independence was signed. The Legends Tower is 1907 feet tall because that was the year Oklahoma became a state.
Who’s going to occupy it? The reason cities like Chicago and NYC have tall skyscrapers is because of the demand for more offices to operate their businesses to accommodate the large number of inhabitants. What use is a tower that high in a city with a metro pop of 1.2 million?
You realize Oklahoma City is in tornado alley? That supertall tower wouldn't have a chance to withstand 200mph winds from an EF5 tornado. I bet you can see the OU Norman campus and their football stadium from the top of that tower. It's highly unlikely it would get built because it looks ridiculous compared to the rest of the skyline. Also this being in a underrated city with a huge land area with a few skyscrapers like OKC dosen't make sense because there's alot of undeveloped land for new housing(single family homes and low rise condos), stores, office buildings and hotels throughout OKC.
My opinions exactly. I can't decide if I like the location though. It would feel so out of place in OKC, and would dwarf the current skyline, but love the random things in life sometimes. I'd expect this thing to be built in NYC, LA, Philadelphia, Chicago, or even Houston. But OKC? Strange.
they are submitting for the variance for height, with the completion after 2030, and the first 3 towers starting this summer with completion before our hosting of Olympic sports in 2028. The height is to recognize the year our state became a part of the union in 1907. Across from it will be our new outdoor soccer stadium, and the new NBA arena will be located on the old Cox Convention center, directly north of the current Paycom.
Cities all over the US are starving for tenets to occupy the sky scrapers in the city’s downtowns that already exist. The days of the skyscraper look grim in the US. Really.
@@kenb3552 Many cities use their skyline as their identity. Elsewhere, skyscrapers are and have been going up at rapid pace in the Mideast/Eastern countries and some of them are actually quite stunning. They should be.
@@codyslade5558 Yes, they can be stunning. But you really have to be outside of the city to see a skyline, right? From inside the city, you pretty much just see the base and first 15 floors or so. Unless you walk around with head cocked upwards. For urban density purposes, they are important, but building them for their own sake - especially just ridiculously and needlessly high - I don't see much value in that, especially if it comes at the expense of what is at ground level.
That would make it exactly 131 feet taller than any building in America. I believe Freedom Tower is listed as 1,776 feet tall so 1,907 feet would make it exactly 131 feet taller. I really don't see how OKC can support a building that tall though. Even NYC has trouble supporting buildings like the Empire State Building. OKC doesn't even have close to the population NYC does. I guess maybe it's because there are a lot more skyscrapers in NYC so maybe OKC could maybe work out if they only focus on having one mega-skyscraper.
@@johnjarvis3455Ahh. Correct. 131 feet taller. Either way how is OKC's population going to support that when NYC's population can't even support buildings shorter than that? OKC can't even support an NFL team or an MLB team. How the heck are they going to support the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere?
See that large convention center to the north of Paycom Center? That's likely where the new arena will be. It already has an arena contained in it, which was called the Myriad Arena. It will be interesting to see how they plan on demolish and clear that whole area over the next few years and build on it for the new arena.
Yes, except the response to 9/11 took care of the fear that someone nuttier than a Snickers bar could hijack a plane and crash it into a building deliberately. However, you are correct about the risk of tornadoes striking the building and turning it into a 1,907-foot, 134-story death trap.
@@Videofinder09 true but downtown and built up areas don’t get tornadoes of a magnitude to have any impact on the building. Look at the Burj in Dubai nuilt to withstand sandstorms, etc. Construction has come a long way…
How can you ensure sewer capacity can be met with that beast, right beside a convention center and a sports arena? This looks like how the mess in Dubai came about when they never planned properly for proper sewer capacities. Plus, IMO, it is too much. Too much tower. The Devon Tower at least has some variance in its shape, it is not crazy tall and it looks fine all on its own. Add-in another mega tall and it just all looks stupid. Also, these mega mixed-use towers don't always make money in the end. The operational sink and wasted space to service all the random uses (Hotel, Res, Office, Retail) ends up leaving too much money on the table. I applaud the vision and the balls to think of this idea. I don't think it happens though in the end. The smaller towers will get built.
This would be a good time to point out the Lewis Black theory of economic stimulus: "What you do is you build a big fucking thing. I don't care what it is, as long as it's big, and it's a fucking thing. Then the economy will explode, because everyone will say 'I wanna see the Big Fucking Thing!' Then there will be a Big Fucking Thing restaurant. A Big Fucking Thing hotel and casino. A Big Fucking Thing spa!!!"
That didn’t stop the Devon tower which is over 800 feet, or really all of downtown OKC which I don’t believe had ever dealt with a tornado going through it.
As someone who actually LIVES in Oklahoma, I can guarantee you that they would build it to easily withstand tornadoes and high winds like every other skyscraper. Not only that, but tornadoes very rarely actually hit downtown OKC in the first place.
Its kinda of an oddball place to build the tallest in the US lol! But having said that NYC has no exclusive rights to that title so there shouldnt be any whining coming from there
The average American probably still think the Empire State building is our tallest building. They have no idea how other countries are surpassing us in skyscraper height, it's embarrassing. Nevertheless, I for one hope Oklahoma builds it even taller and takes the title from NYC, for years to come. This is one project I will have to keep my eyes on.
Not really because after the twin towers were built from a distance you could of seen the twin towers and the Empire State Building and unless you were blind you could of seen that the twin towers clearly dwarfed the Empire State Building and I’m talking about a even perspective not a close up or anything 10-15 miles
It's an ambitious tower stated by the developers, which would be built based on demand. Due note that the tower already got approved for an insane height (I forgot), but it would have been the 2nd tallest tower in the States. The new Arena is gonna be built at the Prairie Surf Studios location
I live in OKC, as far as the new NBA arena, the only thing that has been approved is the arena. All the other steps will be starting soon. The rumored site, is directly across the street to the north of The Paycom Center. That is the site of another arena and will be demolished. Best guess at construction will probably be late 2025 or early 2026. Renderings will come out after design approval. The tall skyscraper will be built if the market demands it. OKC is going through a significant growth period now.
I think it would make more sense building 3-4 big buildings and spread the love instead of one massive building. Cause let’s face it. Multiple areas within OKC could use some love
The largest tornado in history was 2.6 miles across with nearly 300 mph winds. It was moving directly toward downtown OKC in 2013, but veered away. I hope the developers hire some first rate meteorologists.
@@-OAK- Yes, I agree, I could see a tall tower, but probably maxing out at most 900 ft. Demand just isn't there in OKC to support a project of that magnitude right now.
@@Zoove1 they are going to build the tower in sections, and see how well they bring in. So will have to see because Oklahoma is one of the fastest growing cities RN and a lot of people are looking for housing there. So maybe it could reach its full height to fulfill housing need, who knows 🤷♂️
About buildings being built that are taller than the One World Trade Center (a.k.a the OWTC, or the Freedom Tower,) remember. There are no rules saying that it can't be surpassed. (At least to my knowledge.) It's not a rule, it's a tradition. Central Park Tower in NYC was originally going to have a spire that would've made it the tallest in the country, but the people of NYC heavily protested that to the point where the spire was scrapped from the design. But the people of NYC won't have say weather or not this preposed OKC (Oklahoma City) skyscraper gets built. And while I have no proof of this, I expect the people of OKC might be wanting this to be built to put them on the map. Either that or it would look so out of place and cast such a huge shadow that they wouldn't want it. I don't live in Oklahoma, so IDK. In my opinion, if this were to be built in it's current state, it would look very out of place, being roughly 2.5 times the height of OKC's next tallest building. But, it would be kind of hilarious to see this behemoth plopped down in the middle of 2024 Oklahoma, and it's design is actually pretty nice looking. So, I kind of hope it's built. So, good luck to OKC, from eastern Missouri. But seriously, OKC is such a random place to build that countries tallest building. New York City? No. Chicago? Nuh uh. Los Angeles? Nope. Philadelphia? Nada. San Francisco? Get out of here! Miami? Don't make me laugh. Houston? Nay Seattle? Ok, I'm going to stop now, I'm running low on these. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Oklahoma City? Now there's a place you'd expect to find a 1,900 ft. tall building in the 2020s. (But seriously though. It kind of hurts that the US doesn't have a 2000 ft. tall building yet. I mean, the Chicago Spire was going to be built, and construction started in the mid-2000s. And then 2008 hit, and the residential project was scrapped due to the recession. To this day, January 27, 2024, it sits as an abandoned, incomplete, half-flooded foundation.)
This is quite ambitious. There are several important pieces before construction begins. First and foremost from are committed tenants. China no longer builds spect buildings ( just build it, and they will come). I would guess they would need a minimum of at least 50% to qualify for financing and a very strong condo market . I'm not throwing water on OKC, I hope it happens, it will most certainly increase local pride. To the creator of this video, OKC or any City doesn't need the approval of NYC or any City to build a taller building.
What other sadness do New Yorkers have? NYC used to be the biggest city in North America, but Mexico City "grew up" fast like heaven as if it is established after the American city.
As far as the OKC having a super tall skyscraper, it's their business, I was born and raised in NYC, and I love it, now the freedom tower is a beautiful looking building, but putting that spire on it and passing it on as being part of the height of the building is a joke, because they had a chance to make it fully that tall but they blew it, so now tallest building in this country is the Norstrom tower in NYC, so sorry NYC, next time don't do any shortcuts
@@TheLittleTrombone_01 hey, it's called progress, now watch, because if or when it breaks ground I bet there will be other super tall buildings and other huge structures that will be proposed, and besides that, I'm kinda a fan of the Thunder, so I'm waiting for you guys to get a NFL and MLB team
Why would you need a building that tall in OKC? It doesn't make sense. They have enough space. Spread it out over 10 blocks. Parks, shops, a lake. Make it a place people would want to go to.
2:21 that area looks similar to the New Jersey Meadowlands, it actually looks like the area around the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. Imagine if they build that tower there by the MetLife Stadium? If would look like that, lol.
I have a petition for my own city Wichita in regards to an icon I have imagined. It would be around 550 feet tall if built.. I have a petition on it and going before the city on February 13th. I will mention this building in this vid and will tell them they need to get with the times.
IMO there's two buildings already taller than the freedom tower in the US -- One Central Park and Sears Tower so theres that's. Second, Im not sure if theyd get finanacing for such a tower at least not at this juncture. Once Texas completely becomes California and its too expensive to live there, then maybe demand in OKC will rise to accommodate such a tower.
Odd place to invest that type of money…… I guess the city is growing more than I thought. I would assume the weather would be the main issue. Tornado Alley……
Honestly from what im seeing the place would be mostly spartments snd hotel and retail space. if they build an indoor amusement park or some sort of venue to attrack people then they got s tourist attraction at least.
This isn't the new story, or it's the second story out of Oklahoma City claiming they're going to build a massive skyscraper that will never see the light of day. It sounds like a city that's trying to remain relevant
In my opinion Central Park tower is the tallest, got more floors and higher than wtc in roof height. Even sears tower is bigger in those aspects than wtc!
The architecture (AO) and the City has to wait for the FAA to get the approval first for the height requirement. And from the latest interview from OETA, that process is already underway. The 3 other towers will begin construction this summer.
As a resident of NYC I actually like this and I hope it becomes a reality at the proposed height. Whey? Because if NYC is bothered enough we will build one taller which is what I want the city to have anyway.
I like the idea of new skyscrapers being built. However is OKC really the right place for the biggest skyscraper in the U.S.? But who knows maybe this will be a good thing building wise for our U.S. cities.
As a resident of the OKC area I can say.... wtf. One of my coworkers (out of state) told me about this today and I thought he was trolling me. I looked it up and still couldn't believe it. I'm not sure I understand the point of this. Maybe they are wanting to make this a new hub for growth in the city? It is going to look so badly out of place. The Devon Tower at 50 stories already looks out of place on the skyline. You'll have probably 25,000 people in that building and that will do wonders for traffic. I-40 is already a challenge at rush hour. The city will seriously need to look at setting up light rail to run on the tracks that kind of parallel I-40 to get people from the suburbs into town for work. Well I guess we should look at the bright side. We'll able to see more tornadoes from the top floor.
That might be the WORST place to build a skyscraper. Halarious that someone thought this was a good idea. Build it in NYC or LA where it compliments the other buildings.
For closest proximity maybe Dallas lol, not Houston cause Houston’s skyscrapers are much large at least by width than other skyscrapers it would look stupid
@@J-te5mpoklahomas city’s current tallest building is already taller than Texas tallest tower, so if you think it would look bad it would look just as bad in Dallas
Imagine. A condo at 1000 feet! And what will your views be like? Massive parking lots below and the flat, empty vistas of Oklahoma City. Wow, exciting. Flat prairies to the horizon. If this is ever built, my first reaction will be "who are the real money launderers behind this?" Cue the IRS investigations.
