Construction of US's Tallest Building, Legends Tower, Faces Delays

The development of Legends Tower, a skyscraper planned to reach 581 meters (1907 feet) in Oklahoma City, is experiencing significant delays, casting doubt on its projected completion. Developers presented an expanded version of the project, named Boardwalk at Bricktown, in early 2024. While the city approved zoning without a height limit, construction had not commenced as of July 2026.

Initially proposed at 1750 feet, the tower's height was increased to 1907 feet in late January 2024, a figure chosen to reference the year Oklahoma became a state. The project, designed by AO Architects and Matteson Capital, features a glass facade and will be surrounded by smaller towers. It is intended to house residential apartments, hotels, and offices, with provisions for affordable housing.

Legends Tower is slated for construction in Oklahoma City's Bricktown neighborhood, an area targeted for expanded entertainment offerings. Its location offers good transport links, including proximity to a streetcar line and Amtrak trains.

Despite receiving construction permits from the Oklahoma City Planning Commission in April 2024, the project remains stalled. Developer Scot Matteson cited repeated delays due to the expansion of plans, preliminary development work like environmental studies, and objections from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding the tower's proximity to nearby airports.

Matteson had previously stated in March 2024 that the project was fully funded and aimed to lay the first stone by the end of 2025. However, the start date was later postponed from late 2025 to late 2026. Reports indicate that construction permits have not yet been filed, land ownership has not been fully secured, and no site preparation has occurred. Matteson has not provided a revised start date, emphasizing that the smaller surrounding towers will be built first, followed by the main skyscraper.