Potential Tallest Building in the U.S. Planned for the Last City You’d Expect

California-based real estate developers have their eye on Oklahoma City as the planned location for what may end up being the tallest building in the United States. But first, they need to clear some red tape hurdles before breaking ground.

Matteson Capitol had originally submitted an application for the project’s main tower to be 1,750 feet tall, which would have made it the second-tallest in the U.S. behind the Freedom Tower in Manhattan. However, on Monday the real estate firm announced their intention to “submit a request for variance” that would allow the tower to rise to 1,907 feet, which would make it not only the tallest building in the country, but the fifth-tallest in the world.

“The symbolic height honors the year that Oklahoma was admitted as the 46th state of the United States,” Matteson Capitol said in a statement.

Currently, the tallest building in Oklahoma City is the Devon Energy Center, pictured above, which stands at 844 feet with 50 floors. Behind that is the BancFirst Tower at 500 feet, the First National Center at 443 feet, and the BOK Park Plaza at 433 feet tall.

Encompassing around five million square feet, the mixed-use project would include 1,776 residential units with both affordable and luxury options, 85 residential condominiums, and two Hyatt hotels. It would also feature an additional 110,000 square feet of commercial and community use space boasting a vibrant retail and restaurant scene and community workforce development center. The top floors of the tower would serve as a public observatory with a restaurant and bar where visitors will be able to take in the sweeping city views.

One of the least dense cities in the Western Hemisphere getting the second-largest skyscraper in the USA, taller than any building in Hong Kong, is absolutely hilarious. (Oklahoma City tower proposal) pic.twitter.com/yZzH5E1ipN

— Hayden Clarkin (@the_transit_guy) December 19, 2023

But getting the revised plans approved may be easier said than done. Oklahoma City zoning official Kristy Yager told the Oklahoma City Free Press that the developers would need to rezone to move forward.

“To clarify, they would need to rezone, not seek a variance. Their existing [Simplified Planned Unit Development] was specifically negotiated, including the building height,” said Yager. “We understand the applicant’s representative is preparing a new SPUD application, which would go to Planning Commission for a recommendation and City Council for a final decision.”

Oklahoma City is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, the state capital had a population of over 680,000. In a 2022 estimate it became the the 20th-most populous city in America, just behind Denver, Seattle, and San Fransisco. And with the planned development ostensibly moving forward in some capacity, the city will likely only continue to attract new residents.