Tallest skyscraper in the US set to be built in unlikely state

A firm has revealed plans to build the tallest building in the United States and it's not in the first city you may expect.

When you think of tall skyscrapers in the US, the first city which springs to mind is the 'concrete jungle where dreams are made of' which Alicia Keys sings about.

Alas, while New York may currently be home to the tallest building in the country, it could soon be snubbed of the top spot.

The current tallest building in the US - as well as the Americas, and the Western Hemisphere - is the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan in New York City - also the seventh-tallest building in the world.

Construction on the building first began in 2006 and finished in 2015, and the building now stands at a staggering 1,776 ft (541m).

And it's reigned on since then as the US' tallest skyscraper, however, Matteson Capitol real estate developers - who've partnered with AO - have other ideas.

Getty Images/ Gary Hershorn

The California-based firm originally had plans to make four buildings with the tallest measuring 1,750 ft - which would make it the second tallest in the US.

However, it's now upped the stakes and revealed on Monday (January 22) it wants to make the building - referred to as Legends Tower - a whopping 1,907ft.

If the plans are approved and the construction goes ahead, this would make the tower not only the tallest in the US, but the fifth tallest in the world.

But which city is the skyscraper proposed to be built in?

AO Architects

Well, New York City could be about to bow down to Oklahoma City.

As quoted by AO Design, CEO of Matteson Capital Scot Matteson said: "Oklahoma City is experiencing a significant period of growth and transformation, making it well-positioned to support large-scale projects like the one envisioned for Bricktown.

"We believe that this development will be an iconic destination for the city, further driving the expansion and diversification of the growing economy, drawing in investment, new businesses, and jobs.

"It’s a dynamic environment and we hope to see The Boardwalk at Bricktown stand as the pride of Oklahoma City."

The proposed development - named The Boardwalk at Bricktown - would consist of three towers rising to 345 feet and then the fourth, Legends Tower.

The final tower's height would act as a celebration of Oklahoma being admitted as the 46th state of the US.

AO Architects

And the whole development would measure over three acres (around five million sq ft), encompassing hotels, residential and workplace units, retail spaces and restaurants.

AO managing partner Rob Budetti said: "We are excited to embark upon this pivotal undertaking with a carefully assembled team of talented and experienced architects and designers from within our ranks.

"Crafting a project of this significance is an honor, and the collaborative process with the City, Matteson Capital, Hensel Phelps, and a top-notch team of engineers, consultants, and development partners has been exceptional. "Managing the intricacies of such a project, ensuring seamless integration of all components, is a significant challenge.

"Fortunately, this aligns with one of AO's core strengths."

Topics: US News, World News

Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck is a Senior Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from The University of Manchester in 2021 with a First in English Literature and Drama, where alongside her studies she was Editor-in-Chief of The Tab Manchester. Poppy is most comfortable when chatting about all things mental health, is proving a drama degree is far from useless by watching and reviewing as many TV shows and films as possible and is such a crisp fanatic the office has been forced to release them in batches.