Legends Tower is set to be constructed in Oklahoma City, reaching a height of 581 meters, which is approximately 40 meters taller than One World Trade Center. According to Interesting Engineering, authorities are contemplating a project to erect the tallest new skyscraper in America. Surprisingly, the proposed building, Legends Tower, will not be situated in the bustling cities of New York City or Chicago, but rather in Oklahoma City, with a population of only about 700,000 residents. The project site will be located in a parking lot near railway tracks and a warehouse.
Initially, Legends Tower was planned to be the second tallest building in the United States. However, designers and developers decided to exceed that and aim for a height of 1,907 feet (581 meters) to commemorate the year Oklahoma became the 46th state of the US. This would make Legends Tower about 40 meters taller than the current tallest skyscraper in the US, One World Trade Center in New York City. The building is expected to rank 6th in the list of the world’s tallest buildings, following China’s Ping An International Financial Center.
Surrounding the main skyscraper, Legends Tower, will be three smaller buildings, each standing at 105 meters in height. It is anticipated that Legends Tower will house approximately 1,750 residential apartments along with a luxury hotel. The total estimated cost of the project, including structures like water tanks and boardwalks, is reported to be $1.6 billion.
However, the project faces challenges, such as the financial viability of constructing such a tall building in a city with a relatively small population. Another concern raised during a city planning meeting was the region’s vulnerability to tornadoes. To address this issue, the project designers plan to build a thick concrete core around the elevator shaft for stability and ensure the building’s windows can withstand tornado impacts without damage, making it a safe place for residents in the event of a tornado.
Despite these obstacles, the Oklahoma City Planning Commission has approved the project, paving the way for construction to potentially begin in July this year, as indicated by project developer Scot Matteson.