Developer pitches US’s second-tallest building in Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City isn’t the first city that comes to mind when considering the country’s tallest buildings.

That could change, however, with California developer Scot Matteson proposing an entertainment district called the Boardwalk at Bricktown, with a 134-story apartment tower — making it the second-tallest in the U.S. — in the Lower Bricktown part of OKC, the Oklahoman reported.

Matteson, with a 40-year track record in development, is no stranger to ambitious projects, including The Residences at Little Nell in Aspen, the Icon Hotel in Houston, and the Sapphire Tower in San Diego.

If realized, the tower would stand at 1,750 feet, coming in just under New York City’s One World Trade Center. 

Despite skepticism from officials and the public, Matteson says he’ll get the project across the finish line. “I’m used to being told you can’t do things,” he told the outlet. “But I’m used to getting it done.”

The timing of Matteson’s expanded plans coincides with a recent vote to build a new arena in the area. Matteson’s project includes expanding a Hyatt Dream Hotel from 350 to 480 rooms.

While renderings and floor plans are set to be filed later this month, the timeline for the final tower remains uncertain. 

The first phase of the development, starting in 2024, includes two parking garages, a hotel, and two condo towers, backed by a record-high $200 million in tax increment financing. 

“We started thinking about the OKC Thunder and spending a billion dollars, and we are going to have a billion dollars going into our design,” he told the outlet. “We are going to have two big projects going on within two blocks of each other. Option A is we build what we’re already approved for. But Option B is with all these things going on with a downtown entertainment district, let’s see what we can do.” 

The Boardwalk at Bricktown, which is a collaboration between Matteson and Randy Hogan,will include a glitzy design featuring extensive lighting, large LED signage, and a water pool and fountain at the entryway.

“Oklahoma City is growing fast,” he said. “People want to be there. Business wants to be there. It’s affordable. It has growth going on in different sectors of business – aerospace, medical, banking, oil and gas. We like to be visionaries and take the risk.”

— Ted Glanzer