Honestly, if you haven’t looked at the Oklahoma City skyline in a few years, you might not even recognize it. It's not just a collection of mid-sized office blocks anymore. The city is currently in the middle of a massive identity crisis—the good kind. We're talking about a place that used to be defined by oil derricks and flat horizons now aiming for the literal clouds.
People outside of the Sooner State usually think of OKC as just a stop on I-40. They're wrong. The tallest buildings in Oklahoma City aren't just concrete and glass; they’re symbols of a city trying to prove it belongs in the same conversation as Chicago or New York.
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The Reigning Champion: Devon Energy Center
Standing at 844 feet, the Devon Energy Center is the big dog. You can see it from miles away—literally, if you're driving in from Edmond or Moore, that glass needle is your North Star. It’s 50 stories of "we've arrived."
Completed in 2012, it didn't just break the record; it shattered it. Before Devon, the city felt a bit... stunted. This tower changed the "vibe" of downtown. It has this incredible six-story rotunda that feels more like a cathedral than a corporate lobby.
The glass is high-performance stuff designed to handle the brutal Oklahoma sun. It’s LEED Gold certified, which is fancy talk for "it doesn't eat as much energy as you'd think for a giant glass box." But the coolest part? The "Vast" restaurant on the 49th floor. If you want to see the curve of the earth while eating a steak, that’s your spot.
The Art Deco Soul: First National Center
Let’s talk about the building that actually has character. The First National Center. It’s 446 feet of pure 1930s swagger.
For a long time, this place was sort of a ghost ship. It was beautiful but crumbling. Then, a massive $275 million renovation saved it. Now, it’s a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel called "The National."
Walking into the Great Hall—the old banking lobby—is like stepping into The Great Gatsby. They’ve got these massive marble columns and murals that look like they belong in the Louvre. It was the tallest building west of the Mississippi when it was built in 1931. That’s a wild stat when you think about how small the West felt back then.
The Blue Giant: BancFirst Tower
You probably remember this one as the Liberty Tower or the Chase Tower. It’s 500 feet tall and has 36 floors. For decades, it was the tallest thing in town until Devon showed up.
It recently went through a bit of a "glow-up." They replaced the old facade with this striking bright blue glass. It’s owned by BancFirst now, and they’ve basically breathed new life into it.
Fun fact: In 2016, one of the guys from Dude Perfect (Tyler Toney) broke a Guinness World Record by sinking a basketball shot from the roof. That’s about 500 feet of "nothing but net."
The Current Top Heavyweights (2026 Rankings)
The list of tallest buildings in Oklahoma City is surprisingly competitive. Here is how the leaderboard looks right now:
- Devon Energy Center: 844 feet (The undisputed king... for now).
- BancFirst Tower: 500 feet (The blue pillar of Broadway).
- First National Center: 446 feet to the spire (The historic heart).
- City Place Tower: 391 feet. This one is an underdog. It actually held the "tallest" title for a few months in 1931 before First National beat it. Talk about a short reign.
- Oklahoma Tower: 410 feet. A classic 80s skyscraper that holds down the business district.
- BOK Park Plaza: 433 feet. The new kid on the block (built in 2017) with a very sleek, modern look that mirrors the Devon tower across the street.
The Elephant in the Room: Legends Tower
Okay, we have to talk about the "Legends Tower." This is the project everyone is whispering—or shouting—about.
It's part of a development called "The Boardwalk at Bricktown." The plan? A tower that reaches 1,907 feet.
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Wait, what?
Yes. 1,907 feet. If it gets built, it won’t just be the tallest building in Oklahoma; it will be the tallest building in the United States. It would beat One World Trade Center in NYC.
Why 1,907? Because Oklahoma became a state in 1907. It’s poetic, sure, but is it practical? Critics think it’s nuts. They point to the wind, the tornadoes, and the fact that OKC isn't exactly hurting for ground space.
But Matteson Capital, the developers, are serious. They’ve already got approvals for "unlimited height" on the site. Phase one is already moving with hotel and residential components. Whether the "supertall" actually pierces the clouds remains the city's favorite debate at every local brewery.
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Why Does This Height Race Matter?
You might think, "Who cares? It's just a bunch of boxes in the sky."
In OKC, these buildings represent a shift from an oil-dependent economy to a diversified hub. When you see BOK Park Plaza or the renovated First National, you’re seeing billions of dollars in private investment betting on the city's future.
It’s about density. For a long time, OKC was the poster child for urban sprawl. Now, people actually want to live downtown. These towers are becoming mixed-use, meaning they aren't just offices—they’re apartments, hotels, and bars.
What You Should Do Next
If you're actually in town or planning a visit, don't just stare at the buildings from your car.
- Go to the Myriad Botanical Gardens: It’s right at the foot of the Devon Tower. The contrast between the tropical greenery of the Crystal Bridge and the massive glass skyscraper is the best photo op in the city.
- Grab a drink at The National: Even if you aren't staying there, walk into the Great Hall. It’s free to look, and it’s arguably the most beautiful interior in the Midwest.
- Check out the "Underground": OKC has a series of tunnels connecting many of these skyscrapers. It’s a bit retro, a bit "sci-fi," and perfect for exploring when the Oklahoma wind is trying to blow you to Kansas.
The skyline is changing fast. Whether the Legends Tower actually happens or not, the current crop of tallest buildings in Oklahoma City proves that this city has officially outgrown its "small town" reputation.