Tallest Buildings in Oklahoma City: Downtown and Bricktown Towers

In the narrative of the American heartland, Oklahoma City (OKC) has long been defined by its expansive horizontal reach. However, as we navigate through 2026, the “Big Friendly” is rewriting its story vertically. From the historic Art Deco spires of the 1930s to the modern glass giants and the audacious proposals of today, the OKC skyline is a fascinating study in ambition and resilience.

Here is the ultimate guide to the tallest buildings in Oklahoma City, where every floor tells a story of the state’s soaring spirit.

1. The Current King: Devon Energy Center (844 Feet)

Since its completion in 2012, the Devon Energy Center has stood as the undisputed monarch of the Oklahoma sky. At 844 feet (50 stories), it is not only the tallest building in the city but the tallest in the entire state.

Designed by Pickard Chilton, the tower’s triangular, crystalline form was a billion-dollar bet on the revitalization of downtown OKC. Its reflective glass facade changes color with the shifting Oklahoma sun, acting as a massive mirror for the Great Plains.

• The Icon Factor: The tower is home to Vast, a fine-dining restaurant on the 49th floor that offers 360-degree views stretching across the horizon. It has become the city’s primary landmark, visible for miles in every direction.

2. The Modernist Master: BancFirst Tower (500 Feet)

Standing at a perfectly even 500 feet, the BancFirst Tower (formerly known as the Liberty Tower and Chase Tower) held the title of the city’s tallest for 40 years before Devon arrived.

Completed in 1971, this 36-story skyscraper underwent a massive $21 million renovation that was completed in 2023. The transformation replaced the aging facade with striking blue glass, signaling a new chapter for the city’s financial district.

• The Narrative of Renovation: The building serves as a symbol of the city’s “Renaissance,” proving that Oklahoma City values its mid-century heritage while modernizing for a 21st-century workforce.

3. The Art Deco Jewel: First National Center (493 Feet)

While it may be third in height, the First National Center is the undisputed “soul” of the skyline. Built in 1931, its 33-story silhouette was designed to resemble the Empire State Building in New York.

After a meticulous $275 million restoration completed in 2022, the building reopened as a mixed-use destination featuring The National hotel and luxury residences.

• The “Great Hall” Experience: The former banking hall is now a public lobby that feels like a time capsule of 1930s luxury, featuring soaring marble columns and restored murals depicting Oklahoma’s history.

4. The Next Frontier: The Boardwalk at Bricktown

No discussion of the Oklahoma City skyline in 2026 is complete without mentioning the “Giant in the Room”: The Legends Tower.

Currently the most ambitious construction project in the United States, this development in the Bricktown district aims to build a tower reaching 1,907 feet (a nod to the year Oklahoma became a state). If completed as planned, it would be the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.

• The Bricktown Transformation: The tower is the centerpiece of the Boardwalk at Bricktown, a multi-phase project designed to turn the entertainment district into a vertical urban hub with hotels, condos, and retail space.

5. Summary of the OKC Skyline Giants

6. The “Missing Link”: Bricktown’s Rise

While Downtown is the business brain, Bricktown is the city’s heart. Historically low-slung and defined by 19th-century red-brick warehouses, the district is now going vertical.

The growth here is driven by the desire for “walkable urbanism.” Projects like the Omni Oklahoma City Hotel and the proposed Legends Tower represent a narrative shift: people no longer just want to work in tall buildings; they want to live, dine, and play in them. This vertical expansion is turning Bricktown from a weekend destination into a permanent residential neighborhood.

7. Engineering for the “Wind That Comes Sweepin’ Down the Plain”

Building tall in Oklahoma City brings a unique antagonist: Severe Weather. Any skyscraper in “Tornado Alley” must tell a story of extreme engineering.

• Seismic and Wind Damping: Tall towers like Devon use high-performance thermal glass and structural damping systems to manage the intense lateral loads provided by Oklahoma’s famous wind.

• Concrete Cores: Proposals like the Legends Tower incorporate massive concrete cores and aerodynamic shapes to minimize the “vortex shedding” that can occur during high-wind events, ensuring that the towers remain stable even during the state’s most volatile storms.

Conclusion: A City Without a Ceiling

The story of Oklahoma City’s skyline is far from finished. For a city that was born in a single day during the Land Run of 1889, the rapid vertical growth of the 2020s feels like a natural extension of its pioneering roots. Whether it’s the gleaming glass of Devon or the historic limestone of First National, the buildings of OKC are monuments to a city that has finally decided to match the height of its own ambition.