Summary
The Bank of Oklahoma Tower in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma, is an impressive example of modern architecture combined with historical inspiration. Completed in 1976, the tower was designed by Minoru Yamasaki, the architect best known for his work on the original World Trade Center in New York. At 667 feet tall and 52 stories, it is the tallest building in Tulsa and the second tallest in Oklahoma. The tower’s design reflects a minimalist aesthetic, with the sleek facade and vertical lines conveying a sense of elegance and timelessness. As the headquarters of the Bank of Oklahoma, this iconic skyscraper not only dominates the skyline, but also connects the region to its historical and economic roots.
Introduction
Rising high into the Oklahoma sky, the Bank of Oklahoma Tower has been Tulsa’s most recognizable landmark for nearly five decades. At 667 feet, this striking skyscraper attracts attention not only for its impressive height, but also for its remarkable architectural connection to one of America’s most significant buildings, the original World Trade Center towers.
The story of the BOK Tower combines urban development, architectural vision and national tragedy in a way that speaks to both Tulsa residents and visitors from across the country. As someone who has been involved in the architectural development of Tulsa for more than two decades, I have seen firsthand how this building has shaped the city’s identity and serves as a powerful symbol of remembrance. Its journey from corporate headquarters to community landmark offers insight into how buildings can transcend their original purpose and become meaningful cultural touchstones.
The Birth of One Williams Center
Construction of what would become the Bank of Oklahoma Tower began in 1975, driven by the ambitious vision of the Williams Companies, a large energy company that wanted to build its headquarters in downtown Tulsa. The Williams Companies decided to build during Tulsa’s oil boom years, when the city was experiencing unprecedented economic growth and positioning itself as a major energy center.
Originally called One Williams Center, the tower was intended for more than just office space. Williams Companies envisioned a building that would signal Tulsa’s arrival as a major American city capable of competing with larger metropolitan areas for business and cultural influence. Construction spanned from 1975 to 1976, when the building officially opened as the tallest building in Oklahoma.
The transition from One Williams Center to the Bank of Oklahoma Tower occurred when the building’s primary tenant and ownership structure changed. The Bank of Oklahoma, founded in 1910, gradually expanded its presence in the building until it became the dominant tenant and eventually lent its name to the building. This naming evolution reflects the overall economic changes in Tulsa as the city’s financial sector grew to keep pace with the importance of the energy industry.
The building’s original purpose went beyond housing corporate offices. Williams Companies designed the tower to serve as a catalyst for the revitalization of downtown Tulsa, attracting other businesses and contributing to the economic vitality of the area. This vision was largely successful, as the BOK Tower became an anchor for subsequent downtown development projects.
Architectural Vision by Minoru Yamasaki
The architectural significance of the BOK Tower becomes immediately apparent when considering its designer: Minoru Yamasaki, the same visionary architect who created the original World Trade Center towers in New York City. Yamasaki’s selection for the Tulsa project wasn’t coincidental. Williams Companies specifically sought an architect capable of creating a building with national architectural significance.
Yamasaki’s design philosophy emphasized verticality, light, and geometric precision. For the BOK Tower, he employed the same architectural language that made the World Trade Center towers iconic: clean lines, vertical ribbing, and a distinctive facade treatment that creates dramatic shadow patterns throughout the day. The building’s exterior features the same type of aluminum and steel curtain wall system that characterized Yamasaki’s other major works.
The architectural details reveal Yamasaki’s commitment to his design principles. The BOK Tower’s facade consists of closely spaced vertical aluminum mullions that create a sense of upward movement and visual unity. This treatment, nearly identical to that of the original World Trade Center towers, demonstrates Yamasaki’s consistent approach to high-rise design during this period of his career.
Comparing the BOK Tower to the original WTC towers reveals striking similarities in proportion, materials, and overall aesthetic approach. Both buildings featured the same fundamental design elements: rectangular footprints, vertical emphasis through facade treatment, and a commitment to modernist architectural principles. These parallels would later take on profound emotional significance following the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Structural Specifications and Notable Features
The Bank of Oklahoma Tower rises 667 feet above downtown Tulsa, encompassing 52 floors of office and commercial space. These dimensions made it the tallest building in Oklahoma upon completion, a distinction it held for 35 years until Oklahoma City’s Devon Tower surpassed it in 2011. The building’s footprint covers approximately 40,000 square feet at its base, with floor plates that efficiently accommodate various office configurations.
Interior features include high-speed elevator systems designed to serve all 52 floors efficiently, central air conditioning and heating systems upgraded multiple times since construction, and flexible floor plans that can accommodate both large corporate tenants and smaller professional services firms. The building’s structural system employs a steel frame construction typical of skyscrapers from this era, designed to withstand Oklahoma’s challenging weather conditions including high winds and seismic activity.
The BOK Tower’s architectural details extend beyond its facade to include carefully planned landscaping and plaza areas at street level. The ground floor features retail spaces and a distinctive lobby area with materials and design elements that reflect Yamasaki’s attention to human-scale details within monumental structures. These spaces were designed to create connections between the building’s occupants and the surrounding downtown area.
Notable engineering features include advanced fire safety systems, upgraded electrical infrastructure capable of supporting modern technology demands, and structural reinforcements added during major renovation projects. The building’s mechanical systems occupy several floors and represent significant investments in maintaining operational efficiency and occupant comfort throughout the structure’s height.
The Profound World Trade Center Connection
The architectural relationship between the BOK Tower and the original World Trade Center towers extends far beyond superficial similarities. Both buildings emerged from Yamasaki’s distinctive design philosophy, which emphasized vertical elements, geometric precision, and the interplay between light and shadow created by closely spaced facade elements. The BOK Tower essentially represents a scaled-down version of the WTC design, adapted for Tulsa’s urban context.
Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, the BOK Tower’s resemblance to the Twin Towers took on profound symbolic significance. Many Americans, particularly those who had never visited New York City, found themselves looking at Tulsa’s skyline with new emotions and understanding. The building became an unexpected focal point for reflection and remembrance, earning recognition as one of the closest architectural relatives to the destroyed towers.
This connection transformed how many people viewed the BOK Tower. What had been simply Tulsa’s tallest building became something approaching a memorial, a physical reminder of architectural achievement and national tragedy. Visitors from across the country began traveling to Tulsa specifically to see the building, describing emotional reactions to witnessing what the Twin Towers might have looked like from a distance.
The symbolic importance of this architectural relationship cannot be overstated. In a nation grappling with loss and seeking tangible connections to what was destroyed, the BOK Tower provided a way to experience something approximating the visual impact and architectural grandeur of the original World Trade Center. This role was neither planned nor anticipated, yet it became one of the building’s most significant cultural contributions.
Overcoming Adversity: The 2005 Flood and Renovation
The Bank of Oklahoma Tower faced its greatest operational challenge during the devastating Tulsa flood of May 2005. Heavy rainfall overwhelmed the city’s drainage systems, causing significant water damage to the building’s lower levels, mechanical systems, and electrical infrastructure. The flooding affected not only the BOK Tower but much of downtown Tulsa, creating a citywide emergency that tested the resilience of urban infrastructure.
Damage assessment revealed extensive problems requiring comprehensive renovation. Water had penetrated basement levels, damaged elevator systems, and compromised electrical and mechanical equipment essential for building operations. The scope of necessary repairs was estimated at $16 million, representing one of the most significant renovation projects in the building’s history.
The 2006 renovation project extended far beyond flood damage repair. Building management used this opportunity to implement comprehensive upgrades including modernized elevator systems, improved HVAC efficiency, enhanced fire safety systems, and updated electrical infrastructure capable of supporting contemporary business technology demands. These improvements were designed not only to restore the building to its pre-flood condition but to enhance its competitiveness in Tulsa’s commercial real estate market.
The renovation process required careful coordination to minimize disruption to existing tenants while ensuring that all work met current building codes and safety standards. The project’s success demonstrated the building’s fundamental structural soundness and the commitment of its ownership to maintaining the BOK Tower as a premier downtown office destination. The upgraded systems and infrastructure improvements position the building for continued operation well into the future.
Memorial Activities and Community Remembrance
Since the September 11 attacks, the Bank of Oklahoma Tower has become the focal point for several memorial activities that honor the victims and heroes of that tragic day. The most prominent of these is the annual firefighter stair climb, where Tulsa Fire Department personnel and firefighters from surrounding communities climb the building’s stairs while wearing full gear, symbolically replicating the heroic efforts of New York City firefighters who climbed the World Trade Center towers.
These memorial events have grown to include broader community participation, with local residents, business leaders, and visitors joining in various remembrance activities. The building’s management has embraced this memorial role, providing access and support for events that honor both September 11 victims and local first responders. These activities have helped establish the BOK Tower as more than just a commercial building; it serves as a gathering place for community reflection and remembrance.
The emotional significance of these events extends beyond their immediate participants. For many Tulsa residents, the annual memorial activities provide a way to connect with national tragedy and demonstrate solidarity with communities affected by the September 11 attacks. The building’s architectural connection to the Twin Towers makes these events particularly meaningful, offering participants a tangible link to the locations where so much heroism and sacrifice occurred.
Community response to these memorial activities has been consistently positive, with participation growing each year. Local media coverage helps extend the impact beyond direct participants, reminding the broader Tulsa community of the building’s unique role in national remembrance. These events have become an established part of Tulsa’s September 11 observance traditions.
The BOK Tower in Contemporary Tulsa
The Bank of Oklahoma Tower continues to serve as a major commercial and office center in downtown Tulsa. Current tenants include a mix of financial services firms, professional services companies, energy industry businesses, and various other commercial enterprises. The building’s prime location and prestigious address make it attractive to businesses seeking to establish or maintain a significant presence in Tulsa’s central business district.
Distinguishing the BOK Tower from Oklahoma City’s BOK Park Plaza helps clarify the Bank of Oklahoma’s real estate portfolio across the state. While both buildings bear the BOK name, they represent different architectural approaches and serve different markets. The Tulsa tower’s architectural significance and historical importance give it a unique position within the bank’s property holdings and Oklahoma’s commercial real estate landscape.
Tourism interest in the BOK Tower has increased significantly since September 11, 2001, with visitors coming specifically to see the building’s architectural connection to the World Trade Center towers. While the building doesn’t offer regular public tours, its exterior and lobby areas are accessible to visitors interested in experiencing its architectural significance. The building’s impact on Tulsa’s skyline makes it a frequent subject for photography and architectural documentation.
The BOK Tower’s role in contemporary Tulsa extends beyond its function as office space. It remains a symbol of the city’s economic vitality and architectural ambition, representing Tulsa’s ability to attract significant development and maintain competitive commercial infrastructure. The building’s continued success demonstrates the enduring value of quality architectural design and strategic urban location.
Architectural Legacy and Cultural Impact
The Bank of Oklahoma Tower‘s influence on Tulsa’s architectural identity extends far beyond its physical presence. As the city’s most prominent skyscraper, it established design precedents and height standards that influenced subsequent downtown development. The building’s architectural quality helped elevate expectations for commercial construction in Tulsa, contributing to the overall improvement of the city’s built environment.
Within the context of Midwest skyscrapers, the BOK Tower holds a distinctive position due to its architectural pedigree and connection to Minoru Yamasaki’s work. Architecture critics and urban historians recognize the building as one of the most significant examples of 1970s high-rise design in the region, representing both the economic optimism of that era and the sophisticated architectural ambitions of growing American cities.
The building’s cultural impact transcends architectural appreciation. It has appeared in numerous films, television shows, and advertising campaigns that seek to represent Tulsa or Oklahoma more broadly. The BOK Tower’s recognizable silhouette has become synonymous with Tulsa’s urban identity, much as other landmark buildings represent their respective cities.
Perspectives from architecture professionals consistently emphasize the building’s importance as an example of Yamasaki’s mature design philosophy and its role in demonstrating that significant architectural achievement was possible outside major metropolitan areas. The BOK Tower proved that cities like Tulsa could commission and support world-class architecture, encouraging similar ambitions in other developing urban areas.
Tulsa’s Enduring Architectural Monument
The Bank of Oklahoma Tower stands as more than Tulsa’s tallest building; it represents the intersection of architectural vision, urban ambition, and national memory. From its origins as a symbol of corporate success during Oklahoma’s oil boom to its unexpected role as a memorial touchstone following September 11, the building has continuously evolved in meaning while maintaining its architectural integrity.
The tower’s legacy encompasses multiple dimensions: architectural achievement through Minoru Yamasaki’s masterful design, urban development catalyst for downtown Tulsa’s growth, and memorial symbol connecting Oklahoma to national tragedy and remembrance. These roles have elevated the building from mere commercial real estate to cultural landmark.
As Tulsa continues evolving, the Bank of Oklahoma Tower remains a constant presence anchoring the city’s skyline and identity. Its architectural significance ensures continued appreciation from design professionals and urban historians, while its memorial connections provide ongoing opportunities for community reflection and national solidarity. The building’s story demonstrates how architecture can transcend its original purpose to serve broader cultural and emotional needs that extend far beyond the intentions of its creators.
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Conclusion
The Bank of Oklahoma Tower is a testament to the power of visionary design and the influence of architecture on a city’s identity. Its bold structure, designed by Minoru Yamasaki, not only houses a financial institution, but also symbolizes ambition, innovation and cultural progress. Anchoring the Tulsa skyline with a world-class architectural achievement, the Bank of Oklahoma Tower inspires cities of all sizes to dream bigger and invest in significant, enduring landmarks. It remains an enduring icon of esthetic and functional excellence.
FAQs
1. Is the Bank of Oklahoma Tower still the tallest building in Tulsa?
Yes, the Bank of Oklahoma Tower remains Tulsa’s tallest building at 667 feet. While Oklahoma City’s Devon Tower surpassed it as the tallest in Oklahoma in 2011, no Tulsa building has exceeded the BOK Tower’s height.
2. Who designed the BOK Tower and why does it look like the Twin Towers?
Minoru Yamasaki designed both the BOK Tower and the original World Trade Center towers. The similarities result from Yamasaki’s consistent architectural approach, emphasizing vertical lines, geometric precision, and distinctive facade treatments across his major projects.
3. What happened to the BOK Tower during the 2005 Tulsa flood?
The 2005 flood caused significant damage to the building’s lower levels, mechanical systems, and electrical infrastructure, requiring a $16 million renovation in 2006 that also included comprehensive modernization upgrades.
4. Can visitors tour the Bank of Oklahoma Tower?
While regular public tours aren’t available, the building’s lobby and exterior areas are accessible to visitors. The building occasionally opens for special events, including the annual September 11 memorial stair climb.
5. What’s the difference between BOK Tower and BOK Center?
The BOK Tower is the 52-story office building serving as Bank of Oklahoma’s headquarters, while BOK Center is Tulsa’s major sports and entertainment arena. These are separate facilities serving different purposes within the city.