Plans to construct the tallest tower in the US have been unveiled, and the location is one many may not expect: Oklahoma City, which isn’t known for skyscrapers.
However, one key question looms large: Who is Scot Matteson, the developer spearheading this ambitious project?
What’s for certain is there’s more information on the development itself than the man behind it.
Proposed on Jan. 22, The Boardwalk at Bricktown is set to encompass four towers and a staggering 2.7 million square feet of space over nearly 4 acres.
The development boasts 1,900 residential units, a 480-key hotel, and 110,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space.
At the heart of the project stands the centerpiece, a 1,907-foot supertall tower that would surpass the height of New York’s 1,776-foot One World Trade. Three additional towers, each reaching 345 feet, complete the ensemble.
“Oklahoma City is experiencing a significant period of growth and transformation, making it well-positioned to support large-scale projects like the one envisioned for Bricktown,” remarked the 63-year-old Matteson in a press release.
However, the developer’s background remains a mystery.
Neither of Matteson’s companies mentioned in the press release — Matteson Capital and Centurion Partners — has an online presence according to the Real Deal, leaving potential investors and the public with limited information about his track record.
Details of Matteson’s completed projects are also scant, with information primarily relying on press statements.
He claims to bring 40 years of development experience and cites involvement in projects such as the Residences at the famed Little Nell hotel in Aspen, the Icon Hotel in Houston, the Sapphire Tower condominiums in San Diego and Miami, and a 5,000-acre master plan in Tuscany, Italy.
Before 2020, Matteson’s public mentions were largely tied to his brief relationship with Shannon Beador, a cast member of the “Real Housewives of Orange County.” The relationship lasted six months in 2018.
A 2006 Aspen Times feature sheds some light on Centurion Partners’ co-founders, including Matteson, and their development plans for Aspen, notably the Residences at the Little Nell.
Matteson reportedly faced a small claims case in 2016 for an unspecified amount of less than $10,000. While this is relatively minor compared to large developers’ legal challenges, the connection to his business dealings remains unclear.
In addition to listing Matteson Capital and Centurion Partners in his employment history, his LinkedIn profile cites a stint as the executive chairman and founder of Quiksilver Hotels & Resorts International from 2013-2017. Information about this company is also scarce, and plans to build a $350-million-dollar “world-class” surf resort in Palm Desert appear to have stalled.
Matteson’s personal life is equally enigmatic, with a Facebook account suggesting he is a pancreatic cancer survivor and a widower. A 2019 GoFundMe page initiated by his four daughters aimed to raise $100,000 for his battle against Stage 3 pancreatic cancer.
After a near absence from the digital realm since 2020, Matteson reappeared with plans for The Boardwalk at Bricktown.
Despite the lack of clarity about Matteson’s background, the rationale for selecting Oklahoma City as the site for a major project is evident. The city has experienced rapid growth, with its population expanding from about 400,000 to more than 600,000 in the past decade.
Additionally, a new $900 million downtown arena is in the works for the NBA team, the Oklahoma City Thunder.
However, skepticism surrounds the project’s feasibility.
Matteson’s partners, including Oklahoma developer Randy Hogan, have expressed doubts about the ambitious supertall proposal. Hogan termed it “aspirational,” even when the tower’s height was initially planned at 1,750 feet.
Matteson remains resolute, stating in December, “I’m used to being told you can’t do things, but I’m used to getting it done.”
Yet, challenges lie ahead, particularly in securing financing amid high-interest rates and widespread distress across various sectors.
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