Roof Implosion Marks Next Phase of Demolition at Former Myriad Convention Center Site

A controlled implosion of the roof at the former Myriad Convention Center in early December marked a visible next phase in demolition at the downtown site as Oklahoma City prepares for construction of a new arena for the Oklahoma City Thunder. The collapse noticeably changed the downtown skyline and advanced work at one of the city’s most prominent redevelopment sites. 

The former Myriad Convention Center site is being cleared to make way for the new arena. Demolition of the remaining structure will continue in phases over the coming weeks and months as crews prepare the site for construction. City leaders have said the work is being coordinated to maintain safety and minimize disruptions downtown. 

A live camera showing ongoing demolition activity at the site is available at okcthunder.com/arena. 

For residents and visitors, the implosion provided one of the first clear visual signs of progress. Where the structure once anchored the downtown landscape, the opened roofline now offers expanded sightlines and a tangible sense of change at the site. 

Originally opened in 1972 as the Myriad Convention Center, the facility was a centerpiece of Oklahoma City’s first major urban renewal effort, known as the Pei Plan. The project reshaped the southern edge of downtown and helped set the stage for the development of the Myriad Botanical Gardens, located immediately west of the site. 

The convention center’s location and scale made it a defining element of downtown for decades, sitting at the intersection of major civic, cultural and entertainment destinations. Its evolution over time reflected broader shifts in how Oklahoma City used and reimagined its urban core. 

Over the decades, the building served as a multipurpose venue for conventions, concerts, sporting events and community gatherings. It later operated as the Cox Convention Center before entering its most recent chapter as Prairie Surf Studios, a film and television production facility that began operations in 2021. 

The new Oklahoma City arena is a cornerstone project tied to the city’s broader strategy for economic development and downtown growth. Approved by voters as part of long-term planning efforts, the arena is expected to support major events, drive visitor activity and reinforce downtown as a regional destination. 

As demolition continues, the altered skyline stands as a visible marker of transition, closing the chapter on a site that has played a central role in Oklahoma City’s history while making way for its next era.