NYC rises to new, old heights
Twin towers replacement surpasses Empire State
One World Trade Center, the successor to the twin towers destroyed on Sept. 11, 2001, has become the tallest structure on the Manhattan skyline, the latest milestone of New York’s, as well as the nation’s, rise from the terrorist attacks.
Workers on Monday raised a steel column onto the office building’s skeleton and torqued the bolts, making the fastenings firm. With the addition, the unfinished structure is technically taller than the Empire State Building’s observation deck at 1,250 feet and can claim the city’s bragging rights.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo stressed the symbolism of rebirth. “The new World Trade Center is more than just a skyscraper: It is a symbol of the enduring spirit of the city and state of New York, representing our commitment to rebuilding stronger than before,” Cuomo said.
The building previously known as the Freedom Tower is one of the signature efforts at the Lower Manhattan site that was destroyed in the airliner attacks by al-Qaida on New York and the Pentagon. .
Monday’s action was heavily symbolic. It came during the week that the United States commemorates its successful raid on the compound of al-Qaida’s leader, Osama bin Laden, who was killed by U.S. SEALs in Pakistan a year ago.
When completed sometime next year, One World Trade Center will stretch exactly 1,776 feet high, including a 408-foot needle, or spire, at the top. By comparison, the Empire State Building is 1,454 feet from the ground to the top of its antenna. Without the antenna, the Empire State Building is 1,250 feet, the figure passed by Monday’s action at the World Trade site.
Without its spire, One World Trade Center will be 1,368 feet, the height of the North Tower of the original World Trade Center. The spire was added to bring the height up to 1,776 feet to honor the year of U.S. independence. At that height it will be the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and the third tallest in the world.
Records, however, will be in the eye of the beholder. Chicago, with its Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower), will still be able to make a case for some glory. Without its spire, One World Trade Center will be 82 feet shorter than the roof height of the Willis, currently the nation’s tallest.