One World Trade Center Reaches New Heights

The final pieces of the 408-foot spire were hoisted atop One World Trade Center earlier today. When bolted into place at a later date, the spire will make One World Trade Center the tallest building in the western hemisphere. With the spire as its crown, One World Trade Center soars to a symbolic 1,776 feet in the air – a reference to independence of the U.S. from Britain in the year 1776. The building is slated to officially open for business in 2014. The memorial building sits on ground zero, the site of the World Trade Center Twin Towers, which were destroyed by terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

World Trade Center Site (Ground Zero) - Ten Years Later

One World Trade Center (formerly called the "Freedom Tower") has reached over 80 stories and is now the tallest building in Lower Manhattan. Conde Nast will be moving its headquarters to this building. When completed, the building will soar 1,776 feet into the sky. An observation deck will be located 1,362 feet above ground (105 stories).

View of the World Trade Center site from the World Financial Center

One World Trade Center 

One World Trade Center and the entrance to the National September 11 Memorial

Construction workers at One World Trade Center

Visitors viewing the World Trade Center site from the World Financial Center. Building with American flag is One World Trade Center.

Memorial Museum Pavilion and part of the Memorial Plaza. The museum will open in 2012.

View of one of the twin 9/11 Memorial pools with cascading waterfalls and bronze panels at the edges of the pool. The pools are set within the footprints of the Twin Towers.

Today, every part of the new World Trade Center is under construction with the help of more than 3,000 construction workers. The WTC 9/11 Memorial opened to the public today and online reservations are required. One World Trade CEnter has reached over 80 stories and is now the tallest building in Lower Manhattan. One story is expected to be finished each week. Four World Trade Center is 50 stories high. Both One and Four World Trade Center will open in 2013. The foundation work on Two World Trade Center and Three World Trade Center is complete and each building has reached sidewalk level. Work on the transit hub is underway. (information from http://www.lowermanhattan.info/)

Remembering The World Trade Center Twin Towers Through Tribute in Light (And The Movies)

Tribute in Light is an art installation of 88 searchlights placed above a parking garage next to the site of the World Trade Center to create two vertical columns of light in remembrance of the September 11 attacks. It is produced annually by The Municipal Art Society of New York. This picture was taken last night, September 10, 2011. On the right is the brightly lit One World Trade Center still under construction. It is expected to be completed in 2013.

Twin Tower Cameos from Dan Meth on Vimeo.

video from AT & T archives

From 1969 to 2001, the Twin Towers made countless cameos in Hollywood films. Sometimes featured prominently in the foreground, sometimes lurking in the distance. This montage created by Dan Meth celebrates the towers' all-too-short film career with songs that capture the passing decades.

View of Manhattan Skyline from the Brooklyn Bridge

Lower Manhattan skyline including the One World Trade Center (extreme right), the lead building of the new World Trade Center Complex under construction.

These are the views of midtown and lower Manhattan from the Brooklyn Bridge. The images were made on July 14, 2011.