To a round of cheers and applause, One World Trade Center peeked over the roof of the observation deck on the Empire State Building to claim the title of New York City's tallest point on May 30th. The unfinished framework stood a little over 1,250 feet high after the first 12-ton column was erected on the top deck, although the building will continue to grow for at least one more year. Blueprints have the building, once referred to as the Freedom Tower, standing as the tallest building in the US and the third tallest building in the world. One World Trade Center replaces the Twin Towers, which were destroyed in the September 11 terrorist attacks (Caruso).
"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," announced New York's governor Andrew Cuomo (Honan). .
Although the resurrection of One World Trade Center symbolizes a lot more than a tall building, even those bragging rights will be hard to earn. Some critics argue that the 408-foot-tall needle that stands atop One World Trade Center should not count in its height configuration because it is removable. However, some are arguing that the tower's antenna is much sturdier than a regular antenna because it includes an external cladding. If the tower's height is not included, then the One World Trade Center will only be the second tallest building in the US, behind the Willis Tower in Chicago. Skyscraper enthusiasts continue the heated debate over the Internet, but the Council on Tall Buildings is leaning toward crediting the One World Trade Center (Caruso).
"This is something we have discussed with the architect," said Nathaniel Hollister, a spokesman for Chicago-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitats. "As we understand it, the needle is an architectural spire which happens to enclose an antenna.
