One World Trade Centre becomes NYC’s tallest

One World Trade Centre, located on the site of the former twin towers, has this week eclipsed the Empire State Building to claim the title of New York City’s tallest skyscraper.

Clear skies and loud cheers welcomed the arrival of a 12-tonne column that marked the milestone.

The 104 storey (541.3 m) skyscraper is being constructed on the north western corner of the World Trade Centre site where the original 8 storey 6 World Trade Centre once stood.

"This project is much more than steel and concrete. It is a symbol of success for the nation," David Samson, chairman of the Port Authority, the agency that owns the World Trade Center, said.

According to

Wikipedia...

The building will have 74 usable above-ground floors, of which 69 will be designated as office space (approximately 2,600,000 square feet or 240,000 square metres) including a 65 foot high (20 metre) public lobby. A sky lobby will be located on level 64 with office floor running to level 90. The design also includes a three-story observation deck located on floors 100–102, as well as broadcast and antenna facilities, all supported by both above and below-ground mechanical infrastructure for the building and its adjacent public space.

Despite plans for a restaurant at the top of the tower being shelved, 1WTC will still offer a substantial retail experience with 55,000 square feet (5,100 square metre) of below-grade retail space.

At the time of its completion in 2013, One World Trade Center will be the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and the third-tallest building in the world by pinnacle height, with its spire reaching a symbolic 1,776 feet (541.3 m) in reference to the year of American independence.