New World Trade Center Becomes NYC’s Tallest Building Today — And We Have New Photos
- Posted on April 30, 2012 at 1:50pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Ever wanted to know get a view of New York City from the top of the new One World Trade Center building known as the “Freedom Tower?” The Blaze has exclusive pictures that give you that chance, just as the tower is poised to become the tallest building in the city.
(Related: See Stunning Time-Lapse Video of the New World Trade Center ‘Freedom Tower’ Construction)
The pictures were taken as recently as a couple months ago and given to Glenn Beck. They show two views, one looking down at the steel beams rising up and touching the sky, and another looking across the East River at the Brooklyn Bridge and Queens:
A picture of the "Freedom Tower" looking at the steal beams.
Looking out over the East River.
On Monday, One World Trade Center will lay claim to the title of New York City’s tallest skyscraper. Workers will erect steel columns that will make its unfinished skeleton a little over 1,250 feet high, just enough to peak over the roof of the observation deck on the Empire State Building. And The Blaze has exclusive pictures of the recent progress.
The milestone is a preliminary one. Workers are still adding floors to the so-called “Freedom Tower” and it isn’t expected to reach its full height for at least another year, at which point it is likely to be declared the tallest building in the U.S., and third tallest in the world.
Those bragging rights, though, will carry an asterisk.
Crowning the world’s tallest buildings is a little like picking the heavyweight champion in boxing. There is often disagreement about who deserves the belt.
In this case, the issue involves the 408-foot-tall needle that will sit on the tower’s roof.
Count it, and the World Trade Center is back on top. Otherwise, it will have to settle for No. 2, after the Willis Tower in Chicago.
You can see AP pictures of the tower below:
(AP)
(AP)
“Height is complicated,” said Nathaniel Hollister, a spokesman for The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitats, a Chicago-based organization considered an authority on such records.
Experts and architects have long disagreed about where to stop measuring super-tall buildings outfitted with masts, spires and antennas that extend far above the roof.
Consider the case of the Empire State Building: Measured from the sidewalk to the tip of its needle-like antenna, the granddaddy of all super-tall skyscrapers actually stands 1,454 feet high, well above the mark being surpassed by One World Trade Center on Monday.
Purists, though, say antennas shouldn’t count when determining building height.
An antenna, they say, is more like furniture than a piece of architecture. Like a chair sitting on a rooftop, an antenna can be attached or removed. The Empire State Building didn’t even get its distinctive antenna until 1952. The record books, as the argument goes, shouldn’t change every time someone installs a new satellite dish.
Excluding the antenna brings the Empire State Building’s total height to 1,250 feet. That was still high enough to make the skyscraper the world’s tallest from 1931 until 1972.
From that height, the Empire State seems to tower over the second tallest completed building in New York, the Bank of America Tower.
Yet, in many record books, the two skyscrapers are separated by just 50 feet.
That’s because the tall, thin mast on top of the Bank of America building isn’t an antenna, but a decorative spire.
Unlike antennas, record-keepers like spires. It’s a tradition that harkens back to a time when the tallest buildings in many European cities were cathedrals. Groups like the Council on Tall Buildings, and Emporis, a building data provider in Germany, both count spires when measuring the total height of a building, even if that spire happens to look exactly like an antenna.
This quirk in the record books has benefited buildings like Chicago’s recently opened Trump International Hotel and Tower. It is routinely listed as being between 119 to 139 feet taller than the Empire State Building, thanks to the antenna-like mast that sits on its roof, even though the average person, looking at the two buildings side by side, would probably judge the New York skyscraper to be taller.
The same factors apply to measuring the height of One World Trade Center.
Designs call for the tower’s roof to stand at 1,368 feet – the same height as the north tower of the original World Trade Center. The building’s roof will be topped with a 408-foot, cable-stayed mast, making the total height of the structure a symbolic 1,776 feet.
So is that needle an antenna or a spire?
“Not sure,” wrote Steve Coleman, a spokesman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which owns the building.
The needle will, indeed, function as a broadcast antenna. It is described on the Port Authority’s website as an antenna. On the other hand, the structure will have more meat to it than your average antenna, with external cladding encasing the broadcast mast.
Without that spire, One World Trade Center would still be smaller than the Willis Tower in Chicago, formerly known as the Sears Tower, which tops out at 1,451 feet (not including its own antennas).
Debate over which of those buildings can truly claim to be the tallest in the U.S. has been raging for years on Internet message boards frequented by skyscraper enthusiasts.
As for the Council on Tall Buildings, it is leaning toward giving One World Trade the benefit of the doubt.
“This is something we have discussed with the architect,” Hollister said. “As we understand it, the needle is an architectural spire which happens to enclose an antenna. We would thus count it as part of the architectural height.”
But, he noted, the organization has also chosen to sidestep these types of disputes, somewhat, by recognizing three types of height records: tallest occupied floor, architectural top, and height to the tip.
Hollister also pointed out that, technically speaking, One World Trade Center isn’t a record-holder in any category yet, as it is still unfinished.
“A project is not considered a building until it is topped out, fully clad, and open for business or at least occupiable,” he said.
The debate doesn’t quite end there.
Neither of the Willis Tower nor One World Trade are as high as the CN Tower, in Toronto, which stands at 1,815 feet. That structure, however, isn’t considered a building at all by most record-keepers, because it is predominantly a television broadcast antenna and observation platform with very little interior space. The tallest manmade structure in the Western Hemisphere will continue to be the 2,063-foot-tall KVLY-TV antenna in Blanchard, N.D.
As for the world’s tallest building, the undisputed champion is the Burj Khalifa, in Dubai, which opened in 2010 and reaches 2,717 feet.
Not counting about 5 feet of aircraft lights and other equipment perched on top, of course.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Comments (58)
Wagoncircler
Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:56amI wish they’d have built an exact replica of every building destroyed on 9/11/01. But outfitted with anti-aircraft weapons.
Report Post »Cowboy in Texas
Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:31amOur new tower of Babel. So very sad. We have placed our faith in the man made, rather than in the Creator that provides our hedge of protection. Time to turn back to the Creator and repent for our worship of the material which this reflects.
Report Post »CASDEE10
Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:02amBut, what is the real height? With the weight of the structure, there is compression that reduces the height.
Report Post »kim
Posted on May 1, 2012 at 8:34amits just going to come down in a few year just liket he others did and its going to be even worse then 9-11 was im just going to set back and watch it happen
Report Post »Wagoncircler
Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:53amKim, I hope you die a painfully torturous, excruciating death long before that happens. Sincerely.
Report Post »OlderCowGirl
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 11:08pmI’m afraid this new “tower” will just be a another target for a new statement of the foolish ones. I sure hope not. For me…I’m terrified of heights…I could never work in a high building. I’m curious…why do so many people have to work (or live?) on this piece of ground? Why not spread all those workers/offices around? (Say…many shorter buildings???)
Report Post »Small World
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 11:24pmI was thinking the same thing.You couldn’t pay me enough to to work there. Aren’t they just making it a better target? And really 8 yrs. that was quick.
Report Post »marthasusan40
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 7:55pmIt does not matter how many times we rebuild it…if we do not put God back into the front of our Country, it will be torn down again and again…read, The Harbinger…http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product_slideshow?sku=386108&actual_sku=386108
Report Post »nzkiwi
Posted on May 1, 2012 at 4:16amWhy not put a crucifix on top of it?
That would be a nice touch.
Report Post »hugh_jorgan
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 7:11pmThink OWS will crash this vacant building? I would pay money to see those stinky space-wasters get in the way of Trumpka’s army of drones (Union workers).
Report Post »Small World
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 11:26pmTottaly!
Report Post »Obama Bin Lying
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 6:52pmI think on the top of this building they should put a statue of a hand with the Middle Finger extended facing east towrds Mecca
Report Post »Rarejewel
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 8:04pmOSAMA BIN LYING—That is so funny!
Report Post »RougeFastFingers
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 6:12pmAn ugly structure. NYers wanted the elegant twin towers back, not some new age nightmare.
Report Post »TAXEVERYONE
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 6:46pmAfter 10 years, most of us non New Yorkers don’t care.
Report Post »wewantchillywilly
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 6:10pmby exclusive pictures, do you mean pictures that are everywhere on the internet?
Report Post »Dave.the.Blaze
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 5:03pmThis building is just inviting to nut jobs around the world. I think it’s foolish.
Report Post »SCTiger
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 4:12pmI like the shape and style of the building, but make the roof 1776 feet, and the antenna up 2001 feet, THEN you have a proper tribute in the new building. As such, it falls short.
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 4:30pm10 plus years of War, a failed economy, a failed housing market, a take over of car companies and this is all we have to show for it. A tall building? Whippy doo doo.
Report Post »amerbur
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 3:52pmI do not think Glenn should be so critical of the one world trade center. It has been built with such care, often by the hands of survivers or families of those that lost loved ones at world trade. I would think they are very proud of all the effort that has gone in to building the place. Glenn is usually such a student of architecture. Has he been listening to the personal stories put out by fox as the trade center has been built. They have been very touching I know it has taken far too long. Some things should be built with care. I am happy for all those who have worked so hard.
Report Post »polnick
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 3:38pmThe Aryan Brotherhood wanted a white fist and the Black Panthers wanted a black fist displayed on top of the Freedom Tower. Both were denied their wishes, the two shaking hands is being considered.
Report Post »ENDTIMES2220
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 3:35pmThey are calling it the 1 World trade center. Game over.
Report Post »mikeye74
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 7:32pmat least someone is awake!!!
Report Post »ENOUGHISENOUGH
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 3:30pmStrange how it’s called the Freedom Tower when I feel less free now than ever before.
Report Post »P C BE DAMNED
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 3:49pmThey could have called it MLK Blvd. for the same effect. Every thing is backwards. FOOLS
Report Post »wraith67
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 3:09pmAnd it will be done 11 years after. You know what that numbers guy Beck has on periodically says about 11!
Report Post »MAMMY_NUNN
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 4:50pmIs this under union control ?
Report Post »If so they are milking it
rafa2design
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 3:07pmRemember that the Freedom Tower sits in the city of New York, where most of your freedoms are restricted and controlled.
Report Post »DoseofReality
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 3:39pmMost of your freedoms huh? So what can you not do in NY that you can do in other places?
Report Post »Mark0331
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 3:58pm@dose…smoke in bars, smoke on train platforms, smoke in parks, restrictions on food donations, restrictions on sodium intake….need I continue?…all these things I’ve mentions are Ordered by Law and punishable by fines and or jail….By the way, I do not smoke.
Report Post »DoseofReality
Posted on May 1, 2012 at 8:16amGo outside to have a smoke – thats all you got? thats you have to step outside and not poison everyone else around you? Oh my god, its tyranny…shut the **** up you moron…..get a grip..I swear, you people are all f*cking insane.
Report Post »DoseofReality
Posted on May 1, 2012 at 8:17amRestirctions on sodium intake? You are delusional…I guess next time om there (which is weekly) Ill have to hide the salt I oput on my fries or I might be arrested huh? Your a stupid, stupid man
Report Post »rafa2design
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 12:46amThe older I get I am glad I now live in a state where I can carry a firearm, shoot in defense, protect my home and not worry about going to jail for it. Try that in NYC. Taxes are 78% higher than the national average so the financial freedom to save, maybe even try to own some property is almost impossible for most. Once you actually live in NYC, you become dependent on other ways of transportation. I know because I lived there for a year in my 20s. Everywhere else in this country you buy a car or as in my case, a truck. I love being able to drive my big ass truck everywhere I please and park it wherever I want. NYC has no room for my my big ass 4×4 truck. Right now I love the freedom to own it and not depend on public transportation. There are so many laws and regulations that for most of us who live in other parts of the country just seem outright crazy, I won’t even go into listing. Great place to be in your 20s, but why do you think New Yorkers move to Florida and the south after they start a family?
Report Post »Wringeaux
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 2:43pmShould have built the towers back exactly as they were, in less than two years.
Report Post »cherylinva
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 3:04pmI couldn’t agree more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 3:10pmDitto!
Report Post »izukiddin
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 3:20pmYou are so right!!
Report Post »ENOUGHISENOUGH
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 3:28pmI agree too!
Report Post »Richard_Cranium
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 3:51pmSo, build directly on top of a grave site where 2,000 plus people died…okay.
Report Post »cherylinva
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 4:15pmAs opposed to reflecting pools that keep the wounds nice and fresh????
Report Post »Pounding_hammer
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 5:58pmIn response, I agree with RICHARD_CRANIUM, but I also agree with CHERYLINVA.
(contradicting myself, I suppose, but…. bear with me)
I am in no means discrediting the sentiment expressed….
However, while building right back up to where we were is a tremendous achievement, I feel representing how we have been changed and matured as a nation would be better expressed by an “different” building, one that represents enlargement, maturity, more wisdom.
One might argue about whether a building in New York represents a Nation, and I feel that might be a separate topic.
Report Post »If we are to see this as a renewal, then just returning to our former status is not totally an achievement. Building something to represent the impact that our Nation has received due to this tragedy, that’s what really gets my patriotic blood flowing!
momrules
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 2:43pmI’ve read the Harbinger. I will not celebrate the construction of this tower.
Report Post »Weiners Wiener
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 3:13pmHow do you know the Harbinger isn’t bogus? Do you accept blindly everything you read? I jsut read a book that says you should surrender all your wealth to me. Cashier’s check or money order, only. Do you believe that, too? People who believe whatever they read join cults and vote for people like Obama. Don’t do that. I‘m not saying whatever you read isn’t true, I’m just asking you to read your own post and consider how close minded you sound. Use some critical thinking skills. Question and test everything when it’s obvious someone is trying to convince you to adopt their opinions or beliefs. When you have thoroughly investigated the other side of the argument, if you still feel that way, great.
Report Post »momrules
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 3:18pmWeiner……..aren’t you a pompous little twit. Have you read the Harbinger? Have you read the Bible? Have you ever read any of my other posts? Do you know me?
I stand by my statemnet.
Report Post »Mark0331
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 3:27pm@MOM….I have read the book and the thing is, I think about that everyday…it is an ‘amazing’ thing to be created by Man for its ultimate design, ya know, all that glitters isn’ t gold…..which is why I Keep the Faith…these are scary times.
Report Post »stage9
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 3:59pmI have been thinking the same thing momrules…and stupid people will always scoff even as they’re choking on the flood waters rising above their heads…
Report Post »YAHSHUARULES
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 5:40pmFor those that want a quick version of this information view the link below. Rabbi Jonathan Cahn lays it all out, I challege anyone who watches this to give another explanation as to how it could be anything other then judgement coming back to the place of dedication (ground zero being the place George Washington dedicated America to God) just has it did to ancient Israel at the temple mount.
We have turned our back on The Almighty and He has sent harbingers of warning that as a just and HOLY God He is removing His hand of protection from us for our highmindedness, pride, arrogance, godlessness, acceptance of depravity, etc – for lack of repentence and godly sorrow at sin;
Let those that have eyes to see see and ears to hear hear. . It is all in the record, all events happened, no conspiracy here, just the unfolding of a very frightening prophesy if America does not heed the warnings, turn from its wicked ways and seek HIS face.
To the “know it alls” that mock such things. WATCH IT then come back and give an explanation for every event sited other then what the Rabbi says! He makes a compelling case and ties together such disparate events as stone church at ground zero that stood untouched to ancient Israel and the temple Mount, Federal Hall in NYC and war in Iraq, stock market crashes of 2001 and 2008 and so much more… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcsv4t9SzTg
Report Post »Welcome Black Carter
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 6:11pmGreat book. Everyone should read it. Do not remember reading anything that would make me not support the reconstruction of the building.
Report Post »Weiners Wiener
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 7:34pm@MOMRULES — ‘Pompous little twit’? Now I know you’re full of it. You’re probably a big fan of Alex Jones, too. It’s people like you who 1) can’t think for yourself, and 2) think you’re smarter than anyone else in spite of that who are destroying this country. Grow up, child.
Report Post »momrules
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 8:40pmWeiner………..struck a nerve did I ? LOL ……….
Report Post »DoseofReality
Posted on May 1, 2012 at 8:18amMom – youare another fool – another easdily led sheep – another conpsiracy theorist who believes in mythology. I really, really dislike people like you. Please try to come to reality, please try to come to the 21st century. …we make our own fate. Your a miserable old c*nt
Report Post »Twinspeedr
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 2:36pmOur repeated apologies to despots and terrorists, suicidal levels of PC-ness, and utter lack of resolve ever since 911 virtually guarantees that Al-Qaeda hits this one as well. I wouldn’t work there, not until America regains it’s sanity and re-grows a set of stones.
Report Post »Tex Expatriate
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 2:35pmIs this someplace in which you’d like to work? I’ve met those drones who live and work in New York City, and they came up lacking.
Report Post »Mark0331
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 3:10pmReally?…interesting, casting all stereotyopes aside, same thing could be said about anywhere…not defending it, just clarifying it…the people who are stuck in ‘veal desks’, steel and glass..they may contain most of the ‘drone class’ you mentioned…but I can assure you, I work there as my profession dictates where I work because of the sheer number of bodies and violence…lets just say there are many who work there and live like it is the wild west and it is more fun than a barrel of snakes, and we are the good guys…we are Few but very entertaining.
Report Post »Mutiny
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 2:23pmI think its pathetic how long this has taken to build.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 1:59pmNYC’s Erect-ion!
Report Post »Mark0331
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 1:54pmTo those who can’t see it in person because of location, I see the New Tower take shape every day…it is an amazing thing to see.
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