One World Trade Center Now Manhattan's Tallest
At 2 p.m. on April 20, two steel interior columns were installed, raising its height to 1,271 feet.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey confirmed April 30 that One World Trade Center had reclaimed the title of the tallest skyscraper in New York City after surpassing the height of the Empire State Building by 21 feet as of 2 p.m. A few Port Authority executives watched ironworkers install two 26-foot steel interior columns on the top of the skyscraper to achieve the feat, which made headlines around the world.
Construction workers on site and attendees who watched on a closed-circuit monitor at the construction site applauded, according to the authority's news release. Those in attendance included representatives from The Durst Organization, Tishman Construction, Cushman & Wakefield, and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, as well as 9/11 family members.
The two columns increased the height of the building to 1,271 feet above street level. "To get to its present height, construction workers, laboring high above the city through snow, rain and heat, installed 37,000 tons of steel and 190,000 cubic yards of concrete -— enough for a four-foot-wide sidewalk from New York to Chicago. The building will contain 1 million square feet of glass facade, enough to cover 20 NFL football fields," the release states.
Port Authority Chairman David Samson said, "We could not have reached this milestone without the hard work and dedication of the many men and women who tirelessly work to rebuild this monumental site. This project is much more than steel and concrete, it is a symbol of success for the nation."
"One World Trade Center is not merely the tallest building in New York, but also a symbol for liberty, opportunity, and economic prosperity," said Port Authority Vice Chairman Scott Rechler. "It has and will continue to serve as a significant generator of jobs and economic activity as the centerpiece of what will be one of the most successful commercial developments in the world. When finished, it will feature a state-of-the-art broadcast facility and a one-of-a-kind observation deck that we believe will be one of the top tourist attractions in New York City."
"As the builder of the original Twin Towers, everyone at Tishman is excited today for One World Trade Center to claim its rightful place as the highest structure in the New York skyline," said Daniel R. Tishman, chairman of Tishman Construction, an AECOM company. "This magnificent building is not only a symbol of the resurgence and resilience of Lower Manhattan and New York City to the world, it's a demonstration of commitment and leadership by the Port Authority and the tremendous hard work and dedication of our team, our fellow contractors, and the thousands of laborers who show up here every day. I want to thank them all."