May 1, 2012

Although not yet topped out, the new One World Trade Center yesterday surpassed the height of the Empire State Building as New York City’s tallest building. One World Trade Center is currently under construction on the site of the original World Trade Center, the twin towers destroyed in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Yesterday’s work on the structure brought the unfinished frame of the building to a little more than 1,250 feet high (381 meters), the level of the Empire State Building’s highest observation deck.

The Empire State Building (© iStockphoto)

When complete, One World Trade Center will be topped by a 408-foot (124-meter), cable-stayed spire, making it 1,776 feet (541 meters) tall, the tallest building in the United States. The current highest building in United States is the Willis Tower in Chicago. Formerly named the Sears Tower, the building is 110 stories, reaching 1,450 feet (442 meters) high. The north tower of the original World Trade Center was 1,368 feet (417 meters) in height.

Additional World Book articles:

• Architecture
• Skyscraper
• Terrorism: America’s New Enemy (a special report)