World's Tallest Building Not One World Trade...

One World Trade Center's Freedom Tower is not the world's tallest building, but it is now officially the tallest building in New York City. Today workers set a steel beam that made the building 1,250 feet high, which is taller than the Empire State Building.

Even though its unfinished skeleton made it the tallest building in NYC, it is not the world's tallest building. When it's finished, it will likely be the third tallest in the world. Even so, the Freedom Tower's rise out of ashes is a sign of hope to many who have lived in the city since the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center.

When it is finished, Freedom Tower will stand 1,776 feet, but a large portion of that is a 408-foot-tall needle. The height of the building is symbolic because the U.S. Declaration of Independence was signed in the year 1776. Interestingly, there is some disagreement over whether the needle should be considered a spire or an antennae. The decision over which one it is will determine if this building is truly the tallest in the U.S.

The true world's tallest building is Burj Khalifa, in Dubai, which stands an astonishing 2,717 feet. Freedom Tower will not even be close to that height when it is officially finished. Even so, it will be quite a site to see in New York City's skyline. It will be nice to see the building towering over the area that has been empty for more than a decade.

Comments: 16

Thomas Millington May 1, 2012, 3:14am UTC

A new target for our enemies???

Robert A. May 1, 2012, 10:13am UTC

If that's true (target for enemies) calling it "freedom tower," paints a big bullseye on it. And what's the point of that name anyway? What does it have to do with freedom?

Thomas Millington May 1, 2012, 12:17pm UTC

Agreed!

Rachel Dillin May 1, 2012, 9:02pm UTC

I think it'll be okay. . . I hope it will be.

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maks (.__. ) May 1, 2012, 4:07am UTC

It's great to hear of something is happening there finally. Thanks for the update.

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Scott Flicker May 1, 2012, 7:44am UTC

Still pretty tall even if the one in Dubai is taller.

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Ali Hussein Lopez May 1, 2012, 10:07am UTC

If you take off the antenna, it's not even the tallest building in the United States.

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Scott Flicker May 1, 2012, 12:08pm UTC

Your right the Willis tower (formerly Sears tower) roof will be higher. Attennas probably should not count because many radio towers are much taller than these skyscrapers. Many in the US are 2000 ft and some higher.

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Thomas Millington May 1, 2012, 12:19pm UTC

Is height all that important? Surely there are other more important factors.

Ali Hussein Lopez May 1, 2012, 1:07pm UTC

The height is entirely symbolic.

Thomas Millington May 1, 2012, 1:25pm UTC

I never heard of a building's height being symbolic. I thought the height had a practical purpose. I don't think symbolism is called for here.

Optimus Paradigm May 1, 2012, 1:40pm UTC

Pardon the intrusion but Ali is correct. I rarely agree with Ali but in this cause I must. All of Washington is built on Masonic Symbolism. From the buildings to the street layout. Something worth looking into in your spare time Doubting Thomas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVGoLxMPVU0

It is a 6 part series, so you will need spare time. ; )

Ali Hussein Lopez May 1, 2012, 1:50pm UTC

Thomas, the height with antenna is 1776 feet. How much more symbolic can you get than that?

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Thomas Millington May 1, 2012, 12:22pm UTC

My main concern is the willingness of people to work in this building. Will they be sitting ducks?

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Brandt Hardin May 1, 2012, 3:46pm UTC

The view from atop of this new building won’t be any clearer for America and the real effects on our society from the original towers being dropped in what is largely considered a False Flag Operation. Under the guise of fighting terrorism, the Patriot Act was adopted WITHOUT public approval or vote just weeks after the events of 9/11. A mere 3 criminal charges of terrorism a year are attributed to this act, which is mainly used for no-knock raids leading to drug-related arrests without proper cause for search and seizure. The laws are simply a means to spy on our own citizens and to detain and torture dissidents without trial or a right to council. You can read much more about living in this Orwellian society of fear and see my visual response to these measures on my artist’s blog at http://dregstudiosart.blogspot.com/2011/09/living-in-society-of-fear-ten-years.html

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les f. May 3, 2012, 2:48pm UTC

Thomas, it's probably the safest place in America. There'll be some people keeping an eye on it.

And, as Brandt says, on you.

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World's Tallest Building Not One World Trade Center Freedom Tower

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