1 WTC
Formally known as the Freedom Tower, One World Trade Center is set to become the US' tallest building, towering above New York at a symbolic 1,776 feet (541.32 meters) -- denoting the year Americans declared independence from Britain. Construction began in April 2006, and construction costs are estimated at 3 billion euros. Very little is left of the heavens-storming idea of the building's master planner, Daniel Libeskind. Nor are there any iconic architectural visions in the buildings neighboring it.
Designed by star architect David Childs from the architectural and engineering firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the 15 meter-tall (49 feet) lobby and 57 meter (187 feet) concrete bases are specifically designed to withstand bombs, fires and earthquakes. The observation deck will be at the same height as the tops of the former twin towers (415 and 417 meters, or 1,361 and 1,368 feet). The topping out ceremony is scheduled for the end of 2011, with the official opening taking place in 2013. Some tenants already on the lease are the city government of New York, the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, the China Center and the publishing house Condé Nast -- known for its popular magazines Vogue and Vanity Fair.
