One World Trade Center is New York's tallest structure, towering 1,776 feet tall (541 meters). The Twin Towers were New York City's tallest skyscrapers until they were demolished in 2001 after the September 11 attacks, leaving the Empire State Building as the city's highest building once more. The two structures are based on the Chicago Tribune Tower and Willis Tower, which are also 1,776 feet high.
The Empire State Building was originally designed to be 2,396 feet tall (737 m), but construction delays forced its owners to expand it. It was finished in 1931 at a cost of $40 million ($250 million in 2011 dollars). At the time, it was the world's tallest building. The Twin Towers were completed one year later for $100 million ($670 million in 2011 dollars).
They both have 97 stories, but the Empire State Building has another 12 floors above its 98th floor because architects wanted to add an extra floor in case people liked their view from up there. The Twin Towers had 10 floors added due to safety concerns following the 9/11 attacks. They are actually tied for second place for most floors of any US building behind One Chase Manhattan Plaza which has 103 floors.
The difference in height between the two buildings is actually closer to 20 feet (6 m). The Empire State Building is 21 feet (6.4 m) higher than the Twin Towers on average.
World Trade Center One. One World Trade Center, which stands 1,776 feet tall, is New York's tallest structure (541 m). The 104-story skyscraper is also the highest structure in the United States, the tallest structure in the Western Hemisphere, and the sixth tallest structure in the world. It was completed in 2014 after 12 years of construction.
World Trade Center Two, now known as 2 World Trade Center, opened its doors in 1973. The 656-foot-tall building was the first skyscraper to be built in New York City after 9/11. Its demolition was ordered by Mayor Michael Bloomberg in October 2008.
You can see both of these towers from far away, due to their bright red color. They are located in Manhattan near the Hudson River.
In addition to being a landmark for tourists, the twin towers were also home to several famous people. The John F. Kennedy Library is located a few blocks from the site of his death, and he used to visit the library when he came to New York. James Cameron, the film director, is another person who was associated with the towers since they were still under construction in 1969. He helped raise money for the rescue efforts following the attacks.
World Trade Center One has been called many things over the years including New York's Sears Tower, New York's Eiffel Tower, and most commonly, the Twin Towers.
One World Trade Center in New York is now the highest structure in the United States by architectural height, standing roughly 1,776 feet (541 m) taller than the tallest buildings in Wyoming, Vermont, Maine, South Dakota, Montana, North Dakota, New Hampshire, and West Virginia combined. The previous record was held by the Sears Tower in Chicago until it was surpassed by One World Trade Center.
The Empire State Building is the largest skyscraper in New York by floor space volume. It also holds the record for the world's first free-standing elevator, which allowed people to go up/down on each floor of a building without having to wait for a lift. The building took about one year to complete at a cost of $40 million ($150 million in today's dollars).
It is located at 350 Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan and has 24 floors above ground with an additional 756 apartments in its base. In addition, there are three other levels containing office space, storage, and a hotel.
Its size can be seen from miles around, making it a popular landmark with tourists who visit New York City.
In 1998, the World Trade Center complex suffered major damage when two airplanes destroyed parts of the twin towers, causing them to collapse. But they were quickly rebuilt, and today both buildings are again among the most famous structures in the world.
A List of New York City's Tallest Buildings
Rank | Building Name | Height |
---|---|---|
#1 | One World Trade Center | 1,776 feet (541 m) |
#2 | 432 Park Avenue | 1,396 feet (426 m) |
#3 | 30 Hudson Yards | 1,268 feet (387 m) |
#4 | Empire State Building | 1,250 feet (381 m) |