One World Trade Center

One World Trade Center

Industry	Commercial real estate, office building
Founded	April 27, 2006 (2006-04-27) (construction start)
Founder	David Childs (architect)
Headquarters	New York City , United States
Area served	Lower Manhattan
Key people	David Childs (lead architect), Larry Silverstein (developer)
Products	Office space, observation deck
Owner	Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (developer/owner)
Parent	World Trade Center complex

One World Trade Center, previously known as the Freedom Tower and commonly referred to as One WTC, stands as the centerpiece of the reconstructed World Trade Center complex located in Lower Manhattan, New York City. The building was designed by David Childs of the architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and holds the distinction of being the tallest structure in both the United States and the Western Hemisphere, as well as ranking seventh in height worldwide. Its name honors the original North Tower of the World Trade Center, which was destroyed during the September 11 attacks. Positioned at the northwest corner of the 16-acre site, it occupies the former footprint of 6 World Trade Center.

The initial phase of construction commenced on April 27, 2006, focusing on below-ground utility work and foundation installation. On April 30, 2012, One World Trade Center surpassed the Empire State Building to become New York City's tallest edifice. The steel framework reached its full height on August 30, 2012, and the final segment of the spire was added on May 10, 2013, bringing the building to a symbolic elevation referencing the year of American independence. The tower officially opened its doors on November 3, 2014, with its observation deck becoming accessible to the public on May 29, 2015.

The official naming of "One World Trade Center" was confirmed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on March 26, 2009, replacing the earlier designation "Freedom Tower." The skyscraper consists of 94 occupied floors, with its top floor numbered as 104.

The entire World Trade Center complex encompasses five additional high-rise office buildings along Greenwich Street, alongside the National September 11 Memorial & Museum situated just south of One World Trade Center and the World Trade Center Transportation Hub located to its east. This redevelopment signifies a major investment aimed at revitalizing commercial real estate in Lower Manhattan while preserving the memory of the original site.

Original building (1971–2001)

The original World Trade Center emerged from an urban renewal initiative spearheaded by David Rockefeller intended to rejuvenate Lower Manhattan. The project was overseen by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, with architect Minoru Yamasaki designing twin towers utilizing framed tube structural systems that allowed for column-free interior spaces. The North Tower was known as One World Trade Center, while its counterpart was named Two World Trade Center. Each tower rose over , covering roughly of the entire complex. Out of their total 110 floors, eight were dedicated to mechanical equipment; approximately floors offered around each in office space per tower.

Construction on the North Tower began in August 1966 and progressed rapidly due to prefabricated components. Tenants started occupying space by October 1971. Upon completion, One World Trade Center held the title of tallest building worldwide at , including a antenna added in 1978. During the 1970s, four additional low-rise structures were incorporated into the complex, with a seventh building added in the mid-1980s. Altogether, these buildings provided approximately of office space.

On September 11, 2001, at 8:46 a.m. EDT, American Airlines Flight 11 was hijacked by five al-Qaeda terrorists and flown into the northern side of the North Tower. After burning for nearly two hours, a structural collapse occurred at 10:28 a.m. EDT. The debris from this event ignited fires in nearby 7 World Trade Center, which subsequently collapsed later that afternoon at 5:21 p.m. EDT. Concurrent attacks included assaults on both the Pentagon and a crash in Pennsylvania following a passenger uprising. These coordinated terrorist acts resulted in a total death toll of 2,996 individuals comprising civilians, emergency personnel, military members, and hijackers.

Master Plan for the World Trade Center

Following the destruction of the original World Trade Center, discussions about the site's future emerged rapidly. In 2002, the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation initiated a design competition to guide the area's redevelopment, intending to both honor the memory of the September 11 attacks and reconstruct the complex. The Ground Zero location quickly became a significant destination for visitors, featuring the Viewing Wall—a temporary installation displaying the names of victims—which opened in September 2002.

During that year, New York Governor George Pataki faced allegations of cronyism related to his purported influence over the selection process for the winning architect, allegedly as a favor to his friend and political donor Ronald Lauder.

After initial designs were met with public disapproval, a second competition was held in December 2002. In February 2003, Daniel Libeskind's proposal was chosen as the winner. Other prominent architects submitting designs included Richard Meier, Peter Eisenman, Charles Gwathmey, Steven Holl, William Pedersen, and Foster and Partners. Libeskind’s concept underwent several modifications due to conflicts with developer Larry Silverstein, who held the lease for the site. In January 2004, Peter Walker and Michael Arad’s "Reflecting Absence" was selected as the official memorial design for 9/11.

Design of the Tower

The architectural firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) succeeded Libeskind as the lead designer for One World Trade Center. SOM partner Ken Lewis highlighted the importance of creating flexible office environments while symbolically filling a void in New York City's skyline. David Childs of SOM developed a symmetrical, tapering tower design that contrasted with Libeskind’s earlier asymmetrical vision, which included a western antenna. Despite initial disagreements risking project delays, by December 2003 Childs and Libeskind revealed a preliminary "Freedom Tower" concept: a 1,776-foot tall structure featuring a parallelogram-shaped floor plan, an asymmetrical spire, and a rooftop turbine.

Early iterations drew criticism for capping office floors at 82 levels, which reduced available office space by more than three million square feet compared to the original towers. This floor restriction was imposed by developer Larry Silverstein due to security concerns regarding higher elevations. Much of the tower’s initial height was allocated to an open-air steel lattice intended to house wind turbines and "sky gardens." The New York City Police Department (NYPD) also expressed security reservations about extensive glass usage and proximity to the West Side Highway. Subsequent designs increased usable floors to match those of the original World Trade Center and eliminated the lattice structure.

The finalized "Freedom Tower" design was presented on June 28, 2005. To address NYPD security issues, a reinforced 187-foot concrete base was added in April. Plans for glass prisms on this base were abandoned after testing revealed they could shatter dangerously; instead, stainless steel panels combined with blast-resistant glass were installed. The tower ultimately took on an octagonal tapering form described as a "monolithic glass edifice reflecting the sky and crowned by a sculpted antenna." In 2006, Silverstein anticipated completion by 2012 with an enhanced World Trade Center complex.

On April 26, 2006, the Port Authority approved a conceptual framework allowing foundation construction to proceed. A formal agreement was signed on the Empire State Building’s 75th anniversary. Construction officially commenced in May with a groundbreaking ceremony marking the project's launch.

Construction

The ceremonial cornerstone for One World Trade Center was placed on July 4, 2004; however, actual building activities were postponed until 2006 due to disagreements involving financing, security measures, and architectural plans. Progress resumed following an agreement reached on April 26, 2006, between developer Larry Silverstein and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Bedrock excavation for the foundation was achieved through controlled explosions, after which 400 cubic yards of concrete were poured by November 2007. The initial steel beam was set in place in December 2006, marked by a public signing ceremony.

Foundation work and steel framework installation advanced swiftly, with preliminary construction expenses estimated at around $3 billion by early 2007. Two cranes arrived in January 2008 to initiate the erection of the concrete core, which rose to street level by May of that year. Completion of the base two years later allowed for the construction of office floors and the installation of glass panels at a pace of roughly one floor per week throughout 2010. To improve worker safety, an innovative "cocoon" scaffolding system—the first of its kind on a steel structure in New York City—was introduced. By December 2010, the tower had reached 52 floors and exceeded 600 feet in height, with steel framing approximately halfway finished. On the tenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks, it stood at 80 floors with substantial advancement in concrete floor installations and glass cladding.

In 2009, the Port Authority renamed the building from "Freedom Tower" to "One World Trade Center" to enhance its appeal in leasing and marketing efforts. This rebranding coincided with a 21-year lease agreement signed with Chinese real estate firm Vantone Industrial Co., which planned to establish a China Center spanning about 191,000 square feet across floors 64 through 69.

Mass media conglomerate Condé Nast was secured as the primary tenant in May 2011, committing to one million square feet and relocating from their previous headquarters at 4 Times Square. Throughout construction, the tower was illuminated during significant events such as Independence Day and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Due to delays encountered with the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, costly temporary loading docks were constructed to facilitate equipment access.

A lease agreement planned for Midtown law firm Chadbourne & Parke covering 300,000 square feet in January 2012 was unexpectedly withdrawn by March of that year.

Topping-out and completion

By March 2012, One World Trade Center’s steel skeleton had extended to 93 stories and reached the 94th story (designated as floor 100) before month-end. By April 2012, projected costs had escalated to $3.9 billion, positioning it as the most expensive building worldwide at that time. Construction financing included approximately $1 billion from insurance proceeds awarded to Silverstein for losses related to September 11, $250 million contributed by New York State, and $1 billion raised by the Port Authority through bond issuance. Although tolls on regional bridges and tunnels increased by 56% between 2011 and 2015 to generate revenue, these funds were not allocated toward the tower’s construction.

In April 2012, while still incomplete, One World Trade Center surpassed the Empire State Building’s roof height of , becoming New York City’s tallest structure by roof elevation. President Barack Obama visited in June, signing a steel beam with the inscription "We remember, we rebuild, we come back stronger!" That same month marked the launch of marketing campaigns aimed at attracting tenants and visitors.

The steel framework topped out at the physical height corresponding to the 94th story (labeled floor 104) with a rooftop elevation of in August 2012. The spire was transported from Quebec in November after delays; its initial segment was lifted on December 12, 2012, followed by installation on January 15, 2013. By March of that year, two sections of the spire were installed despite weather-related setbacks delaying final shipments.

On May 10, 2013, placement of the spire’s final segment brought One World Trade Center to its full height of , ranking it as the world’s fourth-tallest building at that time. Following this milestone, exterior elevator shafts were dismantled and interior finishing work commenced. On November 12, 2013, Chicago-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat officially designated One World Trade Center as the tallest building in both the United States and Western Hemisphere, recognizing its mast as a permanent architectural spire.

A report from September 2013 disclosed ongoing discussions with the World Trade Center Association (WTCA), which has held naming rights since 1986. The WTCA requested approximately $500,000 worth of complimentary office space in return for permitting use of the "World Trade Center" name along with associated merchandising rights.

By November 2014, OSHA had recorded at least two fatalities related to workplace accidents at the construction site.

Opening and Early Development

On November 1, 2014, Condé Nast began relocating to One World Trade Center, symbolizing a transformation of Lower Manhattan from a primarily financial district into a center for technology companies, upscale residences, and luxury retail establishments. The tower officially opened its doors on November 3, 2014, with Condé Nast occupying floors 20 through 44 by early 2015. The presence of Condé Nast was anticipated to attract further tenants, helping to lease the remaining 40% of available space, drawing on the company’s reputation for revitalizing areas such as Times Square.

Initially, only around 170 of Condé Nast’s total workforce of 3,400 moved in on the first day. Early occupants also included Kids Creative, Legends Hospitality, the BMB Group, Servcorp, and GQ. Shortly after the building’s inauguration, a window washing crew became trapped due to equipment malfunction but was safely rescued. Throughout the late 2010s, The Durst Organization secured leases for most of the remaining vacant areas, achieving a 92 percent occupancy rate just prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

By August 2020, Condé Nast aimed to vacate One World Trade Center, prompting its parent company Advance Publications to withhold rent payments starting January 2021. In March 2021, Condé Nast submitted plans to downsize its leased office footprint. After an extended dispute over rent obligations, the firm agreed in late 2021 to settle nearly $10 million in overdue rent.

In December 2021, the New York Liberty Development Corporation announced a $700 million bond refinancing initiative for One World Trade Center to retire outstanding debt dating back to 2012. By March 2022, leasing rates climbed to 95 percent—exceeding pre-pandemic occupancy—and the building’s vacancy rate was half that of New York City overall. This robust leasing performance stood in contrast to the original Twin Towers, which had never reached full occupancy until shortly before September 11.

In 2025, The Durst Organization commenced leasing the tower’s penthouse offices—marking the first time these uppermost floors were occupied.

Architecture

Several of Daniel Libeskind’s initial design proposals from the 2002 competition were ultimately discarded in favor of a more streamlined final concept. One World Trade Center displays clean symmetries and a classic silhouette that harmonizes with the modern New York City skyline. Its central spire takes cues from iconic skyscrapers such as the Empire State Building and Chrysler Building, visually referencing the original Twin Towers rather than adopting an asymmetrical design like that of the Statue of Liberty. Notably, One World Trade Center is recognized as the first major structure developed utilizing a three-dimensional Building Information Model.

Situated just south of the tower lies the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, positioned on the original site of the Twin Towers. Nearby developments include the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, the planned Two World Trade Center site to the east, 7 World Trade Center to the north, and Brookfield Place located westward.

Form and Facade

The building occupies a square footprint measuring , closely mirroring that of the original Twin Towers. It is constructed atop a tall windowless concrete base designed specifically to resist truck bomb attacks and other ground-level threats. Above floor 20, the tower’s square edges are chamfered into eight elongated isosceles triangles, forming an extended square antiprism shape. Midway up, this geometry transitions into a perfect octagon before terminating in a glass parapet rotated 45 degrees relative to the base. A sculpted mast measuring 407.9 feet (124.3 m) in height incorporates a broadcasting antenna designed collaboratively by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM), artist Kenneth Snelson, lighting experts, and engineers. This mast is supported by cables extending from a circular base housing additional equipment. At nightfall, a powerful beam of light projects over above the tower.

Architect David Childs from SOM highlighted the balance between functional efficiency and iconic aesthetics:

The initial plan included installing approximately 2,000 decorative prismatic glass panes at the base; however, this idea was abandoned in 2011 due to excessive costs and fragility concerns. Instead, a more straightforward glass-and-steel facade was implemented featuring angled glass fins protruding from stainless steel panels reminiscent of those used on 7 World Trade Center. LED lighting illuminates these base panels during nighttime. Cable-net glass facade panels engineered by Schlaich Bergermann Partner cover all elevations. Benson Industries in Portland, Oregon fabricated the curtain wall using glass supplied by Viracon in Minnesota. Each panel stands tall and is thicker than standard curtain-wall panels—contributing to increased construction expenses.

WSP Group acted as lead structural engineer; mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering was managed by Jaros, Baum & Bolles (JBB); while Tishman Construction served as general contractor.

Features

Although One World Trade Center's highest floor is marked as 104, the building actually contains 94 physical stories according to the Skyscraper Center. Of these, 86 floors are above ground and accessible, with 78 floors dedicated to office use, encompassing roughly . The base of the tower spans floors 1 through 19 and includes a public lobby that displays José Parlá’s mural ONE: Union of the Senses. This lobby also features artworks by Donald Martiny, Fritz Bultman, and Doug Argue.

Office spaces occupy floors 20 to 90, with a sky lobby located on floor 64. Designed by Gensler, this area covers , providing seating areas, a game room, a meeting facility accommodating up to 180 attendees, a café, and fitness amenities. The sky lobby is enhanced by seven oil paintings from Greg Goldberg and Bryan Hunt’s sculpture Prana. Floors above the 90th include mechanical equipment zones, dining establishments, and observation decks situated on floors 100 through 103; notably, floors numbered 94 to 99 are omitted.

Below ground, tenants have access to parking facilities, storage spaces, and retail outlets. The building connects seamlessly to PATH, New York City Subway, and World Financial Center via the Transportation Hub, /Fulton Center, and stations. Ground-level entrances provide direct access to West Street, Vesey Street, and Fulton Street. The subterranean footprint of the structure covers approximately .

One World Observatory

The building includes an observation deck spanning floors 100 through 102, situated at , making it the tallest viewing platform in New York City. Separate entrances serve visitors and tenants: one located on West Street and another through the retail mall leading to a secured area below ground.<ref> The primary viewing area is on the 100th floor, accompanied by a food court on the 101st floor and an event space on the 102nd. Operation of the deck is managed by Legends Hospitality, which is partially owned by the New York Yankees.<ref>

To enrich visitor experience, Tour Ambassadors utilize an interactive system named City Pulse that shares insights and narratives about New York. Admission costs $32 per person,<ref> with reduced rates for children and seniors; free entry is granted to 9/11 responders and families of victims. Initial projections estimated approximately 3.5 million visitors annually.<ref> Tickets became available on April 8, 2015,<ref> with the observatory opening officially on May 28, 2015—one day ahead of schedule.<ref> The Manhattan District Attorney conducted an inquiry into whether Legends Hospitality obtained its contract through improper political influence.<ref>

Originally planned was a top-floor restaurant reminiscent of the original One World Trade Center's Windows on the World, but logistical difficulties led to its cancellation.<ref> The window-cleaning tracks are positioned at a symbolic floor number of 110, paying homage to the original tower's floor count.<ref> Instead, three dining options operate near the summit: One Café, One Mix (a bar offering small plates), and One Dining (fine dining). A review by Curbed criticized these venues for high prices, mandatory observatory ticket purchase for entry, and unfavorable comparisons to Windows on the World.<ref>

Sustainability

One World Trade Center integrates eco-friendly architectural elements, utilizing recycled components like gypsum boards and ceiling tiles, with nearly 80 percent of construction waste diverted from landfills. The structure features a rainwater harvesting system designed for cooling purposes and operates PureCell phosphoric acid fuel cells that produce 4.8 megawatts of electricity, complemented by power generated from waste steam. UTC Power was chosen by the New York Power Authority to implement one of the globe’s largest fuel cell installations within the tower. Furthermore, the building supplements its energy needs through off-site hydroelectric and wind sources.

The building’s ultra-clear glazing optimizes daylight penetration, while interior illumination is equipped with dimming controls to lower energy consumption during bright conditions. Heating is predominantly supplied by New York City’s steam network, significantly reducing reliance on on-site fossil fuels such as oil or natural gas. Achieving LEED Gold Certification, One World Trade Center ranks among the world’s leading environmentally conscious skyscrapers.

Security features

In addition to its reinforced concrete foundation, the tower incorporates numerous protective measures designed to endure major incidents or acts of terrorism. Similar to 7 World Trade Center, it features thick reinforced concrete walls enclosing stairwells, elevator shafts, risers, and sprinkler systems. The design includes widened, pressurized stairwells, a dedicated firefighter staircase, and ventilation systems equipped with biological and chemical filtration—contrasting starkly with the original Twin Towers’ steel core shielded only by lightweight drywall.

The building is positioned further back from West Street compared to the original Twin Towers’ proximity. According to the Port Authority, its structure consists of a robust, redundant steel moment frame paired with a concrete-core shear wall, delivering structural rigidity, redundancy, and column-free interior spaces for enhanced flexibility.

Enhanced security protocols include mandatory screening of all vehicles for radioactive and hazardous substances prior to entry through the underground roadway. Approximately 400 CCTV cameras continuously surveil the premises with live footage analyzed using video analytics software capable of identifying threats such as unattended items or suspicious individuals. Both NYPD and Port Authority police maintain active patrols in the vicinity.

Initially, public access to the plaza was restricted compared to the original World Trade Center plaza. The "Interim Operating Period" concluded on May 15, 2014, after which airport-style security checks were discontinued following the official opening of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum on May 21, 2014. Since then, visitors have been able to enter the plaza without requiring passes.

Design evolution

Substantial design revisions took place after The Durst Organization became co-developer alongside the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in 2010.

The originally sloped corners at the tall base—intended to feature prismatic glass—were redesigned with squared edges. The base’s facade now showcases 4,000 vertical glass fins, each tall and mounted on horizontal stainless steel strips measuring wide.

Initially planned to be enclosed within a protective radome, described as a "sculptural sheath of interlocking fiberglass panels," the spire was ultimately fitted with a simple antenna instead. This change saved $20 million and was championed by Douglas Durst, chairman of The Durst Organization. The original architects at SOM expressed regret over this decision and proposed alternative concepts. The radome idea was initially rejected by former Port Authority executive director Christopher O. Ward but gained approval under Patrick Foye’s leadership in 2011. By 2012, Durst confirmed finalization of the antenna installation.

The expansive triangular plaza on One World Trade Center’s west side was altered from stainless steel steps descending to West Street into a granite-paved terrace accessible via Vesey Street. This terrace includes twelve sweetgum trees alongside a planter/bench extending an entire block. A skylight initially planned to illuminate the below-ground observation deck lobby naturally was removed. Positioned above sidewalk level, these modifications were described by Patrick Foye as "few and minor."

Under an agreement between the Port Authority and The Durst Organization, Durst is entitled to a $15 million fee plus a share of cost savings generated by base building modifications that yield financial advantages. Durst receives 75% of savings up to $24 million, with progressively smaller percentages (50%, 25%, 15%) applied to higher savings brackets.

Height

The highest occupied floor of One World Trade Center reaches above street level, matching the roof elevation of the original One World Trade Center. Its spire extends the structure’s total height to , symbolizing the year 1776, when the United States Declaration of Independence was signed. Recognized by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), this measurement including the spire places One World Trade Center above Taipei 101 (), making it the tallest all-office skyscraper worldwide and the seventh tallest building internationally.

It holds the position of the second tallest freestanding structure in the Western Hemisphere, trailing only Toronto’s CN Tower. The proposed Chicago Spire would have surpassed it, but that project was canceled in 2009 due to financial setbacks.

Alterations made to the spire in 2012 led to debates over whether it should be classified as a spire or merely an antenna, which would exclude it from official height tallies by CTBUH. Without counting the spire, the building stands at , ranking seventh among U.S. buildings behind Chicago’s Trump International Hotel and Tower.

When completed, One World Trade Center became New York City's tallest structure including its antenna; however, its roof height was overtaken in 2015 by 432 Park Avenue, which reaches . The developers contested reclassifying the spire as an antenna, with the Port Authority maintaining that it remains "the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere."

In November 2013, CTBUH officially confirmed that the spire should be included in the building’s height, finalizing it at and thereby securing its status as the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.

Incidents

In September 2013, three BASE jumpers parachuted from the tower while it was still under construction. The jumpers and an accomplice on site surrendered to authorities in March 2014. They were found guilty of misdemeanors in June 2015 and received sentences involving community service and fines.

In March 2014, 16-year-old Weehawken, New Jersey resident Justin Casquejo bypassed security by entering through a gap in a fence and was arrested for trespassing. Following this breach, one security guard was dismissed and an elevator operator reassigned. Officials acknowledged that inadequate surveillance cameras contributed to his unauthorized access. Casquejo was sentenced to 23 days of community service.

In November 2014, two window washers became stranded for approximately 90 minutes on a malfunctioning scaffold near the 68th floor. This incident triggered a safety investigation regarding scaffold operations.

Reception

Upon completion, The New York Times critic Michael Kimmelman described the building’s reflective façade as "opaque, shellacked, monomaniacal," remarking that it appeared uniform from every angle. He criticized its symbolic height of as "abrupt" and implied that its design lacked innovation. Blair Kamin of the Chicago Tribune referred to it as "a bold but flawed giant," finding its antenna less impressive than iconic spires such as those on the Chrysler Building and Empire State Building. An article in Architect characterized it as uninspired during construction. In contrast, Architectural Digest lauded it in 2021 as "a symbol of strength, resilience, and hope," later noting in 2024 that experiencing One World Trade Center up close is "an event."

The tower’s heavily fortified base generated controversy. Critics including Deroy Murdock of the National Review described it as alienating and uninspiring, nicknaming it "the Fear Tower" for evoking anxiety rather than liberty. The New York Times architecture critic Nicolai Ouroussoff called the base a "grotesque attempt to disguise its underlying paranoia." Furthermore, plans to rebuild Windows on the World, the renowned restaurant atop the original World Trade Center destroyed on 9/11, met with opposition. Despite early commitments to restore it, the Port Authority ultimately abandoned these plans, drawing criticism from various quarters.

Owners and tenants

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey holds the majority ownership of One World Trade Center, with approximately 5 percent equity acquired by The Durst Organization for no less than $100 million. Durst was responsible for overseeing construction and currently handles leasing, property management, and tenant fit-outs. By September 2012, about 55 percent of the building's leasable area had been rented out, rising to 62.8 percent by November 2014.

In 2006, New York State committed to a 15-year lease agreement, including an option for extension. The General Services Administration (GSA) initially intended to lease roughly , but eventually secured space totaling . In 2013, Legends Hospitality Management obtained a 15-year contract worth $875 million to operate the observation deck located on the 102nd floor.

The initial lease involved a partnership between the Port Authority and Beijing-based Vantone Industrial, announced in March 2009. The so-called "China Center" occupies floors 64 through 69, symbolizing Chinese-American commercial and cultural relations while supporting U.S. companies with operations in China. Vantone's lease extends for nearly 21 years. In April 2011, Chinese artist Zhou Wei introduced a vertical interior installation called the "Folding Garden." By September 2015, China Center had downsized its lease to just one floor.

On August 3, 2010, Condé Nast Publications agreed to relocate its headquarters to One World Trade Center, taking up to . A finalized lease spanning 25 years and valued at around $2 billion was signed in May 2011, covering on floors 20 through 41 along with additional space in podium and below-grade levels. Condé Nast expanded its footprint by leasing an extra on floors 42 to 44 in January 2012. During the late 2010s and early 2020s, Condé Nast subleased parts of its premises to firms such as Ambac Financial Group, Ennead Architects, Constellation Agency, and Reddit.

In August 2014, Servcorp entered into a 15-year lease agreement for on the 85th floor. The company later subleased private offices and co-working spaces to mid-sized enterprises including ThinkCode, D100 Radio New York, and Chérie L'Atelier des Fleurs.

Developer

Larry Silverstein of Silverstein Properties, the leaseholder and developer of the complex, oversees the adjacent buildings, while the Port Authority retains control over the tower itself. In July 2001, Silverstein secured a 99-year lease for the World Trade Center site and continues to play an active role in its redevelopment.

Prior to commencing construction, Silverstein became embroiled in a significant insurance dispute. The $3.22 billion lease-purchase contract, which included Silverstein’s personal investment of $14 million, granted him both the right and responsibility to reconstruct the site if it was destroyed. Following the events of September 11, disagreements with insurers caused delays in building One World Trade Center. On April 29, 2004, a court ruling limited the liability of ten insurers based on the "one occurrence" interpretation; three insurers subsequently pursued a second trial. Swiss Reinsurance was also later deemed liable under "one occurrence," though Silverstein’s appeal was unsuccessful in 2006.

The December 2004 decision in the second trial held nine insurers accountable under a "two occurrences" framework, effectively doubling their maximum payout to $2.2 billion. The largest potential insurance recovery, covering buildings 1, 2, 4, and 5, amounted to $4.577 billion.

In March 2007, Silverstein publicly expressed frustration with insurers Allianz and Royal & Sun Alliance for withholding $800 million in claims related to the attacks. The insurers cited unresolved issues regarding how payments would be divided between Silverstein and the Port Authority.

Key project coordinators

Architect David Childs, a trusted collaborator of Silverstein, joined the project at Silverstein’s invitation. Childs took charge of designing One World Trade Center, initially working alongside Daniel Libeskind before revising the design in May 2005 to enhance security measures. He served as lead architect responsible for overseeing the tower’s daily design and development processes.

Daniel Libeskind won the 2002 invitational competition to design the new tower with his "Memory Foundations" concept, which included aerial gardens, windmills, and an asymmetrical spire. He situated the tower westward to symbolically align with and evoke the Statue of Liberty, choosing this over a more commercially strategic location near the PATH station. While much of Libeskind’s original designs were replaced by other architects—Foster and Partners for 2 WTC, Richard Rogers for 3 WTC, Fumihiko Maki for 4 WTC, and Kohn Pedersen Fox for 5 WTC—his symbolic height of was preserved in the final plan.

Construction leadership was provided by Daniel R. Tishman along with his father John Tishman, who had built the original World Trade Center; they operated through Tishman Realty & Construction, which was chosen as One World Trade Center’s builder.

On July 7, 2010, Douglas and Jody Durst, co-presidents of The Durst Organization, committed at least $100 million in investment toward the project. By August 2010, Condé Nast—a longtime tenant of Durst—announced a preliminary lease agreement at One World Trade Center that was finalized by May 26, 2011. The agreement between The Durst Organization and the Port Authority includes a $15 million fee plus a share of savings from modifications to base building components that generate economic benefits—starting at 75% of savings up to $24 million and decreasing as total savings increase. Since Durst’s involvement began, substantial changes have been made to the tower’s base structure, spire design, and western plaza facing the Hudson River; all such alterations received approval from the Port Authority.

Port Authority construction personnel

A documentary produced by WoodSearch Films, titled What is it like to work on One World Trade Center?, was released on YouTube on August 31, 2010, featuring construction workers expressing contentment with the working environment at the site. Nonetheless, investigations uncovered numerous construction-related injuries during the One World Trade Center project, with 34 incidents remaining unreported to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Following the events of 9/11, workers inscribed graffiti at the location that represented themes of renewal and strength.

External links

• managed by The Durst Organization and Cushman & Wakefield
• One World Observatory official site
• World Trade Center – Overseen by Silverstein Properties