The One World Trade Center skyscraper (also known as One WTC, 1 WTC or 1 World Trade Center) is the tallest building in New York and was built just a few metres from the former Twin Towers, which were destroyed in the terrorist attack on 11 September 2001.

Like the Twin Towers, One WTC completely dominates the Manhattan skyline with its height and has become a new symbol of New York.

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The tower has been built with a focus on security requirements and in such a way as to significantly facilitate the response of the emergency services in the event of an emergency. It stands on the edge of the Ground Zero site, the location where the original World Trade Centre once stood.

Height and points of interest

One World Trade Center measures exactly 1,776 feet, a figure that pays homage to the year the USA declared its independence. Converted to the metric system, 1 WTC is541.3 metres tall. As a result, the skyscraper holds the title of the tallest building not only in the US but in the entire Western Hemisphere, and is also the 7th tallest building in the world.

In total, the skyscraper has 104 storeys, of which 94 are above ground and 5 are underground.

The mast is included in the total height, as it forms an integral part of the building’s structure. The highest occupied floor is situated at a height of 387 metres, which is comparable to that of the former Twin Towers.

The total weight of the tower is estimated at 310,000 tonnes and, with costs exceeding 4.2 billion, it has become the most expensive skyscraper in the world.

• 💡 We also visited three taller buildings
  • Burj Khalifa in Dubai
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  • Lotte World Tower in Seoul

Viewing platform and admission fees

Lovers of panoramic views will certainly head to the 100th to 102nd floors, where, ata height of 382 metres above ground,the One World Observatory is situated – an enclosed viewing platform encircling the entire perimeter of the building, offering 360° views of the whole of New York and the surrounding area.

Prices are indicative and may be up to 4 usd higher during busy periods.

If you book tickets online, you will also be charged an additional fee of 3,81 usd.

	Weekdays	Weekends
Standard (view only)	42,46 usd	47,91 usd
Combination (plus fast-track + audio guide)	53,35 usd	64,24 usd
All-inclusive (plus a ‘ 15 usd ’ voucher to spend in the restaurant) (flexible arrival time)	64,24 usd	69,68 usd

Children and senior citizens get tickets that are around $2 to $4 cheaper.

• The observatory is open daily from 10:00 to 20:00 only.
• Official website:oneworldobservatory.com

On the various floors of the OW Observatory, as well as enjoying the views, you can also experience a range of interactive attractions or, at the Sky Portal, watch a live feed of the action on the street far below you on 14 screens.

You can also make use of the café, bar and luxury restaurant, which boasts one of the best views in the world. If you’re thinking of visiting this restaurant, online table booking is absolutely essential.

The SkyPod Elevator will take you up to the viewing platform in 47 seconds.

Is it necessary to book tickets online?

No. Unlike other viewing platforms such as The Edge or the Rockefeller Centre, there is usually no limit on the number of visitors here, even at sunset.

Prices at the venue are roughly 3 usd higher than if you booked your ticket online more than 3 days in advance, but on the other hand, you’ll avoid the 3,81 usd booking fee for online reservations.

Is the view from 1WTC worth it?

If you’re looking for the very tallest buildings with the most sweeping views, then a visit to 1WTC is a must.

From here, you’ll enjoy the best views, particularly of the harbour area with the Statue of Liberty, the confluence of the Hudson and East Rivers, and the southern tip of Manhattan. The downside, of course, is that from the OWTC viewing platform you won’t be able to see the full panorama of Manhattan, as you’re standing right at its highest point.

If you’re looking for a viewpoint from which you won’t miss out on Manhattan’s most beautiful skyscrapers, we’d definitely recommend the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Centre.

The tower’s architecture and history

Following much debate over the tower’s final design and funding issues, construction of One World Trade Centre began in 2006 and it was officially opened on 3 November 2014.

David Childs became the lead architect; in the early years, Daniel Libeskind played a part in shaping the building’s character, but was eventually dismissed due to unrealistic expectations.

In order for the tower to have a uniform, all-glass façade along its entire height, it was necessary to address the issue of wind gusts, which would otherwise have required the windows to be considerably smaller. The building has a square floor plan, but as it rises, at roughly one-third of its height, it is rotated 45° relative to this, thereby elegantly resolving the issue of airflow and, consequently, wind gusts.

Furthermore, this rotation of the building may also serve as a reference to the form of the two former square towers, which were joined together to form a single structure.

How do you get to 1 WTC?

One WTC is situated in Lower Manhattan and is easily accessible by the underground, though you can easily explore the attractions in this part of the city on foot.

One such attraction is the nearest underground station, which is connected to the Westfield shopping centre and features a very interesting architectural entrance. This entrance forms part of the huge WTC Transportation Hub, which connects the following underground stations:

• WTC Cortlandt: Red Line 1
• Cortlandt St: Yellow lines R, W
• Fulton St: Red lines 2, 3; Green lines 4, 5; Blue lines A, C; Brown lines J, Z
• World Trade Center: Blue Line E
• Chambers St: Blue lines A, C
• Park Place: Red lines 2, 3

In addition, the PATH train service from New Jersey also terminates here.

Read about our experiences travellingon the New York subway.

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