Buildings of Distinction - One World Trade Centre - New York
Jan, 14 2026
On September 10th 2001 the people of America had no idea what the next day would present and the catastrophic casualties it would reveal.
Following the aftermath of the attacks many people visited the area to pay their respects. Architectural designs were brought forward early 2003 to build a new World Trade Centre.
This became the One World Trade Centre and the construction and design process is highlighted in the following video –
The still-incomplete tower became New York City's tallest building by roof height in April 2012, passing the 1,250-foot (380 m) roof height of the Empire State Building. President Barack Obama visited the construction site two months later and wrote, on a steel beam that would be hoisted to the top of the tower, the sentence "We remember, we rebuild, we come back stronger!" That same month, with the tower's structure nearing completion, the owners of the building began a public marketing campaign for the building, seeking to attract visitors and tenants.
One World Trade Centre's final design consisted of simple symmetries and a more traditional profile, intended to compare with selected elements of the contemporary New York skyline. The tower's central spire draws from previous buildings, such as the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building. It also visually resembles the original Twin Towers, rather than being an off-centre spire similar to the Statue of Liberty. One World Trade Centre is considered the first major building whose construction is based upon a three-dimensional Building Information Model.
Just south of the new One World Trade Centre is the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, which is located where the Twin Towers stood. Immediately to the east is World Trade Centre Transportation Hub and the new Two World Trade Centre site. To the north is 7 World Trade Centre, and to the west is Brookfield Place.
Simply visit the following website link for immediate access to the memorial tours –
While under construction, the tower was specially illuminated on several occasions. For example, it was lit in red, white, and blue for Independence Day and the anniversary of the September 11 attacks, and it was illuminated in pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
This year marks a quarter of a century since the world woke up to the attacks. FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker said the remembrance scheduled for Sept. 9, 2026, at FerryHawks Stadium is part of an effort by the department to make it clear that “when we say things like ‘we will never forget’ we truly mean them.”
On the Sept. 11 anniversary, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum will turn on its “Tribute in Light,” which shoots two pillars of light into the sky that are meant to represent the Twin Towers.
The Fire Department and its foundation will also host several other commemorations, alongside the release of a short film about the late FDNY chaplain Mychal Judge, the first reported 9/11 victim, and a podcast series focused “on the incredible bravery and survival” of the city’s firefighters, Tucker said.
Since the 2001 attacks, more than 48,000 first responders and others exposed to Ground Zero toxins were diagnosed with cancer — with a staggering 143% increase in diagnoses recorded over the last five years.
For the 20th anniversary of the terror attacks, the FDNY held a memorial service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
On September 11th 2026 the world will unite once again to remember the lives lost in such an horrific attack and the fire fighter heroes that came to save the people of New York City on a day etched in our minds for all the wrong reasons. Yet resilience fought through, new foundations were made, memorial sites were constructed and memories of loved ones recalled every anniversary. 9/11 is a reminder that nothing is certain, nothing is guaranteed. We may feel we have everything but in a moment – it’s gone.
^Alex Ashworth CCG Content Creator
