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(Image Source: New York Daily News)
BY KERRY LEARY
It's officially complete. Construction workers bolted a 408-foot spire on to the
top of 1 World Trade Center Friday — completing the project and making it the tallest building
in the western hemisphere.
"The final seconds of the spire atop of the World Trade Center being put in place. The
408-foot-spire will be used as a broadcast antenna. It will make you dizzy."
(Via CNN)
NBC's Matt Lauer had a firsthand account of
the installation Friday morning — from a crane right next to 1 World Trade Center.
"I was absolutely horrified and terrified. Matt Lauer, I mean, I guess you have to have
a moment you can't start crying on live TV but I mean, wow."
The construction began in April of 2006 — the spire made the building 1,776 feet high, which
is symbolic because that's the year the United States signed the Declaration of Independence.
"What a feat of engineering. What a gorgeous day in new york city for all that to happen."
"I think it was so emotional for a lot of people. Every detail in the building so purposeful."
(Via WHDH)
"Many people who were in New York or elsewhere on 9/11 are just feeling moved this day and
for good reasons. it's kind of like an act of defiance. we will build it again, and it's
even bigger and stronger."
NBC's Anne Thompson tweeted a picture of the completed skyline Friday morning, noting "Once
again, a magnificent skyline."
1 World Trade Center is expected to open for
business in 2014. The building will host Conde Nast and the government's General Services
Administration, among other corporations.