[NYer]

Christmas spirit: Exterior lights at One WTC were covered in coloured cellophane by electrical contractors for a festive feel

It stands in the footsteps of the original twin towers among a small forest of oak trees in an eight-acre plaza. It features two 50ft-deep pools, each containing fountains, along with a museum with exhibitions and artefacts to teach visitors about the events of September 11.

At One World Trade Center, there is almost 3million square feet of office space - half of which had already been leased. There is also an observation deck planned more than 1,241ft above ground, fine-dining restaurants and a sprawling public lobby boasting 50ft ceilings. There will be eventually be six skyscrapers on the site altogether.

Breathtaking: Looking east from the 77th floor as construction work carries on below

The heart of New York City: One World Trade Center, from the 80th floor looking North, is due for completion in 2013 and will be the city's tallest building

Place of remembrance: The eight-acre plaza features a small forest of oak trees and a museum to teach visitors about the events of September 11

[bigheadfred]

Very cool.

[Red_Devil 232]

Thanks for the post and the pictures!

[Blood of Tyrants]

I could never work on a skyscraper. I get a queasy feeling just thinking about being up that high with no walls.

[Eye of Unk]

What kind of an attitude would the people take there in NYC if this tower had an attack of any kind?

[slorunner]

Very nice but the whole World Trade Center rebuilding is a sorry commentary on how far we have fallen.

It took less than 16 MONTHS to build the Empire State Building from the start of excavation to ribbon cutting.

This is taking over a decade and there is still huge squabbling over everything.

The whole complex should have been excavated and restored to what it was within 5 years.

[Liz]

Amazing pics——thanks for the ping.

[Gamecock]

Great post.

Tons of symbolism, from my understanding. Looking at the new tower from one angle reveals an outline of one of the old towers. Another angle shows an outline of the Washington Monument. And of course the tower is 1776 feet tall.

[OldPossum]

Thanks for posting those outstanding photos.

I have a question: you noted that there are two 50-ft. pools. Fifty feet deep? Was that an error? If not, why so deep?