One World Trade Center Now Tallest Building in America

New York City is home to the tallest building in the U.S. for the first time in 40 years. One World Trade Center is now taller than the Willis Tower in Chicago, making it the tallest building in America.

One World Trade Center is 1,776 feet, in comparison to the Willis Tower's 1,450 feet. It was confirmed by the official arbiter of structural height, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, The New York Times confirms. 

Yet, the measuring was not simple; it was complicated by the long mast that is atop the trade center tower. Without the mast, the new building is shorter than the Willis Tower, previously known as the Sears Tower, which was the tallest building in the country since it opened in 1974. But the spire on the trade center tower adds about 400 feet to the building, making it taller.

The purpose of the mast was discussed by 25 members of the Council on Tall Building's height committee on Friday in Chicago. In order to count as part of the building, the mast had to be confirmed to be a permanent component of the architectural expression of the structure. 

The chief architect of 1 World Trade Center, David Childs, told the committee that the mast should be counted because the building was designed with the intention of having the symbolic height of 1,776 feet. 

The committee agreed in the end.

However, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel was not happy about the decision, according to The Chicago Tribune. 

"I just saw the decision," the mayor said. "And I would just say to all the experts gathered  in one room, if it looks like an antenna, acts like an antenna, then guess what? It is an antenna. That's number one."

"Number two," he continued, "I think (with) the Willis Tower you will have a view that's unprecedented in its beauty, its landscape and its capacity to capture something. Something you can't do from an antenna. Not that I'm competitive. So for all those who want to climb on top of an antenna and take a look, go ahead. I would suggest stay indoors and take a look."

Yet, the council stands by its decision.

"The building is in fact 1,776 feet," said Timothy Johnson, the chairman of the council. "We don't believe the spire will ever be removed."

One World Trade Center is scheduled to open next year.