Freedom Tower welcomes first tenants

The World Trade Center reopens after 13 years

By Mercedes Deutscher, Staff Writer

On November 3, the One World Trade Center, also known as the Freedom Tower, opened its doors after eight years of construction.

Publishing company Condé Nast, owners of print media such as the New Yorker and Vanity Fair will work out of floors 20 through 44 of the tower. While 200 staff currently occupy the building, Condé Nast’s workforce within the building is expected to move to 3,400 by next year, according to the Morning Call.

At this time, the building has leased 60 per cent of its space to companies like KiDS Creative, Legends Hospitality, BMB Group, and Servcorp. Government organizations have also signed up to reserve parts of the building, such as the General Services Administration and China Centre.

The new skyscrapers are surrounded by the September 11 memorial, which opened on the 10th anniversary of the attacks. Twin pools symbolizing the original towers sit within the memorial; the pools are surrounded by the names of those who were lost during the September 11 attacks, as well as those lost during the 1993 bombing. There is also the nearby Memorial Museum, which serves to educate future generations about the events of September 11.

Maryanne Casey, a legal affiliate working for Condé Nast, spoke to the Morning Call on her experiences since working in the original World Trade Centre. “It’s a great tribute to America to see this,” Casey said. “I’m very proud to work here.” Casey’s brother was reportedly a first responder on the day the towers fell.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Casey also stated, “Considering what went on here 13 years ago, it was very tragic, but we are going forward and I think it’s wonderful to have this opportunity to work in the [Freedom Tower].”

New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo released a public statement on the opening of the Freedom Tower: “Today, as we open its doors for the first time, we remember that strength and courage will always conquer weakness and cowardice, and that the American spirit, defended by proud New Yorkers, will not be defeated. That lesson and that example live on today as powerful as they were 13 years ago. This is a tremendous day for all New Yorkers, proving once again that the spirit of resurgence and community lives on stronger than ever before.”