The View From One World Trade Center: New Photos from 1,250 Feet

Truly a window on the world.

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Spencer Platt / Getty Images

Manhattan is seen from One World Observatory from the 100th floor of One World Trade Center at the Ground Zero site on April 2, 2013 in New York City.

Behold the breathtaking view revealed today from the observation deck on the 100th floor of One World Trade Center in New York City. The 104-story building, formerly known as the Freedom Tower, will showcase the sweeping panoramas of Big Apple from its perch in Lower Manhattan. On the tour, visitors will start by listening to audio about the building’s history in the lobby. Then elevators will transport visitors up to the 102nd floor — a whopping 1,250 feet above ground — in a mere 60 seconds. They will watch a film about New York history, and at the end, the screen will rise, and they will be able to see the dramatic view.

“We expect this to be the Yankee Stadium of observation decks,” said Scott Rechler, vice chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, about the observatory which will span the 100th-102nd floors.

When construction on the building is completed by early 2014, the tower will be the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere at 1776 feet. The observation deck is expected to open in 2015.

The view from the 100th floor observation deck at One World Trade Center in New York, April 2, 2013.

ANDREW GOMBERT / EPA

The view from the 100th floor observation deck at One World Trade Center in New York, April 2, 2013.

The rising sun hits the side of One World Trade Center as it stands among other buildings in New York, April 2, 2013.

LUCAS JACKSON / REUTERS

The rising sun hits the side of One World Trade Center as it stands among other buildings in New York, April 2, 2013.

Pedestrians cross the street in lower Manhattan as seen from One World Observatory from the 100th floor of One World Trade Center at the Ground Zero site on April 2, 2013 in New York City.

Spencer Platt / Getty Images

Pedestrians cross the street in lower Manhattan as seen from One World Observatory from the 100th floor of One World Trade Center at the Ground Zero site on April 2, 2013 in New York City.

A tug boat passes under the Brooklyn Bridge as seen from One World Trade Center April 2, 2013 in New York.

STAN HONDA / AFP / Getty Images

A tug boat passes under the Brooklyn Bridge as seen from One World Trade Center April 2, 2013 in New York.