Once upon a time, a pair of giant saltine boxes dominated New York City’s skyline.

That all changed on 9/11, when the Twin Towers went from eyesore to icon; from inside joke to nationwide rallying cry.

Now, from the ashes of Ground Zero, the heaven-scraping Freedom Tower scoffs in terrorism’s face.

A view of Manhattan's skyline from Brooklyn in June, 2013. Can you find the Freedom Tower?
A view of Manhattan’s skyline from Brooklyn in June, 2013. Can you find the Freedom Tower?

 

The Freedom Tower is so tall that the top looks like a giant triangle from the sidewalk below.
The Freedom Tower is so tall that the top looks like a giant triangle from the sidewalk below.

New York City; born and raised!

I wear those words like a patch of pride; even though I haven’t lived there in years. 

Growing up, the Twin Towers were not my favorite buildings; but they sure were TALL!

I remember Grandma Rachel once treated my family to lunch at Windows on the World: a spinning restaurant on the 106th floor .

 

Then September 11th happened; and the Twin Towers were gone.

A few weeks after the attacks, I visited Ground Zero with my film and video cameras.

 

Once the dust cleared, it seemed like nothing would ever be build there again.

In fact, it took years of heated debate and controversy before plans for the Freedom Tower were even approved.

 

Since 2001, I have made regular pilgrimages to Ground Zero to witness its evolution.

For a long time, there wasn’t much to see or photograph.

That all changed when the Freedom Tower began to rise.

 

A sign promoting the early days of Freedom Tower construction in October, 2011.
A sign promoting the early days of Freedom Tower construction in October, 2011.

 

Freedom Tower Construction - October, 2011
October, 2011

 

Freedom Tower Construction - October, 2012
October, 2012

 

Freedom Tower Construction - June, 2013
June, 2013

 

Freedom Tower Construction - June, 2013
June, 2013

The Freedom Tower: America’s “Tallest” Building

Don’t get me wrong; I’m all about the Freedom Tower.

The Freedom Tower in June, 2013
The Freedom Tower in June, 2013

As a symbol of national pride and resilience, it’s a fabulous testament.

However, I ask the planners, financiers and architects one question…

 

Really? Really?

With all that time and money, this is what you came up with?

I imagine the idea session went something like this:

“OK. How’s about we rebuild one of the Twin Towers… but half way up, we twist it!

Then, we’ll put a really big antenna on top and make it the tallest building in America by default.”

 

When One World Trade Center opened in 1972, it had no antenna; yet, the “North Tower” was the world’s tallest building.

To me, the Freedom Tower’s altitude claim-to-fame is a bit of a sham.

 

The top of the Freedom Tower in New York City
The top of the Freedom Tower in New York City

Ground Zero and the September 11th Memorial

In the shadows of the rebuilt One World Trade Center, a pair of waterfalls memorialize the Twin Towers’ original location.

Surrounded by the engraved names of those who perished in the September 11th attacks, the site is a somber reminder of that fateful Tuesday morning.

 

Nearby, a long line of visitors wait to pay $24 to enter a fancy 9/11 museum.

The Web site promises, “an educational and historical institution honoring the victims and examining 9/11 and its continued global significance.”

That sounds great, but I pose this question: how does price gouging honor a national tragedy?

 

Ground Zero and the 9/11 National Memorial are surrounded by a constant flurry of construction, business and tourism.
Ground Zero and the 9/11 National Memorial are surrounded by a constant flurry of construction, business and tourism.

 

The sound of running water is a constant reminder to be silent and reflect.
The sound of running water is a constant reminder to be silent and reflect.

 

Inside the footprint of the South Tower.
Inside the footprint of the South Tower.

 

September 11 Memorial at Ground Zero in New York City
A white rose is placed over a name every year on that person’s birthday.

Photographs of the Freedom Tower

Just like the New Yorkers living below it, the Freedom Tower tells the world,

“Hey, look at me!

Youze can knock me down, but I’m gonna get right back up and be stronger than ever.”

 

Sure, I have a few reservations; but, I already love the Freedom Tower and can’t wait for the day I have an excuse to go inside.

For the first time in more than a decade, the New York City skyline is whole again.

 

The New York City skyline from the outskirts of Queens.
The New York City skyline from the outskirts of Queens.

 

The mid-tower “twist” is what really differentiates the Freedom Tower from the Twin Towers.
The mid-tower “twist” is what really differentiates the Freedom Tower from the Twin Towers.

 

Old and new; side by side. This brick facade belongs to the Verizon Building; which is next to 1WTC.
Old and new; side by side. This brick facade belongs to the Verizon Building; which is next to 1WTC.

 

The Freedom Tower and the 9/11 Memorial in NYC
FREEEEEEDOM!

 

Dust still covered the windows of One World Trade Center in the summer of 2014.
Dust still covered the windows of One World Trade Center in the summer of 2014.

 

The Woolworth Building and the Freedom Tower - New York City’s first and biggest skyscrapers
The Woolworth Building was New York City’s first skyscraper.

What do you think of the Freedom Tower?