Freedom Tower Now NYC's Tallest ... Sort Of

It’s a momentous day in New York today: The World Trade Center is once again the city's tallest structure. The skeleton of the still-under-construction "Freedom Tower" will today surpass 1,250 feet, the AP reports, making it just a hair higher than the Empire State Building. But the title comes with something of an asterisk, because if you count the Empire State Building's antenna, that building is still taller, at 1,454 feet.

That's ironic because when it's done, One World Trade Center will be America's tallest building at 1,776 feet—if, and only if, you count its antenna. Otherwise, it'll still fall short of the Willis Tower in Chicago. Of course, the Empire State Building is its real rival, and the New York Post reports that WTC operators are hoping to steal both tourists and broadcasters from the venerable skyscraper. Officials promise their observation deck will be packed with enough amenities to put the Empire State Building's little gift shop to shame. (More World Trade Center stories.)