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It's official: One World Trade Center to be tallest U.S. skyscraper

By Katia Hetter, CNN
updated 12:30 PM EST, Tue November 12, 2013
One World Trade Center in New York City (shown under construction in May) will be considered the tallest building in the United States when it is completed, beating out Chicago's Willis Tower, and likely the third-tallest in the world, according to an announcement Tuesday by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. One World Trade Center measures 1,776 feet compared to the Willis Tower's 1,451 feet. Click through the photos that follow to see the world's tallest completed buildings. One World Trade Center in New York City (shown under construction in May) will be considered the tallest building in the United States when it is completed, beating out Chicago's Willis Tower, and likely the third-tallest in the world, according to an announcement Tuesday by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. One World Trade Center measures 1,776 feet compared to the Willis Tower's 1,451 feet. Click through the photos that follow to see the world's tallest completed buildings.
HIDE CAPTION
One World Trade Center, New York City
1. Burj Khalifa, United Arab Emirates
2. Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel, Saudi Arabia
3. Taipei 101, Taiwan
4. Shanghai World Financial Center, China
5. International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong
6. (tie) Petronas Towers 1 and 2, Malaysia
8. Zifeng Tower, China
9. Willis Tower, USA
10. KK100, China
11. Guangzhou International Finance Center, China
12. Trump International Hotel & Tower, USA
13. Jin Mao Tower, China
14. Princess Tower, United Arab Emirates
15. Al Hamra Tower, Kuwait
16. Two International Finance Centre, Hong Kong
17. 23 Marina, United Arab Emirates
18. CITIC Plaza, China
19. Shun Hing Square, China
20. Empire State Building, New York City
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STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • One World Trade Center ruled to be taller than Willis Tower
  • Council on Tall Buildings says 1WTC measures 1,776 feet
  • When 1WTC is completed, it's expected to be world's third-tallest building

(CNN) -- One World Trade Center in New York City will be the United States' tallest building when completed, beating out Chicago's Willis Tower, according to an announcement Tuesday by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.

The independent organization certifies the official height of skyscrapers and acknowledges record-setting buildings. By the council's criteria, a building's architectural height may include spires and other structural elements, but not antennas, signage or flagpoles, according to its website.

There was some controversy over whether the structure at the top of One World Trade Center was a spire or an antenna. The council's height committee met on November 8 in Chicago to rule on the building's stature.

25 great skyscrapers: icons of construction

One World Trade Center's height to its architectural top is 1,776 feet (541.3 meters), according to the ruling. The Willis Tower's architectural height is 1,451 feet (442.1 meters).

Because One World Trade Center isn't yet finished and hasn't received its certificate of occupancy, it cannot be ranked as a "completed building," but "its height is no longer in dispute," the council said in a Tuesday press release.

"The design of One World Trade Center, as explained to us, reinforces its role as a symbol of resurgence on this important site," Antony Wood, the council's executive director, in a statement.

Upon completion, which is expected in early 2014, the New York skyscraper is expected to rank as the world's third-tallest building, after the Burj Khalifa in Dubai and the Makkah Royal Clock Tower in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Coming soon: World's first 'invisible' tower

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