Port Authority, Durst Organization marks 10th Anniversary of opening of One World Trade Center

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and The Durst Organization today marked the 10th anniversary of the opening of One World Trade Center with a commemorative photo of the iconic skyscraper’s current tenants, which include a mix of industry titans and diverse businesses known around the world. The building, which is the tallest in the Western Hemisphere and one of the central components of the rebuilt World Trade Center campus, is 95 percent leased and has become one of New York City’s most active and sought-after office addresses since it opened on Nov. 3, 2014.

The 1,776-foot-tall One World Trade Center was built by the Port Authority and The Durst Organization in a unique public-private partnership. The 104-floor, 3.1 million-square-foot LEED Gold-certified skyscraper was designed by Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill (SOM) and set a new standard of design, construction, and prestige when the building opened in 2014.

“Every time I step foot on the World Trade Center campus, I see person after person taking photos of One World Trade Center, an instantly recognizable symbol of freedom for millions of people across the world,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “One World Trade and our vibrant and growing campus are an embodiment of the American spirit, and proof that we can do anything together. I congratulate Durst and all of the Port Authority employees who have been a part of the rousing success of the building’s first decade.”

“One World Trade Center serves as both a symbol of resiliency — an iconic foundation of the New York City skyline and the remarkable vitality of our thriving campus,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “Despite economic uncertainty and a global pandemic that changed the way people work, One World Trade Center has teemed with tenants from a range of New York industries, including fashion and media. That’s a testament to Durst, and a credit to everyone who has worked tirelessly and collaboratively to thoughtfully rebuild the World Trade Center campus and reenergize lower Manhattan.”

“10 years ago, we were filled with pride and gratitude to open One World Trade Center. Since the building’s opening, One World Trade Center has thrived as a dynamic hub of business with a diverse roster of tenants, from creative companies to financial services firms. We look forward to many more years of success in partnership with the Port Authority and the many companies that have chosen One World Trade Center for all that the building and Lower Manhattan have to offer,” said Jody Durst, president of The Durst Organization.

One World Trade Center has become synonymous with premier office space in the region and houses the city’s largest creative community of technology, advertising, media, and information firms. Tenants at One World Trade Center include Condé Nast Publications, Wunderkind, Carta, Ameriprise, Celonis, Stagwell, Energy Capital Partners, and more. The building is also a broadcast facility and, in 2023, became the first and only facility in New York to launch NEXTGEN TV, elevating over-the-air broadcasting quality and access. This significant development marked a transformative moment in over-the-air broadcasting, as this tower delivers a powerful state-of-the-art television experience to New York City’s millions of residents.

The skyscraper also brings together the convenience of a major transportation hub and retail destination with ample amenities. The World Trade Center Transit Hub, designed by Santiago Calatrava, provides direct access with connections to 12 subway lines, the PATH commuter rail connecting to New Jersey, and ferries through a vast new concourse system that extends from the Hudson River to within a few short blocks of the South Street Seaport on the East River.

Thanks to the skyscraper’s 360-degree, panoramic views of New York City, it also has become a major tourist destination and its One World Observatory, an observation deck experience with views from the city’s highest point, is a popular location for special events, including commercial filming and photography. The campus is now a highly sought-after space for seasonal community programming, oversized art installations, a weekly farmers market and the Smorgasburg open-air food market, and large public viewings of popular cultural events such as official watch parties for soccer World Cup games, Cricket World Cup matches and the World Series for Major League Baseball.

For One World Trade Center tenants, a 25,000-square-foot amenity space Well& by Durst on the 64th Floor Sky Lobby provides room for innovation, inspiration and connections, as well as freshly prepared seasonal meals, exclusive curated events, and state-of-the-art meeting, event, and lounge spaces. Directly next to One World Trade Center, the Perelman Performing Arts Center opened last year, adding to the vibrant local community of culture and commerce. The 64th Floor Sky Lobby currently houses an iconic One World Trade Center marquee created with local artist Zeehan Wazed and inspired by the spectrum of colors in Jose Parla’s mural on the ground floor of One World Trade Center.

The 10th anniversary commemorative photo of One World Trade Center tenants was taken in front of Wazed’s marquee in the 64th floor Sky Lobby.