World Trade Center's Freedom Tower to Feature Wind Turbines

Last month, New York Governor George E. Pataki and New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg revealed plans for the Freedom Tower on the World Trade Center site, including plans to incorporate wind-harvesting turbines that will provide 20 percent of the building's energy. Designed by architects David Childs and Daniel Libeskind, the Freedom Tower will rise 1,776 feet in the sky, becoming the world's tallest building.

The building will contain 2.6 million square feet of office space on approximately 60 stories. Two concourse levels will house retail components and connect to transit hubs. At the top, the building will house both rooftop restaurants and a public observation deck.

Above the occupied spaces, a lacy structure of tension cables that brace the building will rise up to 1,500 feet and will include the wind turbines. The Freedom Tower will incorporate state-of-the-art safety systems, far exceeding New York City's building code requirements. Groundbreaking is expected in mid-2004.