9 Facts You Didn’t Know About The Original World Trade Centers

The original World Trade Center towers in New York were iconic for both their architectural innovation and their tragic destruction in the 9/11 attacks. Here are nine little-known facts about these structures that continue to fascinate people today.

1. The Architect Had a Unique Vision

The Twin Towers were designed by Japanese-American architect Minoru Yamasaki, a modernist with a unique approach to architecture. He aimed to make modernism more human-centered, believing that buildings should inspire peace and cooperation. Yamasaki envisioned the World Trade Center as a symbol of global harmony through trade, although its colossal size later drew mixed reactions.¹

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2. Not Identical After All

Despite their similar appearance, the North and South Towers were not exactly the same. The North Tower, officially named 1 World Trade Center, was six feet taller than the South Tower (2 World Trade Center). Both towers had 110 stories, but the North Tower reached 1,368 feet, making it slightly more imposing than its twin.²

3. Philippe Petit’s Famous High-Wire Walk

In 1974, French tightrope walker Philippe Petit stunned the world by walking between the Twin Towers on a high wire. His daring feat, performed without safety nets, took place at an altitude of over 1,300 feet. This spectacular stunt further solidified the towers’ place in pop culture and history.

4. Surviving Multiple Threats

Before their destruction in the 9/11 attacks, the Twin Towers had faced other disasters. A massive fire in 1975 damaged several floors of the North Tower, while in 1993, a truck bomb detonated in the parking garage beneath the towers, killing six people and injuring over 1,000. Despite these threats, the towers remained standing—until the devastating events of 2001.

5. George Willig’s “Human Fly” Climb

In 1977, stuntman George Willig climbed the South Tower from the outside, scaling the 110-story building in less than four hours. His daring ascent attracted a large crowd of onlookers. Although initially fined $250,000, Willig ended up paying just $1.10—one cent for each floor he climbed.

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6. Pioneering Tube Design for Open Spaces

The Twin Towers were among the first skyscrapers to employ a revolutionary “tube within a tube” structural design, created by engineer Fazlur Rahman Khan. This allowed the buildings to have open, column-free floors, providing more flexible office space and giving the towers their distinct, boxy appearance.

7. Costly Construction Beyond Initial Estimates

The World Trade Center project was expected to cost around $350 million, but the final construction bill reached a staggering $900 million. Adjusted for inflation, that amounts to over $5 billion today. Despite the steep costs, the towers were completed on time, with tenants moving in by 1970 and the project fully finished by 1973.

8. A Restaurant with a View

The North Tower was home to the famous “Windows on the World” restaurant, which opened in 1976. Located on the 106th and 107th floors, it offered breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline. It became a popular dining destination until it was damaged in the 1993 bombing. After extensive renovations, the restaurant reopened, only to be destroyed in the 2001 attacks.

9. Controversy Surrounding Their Construction

Not everyone was thrilled about the construction of the Twin Towers. Critics argued that the massive buildings could be dangerous or out of place. Lawrence Wien, head of the “Committee for a Reasonable World Trade Center,” even warned that the towers’ scale made them a potential target for an airplane crash—tragically prophetic decades later.

Paying Homage to a Great Piece of Architecture

The original World Trade Center towers were not just architectural marvels; they were symbols of ambition, controversy, and tragedy. Even after their destruction, their impact remains a significant part of both New York’s skyline and its history.

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