The 52-story building is the first Lower Manhattan office towerto be rebuilt after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The new750-foot 7 World Trade Center is taller and sleeker than theoriginal; its 47-story predecessor rose to a height of 640 feet.Like the original building, 7 World Trade Center is built on landleased by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

"This is a milestone in the rebirth of Lower Manhattan," saidLarry Silverstein, president and CEO of Silverstein Properties. Hecited the efforts of more than 1,000 construction workers and helda moment of silence for one who died on the job last month.Silverstein also noted the importance this building holds for theentire city. "We had to move quickly, but do it thoughtfully andintelligently. Three years later, we've reclaimed an important partof the New York City skyline."

Silverstein keynoted the Codes and Regs Conference sponsored bythe New York chapter of the Building Owners and ManagersAssociation immediately prior to the topping out. There, heproclaimed 7 WTC the "safest building ever built in America." Hebacked up the claim by explaining that the design of the buildingis a direct result of the lessons learned on Sept. 11.