Architecture: Tall Orders

How architects are blending security and technology into big, beautiful buildings

On the day the World Trade Center fell, the Empire State Building once again became the tallest building in New York City. In the months that followed, six of its commercial tenants ran off. They did not want to be in the tallest anything, anywhere, anymore. At a time when Dick Cheney was still being shuttled around to undisclosed locations, skyscrapers suddenly seemed like the most disclosed locations of all--bull's-eyes with nice lobbies attached. Within weeks of 9/11, Donald Trump canceled plans to make his new apartment-office tower in Chicago the tallest in the world. It didn't help that the U.S....

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!