One World Observation Deck Debuts Atop Freedom Tower

NEW YORK — The One World Observatory atop New York’s Freedom Tower opened earlier this year on May 29. The tower’s new observation deck, built by Godsell Construction Corporation of Hicksville, N.Y., recently achieved LEED Gold certification.

One World Trade Center is 104-stories high and reaches 1,776 feet, making it the tallest structure on the city skyline. Thanks to the addition of its spire, One World Trade Center is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and the third tallest in the world.

The One World Observatory comprises floors 100 through 102 and includes a restaurant, gallery and a bird’s eye view of multiple local landmarks. In building the observatory, Godsell Construction Corporation worked with New York-based, Kamco Supply Corporation to ensure the space would be energy efficient and environmentally sound. Kamco carefully sourced materials from across the nation to ensure the products used would be certified to LEED Gold standards, according to Kamco Corp Vice President David Kovacs. Those materials played an important role in helping designers and builders to secure enough credits to achieve the LEED Gold certification.

Kamco Supply Corporation has contributed to more than 340 LEED-specified projects throughout New York and New Jersey. The company works with subcontractors to determine which manufacturers will be able to provide the products that meet their green specifications. The company tried to use as many local resources as possible. Super Stud Building Products manufactured the steel-framing studs used on the project just 34 miles away in Edison, N.J. Continental Drywall and Installation, based in Buchannan, N.Y., manufactured the drywall for the observation deck project.

Construction on the One World Trade Center, designed by Chicago-headquartered Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, started on April 27, 2006. The design and construction team celebrated its topping out in May 2013. The building welcomed its first tenants in November 2014.