The World Trade Center: History, Structure, and 9/11

The World Trade Center (WTC) was a seven-building complex in Lower Manhattan, NYC, designed by Minoru Yamasaki and built 1966–1985 by the Port Authority.

Key Features

• Twin Towers: North & South, 1,368 ft (417 m), 110 stories—world's tallest 1973–2001.
• Complex: 16-acre site; included Marriott Hotel, 4–7 WTC.
• Construction: Steel frame, concrete core, aluminum/glass facade.
• Tenants: 430+ businesses (Port Authority, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs).
• Cultural Sites: Memorial Museum, Performing Arts Center.
• Tourism: Millions of annual visitors.

9/11 Attacks

On September 11, 2001, hijacked airliners struck both towers, causing their collapse and nearly 3,000 deaths. The site was cleared for the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, completed in 2014.