One World Trade Center officially opened today as Condé Nast employees began moving into their new offices in the symbolic New York skyscraper. After 13 years and $3.9 billion, the 104-story building is now the tallest in the western hemisphere (workers are still putting the finishing touches on the top floors) and will be the new home for the publishing house giant. While some began work in the new building today, it’s estimated to take until February to entirely relocate all 18 magazines and 3,400 employees to Lower Manhattan. Condé Nast will occupy floors 20-44 with Vogue reportedly assigned to the 25th floor, The New Yorker on 28, the cafeteria (which if The Devil Wears Prada is any indication no one will actually use) is on 35 and Vanity Fair on 41. Executives will be posted on the higher floors. "Condé Nast is proud to be a part of this important moment of renewal for the city of New York," said spokeswoman Patti Rockenwagner. "We are excited about contributing to the vitality of this community for years to come."
But those shiny new offices seem to be coming at a price. While One World Trade Center is indeed a symbol of freedom and hope, for those moving into the tower, terrorism is still a very real threat—even after 13 years. “I think some people are nervous, but most people are just excited to start downtown. I used to work here in the ’80s in the original Trade Center, so it’s sort of like coming home for me,” John Duffy, director of policy and control at Condé Nast, admitted to the New York Post. “I’m not really concerned about [security]. The Port Authority has this place buttoned up. I’m just excited.” Others share the sentiment, knowing that they can’t indulge in fear. “I could understand the fear behind it, but fear is something [terrorists] want you to live with,” added Vijay Ramcharitar, a Condé Nast analyst. “If you live with fear, you can’t get anything done. I don’t think you look at this building with fear, you look at it with inspiration.”
