One World Trade Center is the tallest building in the United States and one of the most debated skyscrapers ever built. Initially envisioned as the “Freedom Tower,” its path from concept to reality was shaped by politics, security concerns, financial struggles, and symbolism.

This episode explores how the design evolved after Daniel Libeskind’s master plan, how David Childs and SOM transformed it into its final form, the delays and controversies during construction, and the reception it received when it finally opened in 2014.