In pics: Final piece of spire added to One World Trade Centre

Its total height is now 541 metres, or 1,776 feet – a symbolic height chosen to echo the year 1776, when America declared independence from Britain.

CONSTRUCTION WORKERS IN New York cheered today as the final piece of the 124 metre spire for One World Trade Centre was hoisted into place.

The total height of the 104-storey building is now 541 metres, or 1,776 feet, and is a symbolic height chosen to echo the year 1776, when America declared independence from Britain.

The tower is now the tallest structure in the US and the third-tallest building in the world, and is expected to open to tenants next year.

The view of lower Manhattan and Brooklyn as seen from the 105th floor of One World Trade Centre.

The view of midtown Manhattan is seen from the 105th floor of One World Trade Centre.

The 124 metre (408-foot) spire at the top of One World Trade Centre is seen from lower Manhattan

(All images: Julio Cortez and Mark Lennihan of Press Association Images)

- Additional reporting by AFP

Read: NYPD confirms piece of wreckage comes from hijacked 9/11 plane >

More: PHOTOS: Views from the 100th floor of the new World Trade Center >

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