About 3,400 employees of Conde Nast started to move into their new office at Freedom Tower, which serves as the centerpiece of the new site of 1 World Trade Center. The building stands tall at 1,776 feet, not only for its towering presence but also as a testament to the efforts of the American people to stand up and recover from the 2001 tragedy that took about 2,700 lives after two jets hijacked by the al Qaeda hit the old towers.

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"The building is open for business ... It's a beautiful building, it's a historic building, but it's an office building and it's open for business," the New York Times quotes Jordan Barrowitz, an officer of the Durst Organisation that developed the edifice.

Chuck Townsend, chief executive of Conde Nast, said it was "a terrific day for Lower Manhattan, a wonderful day for New York City, and a great day for Conde Nast," reports the New York Daily News.

Some employees of the publishing firm admitted they are nervous because of the history behind the building and the lives lost associated with the 9/11 attacks. It didn't help that just before the tower's reopening, comedian Chris Rock joked on "Saturday Night Live" that "They should change the name from the Freedom Tower to the 'Never Going in There Tower,' because I'm never going in there."

Rock stressed, "There is no circumstance that will ever get me in that building."

John Duffy, director of policy and control at Conde Nast, acknowledged that some employees are jittery, but pointed out some are excited to move into their new office. One 25-year-old worker said that living in fear would paralyze a person into not getting anything done in his life.

Unlike other buildings which mark such milestones with grand ceremonies, the Monday opening didn't have a ribbon-cutting rite, there were no bands around and, mercifully, no boring and winding speeches from politicians who were busy campaigning.

But New York Governor Mario Cuomo said the new building is a symbol of New Yorkers' resilience. He said in a statement, "Today, as we open the doors for the first time, we remember that strength and courage will always conquer weakness and cowardice, and that the American spirit, defended by proud New Yorkers, will not be defeated."

Besides Conde Nast, other tenants on 1 World Trade Center are Kids Creative, an advertising agency; Legends Hospitality, a stadium operator; the BMB Group, an investment adviser; Servcorp, a provider of executive offices; General Services Administration, a government agency; and China Center, a trade and cultural facility.

Tagsworld trade center, Al-qaeda, New York City, conde nast, Conde Naste, September 11