World Trade Center: Rise & Fall of an Icon

Windows on the World was a restaurant and adjoining bar that operated between late 1972 and September 11, 2001 in New York City on top floors (106 and 107) of the North Tower of the World Trade Center. It underwent a US$25 million renovation after the 1993 WTC bombing. In 2000, it reported revenues of US$37 million, making it the highest-grossing restaurant in the United States. [1]

Developed by Joe Baum and designed initially by Warren Platner, it occupied 50,000 square feet (4,600 m²) and was located on the north side, allowing guests to look out onto the skyline of Manhattan. The restaurant was not only one of the most respected in New York, but due to the premium location also had high prices. The dress code required jackets for men and was strictly enforced - a man who arrived with a reservation but without a jacket was seated at the bar. [2]

The bar extended along the south side of World Trade Center 1 as well as the corner over part of the east side. The bar's dress code was more relaxed and it had average prices. The most popular time there was Happy Hour Wednesdays, when there was no cover charge.[citations needed]

Looking out from the bar through the full length windows, one could enjoy breath-taking views of the southern tip of Manhattan, where the Hudson and East Rivers meet. In addition, one could see the Liberty State Park with Ellis Island and Staten Island with the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

Windows on the World was destroyed during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. At the time of the attack on the World Trade Center, the restaurant was hosting regular breakfast patrons and the Waters Financial Technology Congress. Everyone present in the restaurant when American Airlines Flight 11 penetrated the North Tower perished as a result of the plane's impact and the conflagration that ensued, or lived through the attack until the collapse of the tower. At the time of the attacks, present in the restaurant were 73 restaurant staff members, 16 Risk Waters employees, and 76 other guests[3]. The last people to leave the restaurant on September 11, 2001 before Flight 11 collided with the North Tower at 8:46 AM were Michael Nestor, Liz Thompson, and Geoffrey Wharton, who departed at 8:44 AM.[4]

It is believed that "The Falling Man," a famous photograph of a man dressed in white falling head first on Sept. 11, was an employee at Windows on the World but it is impossible to conclusively establish his identity.[5]

On January 4, 2006, a number of former Windows on the World staff opened "Colors," a co-operative restaurant in Manhattan that serves as a tribute to their fallen colleagues and whose menu reflects the diversity of the former Windows' staff.