must have been some who were late for work - or left work for some reason - and either got out just in time - or who should have been up there but were not - running late or whatever reason - that kind of thing can cause serious survivor's guilt ..
@@DG-fe4ht Here's the direct quote from the 2002 news article that reported this; "The last people to leave the restaurant before Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower at 8:46 a.m. were Michael Nestor, Liz Thompson, Geoffrey Wharton, and Richard Tierney, who all shared an elevator together. They departed at 8:44 a.m. and survived the attack."
My husband was offered a job in the World Trade Center and didn’t take it because when he looked out the window, he thought to himself if there’s ever a fire in here, I’ll never get out. Thank you Jesus that he didn’t take it.
I would have felt the same way😢 and I don't like tall buildings...did you watch the video of the guy thar saw the souls leaving the bodies of the jumpers?
My dad had a business partner that had two sons that received a trip to New York for graduating high School. One gift was to eat breakfast at windows around the world before coming back to Oregon. They slept in and missed going for breakfast Sept 11. The parents knew they were up eating when the terrorist attack happened. It was a blessing they slept in.
My dad was late for a meeting on the 99th floor. His office no longer WTC - he was in midtown at 1165 AoA. I was in college and spoke with his assistant before the towers fell and phone service went down. She told me he was there. I learned around 1 pm that he was late and alive. Peace ☮️ ❤
My father works in the financial services industry and he lost several people he knew on 9/11, he’d been to windows on the world many times. In 2019, when we were cleaning out our closets to prepare to move across the country, he discovered something extraordinary. He found a credit card receipt from windows on the world.
Ooooohhhhh! How incredibly extraordinary! What are the chances of finding one of hundreds of thousands of receipts issued in the 25 years that WoW was open.
Sadly my wife's secretary lost her husband, who was a waiter at the restaurant, that day. It was a very tough day for everyone, but especially for those like her.
It's an honour to read all the comments from people who once worked at this building or knew someone who experienced such almost-death moments. It was a very tragic event that will always be in my mind. 😢😢😢😢😢
I knew 2 people, Roshan & Kamladai Singh, who both worked at Windows On The World (107th Floor) and, sadly, they were both killed on September 11th. RIP 🙏🏾
From the pictures, it seemed like there were quite a few servers of South Asian descent at this restaurant. I was about to look up if anyone made a list of how many South Asians lost their lives. Very sorry for your loss.
I worked in the South Tower (Tower 2) from 91-01 on the 95th Floor for Fiduciary Trust. We would go to Windows sometimes after work for drinks. Truly breathtaking views of New York City. Fortunately for me I wasn't in the building that day. I was walking through the underground mall to get to our office in the South Tower as the 1st plane struck the North Tower, after which I ran out and came up to the street level to see a massive hole in the Tower 1. Such a horrific day for all. Lost a lot of friends and colleagues that day, not to mention the thousands of people I would see each day but never knew personally
I worked for Ebasco Services in the South Tower. They were on Floors 79 to 90. The Raythean Group bought Ebasco for millions in the early 90s. I've often wondered who was on the 86th floor where I once worked. I'm not the same since 9/11. A huge part of me died with the Towers.
the creepy thing is when everybody that worked at the world trade center took trains and after 9/11 nobody was on that train anymore...Feels disturbing the more you think about it.
I worked in the South Tower on the 86th and 83rd floors before 9/11. I wonderful guy I dated took me to Windows on the World. We sat at a window that faced the South Tower. I miss the Towers so much.
I rebuilt that kitchen after the first bombing, we installed them stoves. and all cooking equipment and stainless steel ,.local 25 sheet metal workers from Braun equipment co. I spent 3 months working there...I had my coffee break everyday from that view,Thanks for the pictures brings back great memories....best view was southside out to the harbor, in fact that was the same time that John Glenn had his parade on Broadway down to wall st..best view was sunrise when we in there early some days. I have pictures but dont know where they are in my house, if i find them i wil try to post..
In high school my Dad dated Christine Olender in the 70’s, who later became the manager of WOTW in the building at the time of the crash. There’s recordings of her calls of distress.
@@gogreen7794 Dead I’d imagine. However, don’t panic ‘Gogreen’. I’ve googled a mathematician who helps the remedial I can put you in touch with if you like. Always happy to help 👍
As someone born in 1990 I've got a real soft spot for that 80's/90's decor, especially the multi level dining area with the metal balustrades and lamps.
I'm from 1991 & don't like that 80s interior design aesthetic at all, it's hideous to me so outdated & kitschy, it hadn't been updated for 2001, but the objects/aesthetic that's irrelevant. On 9/11 the devastation the significant unjustified human loss was the worst event that could have happened💔💔
September 11, 2001 occurred before the invention of the "smartphone" in 2007. Could you imagine the horrific videos and photos which would have been created if this tragedy would have happened in 2007 or later?
Well the Grenfell tower fire in London happened only a few years ago and pretty much the only footage from inside the tragedy that surfaced is firefighter bodycams. Generally when something like that is going on your phone is the least of your concerns.
There were plans to rebuild the Windows on the World at One WTC when it was being built. The plans unfortunately fell through even though many former Windows employees and executives were enthusiastic for it to return. There is a pretty good full-service restaurant called One Dine on the top floors of One WTC, which essentially is Windows’ spiritual successor.
ONE Dine.. sounds like a corporate lunch hall probably with sterile cheap-looking 'minimalist' interiors and half-rate 'cuisine' and probably no dress code update: upon further research, I am correct
@@SeekingGreetingswithout trying to sound disrespectful to those who lost their lives in 9/11. I want to say, prob because they were “lazy” wanted to “be quick” to get it built and have something up to get the money etc if that makes sense
@@supersexygal01 You weren’t being disrespectful to the victims just so you know, criticism of the rebuild/new building/plans/current events are totally fair game for all. Anyways, I would say that everything they listed as issues could be changed though. If they wanted to make it a better dining experience they definitely could but also know they had and still have major issues with funding. Plus, companies lease out floors in the building so I’m not even sure if that’s a separate tenant or not - if One Dine is funded by WTC/Port Authority itself, that would totally explain it and further back up your theory. Look at the situation with of the rest of the WTC buildings. I don’t believe we even have a Two World Trade building yet but we do have several of the others. It’s kinda sad.
@@TitaniumTurbineyea that’s why it came off as “lazy/quick ass job”. To me anyway. It feels like because of the funding they just wanted something quick to fund getting the economy back especially in that area, which I get and totally understand. The new one also doesn’t feel like it got that “oomph” esp for the location etc feels like any other typical restaurant/cafe you get on the high street thing
I had the privilege to dine there once, in 1986, at the age of 16. My high school band participated in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and we had our Thanksgiving dinner at WOTW that afternoon after the parade, on Nov 27. The band was housed for the week at what was then the Vista International Hotel, known in 2001 as the Marriott World Trade Center, the hotel that stood between the two towers that was all but destroyed in the 9/11 attacks.
I also dined there one time only in 1997. It was my only time in the World Trade Center and I barely remember how it all looked. I remember some of the underground mall and a little of the restaurant and another room on that floor as well as some bar that was on another floor we went to but I have no idea what that was called.
@@Assassin90Nine Yes we are. To us the Twin Towers were unforgettable and iconic. Their destruction a landmark of our lives. To people not born yet ... might as well be talking about the sack of Rome in some year BC or the burning of Washington DC and battle of Baltimore ... which we sing a song about before playing baseball. How much gravity did JFK have for Gen X? Not nearly as much as for those who were there.
Fortunately for Chef Michael Lomonaco, he had an appointment of some sort, eye, dentist, something like that, and wasn't there. But you know it eats him up that he lost his work family.
he had to re-do his glasses and he thought to do that right before heading to wotw that morning; he seemed to be very close to a lot of them and he clearly respected all his coworkers.
His appointment was with Lens Crafters. He needed reading glasses. He said that instead of going to the elevators, he went to the concourse. While he sat in the chair, he felt a shaking.
My boyfriend took me to this restaurant in January, 1984 . I was a senior in college. He was a junior. We decided we couldn’t afford dinner there and went to an Irish bar instead. While we were in Windows on the World we talked about getting married. Until 9/11 this place held such sweet memories for me.
If a gentleman arrived at Windows without a jacket there were jackets in various sizes available for use. That was the case with all of the best restaurants in NYC in those days. In those places a tie was also required and they had clip-ons to use as well. As to your comment about the food : having dined at both Windows and Blue on more than a few occasions I say that, without exception, my dinner companions and I felt that the food was top notch, especially the steaks and seafood. Chef Lomanoco and his staff took pride in the quality of the food from his kitchen.
Wow I really wish I was old enough to of enjoyed this beautiful restaurant. It sounds like they really created an atmosphere that was out of this world. I’m sure it was a breath of fresh air to visit windows during work to get a little break
@@BlackGirlLovesAnime6 I had an office there and would frequently pop into The Skydive, which was a cafeteria style eatery on the 44th floor of 1 WTC, for lunch when I was too busy for a proper meal; food was OK there. When time allowed, the Wild Blue served excellent, Pub Style food and drink for a more leisurely meal. Blue's offerings were more on a par with that served in Windows. Blue was originally called " Cellular in the Sky " when it first opened and, as the name suggests, was known for its HUGE inventory of wines, many of which came with eye-watering prices, too ! The Twin Towers were simply an amazing example of a style of excellence that, unfortunately, ended with 9/11. There are still restaurants that have very fine food in NYC, but they don't have the same elegant style and excitement that Windows had.
I can't eat in a damn blazer, screw that, trying to enjoy a meal constricted and holding in farts so a few wasps don't get ticked off is my idea of hell
I ate at Windows on the World. And I so agree with you. Would you tell me the difference between Windows and Wild Blue? Was Wild Blue another part of the Windows? I often wondered if there were two restaurants on those floors. Thank you so much. I'd love to hear from you.
Michael Lomonaco, the executive chef/director of Windows was in the lobby on 9/11 having his glasses repaired when the plain hit, he evacuated and survived..I remember he was completely gutted at the loss of his staff and restaurant…he eventually moved on to open Porter House. He was very active with the 9/11 windows of hope charity which was scheduled to run through 2022.
I saw an interview on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 with Chef Lomonaco. He said that every morning when he wakes up, he honors the people he loved and lost that day.
@ANOCKS: Work on your attitude. My autospell always seem to change the correct spelling to incorrect spelling so I am constantly retyping an auto spelled word. It’s a pain in the A.
@@lilybond6485 “My attitude “ are you okay, you came after me …what, you commented on my misspelling and called me Einstein, I didn’t shame you, I honestly have no idea why you keep coming after me, but please stop!
Right everybody talking about the actual restaurant I’m more so thinking down the people that were actually in the restaurant basically just had the floor beneath them just fall…. it didn’t even break up right away it literally just dropped straight down as a whole intact restaurant at least halfway down… people were probably thrown up into the ceilings by that downward force …fkn mind boggling
Omg! I would have lost my appetite if I was up that high in that restaurant. I'm terrified of heights. That is too high up to even think about eating.😨
That is exactly how I felt dining up there. I was so paranoid and wanted to get out of there. Even asked the Maitre D “What happens if there is a fire up here”? He laughed and said “Madame - that would never happen”. I asked him to show me the fire escape just in case. I was never so happy to get out of there and back down to planet Earth.
Not really. Not the whole world. People in other countries dont even know what 9/11 was. I have alot of filino friends. None of them even heard of 9/11 until I told them. It changed america though for sure.
I once dated someone who's sister was killed in Windows on the World on 9/11. They told me the story that she was at the 106 floor conference that day which was not her usual place to be for work. Such a sad story.
The Guy who took most of these photos shown was an estonian photographer but he unfortunately killed in a motorcycle accident in 2002 sadly. His photos are amazing
The guy who took the picture of a sunrise worked there the night shift. He was a technician or electrician or something like that. He died in a motorcycle accident in 2002.
For a short time my father worked at May Davis on the 87th floor in tower 1 where windows on the world was. I’ve eaten there 4 or 5 times when I was little. I’d be dropped off at my dads office then we’d eat there and then we’d take a car to see a broadway show or just go back home. I have good memories of the waitstaff making me laugh or adding something special to my dessert or plate. During Christmas it was something else! Nothing compares to this day. Food service was long! You were never rushed there and it was encouraged to enjoy your surroundings while eating. My father wasn’t working there at the time of the attacks but he has since passed away. it makes me sad whenever I see videos about windows on the world because it’s gone and nothing like it exists today. I hold a lot of hatred in my heart because I can’t relive the memories or return to a familiar place, it’s weird. It wasn’t just a few towers it was a beautiful plaza and space with artwork and stunning chic architecture.
And oddly enough... we have very few photos or videos of what the towers looked like on the inside, so stories like this are invaluable. Thank you for sharing those precious memories!
@@BennieWilll thank you for reading. It’s so crazy that recently these historical videos about the World Trade Center are being recommended to me. I have so many stories and memories of the towers and observation deck, offices, lobby, the windows that are huge inside but seem claustrophobic from the outside, even the elevators, to the attacks. It’s interesting how I grew up with many people whose parents had jobs in the towers, even those who lost parents, yet it’s rarely discussed …it’s still very painful to me even after all of these years.
@@Joi_Robb It must be hard to look back on those memories of a place that is gone and never coming back. You are a good writer. You should write all of it down and share it someday for future generations to know what it was like. It would make such a fascinating book or blog.
Someone from May Davis uploaded a video on YT called WORKING AT THE WORLD TRADE CENTER. The guy's name is EC. It was dated January 2000. Maybe your Dad's in the video. It's still there and one of my favorites.
I was at the Windows bar a month earlier. It had the best bartenders and drinks and was where you came to “get the deal done”. NY lit up at night was magical and the view was amazing.
JFC though, a jacket required?! Not saying one shouldnt be dressed in fancy attire there but a jacket, even in summer?! i can have my suit pants & shoes,, dress shirt, tie with resplendent silver tie clip, and still not be allowed in! wowsers in the pics i see people eating with jackets on... to me thats a no no in the world of fine dining. you take your jacket off to eat you lousy neanderthals! :) (ah maybe in summer one should wear a light sport jacket/blazer?). I obviosuly never made it there, just to the top in '97 in my first and so far only trip to the US from australia. i remember being near the church and trying to fit the towers in a single frame photo shot, those beasts were super massive. Vale all, such a tragedy. it was ww3 unfolding in front of our eyes in sydney. Started about 10 or 11pm, i didnt sleep that night. glued to TV, internet and a thousand phone calls. remains the most shocking event in my life so far. what could top it?
@@fredfinks well, the air conditioning made wearing a jacket not so bad and if you worked in Manhattan back then you probably always wore a suit anyway. You felt special there and the staff were wonderful. I was flying when they grounded all domestic flights, us passengers got off and watched it all unfold. I, to this day, still have a tough time watching any footage of that day, just too emotional. Every time I’m in NY I go to the memorial just to calm my soul. You are correct, nothing I can think of will ever top the emotions that any of us had on that day.
@@risinbison1106 im going to revisit one day, hopefully not far off in the future, and this time im getting real pizza/food, not sbarros! (was young & dumb at the time). Cheers Bison, glad youre still with us.
My last husband's nephews were supposed to meet at Windows on the World that morning. One called the other and told him he wasn't feeling well. They both stayed home that morning.
Most of those pics inside the restaurant when nobody is present were actually taken at sunrise, the Estonian who took them worked night shifts in WoW and had a nice little Nikon which he shot those pics with before he left home in the early morning. He survived as he left home in the hours before 9/11 but died the year later in a motorcycle accident.
My friends father in law was having breakfast there on 9/11. He was a one of many retired biz executive who mentored young new biz owners. The organization had a thank you breakfast that morning 🙏🙏🙏
I was fourteen and my Californian family’s only ever trip to NYC in 1987. I insisted that we eat at Windows on the World, although I’m not even sure how I knew about it at the time. My impressions: the food was good but I feel like we had had a much better meal the previous evening at some restaurant that I have completely forgotten about. The view was spectacular, but it was very obvious that in order to get a window seat one had to tip the maitre’d, which we didn’t do and were therefore pretty far away from the window. At one point the soup did visibly slosh ever so slightly in the bowl due to the wind. The bathrooms had those old man attendants who could sell you stuff and hand you a towel, which you were then supposed to tip him afterwards, which touching dirty money somewhat negates washing one’s hands. Ultimately I was disappointed with the view because we didn’t get much of a chance to enjoy it, but then we went to the observation deck at the top of the other tower which was awesome, because I figured my parents wouldn’t see the point, and it was pretty expensive. It was cool though because part of it was outside. Glad I had those experiences.
@@Petey44 it was surreal. Plus, here on the west coast it was so early that I essentially woke up to it. But it really hit me towards the end of the day when the first footage fom the plaza started being broadcast because the bottoms of those facades was so distinctive looking anyway, with their almost gothic arches. Seeing those really brought it home that somewhere that I visited had been destroyed.
I also dined there one time only in 1997. It was my only time in the World Trade Center and I barely remember how it all looked. I remember some of the underground mall and a little of the restaurant about where we sat which was by the window and don't recall that being a problem. My friend may have requested to be seated by the window and they did. I recall we dressed up in suits which of course fit with the dress code and I remember another room on that floor as well for could see the Statue of Liberty from it and also vaguely remember some bar that was on another floor we went to but I have no idea what that was called. I remember it was the most expensive meal I had ever eaten in my life. I think I paid around $50.00 for my meal there in 1997. I don't recall what I ate or how it tasted but I know I have the receipt somewhere.
Hey Ginger man. Thanks for posting this video. I was a musician who worked at the Greatest Bar numerous times from 1998-2001. I'm aware there are some hassles with YT about your twin towers videos, but they are of great value to many of us. Great work and please keep them coming.
Seeing those views out of those windows gives me chills knowing people jumped instead of burning alive and that was the view they last saw while jumping. Horrific!!! 😮💨🥺
My company had its 50th anniversary party at Windows on the World in 1998. That was an amazing place and the entire WTC complex always fascinated me.- especially how massive it all was and the number of people who went through there every day. On 9/11 I watched the towers collapse while standing in the middle of sixth ave and 48th street. On a clear day you could see them all the way in midtown. To this day I cannot bring myself to go to the museum.
You are not alone at all. I cannot go anywhere near that part of Manhattan. That trash can they call "freedom" does NOT represent American and it never will. It should never have been built.
I can't go anywhere near the WTC complex or area of close proximity. I don't even live in the northeast anymore anyhow & don''t visit much. I just can't go to the site of the wtc 9/11 , the last time I went to New York was 2017. I hadn't gone to nyc since I had moved away in December of 2001 after a 16 year hiatus, it took me 16 years to gather courage to return to Manhattan. I went on the LIRR to Penn Station. Then i visited Times Square,FAO Schwarz, Rockefeller Center, The Strand bookstore, Central Park, Columbus circle & a couple of other places, but I cannot make myself set foot in the spot that I witnessed 9/11. Knowing nearly 3,000 innocent victims lost their lives that day,the carnage it sickens me. I haven't gone back since 2017 & might not go back anytime soon. I've memorabilia, a dedicated space & dozens of books on the 9/11 WTC events. Books on 9/11 WTC from survivors, victims families, widows & a bunch of non-fiction books depicting the events from survivors & victims families that day. 9/11 impacted me heavily bc I was a ten year old living in Manhattan on September 11,2001. I only lived there two years of my life, but witnessing 9/11 before my very eyes. It was traumatizing to me, I lived in fear for the longest time. I thought I was going to die on 9/11 or soon after bc in my mind I though all of Manhattan & the U.S. was going to get bombed. I've since moved far away & live in a remote area where I can clear my head a bit, put aside some of the anxieties & lay some of those nightmares to rest. My then neighbor on 9/11 lost his brother at Windows on The World, I don't want to disclose his name, but he left a heartbroken devastated widow & a then toddler daughter behind to miss him terribly.💔💔💔
I had my high school graduation celebration dinner at Windows back in June of 1991 (a couple of years prior to the first bombing attack in 93') -- & it was TRULY a spectacular restaurant. It's TERRIBLY sad that it's ALL GONE. 😢💔 #NeverForget
Thanks for this. I had dinner with a friend there in 1982. It was very nice, and very expensive, but worth it. I had flown in from ATL for a quick visit. He expended the whole meal. Who knew that years later I would lose eleven friends and coworkers on flight 11. I thinks about them every day.
the people that ever got to experience this dining in the world trade are very lucky and truly a one-of-a-kind experience, nothing will ever replicate it. heart and condolences go out to all who were affected on this day. I was working in Seattle Columbia Tower when we all heard about it and they quickly evacuated everyone from all high-rise towers as a safety precaution to any unknown threats in other states.
When I was 17 I used to sneak my friends into the greatest bar on earth, and the restaurant... We didn't have enough to get into the observation deck . I did get to eat here ONCE, and in 2001.... The food was fantastic.
My aunt worked in the South Tower, when I was a kid she took me to Windows several times in the 90s and 2000 with the last time being early 2001, I really miss her, I miss the restaurant, the memories ,the food that was actually worth the money and the atmosphere too and me always loving architecture since I was 5 or 6, those Towers I miss too, as much as I love the new Tower even more so that they incorporated parts of the twins in it, but it can't top the twins and the old center, I mean even if 9/11 never happened and it was the future and the twins were taken down and the new center put up but especially because of all the souls that died that day, sometimes it feels like people are forgetting but there's no way I ever could
Not just the smoke forced people out but many who called also mentioned how hot it was up there. Heat rises & it was like a giant furnace below them coming up. You ever open your oven door & feel that heat? It's not half as hot as those buildings were. It forces your body to get away from it whether u want it to or not. Thats why so many jumped probably more than the smoke which was hot too.
It's not uncommon for cities to have restaurants at the top of tall buildings. In my city, there's a fancy restaurant at the top of one of the tallest buildings that I visited when I was in girl scouts for an etiquette badge. It was gorgeous and the view was amazing. I was around 10yo and wish I had brought a camera to take pictures bcuz it was basically a once in a lifetime experience.
I was fortunate to have visited the WTC - once. I would never have gone again because of my fear of something happening stranding me on the upper floors. It frightened me, particularly the elevator trip. I still have photos taken from the observation deck.
*I remember that my parents, and my siblings was amazed by how it’s was designed, and how delicious food it was but I only focus on the gift shop and the stairs.* *To this day I still doing exactly the same as an adult.*
Cool video. Those screencaps you've provided from the restaurant's webpage are so reminiscent of the late 90s-early 2000s. Also, seeing pictures from inside the restaurant is really heartbreaking, because I can't help but think of those poor people in the morning of 9/11.
Once coming to the realization that escape was impossible, I would have located the walk-in freezer and liquor supply. Sitting in a freezer getting blackout drunk would be easier than what actually happened to the poor victims.
My mom used to work for an american company that held anual conventions for their international employees back in the 90s. She traveled from Mexico City to NYC in 1997 for one of those, and the company held a fancy dinner and ball on the Windows on the World restaurant that was located on the North Tower on the 107th floor. She remembers how impressive the towers were, she says that to reach the restaurant you had to take two elevators that moved super fast. She told me the view and the restaurant was incredible it almost felt like a movie scene. It makes me think about how some of the staff that day probably still worked there on 9/11, RIP to all the victims and their families
I'm 58 years old now, born in 1965, but back in the 80s that was one of my first jobs. I was eighteen years old I was a waitress at windows of the world, I got fired because I couldn't open a bottle of wine. I couldn't not make it on time for some reason yet they wanted to get there real early and I was supposed to be there 7:30 AM even though I woke up. I couldn't make the train in on time and I was fired and was weird as I said to the manager who fired me, I didn't want to be up this high and aren't you afraid of a plane's coming in here? And then he told me to get my check and get out. What was weird? Is that that happened? 15 years later, a plane did go in. And there was still people working there. I'm sure that started when I started in the 80s. There were people there working many years thank god I was fired It was a beautiful restaurant in . Had a wear black pants and a white shirt. It was meals that were up on the high scale. They had beautiful ice sculptures though in the restaurant and it was quite unique
I have an unused box of matches from Windows On The World. One of my most treasured items reagrding the WTC. I also have a visitor information pamphlet booklet and a little rectangle of steel that was part of the WTC itself. The first 2 things are on display on shelves but the piece of WTC stays in a box, it's not exactly something I want to see every day, still pretty cool to own though- an actual piece of history.
@@rossco-dps5392 partner acquired it from a dealer many, many years ago. It's only like, 2" x 2". I looked online recently and there is someone on Etsy that is selling sealed bags of WTC debris (he was part of clean-up crew.)
@@rossco-dps5392 Not OP, but it was easy to come across pieces of steel after the collapse. Debris was everywhere. Also, ground zero workers would bring smaller pieces back to family and friends. It’s kinda like how there are authenticated pieces of the Berlin Wall for sale online. There appears to be a market for people wanting to feel a physical connection to history with something tangible.
@@TitaniumTurbine ok, thank you for the information. I had just thought that as it was a crime scene it would have been difficult to take pieces from there... It probably was, but it's human nature and I can understand why people would. I always wonder about all those millions of pieces of paper that were flying around and landing on the ground... I hope some of them were retrieved. Mundane as they may have been, they too are historical.
@@TitaniumTurbine you're correct in everything you've said. My cousin owns a piece of coal from the Titanic and my sister owns a pair of earings made of small parts of the Berlin Wall. It's all about ownjng a monumental piece of history. My partner bought me the steel for our first anniversary- that's how much I loved the buildings and how much I evidently spoke about them haha!
My Mom and Grand Mom dragged me to this restaurant in the mid 1990's when I was 12. I remember not wanting anything on the fancy menu, I just wanted a McDonald's Happy Meal. The views were incredible, and looking back I'm glad I got to experience this place - even if i didn't appreciate it at the time. Amazing how things change in 30 years. 2 weeks ago I enjoyed dinner at "Top of the World" (106 floor of the Stratosphere) in Las Vegas and spent time thinking about Windows of the World....
I cannot stress how much I love your videos! I was 3 months old when 9/11 happened, and even though I don't remember it personally, it's something I've always wanted to keep learning more about ever since I was a kid. There's going to be a day where I'm one of the oldest people who was alive when 9/11 happened, so I feel like it's my duty to learn all I can and make sure future generations never forget. I love your channel because it goes into more obscure 9/11 topics that no one else talks about, such as the question "What if only 1 tower fell?" That's my favorite of yours so far. I was wondering if you could make a video talking about the other buildings in the old world trade center complex, mainly buildings 4, 5, and 6 since no one ever mentions those 3. I still don't know if anyone perished in those buildings, wasn't able to find answers online. I think building 5 especially deserves more attention because of the survivor stairs and the fact it was the "least" damaged of the 7 buildings after 9/11
I was eleven months old. There needs to be a Dr. Strangelove-like film exploring the planning of the attacks. What I'm fascinated with was what possessed these terrorists to do such a thing. I want to see a scene of AQ debating exactly what targets to hit. What was the true intent of destroying the towers, beyond symbolism? We know (if we were to trust Osama) that AQ was just hoping for the top floors to collapse, and the collapse of the towers was more than they could have ever asked for.
From what I gather, Osama was adamant that Washington targets be prioritized, because he believed that the US federal government would collapse. If they *did* focus more on Washington, Congress would've been in session with no idea what was happening. You can argue Flight 93, but the Capitol was already in the process of evacuation by the time the South Tower was hit. If the Capitol and Pentagon, and a few other DC targets were hit *first,* then this could be very different. This should be the subject of Depressed Ginger's next video
Lol you guys are making me feel old. I was 13 and in 7th grade when it happened. Flight 93 flew right over our school and was super low and crashed about an hour away from my house. After the plane hit the 2nd tower and we found out that there was another plane coming for the Pentagon, and was possibly heading in our direction, the kids who weren't picked up by parents, had to sit in the back parking lot (My brother and I were one of the kids not getting picked up at that time) for 3 hours, and we all freaked out watching how low this plane was flying. Our parents' logic was that this happened in NY and wasn't going to affect us, so we were safe. They saw it happen live on the news. They didn't know about flight 93 until the school dismissed everyone early and rode home on the bus. I remember some of us getting scared and upset about them not telling us what was happening, and why a lot of kids were being picked up, until we had to sit outside. PS: There are movies about what took place in the victims' point of view called, "World Trade Center" and "Flight 93" if you haven't seen them yet.
It’s amazing that the chef survived but I’m happy that another location wasn’t opened because there were too many staff who lost their lives. They WERE in fact the restaurant and how could another one open after such a tragic event? 😢 I do wish the towers were rebuilt in their foundations but with stronger materials.
Went up there (dinner & dance) in August 97 with friends, on a visit from the uk & have to admit it was one of the best nights out I’ve experienced. Friendly staff & friendly American fellow patrons, it was something I’ll never forget. I’ve forgotten about the brainwashed dirtbags that levelled the place, but I’ll never forget our night in that building with nice people ❤
I can’t stop thinking about people that went up the the entry door to the restaurant,the workers inside (if there were any on shift at the time) & also the people who tried to get to the observation deck/top floor and could just see the sky start to move as either building fell. I often wonder a similar scenario to the one you said early on about the top floors staying together till the ground,I wonder if anyone made the fall inside the top half and was alive till the end
How about being up there and looking out the window and just watching the sky and all of Manhattan going up in because You’re at the top of the building making a freefall coming down from a 106 stories…
One of the biggest design flaws of the original WTC towers was the fact that all 3 stairwells were located near the middle (core) of the building, I guess to maximize window space for the offices, restaurants, and other businesses. However, not the safest in case of fire, as we found out tragically! If they had built stairwells in the corners like with most buildings, far fewer lives would have been lost on that day, especially in the North Tower. One of the stairwells (A) did manage to survive the initial impact on the South Tower as that plane hit Tower 2 at an angle rather than in the middle.
I think the terrorists who carried out 9/11 knew those towers were gonna fall if they hit it right. They most definitely did research on what happend to the empire state building and the effects it had on the building. They knew the twin towers was an open floor plan and the cores were situated in the middle. Think about it, why else would they carry out this incredibly ridiculous risky suicide mission. They wanted those towers to fall, they knew they would fall. They made them fall. Prolly what they were trying to do in the bombing too.
No. It wouldn't have saved any lives. For one the toxic fumes would have still been present, the fires would have still been present and structual damage and remains of a freaking airliner would likely either destroyed or blocked off the stairwells.
@@FiregloYou're probably right, but there's a chance that at least 1 of the stairwells could've been passable if they were located in the outer corners. I assume the doors to each floor are somewhat fire proof. Also assume there's some sort of stairwell ventilation that's separate from the rest of the building? There was 1 stairwell that was left passable in the south tower btw.....
@@user-py9kf4pq2qI think they hoped or expected the towers to come down immediately due to the impact of the collisions. I wonder what the high highjackers of the 2nd plane thought when they saw that the North tower was still standing 🤔
Imagine having a nice breakfast on a beautiful sunny morning .107 stories high..enjoying your meal..sipping your coffee..with friends co-workers or clients..that feeling that life is good comes over you...then you look towards the empire state building..and there's this white dot coming at you. .its getting bigger.bigger BIGGER...my god. It's a massive airplane..I'm gonna die..I'm gonna DIE..all in 10 seconds..Wow.Life really is short..😢
Stanley Praimnath wasn’t having breakfast that morning, but was on the 81st floor of the south tower. He actually saw AA's flight 11 approaching and ended up hiding under his desk; which ended up initially saving his life, as the plane struck the tower just above where he was.
As a native New Yorker, my parents took me 2 friends and my brother and sister to the city for my 8th birthday, we ate THERE and seeing this really makes me sad 😢, BTW my birthday is September 12th
there were plans for this place to reopen in one world trade center but the idea was unfeasible. it's one of the biggest controversies of the new building.
The force at which the structures collapsed was equivalent to the explosion of 600 tons of TNT , the on impact with the ground the top floors vaporised.
I've watched a few of your vids on 9/11 and I find them to be very interesting. I never got to experience these towers in person. Granted, seeing them on tv didn't do their massive size justice, but as a little kid of the 90s, they would instantly draw my attention whenever they were featured in a movie, or tv show. I was 11 when 9/11 happened and, this may sound kind of corny but I feel the twin towers represented the innocence of my childhood only for said innocence to collapse along with them, because that's when I first realized that the world is not all sunshine and rainbows. I actually heard that there was a group of 4 people in the restaurant, 3 men and 1 woman, who left in an elevator at about 8:44 am, two minutes before flight 11 struck the tower. Their names are Michael Nestor, Liz Thompson, Geoffrey Wharton, and Richard Tierney and I can only imagine what went through their minds when they found out that they narrowly escaped certain death by two minutes and by sheer chance. I would imagine that they had a lot of survivors guilt as well. So technically, you could call them survivors from the restaurant. Seeing these pics of the restaurant, is both beautiful with the views of the city and sad when now knowing that that was one of many places above the impact zones that became a tomb for so many who didn't deserve such a fate. May all those who lost their lives that day rest in piece.
@@hanyuzhu7276 No need to be so rude. Just say "rest in peace". The sentiment was clear, the rest was expressed so well and was perfect English, so why be a d*ck about it? I live 15 minutes from NYC and that's how we say things here, so please don't critique my vernacular. It's especially inappropriate to be rude when this is a comment section covering such a tragic subject. In this case, it is your rudeness that is the "oof".
I was there several times and it was quite nice. We saw Fleet Week a couple of times and saw all the ships came into the harbor. What a view. The food was good.
That is the biggest loss of life and loss of so much inside. Our enemy countries will always be after us one way or another. There will always be bad leaders. Live your life as helpful as you can. As useful as you can. Tell people you love them every single day. ❤
Not long after Sep11 I remember watching a documentary. Forget if the North Tower or Windows on the World was the focus but either way it stays with me. Talking about a young lady who had just started in WOTW, what they all likely experienced via the heat etc...every time I see vids it's one of my thoughts.
You are asking regular people with no jump experience to strap on a chute and jump out of a 1400 ft building in lower Manhattan. imagine having a successful jump only to get impaled by a street sign, fly into another building, ran over by a first responder. You have 1600 people above the impact zone in panic smoked filled, dark tower grasping for fresh air trying to prep a chute. You have one hour to jump 1600 people before collapse. That's 25 jumps per minute, with enough space between that they don't get entangled.
@@js35701 Hey, didn't say the idea would work/be practical. Just thinking of a way to SAVE MORE PEOPLE. Hoping that helps to understand the reason why I said what I said.
Parachutes…not once in almost 23 years did I ever even think of that…there must be some simple version of an emergency escape type parachute that can be used by every day people w no jump experience in an emergency like this…maybe all, most, or even just some people would have a chance to survive…
those photos... the chairs and carpets just scare me bro. Imagine what they were thinking just sitting there on that carpet and chairs that we are seeing now. so chilling......
There were a lot of British people there that day, the trip to WOTW was their prize for a cookery competition. There is a memorial to them in London, in Grosvenor Square.
Some of the photos seem very dated, probably from the 70s or 80s, wonder what it looked like at the time of loss. Grand piano in one photo, think of that crashing down. As you say, impossible to fully understand what those unfortunate people had to process in a relatively short time. Cruelly murdered, simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. RIP.
It looked like an excellent restaurant, it had that 80s high class aesthetic which is too expensive and you don't get anywhere anymore, from the carpets to the lighting. They also used to have green marble on some buildings. No matter what people say about Starbucks, they do have a very good aesthetic.
@@Kuzey457 Never ate there, but the One Tower is horrid inside, it all insane asylum white, it was made to look like the inside of a whale carcass that swallows you whole(no joke), also the interrogation bright white lights. It's all typical of new decor.
The Hancock building in Chicago has a similar restaraunt. Expensive- yes. But it is a once in a lifetime thing you’ll never forget. Wish i could have made it to windows of the world. Great video.❤
My company had our 50th in 2000 with a dinner at the wine school at Windows on the World. We are located on Long Island, relatively close to the city. On 9/11 when I got home, early that day, I turned on the TV to see the footage of the collapse with the photo of my wife at Windows on the World with the sunset behind us. It was surreal.
Hi! I have a really interesting idea that you could possibly cover, so i realized that the One World Observatory is much lower than the indoor observation deck that was in the south tower. I always thought that the indoor views of One world didnt feel as high as the twin tower's indoor observatory. The height of the indoor south tower observatory was around 1310 feet, but the current height of One world observatory, which is at the 100th floor, is only 1250 feet, the floor above that holds One dine. I think id be an interesting topic for another video, thank youO
It's not only lower, but there are not seats either. The Observation Deck in the South Tower had window seats. You sat right in front of the windw you looked out of. Artists etched what you saw on the windows, e.g.the Brooklyn Bridge. Every window told you what you were looking at.
was up there (momentarily) with my mother and grandmother years before this disaster on a sightseeing adventure.. even in my tweens, i stood up there at those incredible windows for a couple of minutes.. told my parents, I’d wait for them down at the bottom, outside.. everything inside of me was screaming, this is no good.. get out.. completely chilling..
Yes, it was chilling. I found it exhilarating the first time. Had a great meal, on a day that was so sunny, with blue skies. On my way out I looked out at a spectacular view of the water. Then I looked all the way down. It frightened me to the core. I involuntarily trembled. I turned and said to my parents waiting for me, "Can we go?" I don't know if anyone else mentioned how rickety the elevators were. I thought, "what are these made out of? Aluminum cans?" Aluminum cans moving at the speed of light it seemed. Believe it or not, I still took my boyfriend on our 1 year anniversary to WOW on February 14th, 2001. It was rainy, and when we were seated all we could see were clouds. We were literally in the clouds. That was it. It felt wrong b/c of how unsafe it was. I knew I wasn't going to go back, but at the time I was glad I'd done it twice in my life.
You just know that a good amount of those people that we watched hanging out the windows were people at the restaurant, saw a few people wearing chef's whites, a couple of the jumpers.
It was one of the beautifully mornings. I always remember the Good feelings I felt that day going to a govt facility on 161 in the bx. 1 month before moving down south.
There was a coffee/ sandwhich shop on the 44th floor of one of the towers called Cafe of the Clouds. It had pleasant blue sky with puffy clouds painted on the walls that I used to frequent in the late 70s when I worked in the area. There was no charge to go up and the food was fine and with great views from that level. I wonder if anyone has any pictures of that…
Very interesting. I always wanted to go up in it after seeing the 70's remake of King Kong along with the Empire State Building, as well. So sad it had to be destroyed and so many lives lost.
Today's One WTC also has a few restaurants on the top. They are called One Cafe, One Mix, and One Dining. For anyone who has been around long enough to visit restaurants in both iterations of the World Trade Center, how do they compare?
Nothing compared to the real WOTW restaurant. The original was a "real" restaurant, with chefs, competent waiters and such. It had to be because it served mainly businessmen who knew fine dining. The new one is just an overpriced tourist trap like most restaurants below the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
I never forget the Twin Towers of World Trade Center from 9/11. These architectures still live in my memories. This restaurant looked really great inside and the food tasted very tasty.
Thank you for posting this i was 9 years old when 9/11 happened im from sioux falls south dakota have a photo of me with my cousin in 2000 and it shows me holding his two fingers i looked excited i remember thinking of the twin towers when i did that i loved the towers i saw them in video games and movies tv shows i have a replica of the twin towers and one wtc in my room i love looking at them i love the story of howard lutnick who survived on 9/11 by being late because he had to bring his son kyle lutnick to school 600 of the cantor fitzgerald employees perished i wish to meet howard lutnick because my name is kyle just like his son
The very last customers of Windows (4 people) paid their bill at 8:24am on 9/11. All 4 of them left the North Tower at 8:44am and they survived.
Insane. Right place right time to escape.
How did you find this out?
must have been some who were late for work - or left work for some reason - and either got out just in time - or who should have been up there but were not - running late or whatever reason - that kind of thing can cause serious survivor's guilt ..
Only problem with this is that the restaurant wasn’t open at 8am.
@@DG-fe4ht Here's the direct quote from the 2002 news article that reported this; "The last people to leave the restaurant before Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower at 8:46 a.m. were Michael Nestor, Liz Thompson, Geoffrey Wharton, and Richard Tierney, who all shared an elevator together. They departed at 8:44 a.m. and survived the attack."
My husband was offered a job in the World Trade Center and didn’t take it because when he looked out the window, he thought to himself if there’s ever a fire in here, I’ll never get out. Thank you Jesus that he didn’t take it.
That’s some intuition right there🫠 glad he listened to himself
Wise man, God bless
@@p1nkfangs Bless you tu
I would have felt the same way😢 and I don't like tall buildings...did you watch the video of the guy thar saw the souls leaving the bodies of the jumpers?
@@arizonadreaming4183 no omg
My dad had a business partner that had two sons that received a trip to New York for graduating high School. One gift was to eat breakfast at windows around the world before coming back to Oregon. They slept in and missed going for breakfast Sept 11. The parents knew they were up eating when the terrorist attack happened. It was a blessing they slept in.
My dad was late for a meeting on the 99th floor. His office no longer WTC - he was in midtown at 1165 AoA. I was in college and spoke with his assistant before the towers fell and phone service went down. She told me he was there. I learned around 1 pm that he was late and alive. Peace ☮️ ❤
@@jennifermcgoldrick6323These stories you all tell whether verbally or written are addictive!! So many people were connected to that day!
My aunt had a job interview she blew off for breakfast with her boyfriend
I guess personal preference, but I would never dine, or have drinks at a venue 107 floors up. Just doesn't appeal to me.
My sister died on 9/11. She worked in finance. Miss her.
💔
I am so sorry for your loss :(
So sorry 😢
May she rest in peace. And may you find peace and comfort in your life and family..
RIP 🩷🙌
My father works in the financial services industry and he lost several people he knew on 9/11, he’d been to windows on the world many times. In 2019, when we were cleaning out our closets to prepare to move across the country, he discovered something extraordinary. He found a credit card receipt from windows on the world.
Ooooohhhhh! How incredibly extraordinary! What are the chances of finding one of hundreds of thousands of receipts issued in the 25 years that WoW was open.
@@pyrexmaniaccome on man, you know people didn’t keep those, stop ruining everything
@@pyrexmaniacgive a break
I hope you guys kept it unless it was too much for him to bear
@@pyrexmaniacdo you have one or ever seen one?
Sadly my wife's secretary lost her husband, who was a waiter at the restaurant, that day. It was a very tough day for everyone, but especially for those like her.
i never thought about this, restaurant employees sometimes get to their restaurants before 8, there could have been an entire crew up there helpless
@@jasonmusic9938I'm sorry for your loss.
Sadly my 4th cousin 28th removed lost her dog who chased a cat whom in return was chasing a squirrel and was never seen again...A paw was recovered 🙄
@@duncanb4835 Ahhh, the empathy of some people never ceases to amaze me
@@duncanb4835 - big question there is did the dog fart often?
It's an honour to read all the comments from people who once worked at this building or knew someone who experienced such almost-death moments. It was a very tragic event that will always be in my mind. 😢😢😢😢😢
I knew 2 people, Roshan & Kamladai Singh, who both worked at Windows On The World (107th Floor) and, sadly, they were both killed on September 11th. RIP 🙏🏾
From the pictures, it seemed like there were quite a few servers of South Asian descent at this restaurant. I was about to look up if anyone made a list of how many South Asians lost their lives. Very sorry for your loss.
Murdered by the government for oil and war profits.
I worked in the South Tower (Tower 2) from 91-01 on the 95th Floor for Fiduciary Trust. We would go to Windows sometimes after work for drinks. Truly breathtaking views of New York City. Fortunately for me I wasn't in the building that day. I was walking through the underground mall to get to our office in the South Tower as the 1st plane struck the North Tower, after which I ran out and came up to the street level to see a massive hole in the Tower 1. Such a horrific day for all. Lost a lot of friends and colleagues that day, not to mention the thousands of people I would see each day but never knew personally
Thank you for sharing your story and I am glad you made it out safely. So sorry to the many colleagues and friends you may have lost that day.
❤😢 Just wow. 😢❤ pbwu
I worked for Ebasco Services in the South Tower. They were on Floors 79 to 90. The Raythean Group bought Ebasco for millions in the early 90s. I've often wondered who was on the 86th floor where I once worked. I'm not the same since 9/11. A huge part of me died with the Towers.
the creepy thing is when everybody that worked at the world trade center took trains and after 9/11 nobody was on that train anymore...Feels disturbing the more you think about it.
I worked in the South Tower on the 86th and 83rd floors before 9/11. I wonderful guy I dated took me to Windows on the World. We sat at a window that faced the South Tower. I miss the Towers so much.
I rebuilt that kitchen after the first bombing, we installed them stoves. and all cooking equipment and stainless steel ,.local 25 sheet metal workers from Braun equipment co. I spent 3 months working there...I had my coffee break everyday from that view,Thanks for the pictures brings back great memories....best view was southside out to the harbor, in fact that was the same time that John Glenn had his parade on Broadway down to wall st..best view was sunrise when we in there early some days. I have pictures but dont know where they are in my house, if i find them i wil try to post..
In high school my Dad dated Christine Olender in the 70’s, who later became the manager of WOTW in the building at the time of the crash. There’s recordings of her calls of distress.
How long did it take him to move on?
@@oliverjumelle 12 days
@JSUKyrks69 How's your 7th grade math teacher? Or don't you take math?
@@gogreen7794 Dead I’d imagine. However, don’t panic ‘Gogreen’. I’ve googled a mathematician who helps the remedial I can put you in touch with if you like. Always happy to help 👍
Yeah those are sad phone calls to 911. She said the floor & ceiling were collapsing.
As someone born in 1990 I've got a real soft spot for that 80's/90's decor, especially the multi level dining area with the metal balustrades and lamps.
Same as someone born in 85' I totally understand you
I'm from 1991 & don't like that 80s interior design aesthetic at all, it's hideous to me so outdated & kitschy, it hadn't been updated for 2001, but the objects/aesthetic that's irrelevant. On 9/11 the devastation the significant unjustified human loss was the worst event that could have happened💔💔
Same! 1990 here too.
September 11, 2001 occurred before the invention of the "smartphone" in 2007.
Could you imagine the horrific videos and photos which would have been created if this tragedy would have happened in 2007 or later?
Well the Grenfell tower fire in London happened only a few years ago and pretty much the only footage from inside the tragedy that surfaced is firefighter bodycams. Generally when something like that is going on your phone is the least of your concerns.
@Fireglo not in 2023
@@RotartMedia it happened in 2017 hardly 100 years ago.
@@Fireglo Okay fine. Not in NYC.
@@gracieb.3054Huge fire in London, huge fire in NYC, the difference?
There were plans to rebuild the Windows on the World at One WTC when it was being built. The plans unfortunately fell through even though many former Windows employees and executives were enthusiastic for it to return. There is a pretty good full-service restaurant called One Dine on the top floors of One WTC, which essentially is Windows’ spiritual successor.
ONE Dine.. sounds like a corporate lunch hall probably with sterile cheap-looking 'minimalist' interiors and half-rate 'cuisine' and probably no dress code
update: upon further research, I am correct
@@Kuzey457Why did they do that?
@@SeekingGreetingswithout trying to sound disrespectful to those who lost their lives in 9/11. I want to say, prob because they were “lazy” wanted to “be quick” to get it built and have something up to get the money etc if that makes sense
@@supersexygal01 You weren’t being disrespectful to the victims just so you know, criticism of the rebuild/new building/plans/current events are totally fair game for all. Anyways, I would say that everything they listed as issues could be changed though. If they wanted to make it a better dining experience they definitely could but also know they had and still have major issues with funding. Plus, companies lease out floors in the building so I’m not even sure if that’s a separate tenant or not - if One Dine is funded by WTC/Port Authority itself, that would totally explain it and further back up your theory.
Look at the situation with of the rest of the WTC buildings. I don’t believe we even have a Two World Trade building yet but we do have several of the others. It’s kinda sad.
@@TitaniumTurbineyea that’s why it came off as “lazy/quick ass job”. To me anyway. It feels like because of the funding they just wanted something quick to fund getting the economy back especially in that area, which I get and totally understand. The new one also doesn’t feel like it got that “oomph” esp for the location etc feels like any other typical restaurant/cafe you get on the high street thing
I had the privilege to dine there once, in 1986, at the age of 16. My high school band participated in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and we had our Thanksgiving dinner at WOTW that afternoon after the parade, on Nov 27.
The band was housed for the week at what was then the Vista International Hotel, known in 2001 as the Marriott World Trade Center, the hotel that stood between the two towers that was all but destroyed in the 9/11 attacks.
That's really cool! I wish I had been able to visit the Twin Towers. I didn't know about them until September 11th.
I also dined there one time only in 1997. It was my only time in the World Trade Center and I barely remember how it all looked. I remember some of the underground mall and a little of the restaurant and another room on that floor as well as some bar that was on another floor we went to but I have no idea what that was called.
Wow! It was just today! You literally were there exactly 37 years ago, because we are on November 27 2023...
Oh wow no one mentions the hotel between the buildings , wonder how many lost their life’s in that building .
The narrator says that "this restaurant was closed indefinitely on September 11th, 2001". That is an dumb and unnecessary statement honestly.
😂😂😂😂
It sure is. The millennials don't understand the gravity of that day. They think they're being funny.
I was annoyed by the video title. As if it survived and what's happened to it now. Maybe I'm just old and taking it wrong.
@@Assassin90Nine Yes we are. To us the Twin Towers were unforgettable and iconic. Their destruction a landmark of our lives. To people not born yet ... might as well be talking about the sack of Rome in some year BC or the burning of Washington DC and battle of Baltimore ... which we sing a song about before playing baseball. How much gravity did JFK have for Gen X? Not nearly as much as for those who were there.
Yeah, this narrator keeps talking the obvious.
Fortunately for Chef Michael Lomonaco, he had an appointment of some sort, eye, dentist, something like that, and wasn't there. But you know it eats him up that he lost his work family.
Survivor guilt can be so harsh. 😕
he had to re-do his glasses and he thought to do that right before heading to wotw that morning; he seemed to be very close to a lot of them and he clearly respected all his coworkers.
He was in the lobby of WTC 1 having his glasses repaired
His appointment was with Lens Crafters. He needed reading glasses. He said that instead of going to the elevators, he went to the concourse. While he sat in the chair, he felt a shaking.
What a blessing in disguise to have an appointment that morning
My boyfriend took me to this restaurant in January, 1984 . I was a senior in college. He was a junior. We decided we couldn’t afford dinner there and went to an Irish bar instead. While we were in Windows on the World we talked about getting married. Until 9/11 this place held such sweet memories for me.
Did you hear the “muzak” while you were there?
Did u get married
Is he now your husband??
@@pamelamls no, as it turns out our lives took different paths.
If a gentleman arrived at Windows without a jacket there were jackets in various sizes available for use. That was the case with all of the best restaurants in NYC in those days. In those places a tie was also required and they had clip-ons to use as well.
As to your comment about the food : having dined at both Windows and Blue on more than a few occasions I say that, without exception, my dinner companions and I felt that the food was top notch, especially the steaks and seafood. Chef Lomanoco and his staff took pride in the quality of the food from his kitchen.
Wow I really wish I was old enough to of enjoyed this beautiful restaurant. It sounds like they really created an atmosphere that was out of this world. I’m sure it was a breath of fresh air to visit windows during work to get a little break
@@BlackGirlLovesAnime6 I had an office there and would frequently pop into The Skydive, which was a cafeteria style eatery on the 44th floor of 1 WTC, for lunch when I was too busy for a proper meal; food was OK there. When time allowed, the Wild Blue served excellent, Pub Style food and drink for a more leisurely meal. Blue's offerings were more on a par with that served in Windows. Blue was originally called " Cellular in the Sky " when it first opened and, as the name suggests, was known for its HUGE inventory of wines, many of which came with eye-watering prices, too ! The Twin Towers were simply an amazing example of a style of excellence that, unfortunately, ended with 9/11. There are still restaurants that have very fine food in NYC, but they don't have the same elegant style and excitement that Windows had.
I can't eat in a damn blazer, screw that, trying to enjoy a meal constricted and holding in farts so a few wasps don't get ticked off is my idea of hell
I ate at Windows on the World. And I so agree with you. Would you tell me the difference between Windows and Wild Blue? Was Wild Blue another part of the Windows? I often wondered if there were two restaurants on those floors. Thank you so much. I'd love to hear from you.
@@nickypoundtown9568 Your wife must have been so lucky to have bagged you.
Michael Lomonaco, the executive chef/director of Windows was in the lobby on 9/11 having his glasses repaired when the plain hit, he evacuated and survived..I remember he was completely gutted at the loss of his staff and restaurant…he eventually moved on to open Porter House. He was very active with the 9/11 windows of hope charity which was scheduled to run through 2022.
I saw an interview on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 with Chef Lomonaco. He said that every morning when he wakes up, he honors the people he loved and lost that day.
It's spelled PLANE Einstein.
@ANOCKS: Work on your attitude. My autospell always seem to change the correct spelling to incorrect spelling so I am constantly retyping an auto spelled word. It’s a pain in the A.
@@lilybond6485 “My attitude “ are you okay, you came after me …what, you commented on my misspelling and called me Einstein, I didn’t shame you, I honestly have no idea why you keep coming after me, but please stop!
@@lilybond6485 I have no idea what you're talking about. What are you referring to???
Imagine that you're not just in the wtc on this crazy day, but you're on the highest floor..
Right everybody talking about the actual restaurant I’m more so thinking down the people that were actually in the restaurant basically just had the floor beneath them just fall…. it didn’t even break up right away it literally just dropped straight down as a whole intact restaurant at least halfway down… people were probably thrown up into the ceilings by that downward force …fkn mind boggling
Workers and firefighters were on the lower floors and many of them died when the buildings came crashing down.
Omg! I would have lost my appetite if I was up that high in that restaurant. I'm terrified of heights. That is too high up to even think about eating.😨
That is exactly how I felt dining up there. I was so paranoid and wanted to get out of there. Even asked the Maitre D “What happens if there is a fire up here”? He laughed and said “Madame - that would never happen”. I asked him to show me the fire escape just in case. I was never so happy to get out of there and back down to planet Earth.
@@lilybond6485 yeah I hear ya! just too high!😒
The day that changed the whole world, forever....
Not really. Not the whole world. People in other countries dont even know what 9/11 was. I have alot of filino friends. None of them even heard of 9/11 until I told them. It changed america though for sure.
I once dated someone who's sister was killed in Windows on the World on 9/11. They told me the story that she was at the 106 floor conference that day which was not her usual place to be for work. Such a sad story.
The Guy who took most of these photos shown was an estonian photographer but he unfortunately killed in a motorcycle accident in 2002 sadly. His photos are amazing
@@SteviPantyhose-mt5lm dude did you S button break?
@@SteviPantyhose-mt5lm I mean it's 2023 so anything is possible
@@SteviPantyhose-mt5lm mhmm
The guy who took the picture of a sunrise worked there the night shift. He was a technician or electrician or something like that. He died in a motorcycle accident in 2002.
Wow ...that's a somber thought .
R.I.P.❤......
R.I.P.❤......
“Motorcycle accident”. Or possibly killed because he took pics and saw something “he wasn’t supposed to see”
@@JoseCamposSegoviaExactly my thoughts.
For a short time my father worked at May Davis on the 87th floor in tower 1 where windows on the world was. I’ve eaten there 4 or 5 times when I was little. I’d be dropped off at my dads office then we’d eat there and then we’d take a car to see a broadway show or just go back home. I have good memories of the waitstaff making me laugh or adding something special to my dessert or plate. During Christmas it was something else! Nothing compares to this day. Food service was long! You were never rushed there and it was encouraged to enjoy your surroundings while eating. My father wasn’t working there at the time of the attacks but he has since passed away. it makes me sad whenever I see videos about windows on the world because it’s gone and nothing like it exists today. I hold a lot of hatred in my heart because I can’t relive the memories or return to a familiar place, it’s weird. It wasn’t just a few towers it was a beautiful plaza and space with artwork and stunning chic architecture.
And oddly enough... we have very few photos or videos of what the towers looked like on the inside, so stories like this are invaluable. Thank you for sharing those precious memories!
@@BennieWilll thank you for reading. It’s so crazy that recently these historical videos about the World Trade Center are being recommended to me. I have so many stories and memories of the towers and observation deck, offices, lobby, the windows that are huge inside but seem claustrophobic from the outside, even the elevators, to the attacks. It’s interesting how I grew up with many people whose parents had jobs in the towers, even those who lost parents, yet it’s rarely discussed …it’s still very painful to me even after all of these years.
@@Joi_Robb It must be hard to look back on those memories of a place that is gone and never coming back. You are a good writer. You should write all of it down and share it someday for future generations to know what it was like. It would make such a fascinating book or blog.
@@BennieWilll I will definitely look into it! Thank you 💙
Someone from May Davis uploaded a video on YT called WORKING AT THE WORLD TRADE CENTER. The guy's name is EC. It was dated January 2000. Maybe your Dad's in the video. It's still there and one of my favorites.
I was at the Windows bar a month earlier. It had the best bartenders and drinks and was where you came to “get the deal done”. NY lit up at night was magical and the view was amazing.
JFC though, a jacket required?! Not saying one shouldnt be dressed in fancy attire there but a jacket, even in summer?! i can have my suit pants & shoes,, dress shirt, tie with resplendent silver tie clip, and still not be allowed in! wowsers in the pics i see people eating with jackets on... to me thats a no no in the world of fine dining. you take your jacket off to eat you lousy neanderthals! :) (ah maybe in summer one should wear a light sport jacket/blazer?). I obviosuly never made it there, just to the top in '97 in my first and so far only trip to the US from australia. i remember being near the church and trying to fit the towers in a single frame photo shot, those beasts were super massive. Vale all, such a tragedy. it was ww3 unfolding in front of our eyes in sydney. Started about 10 or 11pm, i didnt sleep that night. glued to TV, internet and a thousand phone calls. remains the most shocking event in my life so far. what could top it?
@@fredfinks well, the air conditioning made wearing a jacket not so bad and if you worked in Manhattan back then you probably always wore a suit anyway. You felt special there and the staff were wonderful. I was flying when they grounded all domestic flights, us passengers got off and watched it all unfold. I, to this day, still have a tough time watching any footage of that day, just too emotional. Every time I’m in NY I go to the memorial just to calm my soul. You are correct, nothing I can think of will ever top the emotions that any of us had on that day.
@@risinbison1106 im going to revisit one day, hopefully not far off in the future, and this time im getting real pizza/food, not sbarros! (was young & dumb at the time). Cheers Bison, glad youre still with us.
My last husband's nephews were supposed to meet at Windows on the World that morning. One called the other and told him he wasn't feeling well. They both stayed home that morning.
Most of those pics inside the restaurant when nobody is present were actually taken at sunrise, the Estonian who took them worked night shifts in WoW and had a nice little Nikon which he shot those pics with before he left home in the early morning. He survived as he left home in the hours before 9/11 but died the year later in a motorcycle accident.
My friends father in law was having breakfast there on 9/11. He was a one of many retired biz executive who mentored young new biz owners. The organization had a thank you breakfast that morning 🙏🙏🙏
I assume that he did not survive.
Very tragic for your friend.
I was fourteen and my Californian family’s only ever trip to NYC in 1987. I insisted that we eat at Windows on the World, although I’m not even sure how I knew about it at the time. My impressions: the food was good but I feel like we had had a much better meal the previous evening at some restaurant that I have completely forgotten about. The view was spectacular, but it was very obvious that in order to get a window seat one had to tip the maitre’d, which we didn’t do and were therefore pretty far away from the window. At one point the soup did visibly slosh ever so slightly in the bowl due to the wind. The bathrooms had those old man attendants who could sell you stuff and hand you a towel, which you were then supposed to tip him afterwards, which touching dirty money somewhat negates washing one’s hands. Ultimately I was disappointed with the view because we didn’t get much of a chance to enjoy it, but then we went to the observation deck at the top of the other tower which was awesome, because I figured my parents wouldn’t see the point, and it was pretty expensive. It was cool though because part of it was outside. Glad I had those experiences.
@@Petey44 it was surreal. Plus, here on the west coast it was so early that I essentially woke up to it. But it really hit me towards the end of the day when the first footage fom the plaza started being broadcast because the bottoms of those facades was so distinctive looking anyway, with their almost gothic arches. Seeing those really brought it home that somewhere that I visited had been destroyed.
Why does everyone from California insist on telling everyone they are from California. Not many people give a 💩
I also dined there one time only in 1997. It was my only time in the World Trade Center and I barely remember how it all looked. I remember some of the underground mall and a little of the restaurant about where we sat which was by the window and don't recall that being a problem. My friend may have requested to be seated by the window and they did. I recall we dressed up in suits which of course fit with the dress code and I remember another room on that floor as well for could see the Statue of Liberty from it and also vaguely remember some bar that was on another floor we went to but I have no idea what that was called. I remember it was the most expensive meal I had ever eaten in my life. I think I paid around $50.00 for my meal there in 1997. I don't recall what I ate or how it tasted but I know I have the receipt somewhere.
rh6761 they were saying that they were visitors to NYC and the twin towers that’s why they mentioned where they were from
Hey Ginger man. Thanks for posting this video. I was a musician who worked at the Greatest Bar numerous times from 1998-2001. I'm aware there are some hassles with YT about your twin towers videos, but they are of great value to many of us. Great work and please keep them coming.
That group that plays in top of one of the towers was a group called limp bisket
Absolutely true. I'll never forget the Twin Towers and they joy the gave to so many people
@@idxstudios Limp Bisket and Depece Mode both Played on top of the South Tower.
The famous photo of the "falling man" is deemed to be one of the restaurant workers...
Elton John bought that picture and has it hanging in his private collection. Heard it from his mouth in an interview.
Jonathan Briley. He was an audio technician for the restaurant.
@@nancywutzke5392 what a weird thing to do.
Seeing those views out of those windows gives me chills knowing people jumped instead of burning alive and that was the view they last saw while jumping. Horrific!!! 😮💨🥺
My company had its 50th anniversary party at Windows on the World in 1998. That was an amazing place and the entire WTC complex always fascinated me.- especially how massive it all was and the number of people who went through there every day. On 9/11 I watched the towers collapse while standing in the middle of sixth ave and 48th street. On a clear day you could see them all the way in midtown. To this day I cannot bring myself to go to the museum.
You are not alone at all. I cannot go anywhere near that part of Manhattan. That trash can they call "freedom" does NOT represent American and it never will. It should never have been built.
Please know that you are not alone. I refuse to gone anywhere near that part of Manhattan. I know I'm not alone in this. Neither are you.
I can't go anywhere near the WTC complex or area of close proximity. I don't even live in the northeast anymore anyhow & don''t visit much.
I just can't go to the site of the wtc 9/11 , the last time I went to New York was 2017. I hadn't gone to nyc since I had moved away in December of 2001 after a 16 year hiatus, it took me 16 years to gather courage to return to Manhattan.
I went on the LIRR to Penn Station. Then i visited Times Square,FAO Schwarz, Rockefeller Center, The Strand bookstore, Central Park, Columbus circle & a couple of other places, but I cannot make myself set foot in the spot that I witnessed 9/11. Knowing nearly 3,000 innocent victims lost their lives that day,the carnage it sickens me.
I haven't gone back since 2017 & might not go back anytime soon.
I've memorabilia, a dedicated space & dozens of books on the 9/11 WTC events. Books on 9/11 WTC from survivors, victims families, widows & a bunch of non-fiction books depicting the events from survivors & victims families that day.
9/11 impacted me heavily bc I was a ten year old living in Manhattan on September 11,2001. I only lived there two years of my life, but witnessing 9/11 before my very eyes.
It was traumatizing to me, I lived in fear for the longest time. I thought I was going to die on 9/11 or soon after bc in my mind I though all of Manhattan & the U.S. was going to get bombed.
I've since moved far away & live in a remote area where I can clear my head a bit, put aside some of the anxieties & lay some of those nightmares to rest.
My then neighbor on 9/11 lost his brother at Windows on The World, I don't want to disclose his name, but he left a heartbroken devastated widow & a then toddler daughter behind to miss him terribly.💔💔💔
I went to the museum and didn't feel any better. The memorial-reflecting pool outside was what really hit me.
@@mjp96 You have more strength than me. I refuse to anywhere near that site.
I had my high school graduation celebration dinner at Windows back in June of 1991 (a couple of years prior to the first bombing attack in 93') -- & it was TRULY a spectacular restaurant. It's TERRIBLY sad that it's ALL GONE. 😢💔
#NeverForget
I always get sad when I see the towers in old movies and tv shows :( knowing they aren't there anymore really hits you hard.
@@veronicaa.1416 That's ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!
@@RedRoseSeptember22Especially when I watch Friends and they have the scene change showing the Towers. I’m like little did they know… really sad
Thanks for this. I had dinner with a friend there in 1982. It was very nice, and very expensive, but worth it. I had flown in from ATL for a quick visit. He expended the whole meal. Who knew that years later I would lose eleven friends and coworkers on flight 11. I thinks about them every day.
Very sorry for your loss, my condolences
the people that ever got to experience this dining in the world trade are very lucky and truly a one-of-a-kind experience, nothing will ever replicate it. heart and condolences go out to all who were affected on this day. I was working in Seattle Columbia Tower when we all heard about it and they quickly evacuated everyone from all high-rise towers as a safety precaution to any unknown threats in other states.
The restaurant didn’t ‘close’ on September 11th 2001. The building collapsed.
Right. It didn't close. It was destroyed.
technically it closed. because it never reopened.
@@Kuzey457 Yes, it's restaurant-speak.
@discogareth exactly
That statement was incredibly idiotic - not yours - the narrator's.
When I was 17 I used to sneak my friends into the greatest bar on earth, and the restaurant... We didn't have enough to get into the observation deck . I did get to eat here ONCE, and in 2001.... The food was fantastic.
My aunt worked in the South Tower, when I was a kid she took me to Windows several times in the 90s and 2000 with the last time being early 2001, I really miss her, I miss the restaurant, the memories ,the food that was actually worth the money and the atmosphere too and me always loving architecture since I was 5 or 6, those Towers I miss too, as much as I love the new Tower even more so that they incorporated parts of the twins in it, but it can't top the twins and the old center, I mean even if 9/11 never happened and it was the future and the twins were taken down and the new center put up but especially because of all the souls that died that day, sometimes it feels like people are forgetting but there's no way I ever could
Not just the smoke forced people out but many who called also mentioned how hot it was up there. Heat rises & it was like a giant furnace below them coming up. You ever open your oven door & feel that heat? It's not half as hot as those buildings were. It forces your body to get away from it whether u want it to or not. Thats why so many jumped probably more than the smoke which was hot too.
It's not uncommon for cities to have restaurants at the top of tall buildings. In my city, there's a fancy restaurant at the top of one of the tallest buildings that I visited when I was in girl scouts for an etiquette badge. It was gorgeous and the view was amazing. I was around 10yo and wish I had brought a camera to take pictures bcuz it was basically a once in a lifetime experience.
Atlanta’s tallest building had a restaurant at the top too, not sure if that’s still the case since IT WAS CLOSED when I visited. 😭
I was fortunate to have visited the WTC - once. I would never have gone again because of my fear of something happening stranding me on the upper floors. It frightened me, particularly the elevator trip. I still have photos taken from the observation deck.
The restaurant wasn't intact. The fire had spread upwards, frantic phone calls from the victims said the floor was collapsing.
This video helped me to truly appreciate just how tall these buildings were!!! 😮😮😢😢
*I remember that my parents, and my siblings was amazed by how it’s was designed, and how delicious food it was but I only focus on the gift shop and the stairs.*
*To this day I still doing exactly the same as an adult.*
Cool video. Those screencaps you've provided from the restaurant's webpage are so reminiscent of the late 90s-early 2000s. Also, seeing pictures from inside the restaurant is really heartbreaking, because I can't help but think of those poor people in the morning of 9/11.
Once coming to the realization that escape was impossible, I would have located the walk-in freezer and liquor supply. Sitting in a freezer getting blackout drunk would be easier than what actually happened to the poor victims.
My mom used to work for an american company that held anual conventions for their international employees back in the 90s. She traveled from Mexico City to NYC in 1997 for one of those, and the company held a fancy dinner and ball on the Windows on the World restaurant that was located on the North Tower on the 107th floor. She remembers how impressive the towers were, she says that to reach the restaurant you had to take two elevators that moved super fast. She told me the view and the restaurant was incredible it almost felt like a movie scene. It makes me think about how some of the staff that day probably still worked there on 9/11, RIP to all the victims and their families
I'm 58 years old now, born in 1965, but back in the 80s that was one of my first jobs. I was eighteen years old I was a waitress at windows of the world, I got fired because I couldn't open a bottle of wine. I couldn't not make it on time for some reason yet they wanted to get there real early and I was supposed to be there 7:30 AM even though I woke up. I couldn't make the train in on time and I was fired and was weird as I said to the manager who fired me, I didn't want to be up this high and aren't you afraid of a plane's coming in here? And then he told me to get my check and get out. What was weird? Is that that happened? 15 years later, a plane did go in. And there was still people working there. I'm sure that started when I started in the 80s. There were people there working many years thank god I was fired It was a beautiful restaurant in . Had a wear black pants and a white shirt. It was meals that were up on the high scale. They had beautiful ice sculptures though in the restaurant and it was quite unique
I have an unused box of matches from Windows On The World. One of my most treasured items reagrding the WTC. I also have a visitor information pamphlet booklet and a little rectangle of steel that was part of the WTC itself. The first 2 things are on display on shelves but the piece of WTC stays in a box, it's not exactly something I want to see every day, still pretty cool to own though- an actual piece of history.
How did you get the piece of steel?
@@rossco-dps5392 partner acquired it from a dealer many, many years ago. It's only like, 2" x 2". I looked online recently and there is someone on Etsy that is selling sealed bags of WTC debris (he was part of clean-up crew.)
@@rossco-dps5392 Not OP, but it was easy to come across pieces of steel after the collapse. Debris was everywhere. Also, ground zero workers would bring smaller pieces back to family and friends. It’s kinda like how there are authenticated pieces of the Berlin Wall for sale online. There appears to be a market for people wanting to feel a physical connection to history with something tangible.
@@TitaniumTurbine ok, thank you for the information. I had just thought that as it was a crime scene it would have been difficult to take pieces from there... It probably was, but it's human nature and I can understand why people would.
I always wonder about all those millions of pieces of paper that were flying around and landing on the ground... I hope some of them were retrieved. Mundane as they may have been, they too are historical.
@@TitaniumTurbine you're correct in everything you've said. My cousin owns a piece of coal from the Titanic and my sister owns a pair of earings made of small parts of the Berlin Wall. It's all about ownjng a monumental piece of history. My partner bought me the steel for our first anniversary- that's how much I loved the buildings and how much I evidently spoke about them haha!
This was a bittersweet memory for me. My 21st Birthday was spent at Windows on the World. RIP to all. 🙏
My Mom and Grand Mom dragged me to this restaurant in the mid 1990's when I was 12. I remember not wanting anything on the fancy menu, I just wanted a McDonald's Happy Meal. The views were incredible, and looking back I'm glad I got to experience this place - even if i didn't appreciate it at the time. Amazing how things change in 30 years. 2 weeks ago I enjoyed dinner at "Top of the World" (106 floor of the Stratosphere) in Las Vegas and spent time thinking about Windows of the World....
That "Last" picture was not taken on 9/11, but in August 2000 by a host of the restaurant
I cannot stress how much I love your videos! I was 3 months old when 9/11 happened, and even though I don't remember it personally, it's something I've always wanted to keep learning more about ever since I was a kid. There's going to be a day where I'm one of the oldest people who was alive when 9/11 happened, so I feel like it's my duty to learn all I can and make sure future generations never forget. I love your channel because it goes into more obscure 9/11 topics that no one else talks about, such as the question "What if only 1 tower fell?" That's my favorite of yours so far. I was wondering if you could make a video talking about the other buildings in the old world trade center complex, mainly buildings 4, 5, and 6 since no one ever mentions those 3. I still don't know if anyone perished in those buildings, wasn't able to find answers online. I think building 5 especially deserves more attention because of the survivor stairs and the fact it was the "least" damaged of the 7 buildings after 9/11
Never forget that the US government did 911. George W Bush. Never forget that name.
I was eleven months old.
There needs to be a Dr. Strangelove-like film exploring the planning of the attacks. What I'm fascinated with was what possessed these terrorists to do such a thing.
I want to see a scene of AQ debating exactly what targets to hit. What was the true intent of destroying the towers, beyond symbolism? We know (if we were to trust Osama) that AQ was just hoping for the top floors to collapse, and the collapse of the towers was more than they could have ever asked for.
From what I gather, Osama was adamant that Washington targets be prioritized, because he believed that the US federal government would collapse. If they *did* focus more on Washington, Congress would've been in session with no idea what was happening. You can argue Flight 93, but the Capitol was already in the process of evacuation by the time the South Tower was hit. If the Capitol and Pentagon, and a few other DC targets were hit *first,* then this could be very different. This should be the subject of Depressed Ginger's next video
ZOG
Lol you guys are making me feel old. I was 13 and in 7th grade when it happened. Flight 93 flew right over our school and was super low and crashed about an hour away from my house.
After the plane hit the 2nd tower and we found out that there was another plane coming for the Pentagon, and was possibly heading in our direction, the kids who weren't picked up by parents, had to sit in the back parking lot (My brother and I were one of the kids not getting picked up at that time) for 3 hours, and we all freaked out watching how low this plane was flying.
Our parents' logic was that this happened in NY and wasn't going to affect us, so we were safe. They saw it happen live on the news. They didn't know about flight 93 until the school dismissed everyone early and rode home on the bus.
I remember some of us getting scared and upset about them not telling us what was happening, and why a lot of kids were being picked up, until we had to sit outside.
PS: There are movies about what took place in the victims' point of view called, "World Trade Center" and "Flight 93" if you haven't seen them yet.
It’s amazing that the chef survived but I’m happy that another location wasn’t opened because there were too many staff who lost their lives. They WERE in fact the restaurant and how could another one open after such a tragic event? 😢
I do wish the towers were rebuilt in their foundations but with stronger materials.
Went up there (dinner & dance) in August 97 with friends, on a visit from the uk & have to admit it was one of the best nights out I’ve experienced.
Friendly staff & friendly American fellow patrons, it was something I’ll never forget.
I’ve forgotten about the brainwashed dirtbags that levelled the place, but I’ll never forget our night in that building with nice people ❤
I can’t stop thinking about people that went up the the entry door to the restaurant,the workers inside (if there were any on shift at the time) & also the people who tried to get to the observation deck/top floor and could just see the sky start to move as either building fell.
I often wonder a similar scenario to the one you said early on about the top floors staying together till the ground,I wonder if anyone made the fall inside the top half and was alive till the end
Can you image being trapped in there and knowing you have no chance of escape
How about being up there and looking out the window and just watching the sky and all of Manhattan going up in because You’re at the top of the building making a freefall coming down from a 106 stories…
One of the biggest design flaws of the original WTC towers was the fact that all 3 stairwells were located near the middle (core) of the building, I guess to maximize window space for the offices, restaurants, and other businesses. However, not the safest in case of fire, as we found out tragically! If they had built stairwells in the corners like with most buildings, far fewer lives would have been lost on that day, especially in the North Tower. One of the stairwells (A) did manage to survive the initial impact on the South Tower as that plane hit Tower 2 at an angle rather than in the middle.
I think the terrorists who carried out 9/11 knew those towers were gonna fall if they hit it right. They most definitely did research on what happend to the empire state building and the effects it had on the building. They knew the twin towers was an open floor plan and the cores were situated in the middle. Think about it, why else would they carry out this incredibly ridiculous risky suicide mission. They wanted those towers to fall, they knew they would fall. They made them fall. Prolly what they were trying to do in the bombing too.
I think there was a guy who survived the 1993 bombing. He said, "This place is a death trap."
No. It wouldn't have saved any lives. For one the toxic fumes would have still been present, the fires would have still been present and structual damage and remains of a freaking airliner would likely either destroyed or blocked off the stairwells.
@@FiregloYou're probably right, but there's a chance that at least 1 of the stairwells could've been passable if they were located in the outer corners. I assume the doors to each floor are somewhat fire proof. Also assume there's some sort of stairwell ventilation that's separate from the rest of the building?
There was 1 stairwell that was left passable in the south tower btw.....
@@user-py9kf4pq2qI think they hoped or expected the towers to come down immediately due to the impact of the collisions. I wonder what the high highjackers of the 2nd plane thought when they saw that the North tower was still standing 🤔
Imagine having a nice breakfast on a beautiful sunny morning .107 stories high..enjoying your meal..sipping your coffee..with friends co-workers or clients..that feeling that life is good comes over you...then you look towards the empire state building..and there's this white dot coming at you. .its getting bigger.bigger BIGGER...my god. It's a massive airplane..I'm gonna die..I'm gonna DIE..all in 10 seconds..Wow.Life really is short..😢
Stanley Praimnath wasn’t having breakfast that morning, but was on the 81st floor of the south tower. He actually saw AA's flight 11 approaching and ended up hiding under his desk; which ended up initially saving his life, as the plane struck the tower just above where he was.
The Windows restaurant was closed the moment the plane hit at 8:46 AM
Thank you for showing Windows on the World's website images. You have them large enough for us to read them.
"it was not a fun experience for those above the 92nd floor on September 11th"... you think?
As a native New Yorker, my parents took me 2 friends and my brother and sister to the city for my 8th birthday, we ate THERE and seeing this really makes me sad 😢, BTW my birthday is September 12th
there were plans for this place to reopen in one world trade center but the idea was unfeasible. it's one of the biggest controversies of the new building.
The force at which the structures collapsed was equivalent to the explosion of 600 tons of TNT , the on impact with the ground the top floors vaporised.
My grandparents went there once and said it was really neat to visit
Truly elegant, beautiful buildings, destroyed in minutes with so much loss of life. Heartbreaking.
I've watched a few of your vids on 9/11 and I find them to be very interesting.
I never got to experience these towers in person. Granted, seeing them on tv didn't do their massive size justice, but as a little kid of the 90s, they would instantly draw my attention whenever they were featured in a movie, or tv show. I was 11 when 9/11 happened and, this may sound kind of corny but I feel the twin towers represented the innocence of my childhood only for said innocence to collapse along with them, because that's when I first realized that the world is not all sunshine and rainbows.
I actually heard that there was a group of 4 people in the restaurant, 3 men and 1 woman, who left in an elevator at about 8:44 am, two minutes before flight 11 struck the tower. Their names are Michael Nestor, Liz Thompson, Geoffrey Wharton, and Richard Tierney and I can only imagine what went through their minds when they found out that they narrowly escaped certain death by two minutes and by sheer chance. I would imagine that they had a lot of survivors guilt as well. So technically, you could call them survivors from the restaurant.
Seeing these pics of the restaurant, is both beautiful with the views of the city and sad when now knowing that that was one of many places above the impact zones that became a tomb for so many who didn't deserve such a fate.
May all those who lost their lives that day rest in piece.
“Rest in piece” oof
@@hanyuzhu7276 No need to be so rude. Just say "rest in peace". The sentiment was clear, the rest was expressed so well and was perfect English, so why be a d*ck about it? I live 15 minutes from NYC and that's how we say things here, so please don't critique my vernacular. It's especially inappropriate to be rude when this is a comment section covering such a tragic subject. In this case, it is your rudeness that is the "oof".
@@gracieb.3054 I was pointing out that he said “rest in piece”
I was there several times and it was quite nice. We saw Fleet Week a couple of times and saw all the ships came into the harbor. What a view. The food was good.
That is the biggest loss of life and loss of so much inside. Our enemy countries will always be after us one way or another. There will always be bad leaders. Live your life as helpful as you can. As useful as you can. Tell people you love them every single day. ❤
My dad had dinner in the North Tower in 1984.
I think "Falling Man" was a restaurant employee.
Correct. Jonathan Briley is who you're referring too.
Unfortunately, that picture of him falling on the back of the newspaper will always be etched into my mind 😞. Horrible day.
@@pocahontas2190 It was a horrible day for everyone though. Damn.
No, Briley was sound engineer!
Foggy mornings are usually before clear calm days as they can only form under calm conditions
Not long after Sep11 I remember watching a documentary. Forget if the North Tower or Windows on the World was the focus but either way it stays with me. Talking about a young lady who had just started in WOTW, what they all likely experienced via the heat etc...every time I see vids it's one of my thoughts.
When you talked about parachutes I was thinking that's REALLY GREAT idea that was missed.
I had a friend who worked in the Nth tower and a guy came around trying to sell personal parachutes. He was laughed at apparently.
@@linrogers4326 WOW! WHAT A GENIUS! 🤯
You are asking regular people with no jump experience to strap on a chute and jump out of a 1400 ft building in lower Manhattan. imagine having a successful jump only to get impaled by a street sign, fly into another building, ran over by a first responder. You have 1600 people above the impact zone in panic smoked filled, dark tower grasping for fresh air trying to prep a chute. You have one hour to jump 1600 people before collapse. That's 25 jumps per minute, with enough space between that they don't get entangled.
@@js35701 Hey, didn't say the idea would work/be practical. Just thinking of a way to SAVE MORE PEOPLE. Hoping that helps to understand the reason why I said what I said.
Parachutes…not once in almost 23 years did I ever even think of that…there must be some simple version of an emergency escape type parachute that can be used by every day people w no jump experience in an emergency like this…maybe all, most, or even just some people would have a chance to survive…
those photos... the chairs and carpets just scare me bro. Imagine what they were thinking just sitting there on that carpet and chairs that we are seeing now. so chilling......
There were a lot of British people there that day, the trip to WOTW was their prize for a cookery competition. There is a memorial to them in London, in Grosvenor Square.
Some of the photos seem very dated, probably from the 70s or 80s, wonder what it looked like at the time of loss. Grand piano in one photo, think of that crashing down. As you say, impossible to fully understand what those unfortunate people had to process in a relatively short time. Cruelly murdered, simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. RIP.
It looked like an excellent restaurant, it had that 80s high class aesthetic which is too expensive and you don't get anywhere anymore, from the carpets to the lighting.
They also used to have green marble on some buildings.
No matter what people say about Starbucks, they do have a very good aesthetic.
yeah it's too bad. its spiritual successor ONE Cafe looks like a bland high-brow fast food. food is probably as bad as the name.
@@Kuzey457 Never ate there, but the One Tower is horrid inside, it all insane asylum white, it was made to look like the inside of a whale carcass that swallows you whole(no joke), also the interrogation bright white lights. It's all typical of new decor.
I remember being about 9 years old in the eighties standing inside of one of those window frames looking down at the city.
The Hancock building in Chicago has a similar restaraunt. Expensive- yes. But it is a once in a lifetime thing you’ll never forget. Wish i could have made it to windows of the world. Great video.❤
Can you also talk about the original wtc mall vs the new one?
My company had our 50th in 2000 with a dinner at the wine school at Windows on the World. We are located on Long Island, relatively close to the city. On 9/11 when I got home, early that day, I turned on the TV to see the footage of the collapse with the photo of my wife at Windows on the World with the sunset behind us. It was surreal.
"that was not a fun experience" is an understatement
Hi! I have a really interesting idea that you could possibly cover, so i realized that the One World Observatory is much lower than the indoor observation deck that was in the south tower. I always thought that the indoor views of One world didnt feel as high as the twin tower's indoor observatory. The height of the indoor south tower observatory was around 1310 feet, but the current height of One world observatory, which is at the 100th floor, is only 1250 feet, the floor above that holds One dine. I think id be an interesting topic for another video, thank youO
It's not only lower, but there are not seats either. The Observation Deck in the South Tower had window seats. You sat right in front of the windw you looked out of. Artists etched what you saw on the windows, e.g.the Brooklyn Bridge. Every window told you what you were looking at.
was up there (momentarily) with my mother and grandmother years before this disaster on a sightseeing adventure.. even in my tweens, i stood up there at those incredible windows for a couple of minutes.. told my parents, I’d wait for them down at the bottom, outside.. everything inside of me was screaming, this is no good.. get out.. completely chilling..
Yes, it was chilling. I found it exhilarating the first time. Had a great meal, on a day that was so sunny, with blue skies. On my way out I looked out at a spectacular view of the water. Then I looked all the way down. It frightened me to the core. I involuntarily trembled. I turned and said to my parents waiting for me, "Can we go?" I don't know if anyone else mentioned how rickety the elevators were. I thought, "what are these made out of? Aluminum cans?" Aluminum cans moving at the speed of light it seemed.
Believe it or not, I still took my boyfriend on our 1 year anniversary to WOW on February 14th, 2001. It was rainy, and when we were seated all we could see were clouds. We were literally in the clouds. That was it. It felt wrong b/c of how unsafe it was. I knew I wasn't going to go back, but at the time I was glad I'd done it twice in my life.
Very good & short video on these amazing buildings. The scenes inside & outside, especially the sunsets, are something else.
You just know that a good amount of those people that we watched hanging out the windows were people at the restaurant, saw a few people wearing chef's whites, a couple of the jumpers.
As always...phenomenal material. Can you please send a link for the diagram at 5:45? I have never seen the detail of this....thanks!
Fantastic and informative! Thank you!
It was one of the beautifully mornings. I always remember the Good feelings I felt that day going to a govt facility on 161 in the bx. 1 month before moving down south.
There was a coffee/ sandwhich shop on the 44th floor of one of the towers called Cafe of the Clouds. It had pleasant blue sky with puffy clouds painted on the walls that I used to frequent in the late 70s when I worked in the area. There was no charge to go up and the food was fine and with great views from that level. I wonder if anyone has any pictures of that…
Very interesting. I always wanted to go up in it after seeing the 70's remake of King Kong along with the Empire State Building, as well. So sad it had to be destroyed and so many lives lost.
Today's One WTC also has a few restaurants on the top. They are called One Cafe, One Mix, and One Dining. For anyone who has been around long enough to visit restaurants in both iterations of the World Trade Center, how do they compare?
Just a bunch of cafes, nothing as big or important as the original. They share the floor with the observation area so they’re not that big.
@@heyitzLou I take it the new restaurants cater to tourists as opposed to businessmen, sharing that space with the observation deck?
Nothing compared to the real WOTW restaurant. The original was a "real" restaurant, with chefs, competent waiters and such. It had to be because it served mainly businessmen who knew fine dining. The new one is just an overpriced tourist trap like most restaurants below the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
@@eaglevision993 Thank you for sharing this info.
I couldn't eat right next to where innocent victims perished, it turns my stomach.
I never forget the Twin Towers of World Trade Center from 9/11. These architectures still live in my memories. This restaurant looked really great inside and the food tasted very tasty.
Thank you for posting this i was 9 years old when 9/11 happened im from sioux falls south dakota have a photo of me with my cousin in 2000 and it shows me holding his two fingers i looked excited i remember thinking of the twin towers when i did that i loved the towers i saw them in video games and movies tv shows i have a replica of the twin towers and one wtc in my room i love looking at them i love the story of howard lutnick who survived on 9/11 by being late because he had to bring his son kyle lutnick to school 600 of the cantor fitzgerald employees perished i wish to meet howard lutnick because my name is kyle just like his son