First look: World Trade Center lights up New York The beacon and spire of One World Trade Center are lit up in New York. Picture: AP Source: AAP MORE than 12 years after a terrorist attack shook the world New York City can again gaze upon the World Trade Center, after the first test of the new tower's spire lit up Manhattan. The developers of the new World Trade Center tested the lights on the spire of the building on Friday night (local time), as hundreds of red, white and blue LED modules illuminated lower Manhattan. The glow of the modules can be seen for up to 50 miles (80km), according to the Port Authority. Residents of New York took to Twitter to celebrate the feat. One World Trade Center remains under construction and is expected to open next year. The new World Trade Center stands as a monument to those killed in the terrorist attacks. A committee of world building heights experts met in Chicago to decide whether a design change that affects the 408-foot needle disqualifies it from being counted as the nation's tallest skyscraper. The committee will announce its decision next week. The Burj Khalifa, in Dubai, is currently world's tallest building, standing 2,722 feet (830 meters).