Watch 1 World Trade Center Rise 52 Breathtaking Stories

For a time it seemed like 1 World Trade Center would never be built, but this year the SOM-designed, Tishman Construction-built tower has been flying up, now at a rate of one story a week. Yesterday, it reached Floor 52, according to the Port Authority, which is overseeing the project. That’s the halfway point, which means, at this rate, the tower will be finished by this time next year.

The building still won’t open until 2013, but you can occupy yourself until then with these pictures of its progress so far.