1 World Trade Center’s incredible, haunting timelapse through NYC history

Visitors to the observation deck of 1 World Trade Center will be treated to a breathtaking but haunting timelapse video superimposed onto the sides of the elevator to the top, revealing an intimate look at New York City history along the way.

When the three-story observatory opens to the public in late May, five elevators will shuttle visitors 102 flights up, while its panels play a 47-second video of Manhattan from the vantage point of the building.

As captured in a video posted by the New York Times, the images show New York City built from the ground up, dating back to its grassy beginnings in the early 1500s. The buildings climb, and then one tower disappears from the skyline. It’s chilling.