We Have a Winner! Place your bets: Willis Tallest Building Decision to be handed down Tuesday morning

Update, Tuesday morning:  The CTBUH has just ruled the One World Trade gains the title of North America's tallest.   In response to a question from the Trib's Blair Kamin, the CTBUH denied they responded to political pressure.  "Ultimately, these were 25 rational people who made a non-emotional decision."  Five hour meeting, heated debate, one abstention.  Blair's report.  And the official press release.

Ladies and gentleman! 

For the title, Tallest Building in North America . . . 

In this corner, at 1,353 feet, weighing in at 445,000,000 pounds, Willis Sears TOWER!!!!

photograph: Joe Mabel, Wikipedia

And in this corner,  at 1776 feet, minus hundreds of feet of TV antenna (or maybe not), One World Trade CENTER!!!!! 

Will the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat's "height committee" (there's a marker outside the meeting room:  You Must be THIS Tall to Serve") declare that the antenna a "spire" and include it in measuring the building's height, thereby clinching the title for New York, or will reject the antenna as a gaming-the-system poseur, leaving the Willis winner and still champion?

I know, the suspense is killing you.  But you only have to wait until tomorrow.

On Tuesday, November 12, concurrent press conferences - 10:00 a.m. in Chicago; 11:00 a.m. in New York - CTBUH will announce its final decision.  I'm hoping we'll see a Le-Sacre-like riot breaking out in the losing city.  If the decision goes against Chicago, look for the Willis's 300-foot-high antennas to be quickly enwrapped in styrofoam and declared structural for a return match.

And whatever side you're on - please, please, please:  Wager wisely.

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