UPDATE: 11/12/2013 12:05 p.m.

CHICAGO (CBS) — The Willis Tower on Tuesday lost the title of the tallest building in the United States to the new World Trade center in New York.

Technically, the torch won’t be passed until next year when 1 World Trade Center is fully completed. However, the “projection” was officially issued on Tuesday.

A committee of architects recognized as the arbiters on world building heights had to decide whether a design change affecting new World Trade Center’s 408-foot needle disqualified it from being counted.

But there was more than bragging rights at stake; 1 World Trade Center stands as a monument to those killed in the terrorist attacks.

“The key word here, the key word is permanence,” said committee member Anthony Wood said.

In others word, a spire is forever. Antennas can be moved–or made higher or shorter.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel didn’t particularly agree with the ruling.

“If it looks like an antenna, acts like an antenna, then guess what? It is an antenna,” Emanuel said after the decision.

“You can see I’m competitive. Willis has the best view not from an antenna. If you want to climb an antenna to see the view, go ahead.”

The 1,776 foot height was designed to correspond with the year the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence. Without the needle, the building measures 1,368 feet. The Willis stands at 1,450 feet. Its broadcast antennas are not counted.