ATLANTA -- Since Mar. 14, 2008, the Westin has not looked the same. A tornado with wind speeds of 130 mph knocked out more than 1,000 windows.

Today, they are one step closer to getting Atlanta’s sky line back to normal. CBS Atlanta News was the only local news crew to film outside what the Westin general manager said is the Western Hemisphere's tallest hotel. First, we went through a 30-minute safety training briefing. CBS Atlantas Mike Paluska filmed the window removal. He was required to wear a three-point safety harness. At all times, a line was hooked into a secure part of the scaffolding as we elevated more than 700 feet in the air.

Riding the mass climber to the top takes about 25 to 30 minutes. When we got to the top, crews were working inside and outside removing windows one at a time.

“Safety is our top priority,” said Chip Gamble, Skanska Project superintendent. “We never bring the pane of glass outside the building, it follows a track down to level 71 where another crew will hand it over and collect it on the inside. It then goes on a dolly and rides down an elevator and is recycled. Then the new window will be installed.”

Skanska USA Building is leading the replacement and is working with architect Arnold and Associates and Harmon Glass, both of Atlanta, to complete the project. The windows are made in Statesboro. All 6,350 windows will be replaced. The teams hope to replace 16 windows a day, each one takes an average hour from start to finish.

“It will be a lot safer hotel and more energy efficient as well,” Westin General Manager Ed Walls said. Walls said it has been an extremely long process getting the windows ordered, figuring out logistics on how to install them and running a Hotel that has been turned into a construction site.

“But this is going to be the best option for the Westin and it is going to be great for our guests and the community,”Wells said. The men working hands-on with the removal are required to wear protective clothing in case a window shatters. So far, Gamble says they have not had any injuries on the job. Each morning, the men stretch together.

“It is a way to build comraderie,” Gamble said. “Our priorities are making sure the public is safe on the ground, that’s why we have nets installed in three different areas in case something does fall."

Some interesting facts about the project are that 600 tons of the old windows will be recycled. If placed back to back, the windows being replaced would total 58,150 feet or nearly 11 miles. Each pane of hotel-room glass weighs 270 pounds. The total cost of the project comes in a $22 million.

If the weather cooperates, contractors hope to have the project finished in the next 15 months. “If it rains, the hydraulic suction cups we use on the outside of the building will slip, so we have to shut the operation down in the rain,” Gamble said.

"This is the largest exterior renovation of any hotel in the western hemisphere," Walls said.