The Minetta Brook still flows! It was diverted underground and flows through pipes and channels ... I am told you can still see it in a sub-basement of the Minetta Tavern in Greenwich Village.

My uncle lives right near Fulton Street near Pace University and the new Beekman Place tower that is now under construction -- on Gold Street. It was named that because in colonial times, more than 250 years ago, there was a place nearby called Golden Hill (approximately at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge and the New York Police Dept. main headquarters) that was in the warmer months covered with yellow 'golden rod' flowers.

New York history and geography is fascinating!

:)
Most of the old streams and creeks on Manhattan still flow. If not in pipes and channels then in their own slow underground pathways.

Water today still wants to flow along those old streambeds.

When a bunch of water starts ponding somewhere and the water department can't figure out where it's coming from, it breaks out the old 1600's-era maps of the streams and follows them backwards until it gets to the source.

Too bad, it seems like 8 Spruce Street will be blocking the WTC from certain angles, but the more the better:

http://curbednetwork.com/cache/gallery/3144/2536498909_ed3e036835_o.jpg

I'm more concerned with it blocking the Woolworth Building

From flickr by vernnyc and mjpeacecorps.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2102/2538199734_a13b9b2379_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2225/2530662233_ca698abef4_b.jpg

This project is huge :shocked:

I can't wait to see some levels built on this but IMO NYC needs to work on repaving its roads. Cross Bronx Espwy is the wost paved urban highway I have ever been on. IMO

I can't wait to see some levels built on this but IMO NYC needs to work on repaving its roads. Cross Bronx Espwy is the wost paved urban highway I have ever been on. IMO

whats paving roads has to do anything with this project?? :ohno:

Anybody knows if this is going to be the most viewd and posted thread in SSC history? And, how many post and replies it would have if it would have never been interrupted?

Sorry for the OT, just curious, I was making a comparison with BD thread.

Thnks

probably not, al burj and chicago spire will both have more IMO

Guess you can't go more than a few pages without a mention of the D word. :ohno: It says a lot.
Must be insecurity.


I have been seeing lots of progress on the T2 site and here. I wonder when the core will go up again.

Dubai is the biggest construction site in the world. Quite impossible to avoid its name in a construction forum :baeh3: :D

Anyway they're placing steel again on the beams. It's hardly visible due to the sunlight. But they've increased the size of one of the beams in the lower left corner :cheers:

Get a grip, nut. Yeah and there's more news.

They have erected the first horizontal columns today, but you can't see it, and it seems like there will be more activity with the steel from now on.

Bring out the welders.

I guest nobody read the first page of this thread. I never seen so much love for a city that more theme park then city. Dubai is the Las Vega of the Middle East, nobody really lives there, yet people can't help but talk about how great it is. I don't think it that great, lets keep this thing on topic from now on.

Another horizontal is placed. Very well visible in the lower left corner. :cheers:

yeah, can see it too.....and again some visible progress :)

does anyone know what the freedom tower site should look like in late August of this year. It will be cool to see it when im in New York City

Since the estimate now is the building hitting street level (that is the floorplates) in mid to late September, I would guess that this thing would be significantly visible above street level in late August.

This is all very good news, guys, and it will be even more exciting soon. In a few months we'll be seeing a skyscraper as a whole start to go up. It will be great to see most of the below grade section done, and that's what they are doing now. I am sure that all foundation work is complete by now.

I hope the freedom tower rises soon, it's a beautiful building.

a picture of the freedom tower today from earthcam:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/kyle444444/Megapixel_Camera_2008-06-01_170000.jpg

Im back to finally see this thing progress

Someone has mentioned that some of the beams are now connected at the top. I guess we won't be able to see anthing till the PANYNJ or someone takes good pictures. Obviously, even more beams have reached above street level these past few days.

Finally, finally, finally, I can start enjoying watching this go up!

yeah you can see the connection in that picture near the lower left corner or at less it looks connected, it could be my eyes. But it nice to see this building growing it's bringing tears to my eyes this is so great.

In roughly a year, I bet WTC Tower 4 will be looking like the Freedom Tower does now, and the FT will be many floors tall with more cranes.

Another horizontal is placed. Very well visible in the lower left corner. :cheers:

Another horizontal?

I only see one horizontal in the bottom left corner.

there are 2 but you can see only 1

Hey it looks like there's one conected in the bottom left corner vertical too right beside the horizontal one!:)

http://felixsalmon.com/pics/base.jpg

these X steel ribbings near the base of the tower are they gonna be thicker than the steel now at the foundation?

I have a question about the time when the WTC collapsed. When they removed all the debris they found melted steel, how did they manage to remove it? Is this the reason why freedom tower is nearly seven years after the collapse still not far over street level?

construction on the freedom tower didn't start to 2006 late 2005 that two and a half years not seven like you say. When I visit the set in early 2005 nothing and I mean nothing was going on. They didn't even start digging, so this building is right where it should be.

construction on the freedom tower didn't start to 2006 late 2005 that two and a half years not seven like you say. When I visit the set in early 2005 nothing and I mean nothing was going on. They didn't even start digging, so this building is right where it should be.


u deserve a golden star for this post :):)

As of today, you can clearly see one of new horizontal steel beams on the HD cam.

http://felixsalmon.com/pics/base.jpg

these X steel ribbings near the base of the tower are they gonna be thicker than the steel now at the foundation?

Isn't this from the old Freedom Tower?

Here's a Picture of Lower manhattan in 2013:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/kyle444444/freedomtowernight.jpg
this is one of the best (and beautiful) pictures of the freedom tower!:)

doable...

NewYorkForever2016, the rendering you posted is outdated and was not even official. It will likely look nothing like that, except for perhaps the tower section of FT.

I have a question about the time when the WTC collapsed. When they removed all the debris they found melted steel, how did they manage to remove it? Is this the reason why freedom tower is nearly seven years after the collapse still not far over street level?

To the best of my knowledge no molten steel was found in the debris. There was a lot of molten aluminum, copper and even lead. All were present in significant quantities in the WTC and have lower melting points. A large amount of highly warped steel members, mostly from the floor trusses, were found however. The NIST investigation did a lot of detailed analysis of how the steel structure performed in the fires.

From flickr by Grand Apple
May 29

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2343/2539356012_b441e3bca4_b.jpg

FT picking up a head of steam...FTW!

I wonder when the middle of the FT (phoenix) will get higher, i can't wait to see it at the end of this year!

which phoenix?? do you mean the core?

The core is coming well!

We will see a faster process the coming weeks :banana:.

At the east side of the core some new table forms are being installed for an other part of the second basement floor. :cheers:

which phoenix?? do you mean the core?

yes the phoenix is the core
heres the freedom tower today:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/kyle444444/Megapixel_Camera_2008-06-03_150000.jpg

which phoenix?? do you mean the core?
yes the base is the phoenix
here's what the wtc site looks like today:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/kyle444444/Megapixel_Camera_2008-06-03_150000.jpg

The NIST investigation did a lot of detailed analysis of how the steel structure performed in the fires.
^^
Which i believe included a conclusion that most/all of the coated fireproofing material was blown off the steel during impact, contributing to the quicker failure of the steel structure on those floors during the jet-fuel blaze.

It's going to be great to watch this rise. All the years of anticipation and finally we get to see it go up. Awesome!

Yes, NIST experiments showed that the fireproofing would be removed by a sandblasting effect. However there are also allegations that the fireproofing was installed poorly by Mafia connected contractors that underbid. Either way not having that fireproofing doomed a lot of people that day.

Of course the Freedom Tower will have a RC core as does the new WTC7. I'm not sure if Towers2-4 will have RC cores or not. I'd imagine they will.

Yeah they will also have RC cores. It's going to be great to see three buildings more than or very close to both the same height and size in the skyline as the two twins, plus a smaller supertall and three or more other towers over 800', and many other new skyscrapers for the area. I think this is LM's biggest skyscraper building boom, and it never had a period with so many buildings so tall going up at the same time. Econimic slowWhat? Having the largest office complex and tallest office building ever in a city where ALL of the tallest buildings are office buildings (as of right now) will be great.

Yes, NIST experiments showed that the fireproofing would be removed by a sandblasting effect. However there are also allegations that the fireproofing was installed poorly by Mafia connected contractors that underbid. Either way not having that fireproofing doomed a lot of people that day.

Of course the Freedom Tower will have a RC core as does the new WTC7. I'm not sure if Towers2-4 will have RC cores or not. I'd imagine they will.

That's also why the columns of the FT are covered in concrete. Not only is a steel-concrete combination very strong. The concrete also protects the steel during a fire or an explosion.

yes the base is the phoenix
here's what the wtc site looks like today:

believe me, i know how the site looks today ^^, i visit the webcam every day ;). i only never heard before that anyone said Phoenix to the Concrete Core :lol:

This is the first I've heard of it being called "Phoenix" too.

Same here. Guess it makes sense though.

That's also why the columns of the FT are covered in concrete. Not only is a steel-concrete combination very strong. The concrete also protects the steel during a fire or an explosion.
Isn't the steel in the ESB's frame covered with concrete, too (built in 1931)?

Mike

Lots of progress since my last visit. Looking forward to seeing it rise... :cheers:

Here are some pictures of what the World Trade Center will look like in the future:
Day:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/kyle444444/13_36_Downtown-Skyline-by-Day-credi.jpg
Dusk:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/kyle444444/13_36_dbox_99church_dusk_revised1.jpg
Top of the FT:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/kyle444444/FTday.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/kyle444444/FTnight.jpg
From New Jersey:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/kyle444444/24_04_OverallWTCRenderings.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/kyle444444/24_05_OverallWTCRenderings.jpg

lower manhattan will look so fucking awesome :eek:, can't wait until all projects are completed

It looks like anouther floor has been put on in the bottom today

^^ No, they only installed the forms for the floor. The rebar and the concrete still need to be put in place. With a bit of luck we'll see them pouring concrete next week :cheers:

Don't usually come onto this part of skyscraper but came across this thread.
Am from the UK and have been twice to Ground Zero.Got to say building another tower here to replace what was destroyed seems in very bad taste.Would have thought memorials,a park,waterfalls etc would have been more fitting in respect of those who died in one of the biggest tragedies in history.This would be a constant reminder of what occured and of those who died.Another tower block reminds us of nothing.
However,if it is to be a tower block then shame it's so bland.

^^ They will build a memorial with trees and waterfalls on the footprints of the former WTC. The FT and the other towers of the new WTC will be build around it .

From flickr

The lego model of the old version
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3059/2551806540_718cd4c794_b.jpg

Rising columns can be seen
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3189/2550308060_b40ffd19d5_b.jpg

Absolutely love the spire but hate what's right underneath it. Would've been a disaster if they built this design. (two photos above)

^^ They will build a memorial with trees and waterfalls on the footprints of the former WTC. The FT and the other towers of the new WTC will be build around it .

Apparently that fountain's going to take 5 years to to get constructed, why??? I give it less than 2 years (thats maximum)

It looks like anouther floor has been put on in the bottom today

What do you mean?

Apparently that fountain's going to take 5 years to to get constructed, why??? I give it less than 2 years (thats maximum)

Don't know why it would take 5 years. As far as I know the foundations for the memorial and the Freedom Tower are finished. The foundations for the other towers are simple raft foundations with caissons. They shouldn't take more than a year to construct.

foundation for the memorial already completed? I guess it's just not visible yet

^^ most parts are covered with gravel to prevent the foundation from being damaged. At some parts you see rebar sticking out of them if you look closely on the cam :)

you mean that wall right next to freedom tower covered in black and then white paint things?

you mean that wall right next to freedom tower covered in black and then white paint things?

you mean that wall right next to freedom tower covered in black and then white paint things?

No, thats the slurry wall reinforcement. I meant the small dark line from the slurry wall to the bridge. This one:
http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/8212/ftnf1.jpg

:)

Some news about the memorial.
The bridge will be removed this summer and the steel beams of the memorial will be erected during fall.

^^ No, they only installed the forms for the floor.
Well thats what i meant.:tongue3:

I back in NYC I plan on visit the set but I don't have a cam so I wont be taking any pics. But I'll tell you about it none the less.

^^ Not even a blurry cell phone pic? :(

From flickr, uploaded on June 2, 2008
by MIKECNY

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3074/2544975370_6ac18183d1_b.jpg

It goes slowly building ....:ohno:

^^ Then go to the US and help them ;)

^^ Then go to the US and help them ;)

not only thanks ....:) am a passionate fan of architecture ...:lol:

It goes slowly building ....:ohno:

I know we've had many of these comments that this foundation is taking sooo long. But I have to agree, I never stared so long at foundation construction webcam as much at any other buildings.

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/521454-dubai-next-frontier-for-stunt-daredevils?ln=en

It says one person successfully jumped off BD. Never knew that but this headline is very true.

that's the Freedom Tower thread ;)

I know we've had many of these comments that this foundation is taking sooo long. But I have to agree, I never stared so long at foundation construction webcam as much at any other buildings.

The foundations went quite fast, but the substructure is a bit slow. However don't forget they had to remove 25% of the concrete in February because the quality was not good enough. This caused a few months delay.
But don't worry they're catching up speed again. Two floors to go and the floor slabs are at ground level :cheers:

The foundations went quite fast, but the substructure is a bit slow. However don't forget they had to remove 25% of the concrete in February because the quality was not good enough. This caused a few months delay.
But don't worry they're catching up speed again. Two floors to go and the floor slabs are at ground level :cheers:

you mean 2 floors for north half of the core? and the south half of the core is already at ground level I think.

The foundations went quite fast, but the substructure is a bit slow. However don't forget they had to remove 25% of the concrete in February because the quality was not good enough. This caused a few months delay.
But don't worry they're catching up speed again. Two floors to go and the floor slabs are at ground level :cheers:

And also, is the project is few months behind, how much penalty do the workers pay? roughly.

Actually I wasn't talking about the core, but about the floors itself. The core is normally a few stories higher than the floors so it won't take long before the core is above street level :)
I don't think the the workers got a penalty since it was the concrete that was badly mixed. I'm sure the suppliers of the concrete had to pay a fine.

And also, is the project is few months behind, how much penalty do the workers pay? roughly.

I highly doubt the workers have to pay. These are union workers in NYC.

And also, is the project is few months behind, how much penalty do the workers pay? roughly.

can you stop with double posting shit for f***'s sake? + you been on real douchebag here. :bash:

And also, is the project is few months behind, how much penalty do the workers pay? roughly.

Why would the workers have to pay a penalty? pls stop double posting just to get your post count higher... its really annoying.

No, thats the slurry wall reinforcement. I meant the small dark line from the slurry wall to the bridge. This one:
http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/8212/ftnf1.jpg

:)

Some news about the memorial.
The bridge will be removed this summer and the steel beams of the memorial will be erected during fall.

i think thats for the foot print of the old wtc , so they can build that cool water fall

^^Actually the footprint of the o ld WTC is just to the right of that blue outline. Its that beige material between the construction trailers.

Right now they're laying a floor on the left side of the core (looking at the Earthcam).

cool, finally a bit progress again :)

It will be rising ... This is New York , we don't have to worry much, I am 100% confident :)

The concrete pour finally makes the floor look tidy and clean.

I really want to know: that wall on the south edge of the freedom tower site (or on the left side of the site from webcam view), is it temporary wall or structural wall?

it's for the underground-path, so it is neither temporary nor for the FT structure

from scruffy at ssp... spot the slanted beam :p

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z70/Scruffy66/saya/DSC02148.jpg

why is it slanted?

Maybe it just seems that way from the picture; if it is indeed slanted, it is supposed to be that way.

no its supposed to be that way.. look at the renderings of the base, you'll see slanted beams.

scruffy @spp
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z70/Scruffy66/saya/DSC02140.jpg

^^ The beams were slanted on the earthcam since they were placed.

you lot mean those beams are slanted for these diagonal steel at the base?

http://felixsalmon.com/pics/base.jpg

How did they exactly measure at what degree angle the steel beam has to lean to the side?

^^I think its a photo of the older version.

Here is a render of the UC design. You can see that the corners are slanted. The slanted beams are for the corners.

http://static.flickr.com/77/202631900_047ba88411_o.jpg

It looks like they are prepping the southern core for another pour in the next few days. The only reason I say this is that the formwork around the southern core seems to be upright as opposed to leaning over at an angle when it is first raised.

Could be, a week ago there were a lot of workers placing rebar in the core. Personally I haven't noticed any movement in its forms, but thats probably I'm too fascinated by the placement of the coated rebar for the floorslab :D

^^I think its a photo of the older version.

Here is a render of the UC design. You can see that the corners are slanted. The slanted beams are for the corners.

It makes sense, but doesn't the partner beam for the corner have to slant as well? It doesn't at the moment.

Yesterday's concrete pour, why didn't they pour it further down? (from webcam view)

It doesn't even look like they laid steel rebar in it.

Does that yesterday's pour touch the southern core or looks like there's gap there.

It makes sense, but doesn't the partner beam for the corner have to slant as well? It doesn't at the moment.

.......the corner beams are slanting towards each other... just like in the render above^^^

What are they building west of the core between the road and the building site? They made some kind of frame today, it's clearly visible on the Earthcam.

^^ judging the amount of steel it looks like a bridge. Maybe for the 9W underpass they have to dig between the FT and the WFC?

Construction at night from flickr by Matthias vom Hau.

Original size:http://www.flickr.com/photos/96183641@N00/2569537935/sizes/o/
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3007/2569537935_f1b800e9a2_b.jpg

this thread is about the freedom tower and the freedom tower only. if you don't have anything constructive to add about this project, don't bother posting.

*if you have an uncontrollable urge to talk about dubai and/or beat your chest about it, do it in the countless dubai love-fest threads out there. not here. remember...this is new york. not dubai...

*if you think this tower sucks and prefer the original world trade center instead, this thread isn't for you.

consider this a warning in advance...

Jeez is it necessary to be such an ahole?

religion is equally as 'knowledgeable' as atheism is--they're both beliefs, so the words 'fraud' and 'mistake' have no relevance--
not trying to get off subject, but when your tagline is that loud, you open the doors

Any special reason this tower is to be two floors shorter than the original WTCs? Just curious...

Jeez is it necessary to be such an ahole?

yes...

yes...
:lol:

yes...
Damn...you beat me to it.

.......the corner beams are slanting towards each other... just like in the render above^^^

I don't see it man. I only see one slanting towards the other one that is straight.

BTW are they holding back putting steel beams on the north side of the site? Or are they not planning to put steel beam on the north side. (right side on webcam)

I don't see it man. I only see one slanting towards the other one that is straight.

Both of the beams on the corner are slanting towards each other. You can see it better in the pic below. When you extend the beams, they will cross at a point.

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/7673/picture2fn6.jpg

They're pouring concrete now, Like I guessed, by the east side of the site (bottom left corner from webcam)

posted by NYguy on SSP:

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/connecticut/ny-bc-ct--utc-freedomtower0611jun11,0,6800938.story[/url]

UTC Power to supply fuel cells for Freedom Tower

June 11, 2008


SOUTH WINDSOR, Conn. (AP) _ A skyscraper planned for the site of the World Trade Center will use an alternative energy source to supply some of the power at the massive complex.

UTC Power, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp., will supply 12 fuel cells totaling 4.8 megawatts for the Freedom Tower and three other buildings at the lower Manhattan site. It's among the largest fuel cell installations in the world, according to UTC Power and the New York Power Authority.

The amount of megawatts is equivalent to the power used by up to 4,800 homes, said Michael Saltzman, spokesman for the New York Power Authority, which made the deal with UTC Power.

Delivery of the fuel cell systems, valued at $10.6 million, is set to begin in January.

"We are extremely pleased to be part of this prestigious, landmark project that is a global example of green building design," Jan van Dokkum, president of South Windsor-based UTC Power, said in a statement Wednesday.

The technology draws energy from a chemical reaction when hydrogen combines with oxygen to form water.

The Freedom Tower, which is scheduled to open in 2012, will be owned by the Port Authority of New York and Towers 2, 3 and 4 will be owned and managed by World Trade Center Properties LLC.

UTC Power said the fuel cell it will use for the Freedom Tower has double the operating life and delivers twice the power and thermal energy of its previous system. Onsite power generation at the site also will help reduce the need to upgrade electric infrastructure and does not contribute to air pollution.

New York Gov. David Paterson hailed the use of the alternative technology for the rebuilt site.

"I can think of few sites in the country where the symbolism of this is more important," he said in a statement.

Can someone send me floor plannings of the each foundation floors of Freedom tower? Because I couldn't find any. I'm guessing there aren't much space in the foundation floors of the freedom tower, because so far I never seen single concrete column go up in the foundation process.

Can someone send me floor plannings of the each foundation floors of Freedom tower? Because I couldn't find any. I'm guessing there aren't much space in the foundation floors of the freedom tower, because so far I never seen single concrete column go up in the foundation process.

i doubt anyone has floor plans for this building.. unless they found it in dumpster.

and yes, they're building the basement floors and yes there are concrete columns

Yes? Why is it ok?

Yes? Why is it ok?


What r u on about mate?

Am I the only one or does someone else see a potential problem with having a large quantity of hydrogen which is extremely explosive in this complex? I'm sure security will be tight and the storage tanks very solid but just the fact that a large quantity of an explosive gas is going to be stored here certainly sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. I applaud the idea of green energy for the buildings but let's also take other issues into account.

posted by NYguy on SSP:

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/connecticut/ny-bc-ct--utc-freedomtower0611jun11,0,6800938.story[/url]

UTC Power to supply fuel cells for Freedom Tower

June 11, 2008


SOUTH WINDSOR, Conn. (AP) _ A skyscraper planned for the site of the World Trade Center will use an alternative energy source to supply some of the power at the massive complex.

UTC Power, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp., will supply 12 fuel cells totaling 4.8 megawatts for the Freedom Tower and three other buildings at the lower Manhattan site. It's among the largest fuel cell installations in the world, according to UTC Power and the New York Power Authority.

The amount of megawatts is equivalent to the power used by up to 4,800 homes, said Michael Saltzman, spokesman for the New York Power Authority, which made the deal with UTC Power.

Delivery of the fuel cell systems, valued at $10.6 million, is set to begin in January.

"We are extremely pleased to be part of this prestigious, landmark project that is a global example of green building design," Jan van Dokkum, president of South Windsor-based UTC Power, said in a statement Wednesday.

The technology draws energy from a chemical reaction when hydrogen combines with oxygen to form water.

The Freedom Tower, which is scheduled to open in 2012, will be owned by the Port Authority of New York and Towers 2, 3 and 4 will be owned and managed by World Trade Center Properties LLC.

UTC Power said the fuel cell it will use for the Freedom Tower has double the operating life and delivers twice the power and thermal energy of its previous system. Onsite power generation at the site also will help reduce the need to upgrade electric infrastructure and does not contribute to air pollution.

New York Gov. David Paterson hailed the use of the alternative technology for the rebuilt site.

"I can think of few sites in the country where the symbolism of this is more important," he said in a statement.
Where do they get the electricity to make the hydrogen with? (the hydrogen comes from water)
It takes the same amount of energy, plus any inefficiencies to make hydrogen as you can get out of it.
One advantage is that it doesn't need to be connected to the US national grid, ( or however it works, I'm from NZ),
so the WTC has power even if the rest of NYC doesn't.
(wasn't there a massive power cut a couple of years ago?)
The Freedom Tower is going to look great.
When it finishes, I hope I get a chance to go visit it when it does.
(just a thought, is it rising faster than a bacterium? because it is slower than a snail:))

Good news w/ the fuel cells. Call it whatever bull you guys want, but the Freedom Tower WILL be topped out (the last piece of steel erected on floor 106+ or whatever it is) somewhere in the year 2011( perhaps even before that), so who cares how fast they build. It will be at least 30/40 floors tall in the year 2010. It is the same size in the skyline as the old buildings and with the new WTC Towers everything will be MUCH better than before. This office skyscraper project is matchless. What takes long is not the skyscraper to be erected, but everything like the facade and guts to be built, which is why imbeciles see a 2013 finish date and think it will never be done or will take forever. Here in reality it is perfectly on time. There really is no or will be no hole shortly.


By the way, someone I know w/ the project mentioned that T2 may get a height increase too ('to equal out the skyline')..... I'll check with him later and hope he doesn't laugh at me. I am sure it was a joke, but with the T3 stuff, you can never be sure till the media spreads it like herpes.

What is the steel structure that seems to be getting built in West St right near where the pedestrian undercrossing will go? Some sort of covered access ramp or something?

June 11th By NYguy, SSP:

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/98595206/large.jpg

2.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/98595218/large.jpg

3.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/98595220/large.jpg

4.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/98595221/large.jpg

5.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/98595222/large.jpg

6.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/98595226/large.jpg

7.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/98595227/large.jpg

8.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/98595240/large.jpg

9.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/98595242/large.jpg

10.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/98595244/large.jpg

11.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/98595245/large.jpg

12.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/98595247/large.jpg

13.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/98595257/large.jpg

15.[/b]
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/98595257/original.jpg

This is a fantastic and a huge update. Thanks for finding them ZZ-II.:okay:

^^^^^^
Goods photos:banana::banana::cheers:

Good to see columns rise above ground level. :)

"Good idea" to name all the pictures "large.jpg"
(NYguy - do you name all your children- kid?)

ZZ-II thanks for the post (I know you did not name the pictures)

i will love that tower good update!!

New York has so little extra space on their construction sites. It's really interesting to me to see those construction trailers stacked three high. I wonder just how far away they have to stage their construction materials.

I'm assuming this is part of the building, but are they still going through with the water fall memorial. I could be on crack, but last I heard it was either on hold or canceled due to cost?!?!

^^Your on crack.

^^Your on crack.

You're.

Supreme !! Finally above ground, well sort of.

I'm assuming this is part of the building, but are they still going through with the water fall memorial. I could be on crack, but last I heard it was either on hold or canceled due to cost?!?!

Last thing I heard is that they collected all the money for the memorial and will start placing columns in September. The foundation of the memorial has already been completed. :cheers:

Here is a site with great video interviews of the architects of the new WTC. It gives you great scope in the work behind the scenes.

http://www.wtc.com/media/videos/s/interviews

Bugs

i was at the site this week. The site looks good. wtc.com has good stuff on the building.

This project is wholly unlike any other in the world. The progress made in these past few years has been massive and is worthy of praise. A great deal of work has been done to let these new towers rise, all out of common eyes, and the sad part is that the ignorant can’t see much and need eye candy to halt the plethora negativity. At least it will now be time to start to see fruit.

the construction will get so much more interesting in the coming months :)

she starts to rise above the ground. Fantastic - well done NYC - I land on thurs for 4 days, hurrah, camera out, bubbys for brunch and 4 nights in the TriBeCa Grand. Rock on.

she starts to rise above the ground. Fantastic - well done NYC - I land on thurs for 4 days, hurrah, camera out, bubbys for brunch and 4 nights in the TriBeCa Grand. Rock on.

With the weak dollar and the strong pound sterling, I'm sure you will find everything very affordable!

I'll be in NYC on Sunday, June 29th for the Gay Pride Parade ... I'll try to swing over to WTC construnction site as well.

What are the hours that construction people are working on the site? Do they work weekends and nights? I thought I once read that they work 24/7. But, that does not seem to be the case.

Thanks,
Bugs

Went to the site today, parked next to WTC7 and got a parking ticket. :(

:lol:, better search a legal parking-place next time :)

haha, the fire hydrant was covered by a large wooden board, how would i know it was there. :dunno:

From: The New York Observer

http://www.observer.com/2008/constru...ikely-wtc-site


Construction of various projects at the World Trade Center site, including the Freedom Tower and the September 11 Memorial, could be delayed as the Paterson administration reexamines the shifting reality of the site’s construction budgets and timetables that were set by the Pataki administration.
Christopher Ward, the new executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the site’s landlord, is moving forward with an analysis of construction completion dates and other issues. He plans to publicly address the situation as soon as the next few weeks.
As he does so, numerous people involved with redevelopment downtown say delays are widely expected for multiple projects, including the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, the PATH station that features a Santiago Calatrava-designed oculus, and perhaps the Freedom Tower. In the past few years, officials have been working with unrealistic dates, people involved said, as the complexities of the site were never fully understood before the timetables were set.
A government-commissioned assessment found that the interior museum portion of the memorial may not be ready until 2013 or 2014, pushed back from the most recent target of 2011, the people involved with the redevelopment said. The PATH station, once expected to cost $2.2 billion, is the furthest behind schedule and overbudget, with completion not expected until at least 2013, up from 2009. Utilities connecting to all the site are behind schedule, and the Freedom Tower is thought to be closer to the target date of 2012 than any of the other projects, though its completion date may now be at least 2013.
The decision to reevaluate the dates set by the Pataki administration represents a turnaround from the Spitzer administration, which was aware of the site’s challenges but chose generally to publicly keep the target dates as opposed to blaming departed officials for delays and then setting a new schedule.
A former state official said the rationale at the time was that more conservative targets would have had a deterministic effect, resulting in an overall later completion of the whole site. Had the Spitzer administration set new dates, it felt, the contractors would have had no incentive to finish the jobs any earlier than the new targets. But by choosing to keep the less realistic dates, officials hoped to push the contractors to come at least somewhat close to hitting those original marks.
That stance drew internal fire in the Spitzer administration from the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, said people familiar with discussions, though the Port Authority maintained the approach.
Now there’s new leadership in Albany and at the Port Authority—Mr. Ward was sworn in as executive director in May—and the unrealistic target dates are drawing nearer with the projects’ completions still far away.
“The Port Authority was asked to take the lead in rebuilding in late 2006, and the site went from a complete stop on construction to a sprint,” said a Port Authority spokesman, Stephen Sigmund. With a new director, “it’s totally appropriate for him to want to—and for the board and our governors to want him to—do a full assessment of the projects to make sure they’re moving forward accountably and with achievable timelines and budgets.”

THE WORLD TRADE CENTER site is one of tremendous complexity, and timetables for the various projects were set at a point when officials had not yet done the requisite work to determine whether the firm dates were actually attainable, said multiple people familiar with the rebuilding effort. The Pataki administration had already pushed date after date—the Freedom Tower and the PATH station were once scheduled to have opened by now—and at the time when the recent completion dates were set, Governor Pataki was pondering a run for president, with the revitalization of Lower Manhattan poised to be a major issue.
As Mr. Pataki was leaving office, the city-/state-controlled Lower Manhattan Construction Command Center brought in a host of outside consultants to make an independent risk assessment that looked at the various projects at the site, considering their target completion dates and potential impediments. The result, a closely held report, painted a picture of an uncoordinated mess at ground zero, with innumerable obstacles to target timelines and budgets, people familiar with the report said. Each of the projects on the site was found to be acting as if it were on a site of its own, with a notable and substantial lack of coordination, a structure that lends itself to setbacks


The expected delays now come in part as a result of the interconnected nature of construction, as changes or unanticipated actions at one project affect numerous other operations on the Rubik’s Cube-like site.
Four towers over 900 feet tall are being constructed simultaneously over a relatively small footprint with little space for staging; the Port Authority needs to construct a vehicle security center that cannot be built until the former Deutsche Bank tower is demolished; the memorial may have trouble functioning without the completion of an underground parking garage beneath developer Larry Silverstein’s towers; PATH and subway trains must run continuously; the office towers cannot function until common utility infrastructure is built on the site, a program well behind schedule; and the box that holds the No. 1 subway line must be reinforced and supported before any work through much of the site can move forward—a task that was not initially anticipated with the level of complexity required, people familiar with the site said.
In the case of the memorial and the museum, much of the interior work is dependent upon the completion of the adjacent PATH hub, which in turn is undergoing revisions in an attempt to cut costs. The target completion is now set for the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, but the LMCCC report from last year found that the interior museum portion is unlikely to be completed before 2013, according to people familiar with the findings.
The biggest delays and overruns at the site are at the PATH hub, a $2.2 billion project that was given a budget and timeline well before anyone grasped its intricacies, officials say. First, the entire temporary PATH station on the eastern edge of the site must be completely removed and excavated down to the bedrock before any work can begin. Then the structure must be built with an intricate network of mechanical and technical infrastructure, parking, retail, a spacious concourse, and a pricey above-ground winged, spiky structure.
Fitting all of that into the $2.2 billion budget is considered a total impossibility; as of April, the Port Authority was set on holding the costs to $2.5 billion, a number that includes a $300 million contingency fund from the Federal Transit Administration, though that position also may change.
As for timelines, a December risk assessment from the F.T.A. found that the project has a 50-50 chance of being finished by June 2013.
The Freedom Tower is considered in more stable shape financially than the PATH station, as the bulk of the construction contracts have already been bid upon and awarded. People familiar with the construction said it stands to be at least six months behind schedule, pushing into 2013 at least.
As for the other projects at the site, those involved in the rebuilding generally considered the delivery dates for Mr. Silverstein’s Towers 2, 3 and 4—in 2012—to be relatively realistic; however, they, too, are very dependent on the progress elsewhere. The towers are all to get electricity and other utilities, for instance, from a central infrastructure to be built by the Port Authority.
Mr. Silverstein recently was given an extra four to six months to complete two of the towers, as he is negotiating to potentially bring Merrill Lynch to a redesigned Tower 3.
Then there is the Performing Arts Center, a Frank Gehry-designed building planned to go on the northern edge of the site. The hundreds of millions in necessary funding for the center is virtually nonexistent right now, and construction would have to wait at least four or five years, people familiar with the site say. The state and city are also still considering a proposal to move it above the troubled Fulton Street Transit Center a few blocks to the east.
Two other buildings, Fiterman Hall to the north of the site and the former Deutsche Bank building to the south, still remain damaged and are awaiting deconstruction. The state is working on bringing down the Deutschetower, at 130 Liberty Street, by first decontaminating it, but the demolition of CUNY’s Fiterman Hall is held up as the city and state have a dispute over funding.
“One-thirty liberty has to come down; Fiterman Hall has to come down,” said Elizabeth Berger, president of the Alliance for Downtown New York, the major business group in Lower Manhattan. “I can’t believe that we will have the seventh anniversary of 9/11, and they will still be up.”
With regard to construction at the World Trade Center site, Ms. Berger expressed confidence in the effort to set new, realistic dates, as construction is indeed moving forward.
“What’s important are real timetables, real schedules, and meeting them, and action now,” she said. “There is progress, we’re excited about that. It can’t stop; it’s got to keep going.”

IT'S TAKING FOREVER!

Just when it was rising

you gotta be kidding me!!! this is getting to a point of ridiculous.:bash:

2013!!!! UGGGGGGG!!:ohno::bleep::bash:

Get a grip on reality, people. It's not big problem. It makes no difference for this tower because the completion times are still basically the same and the contracts are out (not to mention it's rising); the opening deadline somewhere in 2012 was preset to go either way by roughly 6 months.

"It can’t stop; it’s got to keep going.”

If the tower actually being built by Silverstein, not by the government and doesn't he have a drop dead date for the building to be completed before he has to pay penalties? Also doesn't port authority have the same arrangement for the other towers? If this is true what happens to the penalties? I realize the state can delay the projects they are solely responsible for (PATH, 9/11 Memorial, etc.) but the delay of the other buildings have lots of implication!

I could've sworn I saw this article in this thread already..maybe it was in the other wtc thread here or somewhere on SSP. I'm really not that distraught by that article. As long as I keep seeing beams pop up over street level I'm fine. :)

that article is using "delay" wrong.

from what i could understand, its not a "delay" as in a halting of construction... all it is is pushing the completion dates back a little bit because the original ones were unrealistic (-however true that may be)

No one wants this expensive hot potato!

By STEVE CUOZZO--NY POST


June 17, 2008 -- The Freedom Tower is up for grabs.

Although Port Authority of New York and New Jersey insiders deny wanting to sell it outright, the agency has approached major developers about taking the slow-moving Ground Zero project partially or completely off its hands, sources told The Post.

PA Chairman Anthony Coscia and Executive Director Chris Ward have recently had talks with Related Cos., the Stephen Ross-led giant that created the Time Warner Center and has been chosen to develop the West Side rail yards.

Earlier this year, sources said, the PA, advised by Deutsche Bank, made a similar pitch to Brookfield Properties, the publicly traded company that owns the World Financial Center. Reps for Related and Brookfield did not return calls.

With Brookfield, a source said, "The PA was a bit vague as to how it would work, but they basically wanted to privatize the Freedom Tower. But Brookfield didn't regard the project as economically viable."

PA officials declined comment. But insiders said the agency wants a developer to form a "partnership" that would reduce its risk while bringing in a company "fully knowledgeable in their core business of real estate development."

Because the PA owns the land, a transfer would likely take the form of a long-term lease.

It was understood that any developer jumping in would not start from scratch, but complete the $3 billion tower as it's currently designed.

However, the PA does not need a developer merely to finish building the skyscraper - the agency prides itself on its construction expertise. Nor does it need one just to handle leasing, a chore now assigned to Cushman & Wakefield.

The PA has in the past acknowledged the possibility of taking on a financial partner such as Fortress or Blackstone in the delayed tower - but not a development company to take a majority or minority stake.

Now, sources say, both options are on the table - "whichever will alleviate pressure on them."

The PA has proclaimed its commitment to build the Freedom Tower ever since it assumed control of the project from Larry Silverstein 18 months ago.

Steel is slowly rising - more than can be said of anything else at Ground Zero - but it's clearly a fiscal and political burden for the PA. "Office development and leasing is not their strong suit," a source said.

"They have their hands full with the rest of Ground Zero, and they want to clear the decks if they take over Moynihan Station" - as Sen. Chuck Schumer has proposed.

The Freedom Tower was supposed to be an "iconic" skyline reclamation reaching 1,776 feet. But it's since been reduced to 1,368 feet - the height of the original Twin Towers - topped by a broadcast antenna that might never be built.

Last week, Gov. David Paterson asked Ward to audit Ground Zero projects to determine how much they will cost and when they can be completed.

Steve Cuozzo=Half lies and half news. Yawn.

Btw looking at the webcam they have been installing caps on the southern core rebar. It looks like yellow or white square between the formwork and the roof landing of the core. Usually when these are in place the core pour seems to follow quickly.

"Steve Cuozzo=Half lies and half news."

I have only read a handful of his articles, but I agree. For example, look at the second and fourth sentences going up from the bottom of his article. Both are obviously bull to anyone who is educated.

hmm 1:30 am and work going on freedom tower, even cranes are working too, that very unusual, something is up :) :cheers:

looks like another pour, this time at night

"The Freedom Tower was supposed to be an "iconic" skyline reclamation reaching 1,776 feet. But it's since been reduced to 1,368 feet - the height of the original Twin Towers - topped by a broadcast antenna that might never be built."

Yeah. BS. Glad I don't have my credentials tied to that.

Yea your right webeagle. You can see the concrete arm extended right now. Strange they are working at this hour.

They also removed the last two stairwells coming the PATH station yesterday.

"The Freedom Tower was supposed to be an "iconic" skyline reclamation reaching 1,776 feet. But it's since been reduced to 1,368 feet - the height of the original Twin Towers - topped by a broadcast antenna that might never be built."

Yeah. BS. Glad I don't have my credentials tied to that.

Not quite sure why you feel this way, the Capn stated the facts. The original design was 1776 feet tall and didn't have an antenna (called a spire by some) stuck on top to get to 1776 feet. Now we have a 1368 foot tall building with an ugly rod stuck on top! Certainly not the beautiful design are eventually had.

good things come to those who wait...

Not quite sure why you feel this way, the Capn stated the facts. The original design was 1776 feet tall and didn't have an antenna (called a spire by some) stuck on top to get to 1776 feet. Now we have a 1368 foot tall building with an ugly rod stuck on top! Certainly not the beautiful design are eventually had.

To me, I'd rather see a 1368 ft tall building with a "rod stuck on top" than a 700-900ft building with a good portion of the top being an empty shell.:bash:
http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/Images/US/NY/NYC/FreedomTower-002.jpg
http://images.usatoday.com/news/_photos/2006/06/29/freedom-tower-1.jpg

To me the current version is very fitting and nice. At least NYC will have it's height back, and then some. I am keeping my hopes up that they don't damage this project anymore than they already have with all of this "delay" nonsense.:cheers:

I agree that the design proposal you show in your post was ugly but several of the later ones were beautiful can actually looked like the showpiece this building should be. The building now being built is nothing special at all. It's just a big box with an antenna stuck on top! America sure expected something a lot more dramatic.

America sure expected something a lot more dramatic.

who's asking 'america'? nyers are the ones who have to live with the building every day and since i didn't expect the wtc site to ever see a skyscraper again on sept 12th 2001, i don't have a problem taking whatever supertall i can get. :nuts:

It's just a big box with an antenna stuck on top! America sure expected something a lot more dramatic.

most Americans(as well as NY'ers) wanted the original towers rebuilt, which was just a big box with an antenna stuck on top! The only difference is the new tower is more modern variation of the original... and that there's only 1 instead of two. So i'm not sure if you think that another "freedom tower" would help make everything more dramatic but whatever

My perfect freedom tower would be the exact same body of current design but without that crown looking thing at the base of the spire (BTW what is that?) and original design spire at the corner of the tower. The original spire is amazzzing !

http://inhabitat.com/wp-content/uploads/libeskindfreedom.jpg

but that half empty tower is just rubbish idea.

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/6615/13ek.jpg

comparison show original design taller, observation deck lower.

I'm guessing that crown evolved at least twice.
once circular:
http://curbed.com/2007_09_spire.jpg

now chef's hat compressed:
http://images.usatoday.com/news/_photos/2006/06/29/freedom-tower-1.jpg

^ All of that is outdated or not being built. Don't take my word for it, but they are still playing with designs for the top. No matter how much anyone on the planet whines, it will be 1,776' and the tallest office building. It seems WTC Tower 3 may be much bigger than the Feedom Tower now. It is in the middle of the site so it should work out and they do know what they're doing.

most Americans(as well as NY'ers) wanted the original towers rebuilt, which was just a big box with an antenna stuck on top! The only difference is the new tower is more modern variation of the original... and that there's only 1 instead of two. So i'm not sure if you think that another "freedom tower" would help make everything more dramatic but whatever

Well I've always thought that the way the building is designed, with the twist, represents both of the twins in one building.

Well I've always thought that the way the building is designed, with the twist, represents both of the twins in one building.

There is no twist in the design of Freedom Tower! It's just a square building with the corners cut off on a taper from the top. That being said it looks good until it stops and the crown and antenna are stuck on top. If the design had included an integral spire it would've been beautiful. With the present design it's not.

For me i liked this spire the best
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/kyle444444/WTC1.jpg
This is old though it was made in 2005 and all the buildings in behind are wrong

Piffle opinion imo. The spire will still be able to change colors and emit beams of light. The thing certain people don't get is that it is simple yet maintains a very unique form, something which all skyscrapers need to be iconic. Whine and moan, everyone will love it when it's being topped out. We have seen the tower itself in real life (mockup) and that itself made everyone drool. Even if this were the only supertall we were getting it would still be a great plan, but it's many times more than that; it's the best. There's nothing like this anywhere.

Can't wait to see what will be there.
David Childs on Towers 2-3: "Traders will have a restored vertical element to mark the center of their world."

PANYNJ:

http://www.panynj.gov/wtc/drp/gallery/images/WTC_june19_2.jpg
http://www.panynj.gov/wtc/drp/gallery/images/WTC_june19_5.jpg
http://www.panynj.gov/wtc/drp/gallery/images/WTC_june19_6.jpg
http://www.panynj.gov/wtc/drp/gallery/images/WTC_june19_7.jpg

Going up - no matter what.

looks like theres alot of work being done:)

It's not like there's any great rush yet to make a final decision on the refinements for the spire. Recall the old 1WTC had that piddly little television mast on top of it for a long time until they replaced it with something that looked right!

Why is the formwork in the pictures insulated with styrofoam?
I think now its warm enough outside ( no frost) and the heat from hardening concrete must escape

PANYNJ:
http://www.panynj.gov/wtc/drp/gallery/images/WTC_june19_6.jpg
Strange how some of the rebar has epoxy coating (the green ones) and some doesn't. Normally the coated rebar is only used in bridges, roads etc.

^^ The FT will be a landmark which has to stand for hundreds of years so it isn't strange that they use coated rebar. But I agree with you it's strange they use non coated rebar as well in the core.

I also think it's time for the workers to remove the insulation from the forms. Otherwise the concrete will cure to fast.

Photos above makes the core look massive (which it is) compared to in webcam it looks tiny.

But They're planting less rebars than I thought at columns, only few sticking out of the concrete. (right side of the photo)

http://www.panynj.gov/wtc/drp/gallery/images/WTC_june19_2.jpg

They've been clearing out top left part of the site (from webcam view) or south west corer of the site. Must be progress starting there soon.

Around 3:PM today they put on a diagonal beam in the NE corner of the Freedom Tower.

The Freedom Tower will be the greatest skyscraper in the world no matter what!!! :-)

Is an outdoor roof observation deck in the plans; or, will it be only an indoor observation deck?


Thanks,
Bugs

Finally rising. Good news!

The Freedom Tower will be the greatest skyscraper in the world no matter what!!! :-)

i highly doubt that, the Chicago Spire is well more known then any other US tower. and its not even rising yet

i highly doubt that, the Chicago Spire is well more known then any other US tower. and its not even rising yet

I have to agree with this comment. The Spire is actually the tower that setting records not only in the U.S. but also in the world. Also, unless FAA regulations are changed no tower built in the U.S. can be taller (FAA limits the height of buildings to 2000'). Freedom Tower doesn't set any records in either category. The Spire is also beautiful and innovative, things Freedom Tower isn't.

i highly doubt that, the Chicago Spire is well more known then any other US tower. and its not even rising yet

I agree.

IMHO Freedom tower should be a bit higher - it looks almost the same size as the tower #2.

Just wish they were building 2.

I have to agree with this comment. The Spire is actually the tower that setting records not only in the U.S. but also in the world. Also, unless FAA regulations are changed no tower built in the U.S. can be taller (FAA limits the height of buildings to 2000'). Freedom Tower doesn't set any records in either category. The Spire is also beautiful and innovative, things Freedom Tower isn't.

The FAA limit is easily breakable, with as little as space necessity and contruction area. It just more burocracy to go through, and for the spire, 2000 feet were plenty.

As for the FT, I think it will be equally famous but for other (obvious ) reasons. Let alone the fact that New York has many more turists than Chicago.

The south core of the FT rose today. Looks very uneven compared to the north core which hasn't moved for almost decade now. But good news anyway, it rose this afternoon and for first time we see hole at the east side of the south core.

South west corner of the site cleared for progress.

yes it has, it looks like the south core's above street level now!:)

looks like our construction guys moving today from the top of old PATH station. good sign :banana:

The FAA limit is easily breakable, with as little as space necessity and contruction area. It just more burocracy to go through, and for the spire, 2000 feet were plenty.

As for the FT, I think it will be equally famous but for other (obvious ) reasons. Let alone the fact that New York has many more turists than Chicago.

what does tourist have to do with these towers ? dont kid yourself, the freedom tower wont be any where near famous as the Chicago Spire. its just going to be known because of what happend on the site. OFF topic

The FAA limit is easily breakable, with as little as space necessity and contruction area. It just more burocracy to go through, and for the spire, 2000 feet were plenty.

I'd love the idea of a 2000 foot tower somewhere on this here island. I doubt we can go that high due to Laguardia being so close. I'm not really sure. Although it might be possible in Downtown...

I don't think Laguardia would have much effect. In my heart I would like NY to throw up a record breaker like in the old days. But in today's world with so many wealthy cities the title will be short lived (just look a Dubai).

That said, NY needs some 2,000 footers! :)

I don't think Laguardia would have much effect. In my heart I would like NY to throw up a record breaker like in the old days. But in today's world with so many wealthy cities the title will be short lived (just look a Dubai).

That said, NY needs some 2,000 footers! :)

unfortunately the chance of that happening is 1% because of nearby airport :(

I hate to break it to you for the 100th time (sorry for the people who just can't accept it), but this tower is breaking records in the US and world as the tallest office building ever, and also as a part of the largest office complex in the world. Stating that tower X will be more popular/famous than tower Y is simply a sign of ignorance and no more than piffle.

The FAA limit is easily breakable, with as little as space necessity and contruction area. It just more burocracy to go through, and for the spire, 2000 feet were plenty.

Nobody can predict how easy it would be to break the FAA limit since nobody has ever tried. Other than the Spire nobody has even approached it. I do know however at least one project in Las Vegas died because of height limits imposed on them by the FAA.

Hopefully sometime soon we'll see somebody break through the 2000' barrier in the United States like it has been elsewhere.

Seriously, what the hell does the CS and FAA height restrictions have to do with the construction of the Freedom Tower? It's nice to come visit the thread and read that progress is being made on the core of the building, but three posts later there is something about the CS, BD, or FAA height restrictions, this is getting so old it's not even funny anymore. This does not happen in any of the other high profile threads nearly as often and as soon as they do, mods are there to clean it up. Enough please, take it somewhere else!:ohno:

i guess tomorrow morning I will have to check the Earthcam to se what everyone is talking about.:banana:

I don't think Laguardia would have much effect. In my heart I would like NY to throw up a record breaker like in the old days. But in today's world with so many wealthy cities the title will be short lived (just look a Dubai).

The wealth of a city has very little to do with the tall towers. The three richest cities on the planet are Tokyo, New York and London in that order. Yet many cities with GDP's many times lower have taller towers.

Seriously, what the hell does the CS and FAA height restrictions have to do with the construction of the Freedom Tower? It's nice to come visit the thread and read that progress is being made on the core of the building, but three posts later there is something about the CS, BD, or FAA height restrictions, this is getting so old it's not even funny anymore. This does not happen in any of the other high profile threads nearly as often and as soon as they do, mods are there to clean it up. Enough please, take it somewhere else!:ohno:

i guess tomorrow morning I will have to check the Earthcam to se what everyone is talking about.:banana:Well, it started with this post, which is already comparative in nature:The Freedom Tower will be the greatest skyscraper in the world no matter what!!! :-)

Naturally, people will be inclined to mention other buildings in their contrary opinion. So yeah, we should get back on topic but have some understanding and relax a little :)

From flickr by jebb
Uploaded on June 22, 2008

Might they be old?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3108/2602336496_8baf99d31d_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3082/2601505765_3acc763ed6_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3139/2601506399_514b395d3d_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3154/2602334648_e5f500bb2c_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3200/2601507761_5448ea2d9c_b.jpg

I hate to break it to you for the 100th time (sorry for the people who just can't accept it), but this tower is breaking records in the US and world as the tallest office building ever, and also as a part of the largest office complex in the world. Stating that tower X will be more popular/famous than tower Y is simply a sign of ignorance and no more than piffle.
it wont be the tallest office building for to long :cheers:, great pics Densetsu

No one can say that at this point because there are no competitors.

yes there is, hate to say it but Dubai is planning a 600m office tower

I like this project because it's the new begin for new york
Like Fenix Bird

Greetings from El Salvador

The fact is, it's on its way and that's fantastic!
no, it's not fantastic at this speed.

Another diagonal beam has been added to the existing one in the NE corner over the path tracks

:cheers:

Back to the topic and more pictures. Taken last month during my stay in NY.

May

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u14/Pulse_07/New%20York%202008/DSCF8139.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u14/Pulse_07/New%20York%202008/DSCF8150.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u14/Pulse_07/New%20York%202008/DSCF8151.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u14/Pulse_07/New%20York%202008/DSCF8159.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u14/Pulse_07/New%20York%202008/DSCF8161.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u14/Pulse_07/New%20York%202008/DSCF8162.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u14/Pulse_07/New%20York%202008/DSCF8165.jpg

June

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u14/Pulse_07/New%20York%202008/DSCF2662.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u14/Pulse_07/New%20York%202008/DSCF2665.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u14/Pulse_07/New%20York%202008/DSCF2666.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u14/Pulse_07/New%20York%202008/DSCF2669.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u14/Pulse_07/New%20York%202008/DSCF2671.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u14/Pulse_07/New%20York%202008/DSCF2672.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u14/Pulse_07/New%20York%202008/DSCF2689.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u14/Pulse_07/New%20York%202008/DSCF2691.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u14/Pulse_07/New%20York%202008/DSCF2693.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u14/Pulse_07/New%20York%202008/DSCF2704.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u14/Pulse_07/New%20York%202008/DSCF2706.jpg

Two questions: 1) as they clear the foundations which have (understandably) taken a while, at what time will upward progress accelerate, and 2) once they hit their stride does anyone know how long a floor will take to construct? Thanks in advance.

where are they moving the stairs

LETS GET BACK ON TOPIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!
so what are they doing with the stair case ??
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u14/Pulse_07/New%20York%202008/DSCF8159.jpg

LETS GET BACK ON TOPIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!
so what are they doing with the stair case ??
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u14/Pulse_07/New%20York%202008/DSCF8159.jpg

Part of the museum/memorial I think. I wish they would have saved an entire face of the WTC. The ones that were remaining standing after the collapse and consisted of the exterior columns from the lobby all the way up to about 10 or so floors. As it stands now they're just going to have some of the trident columns.

Part of the museum/memorial I think. I wish they would have saved an entire face of the WTC. The ones that were remaining standing after the collapse and consisted of the exterior columns from the lobby all the way up to about 10 or so floors. As it stands now they're just going to have some of the trident columns.
Hard to sell offices with a "scenic" reminder of a mass-graveyard... =\

Hard to sell offices with a "scenic" reminder of a mass-graveyard... =\

There's plenty of reminders already, but I guess you're right.

What utter bullshit. Please stop bringing up those ridiculous conspiracy theories.

Looks like they are putting up the formwork for another floor. Seems things are visibly starting to speed up at least.

Looks like they are putting up the formwork for another floor. Seems things are visibly starting to speed up at least.

Yeah it is. Take a look at June 24th of 2007 if you really want proof. I think my trip to NYC next summer will be at the perfect time. It'll certainly be above street level by then.

^^ definitely above ground level! The new forms on the south side of the core are for floor B1, this is the last basement floor before ground level. Apart from that they are making great progress on floor B2 and the slurry wall reinforcement for the memorial. :cheers:

^^ definitely above ground level! The new forms on the south side of the core are for floor B1, this is the last basement floor before ground level. Apart from that they are making great progress on floor B2 and the slurry wall reinforcement for the memorial. :cheers:

Very exciting. It's hard to believe that 9/11 was almost 7 years ago... feels like yesterday. I never would have imagined that they'd be building what they are now, or that they'd ever manage to even clean up all the debris. But look at where we are today.

Is the Freedom Tower 1,776 ft with or without the antenna? I've heard both! Today I heard it was 2,000 ft with the antenna.

Which is true?

what does tourist have to do with these towers ? dont kid yourself, the freedom tower wont be any where near famous as the Chicago Spire. its just going to be known because of what happend on the site. OFF topic

LOL PLEASE, yeah only to skyscraper enthusiasts and geeks like yourself are the Spires so well known, stop kidding YOURSELF and stop thinking inside the the box, to the average American, I can assure you that the Freedom Towers are more well known than the Spires are

^^ definitely above ground level! The new forms on the south side of the core are for floor B1, this is the last basement floor before ground level. Apart from that they are making great progress on floor B2 and the slurry wall reinforcement for the memorial. :cheers:

Yes it is above street level yes!!:banana:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/kyle444444/1214428859.jpg

Is the Freedom Tower 1,776 ft with or without the antenna? I've heard both! Today I heard it was 2,000 ft with the antenna.

Which is true?
It's 1776 ft including antenna! By the way, I'm glad you also noticed its antenna not a spire! :cheers:

It's 1776 ft including antenna! By the way, I'm glad you also noticed its antenna not a spire! :cheers:
Yep, it's 1776 to the top of the antenna. But it's actually kind of an antenna/spire hybrid. The antenna is wrapped in a spire "shell". So whatever you can call it is probably correct.

It can only be called a spire because all the comm stuff and antennas are now on top of the crown. I think the deal with having a larger antenna inside the spire is long dead because everything will be broadcasted differently in a few years. The sculpture that brings the tower to 1,776' serves no broadcasting purpose. Anyone who says it doesn't count is not with reality. Just wait and see what the CTBUH says; obviously the designers will make sure it's exactly 1,776'. In some different versions the Freedom Tower had an antenna which was at around 2000 feet tall to the tip, but that's history.

east half of south core rose to level with the west half. South core is now way way above the north core.

Question: If you look at the floor on the left side of the south core from webcam view where steel beams are laid. Compare 12:00 of 24th and 26th of this month back and forth. at 24th you can see concrete and some silver metal things rising from it. on 26th there's black floor on top, what is that???

^^ Like I posted yesterday on the page before, they are putting up formwork for another floor...

The north core really needs to pick up the pace. =P

Street level!! I shall drink to that tonight.

Flickr, june 20th:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3033/2611394594_a0df09b72f.jpg?v=0

while th earthca is dowm use the new improved cam @ rebuildgroundzero.org

http://www.rebuildgroundzero.org/modules/mod_webcam_pop_up.php?refresh=60&altText=Groud+Zero+Webcam+-+Rebuild+Ground+Zero+.org&camImgY=768&camImgX=960&imageurl=http://rebuildgroundzero.org/webcam/rgz_000.jpg

while th earthca is dowm use the new improved cam @ rebuildgroundzero.org

http://www.rebuildgroundzero.org/modules/mod_webcam_pop_up.php?refresh=60&altText=Groud+Zero+Webcam+-+Rebuild+Ground+Zero+.org&camImgY=768&camImgX=960&imageurl=http://rebuildgroundzero.org/webcam/rgz_000.jpg

what a slow project. holy.

Haha, enough^^, please. Just wait for the basement levels to be finished.

it's definitely above street level
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/philvia/wtc12.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a391/philvia/wtc1.jpg

A milestone indeed.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o67/auckland16/album%2001/freedometower.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o67/auckland16/album%2001/freedomet2.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o67/auckland16/album%2001/freedome03.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o67/auckland16/album%2001/freedometower.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o67/auckland16/album%2001/freedomet2.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o67/auckland16/album%2001/freedome03.jpg

The north core really needs to pick up the pace. =P

The north core will especially lag behind now as the next level is basically a set back over the PATH tracks (or is it a set forward since its an overhang?) :nuts:

There's heaven and earth gap between south and north core height difference.