Well it's taking some form now, so that real good to see. And being at street level is nice as well:)

Now it will go up much faster with the foundations almost done.

:dance: Above Street Level!

Now it will go up much faster with the foundations almost done.

the foundations are done since a long time already ^^

Now it will go up much faster with the foundations almost done.

Wouldn't count on it. The substructure isn't finished yet and the concrete base of the tower surely will take its time. Reaching ground level is a important milestone, but it doesn't guaranty a faster building speed. ;)

From what I understand from people who are working on this project, the building process will not speed up u ntil it reaches the third floor above ground level.

There was a story on the Wall Street journal about setbacks on the world trade center reconstruction. It talked about how it would be complete later than anticipated and will cost as much as $3 billion more than planned. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is expected to release a report Monday detailing significant delays and cost overruns on construction there. I'd post the whole article but I didn't renew my subscription ; it expired 3 days ago.

Oops: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121478579725914627.html?mod=hpp_us_whats_news

^^ Here is the above linked article with key info highlighted for you all

Trade Center Rebuilding
Faces Big Setback
By ALEX FRANGOS
June 30, 2008

NEW YORK -- The rebuilding of the World Trade Center, destroyed in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, won't be completed until the middle of the next decade, and will cost as much as $3 billion more than planned, according to people familiar with the matter.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which owns the 16-acre site in Lower Manhattan, is expected to release a report Monday detailing significant delays and cost overruns on construction there.

The report won't specify new completion dates or budget figures, but people familiar with the project say major components of it will be delayed one to three years and will cost $1 billion to $3 billion more than the current estimate of $15 billion. They caution that those estimates are preliminary and could shrink.
[photo]
Associated Press
Construction continues on the foundations of the Sept. 11 Memorial at the World Trade Center site. In addition to the memorial, the Freedom Tower, three office towers, and a transportation hub are under construction.

"The executive director will give a candid assessment of where we are and where we need to go to get the site rebuilt," said Port Authority spokesman Stephen Sigmund. He dismissed the estimates as overly pessimistic. "Anyone giving you dates and budgets today would have to have a crystal ball."

The delays mean the Sept. 11 Memorial planned for the site probably won't be finished by Sept. 11, 2011, the 10th anniversary of the terror attacks. Port Authority executives hope at least part of the eight-acre memorial -- which includes two massive voids representing the shattered Twin Towers, an underground visiting area and a museum -- will open by then, people familiar with the project said. However, the foundation in charge of planning the memorial remains committed to finishing it by the anniversary date.

"Our goal out of this process is to ensure that the memorial is completed and open in time for the 10th anniversary," Lynn Rasic, a spokeswoman for the foundation, said Sunday.

Monday's report also will likely damp enthusiasm among potential tenants and outside investors for taking space in the planned office skyscrapers. Investment giant Merrill Lynch & Co. has been in talks to take over one of the planned buildings, Tower 3. But Merrill, the Port Authority and private developer Larry Silverstein, who is building that tower, remain far apart, a government official said. That official called a deal unlikely. Others involved said it was unclear that the delays would greatly affect Tower 3, and that Merrill could still be coaxed onboard at the right price.

A Merrill spokeswoman declined to comment. Silverstein spokesman Dara McQuillan couldn't be reached for comment.

Symbol of the City

The rebuilding on the site of the Sept. 11 attacks has been hailed as a symbol of the city and the nation's resilience after the deadliest act of terrorism on American soil. Plans for the Trade Center call for it to eventually include the memorial, five office towers, a transit hub providing access to underground rail lines, and a performing-arts center. But repeated delays, budget overruns and -- lately -- logistical hurdles and poor management among the site's half-dozen major elements have marred the project.
[David Paterson]

New York Gov. David Paterson, who controls the Port Authority along with New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine, ordered the new progress report amid rumblings that construction was falling behind.

The challenges center on the Port Authority's planned transit hub and the memorial, which sits above commuter-rail tracks. Decisions at one project affect the other, but they are being designed and built by different teams.

The hub's wing-shaped design and its underground passageways and underpinnings have proved to be difficult to execute within the original $2 billion budget. The transit hub, most recently scheduled to open in 2011, probably won't open until perhaps 2014, officials say, though estimates of the delays are still preliminary. The foundation overseeing the memorial, meanwhile, has yet to finalize some aspects of the above-ground portion of that project.

Any delays related to the transit hub also would set back the 500,000 square feet of retail space located within the hub and adjacent spaces. Westfield Group, an Australian mall operator, owns the development rights to the planned collection of shops. A Westfield spokeswoman declined to comment.

Before 9/11, the retail space at the Trade Center was among the highest-grossing in the nation.

The delays at the memorial could put Mr. Paterson at odds with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who serves as chairman of the effort to build the memorial and is also regarded as a potential contender for the governorship in 2010. The mayor stepped in to lead the memorial effort after it floundered earlier on, and has staked his reputation on its completion on time and on budget.

As critical security screening facilities and the adjacent transit hub fall behind, completion of the office space at the site will be pushed back. Officials cautioned that it will require additional study to know for sure how much longer it will take to build the office space.
[Larry Silverstein]

Mr. Silverstein's three towers could see their deadlines delayed past the current 2013 targets. But that could give the developer some respite from the credit crunch and the weak economy, which have helped to reduce major companies' demand for office space.

The Freedom Tower, an office tower controlled by the Port Authority and currently under construction, had been targeted for completion by the end of 2011. Now, the tower, which is expected to be occupied by state and federal agencies, is likely to be delayed a year.

Monday's report, to be issued by Port Authority Executive Director Christopher Ward, will identify 17 to 20 logistical, contracting and budgetary matters that need to be resolved before a firmer schedule and budget can be set in a second report, promised for September. The report also will call for a new committee to oversee the Trade Center project, including representatives from various government agencies and private organizations that have a role at the site.

Supporting Role

Attempts at coordination have been made before. Shortly after the attacks, New York state and city established the Lower Manhattan Development Corp. to oversee construction. But, as the Port Authority has asserted its ownership rights at the site, the LMDC has been reduced to a supporting role.

In 2006, the Port Authority emerged as the lead agency. But it has found itself unable to push forward while coordinating with the other players, including New York City and state agencies that have roles in transportation, planning and funding.

Write to Alex Frangos at alex.frangos@wsj.com

Agency wants to throw out WTC rebuilding schedule

By AMY WESTFELDT, Associated Press Writer 53 minutes ago

NEW YORK - The World Trade Center's owner on Monday proposed scrapping the schedule and budget for the prolonged rebuilding of the site of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, saying nearly every project is delayed and over budget and that previous estimates are unrealistic.


Christopher Ward, executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, didn't set new deadlines and budgets for the multibillion-dollar redevelopment at the destroyed trade center complex. He proposed that a committee of developers and government agencies involved in the project meet to set new, "clear and achievable timelines" by the end of September.

"The schedule and cost estimates of the rebuilding effort that have been communicated to the public are not realistic," Ward wrote Monday to Gov. David Paterson, who asked in June for a progress report on the site.

Under current plans, the earliest opening date for the first project at the site — the memorial — is 2011, the 10th anniversary of the attack. The Freedom Tower and other skyscrapers planned for ground zero aren't expected to open until 2013 at the earliest.

The deadlines for building the office towers, memorial and Sept. 11 museum, a transit hub, and performing arts center at ground zero have been changing almost since planning began. At one point, the plan called for the 1,776-foot Freedom Tower to be ready for occupancy by 2008.

Paterson demanded a quicker pace for a project that has been slowed by political wrangling, passionate arguments about the site's symbolism, rising construction costs and the logistics of building so much at once on such a small space.

Ward listed 15 issues affecting the rebuilding, which he said didn't become clear until full-scale construction began on most projects over the past three years.

A transit hub, featuring a winged dome designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, presents some of the greatest rebuilding obstacles because it affects office towers, the memorial and space for an arts center that surrounds it. Once budgeted at $2.2 billion, estimates have soared as high as $3.4 billion.

Ward said the Port Authority is working on several options to cut costs, including redesigning the dome so that its roof does not open and close as once designed.

He said no centralized command exists to oversee the rebuilding, which "has led to indecision that has resulted in significant schedule delays and cost escalation."

Ward proposed a committee to oversee new timelines that includes private developer Larry Silverstein — in charge of building three of five towers — the Port Authority, the Lower Manhattan Development Corp. rebuilding agency, the mayor's office, the foundation building the memorial and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Two years ago, in the last year of Gov. George Pataki's administration, the agency said it had expedited development at the site by renegotiating a 99-year lease with Silverstein and shifting responsibility for who would build what.

It set clear deadlines and penalties, including $300,000-a-day payments to Silverstein if the agency didn't deliver land on time. The agency has paid Silverstein over $14 million in penalties after missing those deadlines.

:ohno:

WTC Grand Opening 2018! :banana:

I just got back from NYC. I absolutely LOVE that city, but I'm very sad at the progress of this site.

double post :gaah:

Well this sucks. But everything will get done, one way or another. :ohno:

And what is with all these double/triple posts today?

I'm in the preliminary stages of planning a trip to NYC in the summer or 2010....so does anyone have an idea how far along this will be?

Very far, nearing half. Two years from now still means we'll be seeing FT about half erected and the rest of the towers starting to rise or in the process of going up. The delay has the least impact on the Freedom Tower and we should have all seen it coming with T3 and T4 because of the redesign that will increase the size of the project and T2 because they were a month behind with preping the site. This isn't new news to anyone who has their eye on this project. Hate to see the hub go but I can assure people that the towers aren't going anyewhere; in fact, they'll be better than ever. It seems like everything is under fire right now except the towers. There is a strong push to stop the current memorial design from what I hear. I think it has something to do with the fact that it's underground, but that's inane since this whole project has large underground areas.

^^ I say forget the memorial for now as they already have that 9/11 museum/memorial near the old Deutche Bank Tower.

i no its ridiculous one is at ground level and the other has 5 floors to go

Not to ignite any fires, or add fuel to, the World Trade Center Memorial will cost $500 million to celebrate the lives of 2998 people, while the Vietnam War Memorial, representing the lives of 58,209 American soldiers cost only $18 million in today's dollars.

Something is wrong here. The families of 9/11 survivors have WAY too much power, its not like these people died fighting for their country.

Not to ignite any fires, or add fuel to, the World Trade Center Memorial will cost $500 million to celebrate the lives of 2998 people, while the Vietnam War Memorial, representing the lives of 58,209 American soldiers cost only $18 million in today's dollars.

Something is wrong here. The families of 9/11 survivors have WAY too much power, its not like these people died fighting for their country.

They died just being at work were they are supposed to be safe and secure.

Although all human beings strive to be perpetually safe, there is no place on Earth where you are constantly without threat; please remember that.

Sorry for this off-topic comment.

Not to ignite any fires, or add fuel to, the World Trade Center Memorial will cost $500 million to celebrate the lives of 2998 people, while the Vietnam War Memorial, representing the lives of 58,209 American soldiers cost only $18 million in today's dollars.

Something is wrong here. The families of 9/11 survivors have WAY too much power, its not like these people died fighting for their country.

And to think some of the families wanted the whole site to be a memorial.

And what is with all these double/triple posts today?

servers or databases or both have really been acting up lately. :ohno:

Not to ignite any fires, or add fuel to, the World Trade Center Memorial will cost $500 million to celebrate the lives of 2998 people, while the Vietnam War Memorial, representing the lives of 58,209 American soldiers cost only $18 million in today's dollars.

Something is wrong here. The families of 9/11 survivors have WAY too much power, its not like these people died fighting for their country.

I'm not in total disagreement with you but your comment still doesnt sit very well. how much is 18 million in todays dollars?

I agree that 500 million is a bit much, but if you look at the Vietnam War Memorial, it is simply impressive. A wall with that many names, no need for it to cost that much money, it was built as a clear symbol and it is stunning, seeing all of those names one after the other in small print, names of men who died fighting for this country. They were probably going for simplicity, and used it as a tranquil, if you will, reminder of those men. But isn't the fact of the victims being innocent only more devastating? Look at the Oklahoma City Memorial, $29 million, 168 people died in that act of terrorism. There is a difference between a war memorial and a memorial for an act of terrorism. Ground Zero, after all is the first battlefield in the War on Terror, and I believe an impressive memorial is completely necessary for a location that is so important in American history.

I'm not in total disagreement with you but your comment still doesnt sit very well. how much is 18 million in todays dollars?

18 million in today's dollar's I said so in my post.

I agree that 500 million is a bit much, but if you look at the Vietnam War Memorial, it is simply impressive. A wall with that many names, no need for it to cost that much money, it was built as a clear symbol and it is stunning, seeing all of those names one after the other in small print, names of men who died fighting for this country. They were probably going for simplicity, and used it as a tranquil, if you will, reminder of those men. But isn't the fact of the victims being innocent only more devastating? Look at the Oklahoma City Memorial, $29 million, 168 people died in that act of terrorism. There is a difference between a war memorial and a memorial for an act of terrorism. Ground Zero, after all is the first battlefield in the War on Terror, and I believe an impressive memorial is completely necessary for a location that is so important in American history.

The Vietnam Memorial is a true work of art; without spending a fortune, it remembers all the men and women who died. Building an over-extravagant, half billion dollar memorial in the center of lower Manhattan does not justify their deaths, nor will it ever fully appease any family 100%. What does matter is that something gets built that is not over the top and does not strain the schedule of Ground Zero completing its main objective, getting back on with business.

P.S.
I just finished reading the Wiki on the Oklahoma City Bombings Memorial. They have an "empty chair"(essentially a modern art sculpture built out of rusted steel) for each victim, and a reflecting pool......
At least it wasn't built directly in the center of the US's largest city.

This entire project is starting to run itself into oblivion! Delaying the completion is just going to raise the costs even farther. Material and labor costs both are increasing quite rapidly and every delay means the costs just increase. Not only that but the payback really falls apart because so much money is sitting there invested with no return until the project is completed. :ohno:

As for the memorial, the cost is just ridiculous. Yes, it will symbolize a tragic event in American history but it's no more significant than many others and in reality will probably draw fewer tourists than those in Washington DC. The cost is more than double the cost of the WWII memorial and actually in my opinion will be nowhere near as beautiful.

The politicians need to get their heads on straight and get these projects on track as well as look at what measures can help reduce the costs. The more they talk and form committees the less they get done.

well, you do realize that the majority of that cost for the memorial is probably the land. Also the Vietnam memorial was won by a college student, very famous now for it, but yes, maya lin won that competition in like her 3rd year of architecture school.

Not to ignite any fires, or add fuel to, the World Trade Center Memorial will cost $500 million to celebrate the lives of 2998 people, while the Vietnam War Memorial, representing the lives of 58,209 American soldiers cost only $18 million in today's dollars.

Something is wrong here. The families of 9/11 survivors have WAY too much power, its not like these people died fighting for their country.
Dont forget that it is Manhattan, which is pretty expensive.

To the people wanting to see the Freedom Tower rise quickly, They are gonna take their time on this building and do it right. This building is going to be a solid concrete and steel building and about one of the strongest if not the strongest ever built in the world.We need patience on this build i wanna see it done right.

Just saw this on the front page of USAToday.com: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-07-01-new-york-wtcsite_N.htm

18 million in today's dollar's I said so in my post. sorry, I missed that.



The Vietnam Memorial is a true work of art; without spending a fortune, it remembers all the men and women who died. Building an over-extravagant, half billion dollar memorial in the center of lower Manhattan does not justify their deaths, nor will it ever fully appease any family 100%. What does matter is that something gets built that is not over the top and does not strain the schedule of Ground Zero completing its main objective, getting back on with business.

P.S.
I just finished reading the Wiki on the Oklahoma City Bombings Memorial. They have an "empty chair"(essentially a modern art sculpture built out of rusted steel) for each victim, and a reflecting pool......
At least it wasn't built directly in the center of the US's largest city.

please correct your post. you quoted the wrong person.

To the people wanting to see the Freedom Tower rise quickly, They are gonna take their time on this building and do it right. This building is going to be a solid concrete and steel building and about one of the strongest if not the strongest ever built in the world.We need patience on this build i wanna see it done right.

sorry but this is crap. there are many buildings around the world with similar height, strength, and complexity going up at a much faster pace.

IMO, this building should be going up the fastest. NYC(representing all of the US) should show the world that it can pick it self up quickly after being knocked down.

well, you do realize that the majority of that cost for the memorial is probably the land. Also the Vietnam memorial was won by a college student, very famous now for it, but yes, maya lin won that competition in like her 3rd year of architecture school.

very good point.

[QUOTE=Chicagophotoshop;22159135]sorry but this is crap. there are many buildings around the world with similar height, strength, and complexity going up at a much faster pace.

QUOTE]

Name me one that has a subway line running along the northern face of the building?

Name me one that has a subway line running along the northern face of the building?

so the subway is what is making this go so slow? not buying it. subway is done as far as I know. the path line at least. listen, I love NYC. I'm just very disappointed that its going on 15 years to complete this site. I would think we can build stronger, better, and faster in the face of such a horrible viscous intentional destruction.

Name me one that has a subway line running along the northern face of the building?


So it's the SUBWAY that's making this thing so hard to build? Are you trying to be funny or something?

the subway sure isn't making it easy. considering the northern half of the building has to cantilever over the trains, yes it is a little more difficult and time consuming. and not only that, the entire building is made out of steel wrapped in concrete, so yes it is a little more difficult and time consuming. this construction is unique in many ways so why would you expect conventional building process?

A fast food restaurant is stopping construction? How could that be? :D

The random dissenting comments really throw this thread into turmoil. "It's never going to rise!", "THIS IS UGLY".

It's easier to ignore them than to count them as a legitimate topic to discuss.

The random dissenting comments really throw this thread into turmoil. "It's never going to rise!", "THIS IS UGLY".

It's easier to ignore them than to count them as a legitimate topic to discuss.

well what should be discussed? the core? the 1.5 completed floors (in 7 years)? the big hole in the ground?


its extremely disappointing to me that this is taking so long. and even more so with the recent article about budgets and time frames being thrown out the window. THIS IS UGLY!

Once a symbol of hope and renewal and now ....well really quite hilarious. What a costly boondoggle this has become, really I'm almost ashamed and embarrassed. Nearly 7 years and we have a floor and a half and not even a complete floor and a half. i wonder who's pockets are really being lined and why wasn't there a committee developed to expedite this project and get around all the bureaucracy. Heck if there was stock to buy in how long it would take to really get thing moving as it should have done I think a lot of us here would have invested. Change the name to the Dumbdumb Tower - please.

sorry but this is crap. there are many buildings around the world with similar height, strength, and complexity going up at a much faster pace.

IMO, this building should be going up the fastest. NYC(representing all of the US) should show the world that it can pick it self up quickly after being knocked down.

You show an inane amount of ignorance and disrespect towards this project. How do you have any idea what the exact methods of construction in those 16-acres will be? Name me another building being built nearly simultaneously with 3 other skyscrapers across the street, using extremely reinforced building methods which force the construction to be tedious. They aren't building this slowly just to aggravate you, trust me. They're making sure this is done right.

It's not a glass curtain that will go up in 6 months. New York is better than that. This project will be finished when it's finished, and it will be done right.

So it's the SUBWAY that's making this thing so hard to build? Are you trying to be funny or something?

Yes I am trying to be funny. And before you open your mouth go look at recent pictures. The northern core has yet to cantilever over the PATH tracks. So no the PATH tracks aren't done. :bash:

So...umm...kinda got awful news. This project has been seriously delayed...and may even be cancelled.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7483590.stm

Ground Zero rebuild plan scrapped

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44795000/jpg/_44795035_zero_ap226body.jpg
The project's initial $14bn (£7bn) budget has continued to rise


The owner of the World Trade Center has abandoned the timetable for rebuilding work at the site of the 9/11 attacks, saying it was "not realistic".

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey executive director, Christopher Ward, listed over a dozen issues that had slowed work and raised costs.

New dates for the completion of a memorial, skyscrapers and a transit hub are expected to be issued in September.

It is unclear if the centrepiece Freedom Tower, will now be scaled back.

The tower, intended as a replacement for the destroyed Twin Towers, had been scheduled for completion in 2006 and then 2011, but the latest estimate is 2013.

At 1,776ft (541m) it would be the tallest building in the US.

'Emotional dates'

In a report to New York governor David Paterson, Mr Ward said: "The schedule and cost estimates of the rebuilding effort that have been communicated to the public are not realistic."

He said developers and government agencies would set new "clear and achievable timelines" by the end of September.

Mr Ward said the earliest rebuilding estimates in the wake of the 9/11 attacks were not truthful, referring to them as "emotional dates".

The deadlines for the redevelopment work have been moved several times.

The project's initial $14bn (£7bn) budget has continued to rise as commodity prices soar and developers and government agencies wrangle over site plans.

Hmmm. That's pretty interesting.

Looks like the author of the article took a little bit of an artistic license with the title.

At 1,776ft (541m) it would be the tallest building in the US.
lol

To be honest, for the BBC, that's a shockingly poor article.

So...umm...kinda got awful news. This project has been seriously delayed...and may even be cancelled.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7483590.stm

Ground Zero rebuild plan scrapped

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44795000/jpg/_44795035_zero_ap226body.jpg
The project's initial $14bn (£7bn) budget has continued to rise


The owner of the World Trade Center has abandoned the timetable for rebuilding work at the site of the 9/11 attacks, saying it was "not realistic".

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey executive director, Christopher Ward, listed over a dozen issues that had slowed work and raised costs.

New dates for the completion of a memorial, skyscrapers and a transit hub are expected to be issued in September.

It is unclear if the centrepiece Freedom Tower, will now be scaled back.

The tower, intended as a replacement for the destroyed Twin Towers, had been scheduled for completion in 2006 and then 2011, but the latest estimate is 2013.

At 1,776ft (541m) it would be the tallest building in the US.

'Emotional dates'

In a report to New York governor David Paterson, Mr Ward said: "The schedule and cost estimates of the rebuilding effort that have been communicated to the public are not realistic."

He said developers and government agencies would set new "clear and achievable timelines" by the end of September.

Mr Ward said the earliest rebuilding estimates in the wake of the 9/11 attacks were not truthful, referring to them as "emotional dates".

The deadlines for the redevelopment work have been moved several times.

The project's initial $14bn (£7bn) budget has continued to rise as commodity prices soar and developers and government agencies wrangle over site plans.


PATHETIC!!!

In the time that it takes for New York to build a couple of supertalls, the rest of the world will built dozens of them. It's a sad day in the once "skyscraper capital of the world".

lol

i lol'd too. Somebody needs to get out and see USA:bash:

^Don't worry because that article is simply a load of bull. And so is comment 5050. All of the skyscrapers are still fine, It's the rest of the project that's in question. And this place, after all, is SSC. I've spoken with someone on the project and there is no chance of downsizing no matter how bad things get. To add, how could they redesign a skyscraper that's already a few floors high and going up, not even stopped. Of all of the projects at the WTC, this "delay" has the least impact on the Freedom Tower.

You show an inane amount of ignorance and disrespect towards this project. How do you have any idea what the exact methods of construction in those 16-acres will be? Name me another building being built nearly simultaneously with 3 other skyscrapers across the street, using extremely reinforced building methods which force the construction to be tedious. They aren't building this slowly just to aggravate you, trust me. They're making sure this is done right.

It's not a glass curtain that will go up in 6 months. New York is better than that. This project will be finished when it's finished, and it will be done right.


so you believe this is going slow because they are taking their time and making sure its done right? ok good I hope so. I'm still disappointed that its still mostly a big hole in the ground after 7 years of clean up and construction.

maybe my standards are too high. I expect more from new yorkers.

Yes I am trying to be funny. And before you open your mouth go look at recent pictures. The northern core has yet to cantilever over the PATH tracks. So no the PATH tracks aren't done. :bash:

some are. I took the PATH 5 times to that exit from jersey city last week.

How could anyone expect more? It's the largest skyscraper project in the US and biggest office complex in the world? Why is a small delay causing negativity? Because of 130 Lib. problems, because of extreme construction worker/equipment demand elsewhere this city w/ eco problems and rising costs, because of the T2 prep delay, partly caused by the T3 prep delay, because of the size increase/redesign of Towers 3 and 4, because of substructure redesigns, how could we not see this a new schedule coming? Were we blind? Well that's always true for most people here.

Well it's better that, no matter what, we ARE getting four massive supertalls and a plethora of other amazing skyscrapers, even if it takes longer, and better that we don't CURRENTLY have three small, fat towers with a birdcage as the centerpiece (even though the old FT would have been great anywhere else in NYC, just not at the WTC). Keep the redesigns and delays coming. At least the tallest tower is rising.

The delays stated in this 'new' report are not new. They were known to anyone who kept up with the construction of the site. The media just happens to find it out, only 3 months late.

So...umm...kinda got awful news. This project has been seriously delayed...and may even be cancelled.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7483590.stm

Ground Zero rebuild plan scrapped

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44795000/jpg/_44795035_zero_ap226body.jpg
The project's initial $14bn (£7bn) budget has continued to rise


The owner of the World Trade Center has abandoned the timetable for rebuilding work at the site of the 9/11 attacks, saying it was "not realistic".

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey executive director, Christopher Ward, listed over a dozen issues that had slowed work and raised costs.

New dates for the completion of a memorial, skyscrapers and a transit hub are expected to be issued in September.

It is unclear if the centrepiece Freedom Tower, will now be scaled back.

The tower, intended as a replacement for the destroyed Twin Towers, had been scheduled for completion in 2006 and then 2011, but the latest estimate is 2013.

At 1,776ft (541m) it would be the tallest building in the US.

'Emotional dates'

In a report to New York governor David Paterson, Mr Ward said: "The schedule and cost estimates of the rebuilding effort that have been communicated to the public are not realistic."

He said developers and government agencies would set new "clear and achievable timelines" by the end of September.

Mr Ward said the earliest rebuilding estimates in the wake of the 9/11 attacks were not truthful, referring to them as "emotional dates".

The deadlines for the redevelopment work have been moved several times.

The project's initial $14bn (£7bn) budget has continued to rise as commodity prices soar and developers and government agencies wrangle over site plans. not surprised, they should just build the freedom tower and make the rest of the area green

At 1,776ft (541m)

http://imgs.ebuild.com/cms/ARCHITECT%20MAGAZINE/2007/May/AR070501028L1.jpg

it would be the

http://www.chicagoarchitecture.info/CAI/Images/NearNorthSide/ChicagoSpire-004.jpg

tallest building in the US.

I beg to differ!!!

--courtesy of ChicagoArchitecture.info

Are people that retarded? I can't accept it.

^^Neither can I...
well what should be discussed? the core? the 1.5 completed floors (in 7 years)? the big hole in the ground?


7 years of construction? You're saying construction automatically took off 3 months after 9/11? You're an idiot...

^^Neither can I...


7 years of construction? You're saying construction automatically took off 3 months after 9/11? You're an idiot...

easy on the insults buddy. its been over 7 years since wtc was destroyed. clean up/construction. feel better now?

At 1,776ft (541m) it would be the tallest building in the US.
I'm glad to see that the reporters for the BBC are no more competent than the reporters for AP. AP reporters reported that the proposed American Commerce Center would be america's tallest in its only going to be 1500' tall. It certainly looks like the reporters need to start reading a little more before writing! :bash:

^ One thing you must accept about being a skyscraper nut is that, alas, pretty much no one else in the world cares; it's only us, and sometimes even we don't want to care, like now. It's also really hard to make people super passionate about skyscrapers, even if they are close to you. I've tried and failed so many times.

^ One thing you must accept about being a skyscraper nut is that, alas, pretty much no one else in the world cares; it's only us, and sometimes even we don't want to care, like now. It's also really hard to make people super passionate about skyscrapers, even if they are close to you. I've tried and failed so many times.

I know exactly what you mean. Most of my family and friends just nod politely and stare right through me when I talk about skyscrapers.

As for this project, I really dont mind that it seems to be taking longer than normal. This may be because I'm feeling a little sad that Trump Tower in Chicago is almost T/O. Sure it will be nice to be done, but I find the construction process interesting and exciting.

Yeah, that's exactly it. At the first time, they always seem to be really into it and may say stuff like "Wow" or ask questions, but that stops quickly; then it's like you're talking to a wall. Sometimes you just don't stop talking because you know the person hates it and it's you're way of getting revenge. It makes you so isolated. It feels like you're the only pro-tower person on the planet sometimes. And you're right about how when certain buildings reach certain stages you just can't help it; you want to express something but it's like you're surrounded by NIMBYs. I doubt anyone around me knows FT is above grade now because it just doesn't get through anymore.

This is what happens when the government gets involved. This tower will never get built it seems like. I agree with what Ray Nagin said: "five years later and you guys still have a hole in the ground." Well, more like seven now. Oh and I think seven years is a lot more than a "small" delay Ebola. Prove me otherwise.

So what is the official news? Are they really delaying the construction again?
It is a shame it’s taking so long. This is a beautiful project, I guess they should have hired the Pentagon contractors to do it:lol:.

As it stands now the chances are that even Tall Tower (Al Burj) might get finished before this one.

So as of midnight last night, the friggin Concrete Union went on strike. That includes the major supplier of concrete for the Freedom Tower. Go ahead and throw that into the delay mix too. The drivers, who currently make 33/hr, now want 38/hr to drive their little trucks full of cement to the site and loaf around while they unload their cement into another machine. You have got to be kidding me. We should do a worker swap, just for a month or two. Get all of those worker ants in Dubai over here, and ship out our labor over there. That'd be quite the awakening.
I've been neutral on this whole construction debacle until now. This is just the icing on the cake. This whole project is a molasses nightmare/joke. Fire everyone and start over.

:gaah:

easy on the insults buddy. its been over 7 years since wtc was destroyed. clean up/construction. feel better now?

Lets see. September 11, 2001. Seven years would be September 11, 2008.


So no it hasn't been over 7 years. More like 6 years 9 months and 20 days.

The best thing that could happen right now is the entire site being turned over to a private developer. Less delays, less bureaucracy.

Maybe someone can clear something up for me. Is the land owned by the Port Authority and the buildings owned by Silverstein? Or is the entire thing a government job?

Lets see. September 11, 2001. Seven years would be September 11, 2008.


So no it hasn't been over 7 years. More like 6 years 9 months and 20 days.

and 12 hours, 41 minutes, and 39 seconds.

and you arent the least bit disappointed that this hasnt even come above ground in 6 years, 9 months and 20 days? take trump chicago for example. a building was completely removed and a 90 something tall building is about to be topped out. yes the WTC site is much more sensitive, complex, etc etc. but come on. I expect more from new yorkers and as an american feel a sense of pride if this was able to be built fast, bigger, and better.

Is the earthcam down for good? Anyone have an update about it?

I liked checking that one :-(

I'm in the preliminary stages of planning a trip to NYC in the summer or 2010....so does anyone have an idea how far along this will be?

the towers will not be nearly completed by then. although there will be superstructure work, maybe 40-70 floors of construction on the Freedom Tower

I'm in the preliminary stages of planning a trip to NYC in the summer or 2010....so does anyone have an idea how far along this will be?

the towers will not be nearly completed by then. although there will be superstructure work, maybe 40-70 floors of construction on the Freedom Tower

and 12 hours, 41 minutes, and 39 seconds.

and you arent the least bit disappointed that this hasnt even come above ground in 6 years, 9 months and 20 days? take trump chicago for example. a building was completely removed and a 90 something tall building is about to be topped out. yes the WTC site is much more sensitive, complex, etc etc. but come on. I expect more from new yorkers and as an american feel a sense of pride if this was able to be built fast, bigger, and better.

yea but this isnt nearly the same. First of all, its the equivelent of 5 trump towers (and classier towers than trump anyways) second, its 16 acres with underground shopping floors, giant underground parking, etc. Third, its the site of collapsed buildings, not demolished buildings. These are just a few reasons. and also, politicians got involved and ruined the hole project, so its been revised often.

yea but this isnt nearly the same. First of all, its the equivelent of 5 trump towers (and classier towers than trump anyways) second, its 16 acres with underground shopping floors, giant underground parking, etc. Third, its the site of collapsed buildings, not demolished buildings. These are just a few reasons. and also, politicians got involved and ruined the hole project, so its been revised often.

yes I understand my comparison isnt a great one but trump is almost done! and trump was built on a spot that hard a building there already. at whats at WTC? a train stop and foundation. thats all. my point was still made even with the trump comparison.

I'll bet the announcement as to the delay was probably delayed.

and 12 hours, 41 minutes, and 39 seconds.

and you arent the least bit disappointed that this hasnt even come above ground in 6 years, 9 months and 20 days? take trump chicago for example. a building was completely removed and a 90 something tall building is about to be topped out. yes the WTC site is much more sensitive, complex, etc etc. but come on. I expect more from new yorkers and as an american feel a sense of pride if this was able to be built fast, bigger, and better.

Has it ever occured to you that the design selection process took a total of 3 years?

Expect more from New Yorkers? lol. What kind of shit is that? Are we some different kind of breed that more is expected from us?

About the delays and process, this is America. For the most part, the rest of the world get a skyscraper started within a few months. In America, it can take over a year to get a house approved and to start construction. I'm not sure if the IBC will effect the other countries and how long it takes to get things started. It's just we probably have the strictest building codes in the world and architects have a lot of running around and verifications that have to be signed off before anything can get underway.

About the delays and process, this is America. For the most part, the rest of the world get a skyscraper started within a few months. In America, it can take over a year to get a house approved and to start construction. I'm not sure if the IBC will effect the other countries and how long it takes to get things started. It's just we probably have the strictest building codes in the world and architects have a lot of running around and verifications that have to be signed off before anything can get underway.
Exactly. As I said before, they aren't building 1/4-mile high curtains. These buildings are going to be in the eyes of the world, and as long as it bears the name "World Trade Center" it will as well be in the eyes of those who will want to destroy it.

Could they build them cheaper and faster? Yes, but for what? To save 2 years? It would greatly increase the risk destruction in the event of, God forbid, another devastating attack.

They're building it right. It will be done when it's done.

Has it ever occured to you that the design selection process took a total of 3 years?

you tell me, is that a normal amount of time for something like this? maybe so. I have no problem with that. what disappoints me is that its taken almost 4 to do nothing more then complete a subway station and foundation.....only to announce this week that more delays are coming.

Expect more from New Yorkers? lol. What kind of shit is that? Are we some different kind of breed that more is expected from us?

yes. I put new yorkers at a higher standard then most cities/people in america. you are the urban/financial/fashion/dining/etc/etc capital of this country. I expect more.

So as of midnight last night, the friggin Concrete Union went on strike. That includes the major supplier of concrete for the Freedom Tower. Go ahead and throw that into the delay mix too. The drivers, who currently make 33/hr, now want 38/hr to drive their little trucks full of cement to the site and loaf around while they unload their cement into another machine. You have got to be kidding me. We should do a worker swap, just for a month or two. Get all of those worker ants in Dubai over here, and ship out our labor over there. That'd be quite the awakening.
I've been neutral on this whole construction debacle until now. This is just the icing on the cake. This whole project is a molasses nightmare/joke. Fire everyone and start over. :gaah:
I'm sure knowing construction unions they will cause many more headaches before this project is finished and probably a large portion of the delays can be blamed on them. Each one protects its own turf in won't help nor work with another one to make the work go faster. If an ironworker needs a 2x4 rather than getting it himself he'll wait half an hour for a carpenter etc. It's a wonder anything ever gets built in New York and Chicago because of the union situation in those cities, others are bad but those two are the worst. :bash:

you tell me, is that a normal amount of time for something like this? maybe so. I have no problem with that. what disappoints me is that its taken almost 4 to do nothing more then complete a subway station and foundation.....only to announce this week that more delays are coming.



yes. I put new yorkers at a higher standard then most cities/people in america. you are the urban/financial/fashion/dining/etc/etc capital of this country. I expect more.

perhaps if the outside world didn't put so much pressure into what should be built and how fast, then there wouldn't have been 3 years of trying to please everyone with the designs. and instead of making a schedule with these "emotional" dates that tried to please everyone, they could have made a realistic schedule without public outrage.

if you expect so much out of new yorkers to carry the burden that the whole US and even the world exaggerated then f* off

the fact that everyone thinks they should be involved because the attack was on "america" and not nyc, has stalled and delayed this more than anything else. hence so much government involvement and bureaucracy. so dont blame the new yorkers who you expect so much out of.

you tell me, is that a normal amount of time for something like this? maybe so. I have no problem with that. what disappoints me is that its taken almost 4 to do nothing more then complete a subway station and foundation.....only to announce this week that more delays are coming.Also, the slurry walls that make up the bathtub were almost entirely intact after 9-11, making the foundation even easier to build.

I don't mind it taking a long time to build but I find it a bit crazy when people start saying that the delays haven't been that bad. It seems like the main problem has been the highly incompetent PA :bash:

and 12 hours, 41 minutes, and 39 seconds.

and you arent the least bit disappointed that this hasnt even come above ground in 6 years, 9 months and 20 days? take trump chicago for example. a building was completely removed and a 90 something tall building is about to be topped out. yes the WTC site is much more sensitive, complex, etc etc. but come on. I expect more from new yorkers and as an american feel a sense of pride if this was able to be built fast, bigger, and better.

Your pride my be hurt by your erection problems, but I promise our (New Yorkers) prides aren't by the FT's.

perhaps if the outside world didn't put so much pressure into what should be built and how fast, then there wouldn't have been 3 years of trying to please everyone with the designs. and instead of making a schedule with these "emotional" dates that tried to please everyone, they could have made a realistic schedule without public outrage.

if you expect so much out of new yorkers to carry the burden that the whole US and even the world exaggerated then f* off

the fact that everyone thinks they should be involved because the attack was on "america" and not nyc, has stalled and delayed this more than anything else. hence so much government involvement and bureaucracy. so dont blame the new yorkers who you expect so much out of.

the (new york) government, those involved in the aftermath of 9/11, emotional dates, workers, unions, businessmen, ARE new yorkers. I'm blaming the right people dont worry

Your pride my be hurt by your erection problems, but I promise our (New Yorkers) prides aren't by the FT's.

:applause: really that was a good one.


...your pride should be hurt. 7 years after the towers were destroyed, a hole still remains. that hurts. and I'm saying this as a guy who LOVES new york and its people. so tell me, what is there to be proud of?

You have to admit that this is not an ordinary building site. It took months to clean up the debris, years to find remains, and years to find a winning design. Yes it is taking a while but I think we all just need a little more patience and in five more years we're going to have something that our kids will view the same way we viewed the twins. It'll be better in almost every way and we'll look back and wonder why we bickered over it for so long.

You have to admit that this is not an ordinary building site. It took months to clean up the debris, years to find remains, and years to find a winning design. Yes it is taking a while but I think we all just need a little more patience and in five more years we're going to have something that our kids will view the same way we viewed the twins. It'll be better in almost every way and we'll look back and wonder why we bickered over it for so long.

I'll give you that it took two years to clean up the debris. But it's been almost five years since then and look what's been done. Not much when you look at it that way is it? The bickering over the design was ridiculous and it still continues and there are far too many people (organizations) trying to lead the project so none of them are effective. Of course any project lead by a gov't agency and built in a strong union city is starting out with a big handicap!

Hi,has anyone heard any news about the Hi-def earthcam? It would be a shame if it has gone for good as it provided a good overview of the whole site.

just wait, the camera is not off for the first time. it will work again ^^

That webcam is gonna show the fastforward progress of the tower in the future right?

Like the one of burj dubai or aqua. (Although first minute of the video will be the very long long slow foundation work)

Since some of you think seven years is unacceptable here is a timeline of events from September 11 until the start of constrution:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4951346.stm

SInce some of yoiu think seven years is unacceptable here is a timeline of events from September 11 until the start of constrution:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4951346.stm

how does this article somehow show 7 years is acceptable to have little progress done?

anyway, good article. silverstein definitely slowed things up but he, if anyone, should have the most say

^^ Construction work started on April 26th. That's only 2 years ago. The time between 911 and the 26th of April is filled with design changes and cleanup activities

I never knew there were fire burning in the debris for 3 months after the collapse. Not that I'm surprised...

where have you been after 9/11? on the moon? the burning fires and the intense heat in the debris have been in the news for a long time.

I was there 2 months after the towers fell.One could clearly see fires burning and smoke billowing.Especially from the Empire State Building.
Not just at the WTC site,but the entire area had debris and major damage evident everywhere.The task of cleaning up looked impossible at the time.
It's one thing to build a new building on a clean lot,but this is vastly different.
Not only the cleanup standpoint.But if memoery serves me correct,the original Twin Towers foundation had a lot of problems with slurry and liquifaction.
I would assume and hope they are taking every precaution for this foundation to be as stable as possible and able to withstand any event short of a cataclysm.
So if it means they have to progress at a painfully slow pace,then so be it.

Hi,has anyone heard any news about the Hi-def earthcam? It would be a shame if it has gone for good as it provided a good overview of the whole site.

The following webcam at rebuildgroundzero.org works fine
I believe it has a 1 min refresh rate
Sorry the images are not archived

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

Also, the slurry walls that make up the bathtub were almost entirely intact after 9-11, making the foundation even easier to build.

The slurry wall for more than half the site was replaced. Very little of the original was kept and the part that is still visible is being layered with another slurry wall.

The slurry wall for more than half the site was replaced. Very little of the original was kept and the part that is still visible is being layered with another slurry wall.I stand corrected then. I had seen from multiple sources that the slurry wall was mostly intact, so I had assumed that they did not rebuild most of it.

Anyway, I know that some people here hate it when people complain about the construction progess but I think we are all just eager to see NYC's skyline restored. Back in 2003 I was captivated by the design competition but my excitement has quickly turned to bewilderment as the mismanagement of the rebuilding process has unfolded.

Since the wait has been so long, I suppose it may be even more satisfying to see this tower rise.

I think that the speed of re-construction isn´t too slow.
But what I´m wondering how could the WTC 7 building be built so fast? The site is nearly the same (think no subways) Is it so much easier to build up smaller buildings faster?

I think that the speed of re-construction isn´t too slow.
But what I´m wondering how could the WTC 7 building be built so fast? The site is nearly the same (think no subways) Is it so much easier to build up smaller buildings faster?

The former 7 WTC housed a power substation, which had to be restored as quickly as possible. Also, because of its location to the north, it wasn't part of the WTC redevelopment masterplan. That of course sped up the process substantially. Thirdly, financing 7 WTC wasn't that big of an issue I suppose.

I'm too lazy to get links, but 7 WTC lies on different zoning that PA was able to sign off pretty quick.

I'm too lazy to get links, but 7 WTC lies on different zoning that PA was able to sign off pretty quick.

This shows what many have been saying, the delays were due more to politics and Government interference than it was true construction issues. If governmental and other outside influences hadn't interfered the towers would be much farther ahead by now! :bash:

^^Maybe however you would not get as tall of a building. Silverstein wanted to build 10 600 foot buildings.

I'm too lazy to get links, but 7 WTC lies on different zoning that PA was able to sign off pretty quick.
Also, nobody was hurt with the original 7 WTC collapsed, so there was no issue there, either.

Mike

This shows what many have been saying, the delays were due more to politics and Government interference than it was true construction issues. If governmental and other outside influences hadn't interfered the towers would be much farther ahead by now! :bash:

yea i no right? The Freedom Tower was only picked because govorner Pataki wanted it, then it was revised, but the CB. 1 didn't like it so it was changed, at which time the police requested a change, and now it has become the tower that is under construction. wow. The original completion date was set for Sep. 11, 2008.

My impression is that the "freedom" tower's design has changed over time - can anyone point me to the latest rendering of the tower?

:bowtie::bowtie::bowtie:

current design:

http://images.usatoday.com/news/_photos/2006/06/29/freedom-tower-1.jpg

^^^very nice.

current design:

http://images.usatoday.com/news/_photos/2006/06/29/freedom-tower-1.jpg
I love that angle! However, the design was altered in September, wasn't it?

This is the newest:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1078/1349390880_63a8dded56.jpg?v=0
(High-Resolution) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/noms78/1349390880/sizes/o/)

What a sexy building...

Good news, the EarthCam is back online again :banana:
Looks like demolition has started on the temporary PATH station :)

Everyone here probably knows about the section, of the PATH I believe it is, that still has the original doors, steps, and ramp from the original WTC. Does anyone know what will be happening to that? Is that the PATH being demolished that Tag mentioned? Thanks.

as i said already, it will work again soon :)

sweet, glad to see the earthcam back up!

here's a pic of one of the old WTC tower's, not too much further then where we are today:

http://svnlsenetter.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/wtc-construction1.jpg

This pic looks as old as the empire state building construction pics!

If you look at the 4 o'clock shot from the Earthcam HD cam, at the west side of the PATH corrider, you'll see that they have erected the first column for the cantilever above the corrider. Its hard to see due to its light grey color.

Here's a comparison picture from the day the camera went off and today. Looks like little has changed with the Freedom Tower but there's a lot of activity elsewhere on the site.

June 26th
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v423/meh_cd/june.jpg

July 7th
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v423/meh_cd/july.jpg

And a close up on the FT itself.

June 26th
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v423/meh_cd/juneupclose.jpg

July 7th
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v423/meh_cd/julyupclose.jpg

thanks for posting those photos

is the middle left the memorial floor?
and as you can see on middle right, the floor they're getting ready to pour is higher than the concourse floor....... can anyone repost that graphic that has all the subgrade stuff labeled? i can't remember the floor names or anything! lol
http://i31.tinypic.com/w0hqj7.jpg

Here's a comparison picture from the day the camera went off and today. Looks like little has changed with the Freedom Tower but there's a lot of activity elsewhere on the site.

July 7th
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v423/meh_cd/july.jpg



Wow, they cut right through that structure at the bottom of the July 7 pic. Are they demolishing it entirely?

^^ Yes that whole structure will go in order for the new station to be built.

Wow, they cut right through that structure at the bottom of the July 7 pic. Are they demolishing it entirely?

yes, that was old path station. It will be totally demolished. :cheers:

thanks for posting those photos

You bet. The camera was goofed up so if you tried to transition between the 26th and the 7th it wouldn't be aligned properly.

is the middle left the memorial floor?
and as you can see on middle right, the floor they're getting ready to pour is higher than the concourse floor....... can anyone repost that graphic that has all the subgrade stuff labeled? i can't remember the floor names or anything! lol


This? Linked because the pictures are huge.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v423/meh_cd/freedomtowerSection_06-27-06-1.jpg

Or this?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v423/meh_cd/blocks1841500.jpg

Nice to see the new design which is nicer but I just don't like to top. This building would look so much nicer with just a flat top, w/o the hat and spire. just my opinion of course but I wonder what you guys think.

Nice to see the new design which is nicer but I just don't like to top. This building would look so much nicer with just a flat top, w/o the hat and spire. just my opinion of course but I wonder what you guys think.

Well, the spire is only going to be 50 feet taller than the antenna was on the original 1 WTC.

Nice to see the new design which is nicer but I just don't like to top. This building would look so much nicer with just a flat top, w/o the hat and spire. just my opinion of course but I wonder what you guys think.

I definitely agree! The stupid looking spire looks like an afterthought that was just stuck on top to get the height to 1776' to look so much better if they taper the angles into the top more like the very original design.

If you didn't like the cap and spire on top they could have just continued building up to the same height without the spire...a bit like this ?
http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/5316/nnnnnnwt3largecu1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Just checked the cam and it looks like they placed 9 more precasted concrete columns on the corridor next to the FT :cheers:

Nice to see the new design which is nicer but I just don't like to top. This building would look so much nicer with just a flat top, w/o the hat and spire. just my opinion of course but I wonder what you guys think.

eh i think the spire could be more resolved so it could reflect the clean lines of the facade, but w/o the spire, the building is plain and 2 similar 2 the original world trade center towers.

Well, since someone deleted my post, I'll ask again.

Does anyone know what building proposal this is?
http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/5316/nnnnnnwt3largecu1.jpg

^^ New York Stock Exhange in the late 80's I believe. Would of been over 1500 feet.

i actually think it was late 90s and almost 1800 feet

It looks as if FT donated some its design from that proposed building. The very top reminds the FT a bit.

Just checked the cam and it looks like they placed 9 more precasted concrete columns on the corridor next to the FT :cheers:

:cheers2::cheers2::cheer::cheer::cheers2::cheers2:

If you didn't like the cap and spire on top they could have just continued building up to the same height without the spire...a bit like this ?
http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/5316/nnnnnnwt3largecu1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
This design certainly looks much better than the present design for FT! The top looks like it's part of the design instead of an add on! Too bad this isn't the design that's going to be built!

At least one of the arches is partly in place. There is a top plate with a connector where the rest of the arch will attach already there.

If you didn't like the cap and spire on top they could have just continued building up to the same height without the spire...a bit like this ?
http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/5316/nnnnnnwt3largecu1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

This actually also looks like Grollo tower which was proposed and almost approved in Melbourne Australia. It would have been the worlds tallest building @ 680m tall once completed in 2001.

http://i2.tinypic.com/s63hc1.jpg
http://www.thecollectormm.com/private/GrolloTower3.jpg

Damn...Stay on Topic Guys :bash:. don't you think there was a reason Hydrogen deleted Veseys post :ohno:

those towers look like original burj dubai designs

back to the topic...

They've planted silver metal things (I wouldn't take risk of guessing what it is or what it's use is) on the south side of the site.

On the concrete that was poured during our webcam technical difficulty times.

those towers look like original burj dubai designs

back to the topic...


The original Burj Dubai designs were directly based off of Grollo Tower.

The picture of the tower in Lower Manhattan that looks extremely similar to the Freedom Tower is the NYSE Exchange Tower, which was proposed by Trump in the late 1990s. I'm still disappointed it was never built.

They've planted silver metal things (I wouldn't take risk of guessing what it is or what it's use is) on the south side of the site.

On the concrete that was poured during our webcam technical difficulty times.

Those metal things are actually precasted concrete elements. Yesterday they've started to place a lot of precasted concrete columns. They also installed a precasted beam on top of it. Today two more beams were delivered on the site and another one is installed. Dunno if I'm wrong, but to me it looks like these beams will support the street next to the FT. Anyway lots of progress since the cam is on again :cheers:

this concrete strike is getting on my nerves. they make enough just driving a truck back and forth. start firing and hirer new ones that are more than willing to work $30+, then the rest will catch on and get back to work. maybe i'm a little harsh :P

at least once the strike is over, the construction site should be ready for lots of pours... the core, 2 floors, plus whatever else

I'm going to be in New York again in two weeks from today ... I can't wait to see the construction site. I'm like a little kid when I admire all the trucks, the cranes, the cement mixers ... it's so interesting!

The concrete strike is over as of this morning, you can even see the concrete trucks on site. By the way those silver preconcrete members are actually steel wrapped in white tarp or w/e.

The steel beams that are being installed south of the FT site are part of the Calatrava transit hub. They are framing the cooridoor that will connect the WFC and the FT to the Path station.

There's some really good pictures of those columns over at SSP.

I'm going to be in New York again in two weeks from today ... I can't wait to see the construction site. I'm like a little kid when I admire all the trucks, the cranes, the cement mixers ... it's so interesting!

yea but u cant rly c into the site theres scaffolding around many sides and the open sides have obstructed views, however the bridge between the WTC and WFC has a good view. (the farther north bridge)

July 10th by NYguy, SSP:

JULY 10, 2008

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/99998031/large.jpg


http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/99998035/large.jpg


http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/99998040/large.jpg


http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/99998042/large.jpg


http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/99998045/large.jpg


http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/99998076/large.jpg


http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/99998133/large.jpg


http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/99998192/large.jpg


Working on the connector from the BPC side...

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/99998282/large.jpg

Hey Guys, Has anyone got any renderings of the Transportation Hub at FT? I'm wondering what it will look like. Also can someone post the link to SSP?
Thanks
Lance

worst traffic in the country. maybe the world.

Yeah, yeah OT as always I see.

PANYNJ pictures of the below grade arches:

http://www.panynj.gov/wtc/drp/gallery/images/WTC_july10_1.jpg

http://www.panynj.gov/wtc/drp/gallery/images/WTC_july10_2.jpg

http://www.panynj.gov/wtc/drp/gallery/images/WTC_july10_3.jpg

http://www.panynj.gov/wtc/drp/gallery/images/WTC_july10_4.jpg

http://www.panynj.gov/wtc/drp/gallery/images/WTC_july10_5.jpg

http://www.panynj.gov/wtc/drp/gallery/images/WTC_july10_6.jpg

http://www.panynj.gov/wtc/drp/gallery/images/WTC_july10_7.jpg

great pics. :applause:

This one is slow. S L O O O O W....

Naturally - thanks for the pictures - those white hangers are great.

Finally FT is above street level.

Great pictures! Thanks for reposting Ebola and ZZ-II :cheers:
Never thought those members are made of steel. Here in The Netherlands we mostly make those complex shapes out of concrete, much cheaper :)

I hate to be the one that brings this back ....again...but it seems that STILL not much going on on this particular site.....
Groundbreaking for the construction of the World Trade Center was on August 5, 1966
The ribbon cutting ceremony was on April 4, 1973
The above two lines are from wikipedia...=7years
So let's get this straight...less technology , less groundbreaking architectural design and still they've had everything done in 7 years...
???
If anyone looks at the sight right now..it's still bellow "0" level?!?!?!?!?

I can only think of one thing.....it's maintained on purpose for the visitors/tourists!

Don't you think?

^^ The only thing I think is how to comment on your post while not offending you.
Do you really think that on September 12th excavation started on the FT site between the burning debris and death bodies? That there was a complete and detailed plan available for the FT, which was signed a few months BEFORE (examination of those plans takes a few months) before the twin towers were attacked by muslim terrorists?

Did you know that the design of the FT changed 3 times?
Did you know that that construction work started on 21th of April 2006
Did you know that that they had to remove 25% of the FT's concrete in January, because of its bad quality?
Did you know that the concrete suppliers were striking since the second of July?
Did you know that they placed a bunch of steel columns and horizontal members on the site?

I don't think you knew those things, but I'm sure you know what I'm thinking of you when I'm reading your post.

^^ The only thing I think is how to comment on your post while not offending you.
Do you really think that on September 12th excavation started on the FT site between the burning debris and death bodies? That there was a complete and detailed plan available for the FT, which was signed a few months BEFORE (examination of those plans takes a few months) before the twin towers were attacked by muslim terrorists?

Did you know that the design of the FT changed 3 times?
Did you know that that construction work started on 21th of April 2006
Did you know that that they had to remove 25% of the FT's concrete in January, because of its bad quality?
Did you know that the concrete suppliers were striking since the second of July?
Did you know that they placed a bunch of steel columns and horizontal members on the site?

I don't think you knew those things, but I'm sure you know what I'm thinking of you when I'm reading your post.

I'm sorry ...
I hate to be "The Devil's Advocate".....
You mean to tell me that it took 5 years for the workers to clear the debris???
I can see on the web cams the progress but still...there is not much going on
I do believe that the whole bunch of the people working ...are just pretending and cashing in the check / cash....since there are less and less immigrants willing to work hard for less $$...sorry for being that pragmatic / straight..

It is only strange to see that site at virtual "stand still" for the past 7 years or so...it is to say the least frustrating and New Yorkers must feel just the same
It looks that you believe that the Pentagon has been hit by a plane too?...it looks like something else happened....anyway

I do apologize if I've offended you...It was not intended...it was only a point of view on the progress on the above site....as I DO WISH /WANT to see that project finalized
:cheers:

not a bad design
but i agree abit slow

gibberish
Whatever,

btw, talking about conspiracy theories is strictly prohibited in this thread.

And the reason why it is only at this point right now.....Politics as Usual (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEA-EBzAmak)!


Now back to the Freedom Tower, the arches look impressive, really the first sign of the quality that this building is going to have!

I'm sorry ...
I hate to be "The Devil's Advocate".....
You mean to tell me that it took 15 years for the workers to clear the debris???
I can see on the web cams the progress but still...there is not much going on
I do believe that the whole bunch of the people working ...are just pretending and cashing in the check / cash....since there are less and less immigrants willing to work hard for less $$...sorry for being that pragmatic / straight..

It is only strange to see that site at virtual "stand still" for the past 17 years or so...it is to say the least frustrating and New Yorkers must feel just the same
It looks that you believe that the Pentagon has been hit by a plane too?...it looks like something else happened....anyway

I do apologize if I've offended you...It was not intended...it was only a point of view on the progress on the above site....as I DO WISH /WANT to see that project finalized
:cheers:

15 years? 17 years? just to remind you, in case there was still somebody in this galaxy that didn't know this: semptember 11 was in 2001, not 1993....
some comments really make me think.....nothing positive.
Oh, one last thing : we are in the year 2008, not 2016/2017, in case you had some confusion....

thanks a lot for arch photos, Those webcams aren't clear and deceive me, but these photos are clear.

I'm sorry ...
I hate to be "The Devil's Advocate".....
You mean to tell me that it took 15 years for the workers to clear the debris???
I can see on the web cams the progress but still...there is not much going on
I do believe that the whole bunch of the people working ...are just pretending and cashing in the check / cash....since there are less and less immigrants willing to work hard for less $$...sorry for being that pragmatic / straight..

It is only strange to see that site at virtual "stand still" for the past 17 years or so...it is to say the least frustrating and New Yorkers must feel just the same
It looks that you believe that the Pentagon has been hit by a plane too?...it looks like something else happened....anyway

I do apologize if I've offended you...It was not intended...it was only a point of view on the progress on the above site....as I DO WISH /WANT to see that project finalized
:cheers:


Yes you have offended me. With the stupidity of your post. September 11 happened in 2001 not 1991. Learn how to subtract dumbass.:bash:

If there was ever an award for dumbest post of the year on SSC...you my friend would have taken the prize...

I hate to be the one that brings this back ....again...but it seems that STILL not much going on on this particular site.....
Groundbreaking for the construction of the World Trade Center was on August 5, 1966
The ribbon cutting ceremony was on April 4, 1973
The above two lines are from wikipedia...=7years
So let's get this straight...less technology , less groundbreaking architectural design and still they've had everything done in 7 years...
???
If anyone looks at the sight right now..it's still bellow "0" level?!?!?!?!?

I can only think of one thing.....it's maintained on purpose for the visitors/tourists!

Don't you think?





Yes! You're ignorance has offended many people. Please learn some facts before posting. This construction is a point of national pride and sorrow for many Americans.

yeah guys, come on now. Construction did not begin the day after 9/11. Everyone can stop saying 7 years now. On another note, those arches are awesome. I'm really anxious to see Freedom tower become part of our skyline. I was recently on top of a building around Williamsburg and the skyline is really neat already, I can already imagine how it'll look in the years to come...

^^ right, and this ain't exactly a easy project. People have to understand the challenges that a big project like this one have.

btw. love those pics.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/images/photo/2008/07/10/10-curves/24035189.JPG

i think they changed a little bit, i tried and tried but i can't put the arches in the rendering and in real life together! lol

^^ I thought the same thing, but maybe this picture is facing the wall on the other side. Then it would make sense no?

Yes! You're ignorance has offended many people. Please learn some facts before posting. This construction is a point of national pride and sorrow for many Americans.

Exactly. I don't think there's a single American that will ever forget that day, or the pain, sorrow, and shock every single one of us felt. That was the day that it hit home, for every American, and especially for New Yorkers. And for people in and around NYC, there was and still is no escape from being constantly reminded of the events of that day. Every single time any of us take a look at Lower Manhattan, there is always something in the back of our heads reminding us of what was once there, and why it is no longer there.

I think most New Yorkers are eagerly awaiting the completion of the new WTC, for the simple reason that it brings some closure to what happened that day. No longer will we have to look at a gaping hole in the skyline, where 2 towers once dominated the skyline, and where 3000 people died in an instant. Sure, there will always be some reminder of 9/11 in the skyline, and people will not forget why the new WTC is there, but at least there won't be a hole that serves simply as a constant reminder of the darkest moment in our city's and our nation's history. The fact that some people think the government is slowing down construction so as to keep a giant hole there is absolutely insane, and pretty offensive.

And, for the record, we didn't even know the final design until July 2005. That's 3 years ago, exactly. Sure, this isn't the speediest project on Earth, but given the controversy and meaning behind it, nor should it have been. 3 years since the release of the final design, and we're now above ground level. Construction began in late April 2006, so it's been a little over 2 years since construction started. Sure, there's buildings going up faster, but 1 WTC isn't some slow, endless construction project, even if it feels that way sometimes.

Exactly. I don't think there's a single American that will ever forget that day, or the pain, sorrow, and shock every single one of us felt. That was the day that it hit home, for every American, and especially for New Yorkers. And for people in and around NYC, there was and still is no escape from being constantly reminded of the events of that day. Every single time any of us take a look at Lower Manhattan, there is always something in the back of our heads reminding us of what was once there, and why it is no longer there.

I think most New Yorkers are eagerly awaiting the completion of the new WTC, for the simple reason that it brings some closure to what happened that day. No longer will we have to look at a gaping hole in the skyline, where 2 towers once dominated the skyline, and where 3000 people died in an instant. Sure, there will always be some reminder of 9/11 in the skyline, and people will not forget why the new WTC is there, but at least there won't be a hole that serves simply as a constant reminder of the darkest moment in our city's and our nation's history. The fact that some people think the government is slowing down construction so as to keep a giant hole there is absolutely insane, and pretty offensive.

And, for the record, we didn't even know the final design until July 2005. That's 3 years ago, exactly. Sure, this isn't the speediest project on Earth, but given the controversy and meaning behind it, nor should it have been. 3 years since the release of the final design, and we're now above ground level. Construction began in late April 2006, so it's been a little over 2 years since construction started. Sure, there's buildings going up faster, but 1 WTC isn't some slow, endless construction project, even if it feels that way sometimes.

Not to mention the never-been-done-before complexity of having to clear, fix, and then build upon a site where two of the tallest buildings in the world fell, taking much of the existing infrastructure with it.

I hate to be the one that brings this back ....again...but it seems that STILL not much going on on this particular site.....

If anyone looks at the sight right now..it's still bellow "0" level?!?!?!?!?

I can only think of one thing.....it's maintained on purpose for the visitors/tourists!

Don't you think?

I agree that this project has been embarassingly slow. I only wish that the slow speed was intentional or for tourists. THis particular building has way too many stakeholders with a say: the Port Authority, New York City, investors, 911 victims, insurance companies, memorial trust funds, Environmental Protection Agency, New York State, the courts, and probably some others I don't know about. Trying to make them all satisfied has been an agonizing, bureaucratic, cluster f*ck.

I just want to say, contrary to certain other people, that it is marvelous to see the great progress that has been made on this structure in only 2 years despite all the roadblocks and issues that have arisen over that time period. The workers have done a great job with the foundation and substructure of this complex building and site. So architects, engineers, contractors, and construction men, I salute you! :cheers: (and others should as well!)

Looks like to me progress is accelerating now. The installation of the arches is cool. This is one of the most complex construction sites on the planet. Let's give them a break, guys!!

I agree that this project has been embarassingly slow. I only wish that the slow speed was intentional or for tourists. THis particular building has way too many stakeholders with a say: the Port Authority, New York City, investors, 911 victims, insurance companies, memorial trust funds, Environmental Protection Agency, New York State, the courts, and probably some others I don't know about. Trying to make them all satisfied has been an agonizing, bureaucratic, cluster f*ck.

Thank You...doe I have to apologize for my previous post and lack of attention!

:cheers:

After reading 5 pages of this thread, I am quite sure I will come back checking for new updates not until 2013.

Webcam is down again. Must be windy up at the top of that Century 21 building. Or is it on the Hilton?

^^ It's been placed on top of the Hilton :)

first look at this thread since xmas 07, the progress is going swell , just asking how deep will the memorial squares be, and much deeper are the foundations for the tower past the ground in which they are working at the moment? thanx.

Finally a tower crane !!!!!! So slow, follow the thread just every month!

Tower cranes have been there for nearly a year (or perhaps more). It's nearly impossible to see progress until it reaches the first few floors. To anyone who really knows what's going on, it's no shock that below grade work is so long.
80% of posters here are ignorant of important stuff.

The East-West connector next to FT:

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/images/photo/2008/07/10/10-curves/24035189.JPG

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/images/photo/2008/07/10/10-curves/24035183.JPG

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/images/photo/2008/07/10/10-curves/24035175.JPG

There will be roughly 50 arches in total.

Finally a tower crane !!!!!! So slow, follow the thread just every month!

wtf u smoking?:ohno:

^^ why are you insulting him/her?

I think the progress has indeed been very slow. I'm glad to see the project advancing though

^^ because tower cranes have been there for years lol

There will be roughly 50 arches in total.
Not that I doubt you, but where did you find that out? I've been hard pressed looking for detailed information regarding anything underground.

^^
July 11, 2008
Installation of Calatrava's Pre-Cast Arches Begins

This week Port Authority crews began installing the first of approximately 60 steel-and-concrete arches that frame the World Trade Center (WTC) Transportation Hub’s “east-west connector.” The contoured arches are a signature of architect Santiago Calatrava’s hub design, which uses variations of the white arches throughout the 800,000-square-foot hub interior. Pre-cast off site, the arches are staged on the WTC perimeter. Crews then use a crane to set them in place along the pedestrian concourse, which abuts the southern wall of the Freedom Tower.

Meanwhile, on the west side of the site the Port Authority is demolishing the temporary PATH station structure that once opened onto Church Street. That demolition began last week and continues through approximately early August. The new long-term temporary PATH station entrance was moved to Vesey Street at West Broadway in April 2008.

lowermanhattan.info


also another pic of inside. i still cant put together render vs reality
http://panynj.com/drp/images/gallery/wtcth/2005/08/ConcourseLookingEast.jpg

maybe the budget cut made the real building WAY FAR off the original plans

and as always freaking webcam doesn't work again, anybody know why? :ohno: I love watching construction everyday :)

also another pic of inside. i still cant put together render vs reality
http://panynj.com/drp/images/gallery/wtcth/2005/08/ConcourseLookingEast.jpg
I think that this is the part where the stores/retail will go. The arch and hallway is right next to the north memorial concrete wall.

Wow, lots of progress, last time i checked when i had time months ago nothing was close to street level. Glad to finally see real progress!!!!!

- Andy

Wow, lots of progress, last time i checked when i had time months ago nothing was close to street level. Glad to finally see real progress!!!!!

- Andy

me too. I heart NYC :cheers:

I think that this is the part where the stores/retail will go. The arch and hallway is right next to the north memorial concrete wall.

So that wall represents the actual location of the north wall of the original WTC building?

Ahhh, finally I see what those silver arches by southern side is about...

White arches will look so wonderful when its done.

To the arches debate, maybe the renders are showing a total other location than that what the real photo shows.

The arches on the 1. render are also looking totally different than the built ones and the ones on the other render.

But all in all you can definately see that this must be Callatrava´s work he is a genius.

That's going to look great.

Good to see progress.
The entire site is a eyesore - all access along Church Street is closed off from the public.

I try to avoid that area as much as possible these days.

From what I can see from a low def. cam, about 12 arches have been erected.

Am I the only one who's noticed that EarthCam crashes any time there's any major progress on the site?

just use this webcam when the other goes down
http://rebuildgroundzero.org/webcam/rgz_000.jpg

lots of arches installed

just use this webcam when the other goes down
http://rebuildgroundzero.org/webcam/rgz_000.jpg

lots of arches installed

Where? :dunno:

Where? :dunno:

lower left, the horizontal rows to the right of the white crane and to the left of the red crane (above the GRO in RebuildGroundZero.org. :banana:

This Tower is gonna be a beauty from inside out

lower left, the horizontal rows to the right of the white crane and to the left of the red crane (above the GRO in RebuildGroundZero.org. :banana:

Oh, I see the proximity to the FT and the PATH station! :okay:

Next time I am in the area, I will most certainly take a look!

Thanks gt2437! :cheers1:

Here is the New York Times story:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/17/nyregion/17merrill.html?_r=1&pagewanted=2&ref=nyregion&oref=slogin

Bugs

Amaziinngggggggg like Caltrava arches!!!:nocrook:Caltrava....:bow::drool:

Amazing fredom tower i hope now that we are in street the level the construction will be faster finally....

yahhhhhhhhhhhhhooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

I think that this is the part where the stores/retail will go. The arch and hallway is right next to the north memorial concrete wall.


IS THIS THE TRANSPORTATION HUB OF CALATRAVA ??

Here is the New York Times story:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/17/nyregion/17merrill.html?_r=1&pagewanted=2&ref=nyregion&oref=slogin

Bugs

Ouch. Another unnecessary setback.

Which isn't a setback which has nothing to do with the Freedom Tower.

Since ML pulled out, then it means Larry will likely go back to the first plan for Tower 3, meaning they can get to work ASAP since the T3 site prep stage is completed. They also may decide to go with the bigger plans since they invested a lot of their time and effort into it. I wouldn't rule out anything until they make an official statement. So far, they haven't said one word about the future of Tower 3.

They also may decide to go with the bigger plans since they invested a lot of their time and effort into it.

That's delusional, I think. It's time to face the fact that they can't get anyone besides the government who wants to move in. I think the chances of them expanding this project are essentially zero, and the chances of it being diminished are increasing fast. Without being able to get any of the financial sector, which is in deep deep trouble, to move in, how can they fill this up? I admire your unfailing optimism, Ebola, but this is starting to remind me of the beginning of the year when you swore up and down that there was no possible way that they would miss any of the deadlines, while everyone else knew the truth.

At this point it might actually be better if they slowed down production until things get better in the market, rather than going full steam ahead and reducing the size of the project.

Anyway, I know I'll get pilloried by the NYC fans for being pessimistic, and I hope I am wrong, but things just look bad to me. I was definitely shaken by those figures in the NY Times article about committed renters.

Like I said, "I wouldn't rule out anything until they make an official statement."

In fact, ML has backed out before. Quite frankly, the chances of the original plans being downsized are 0. All of the construction plans are there. To change it would mean wasting more time - money. The only question now is how they will continue with T3 and T4 with big question marks all over.

It's not "bad" at all since ML was never a part of the WTC plans until it was partly delayed because of them themselves. Looking at this as if no private businesses will want in is just absurd since 7 is almost packed and the others are getting lots of attention too, not to mention JP Morgan Chase. From what I gather, the articles are just making things look as bad as possible. I'm happy now they we will likely be seeing old old T3 back.

Eh damn funding problems. America... the richest, yet poorest nation in the world.

It's no funding problem; therefore, a Tower 3 will be built. The question is not if it will be built or not. Like I said, Merrill Lynch was NEVER a part of the WTC until they stuck their noses in and then whet the money-making section of Larry's brain.

What needs to be done now is for them to go FULL SPEED with one of the plans. And I am sure that is exactly what will happen. The site is preped. Currently, the T3 site look like the FT site when construction first started.

It's not "bad" at all since ML was never a part of the WTC plans until it was partly delayed because of them themselves.

The reason that the ML thing worries me is because from what I understand, ML was specifically courted in order to lure others to this project by association with a big name. Anyway, I just don't think these guys can count on banks and financial institutions at this point for filling up the millions of square feet of space. Even the biggest names in the financial sector are in very bad times, and it will only get worse over the next year.

Having ML there or not means nothing. Remember that ML was never important to anyone until they got serious about moving in. Now that its over, things will speed up. Both the ESB and old WTC remained empty for many years.

http://forums.offtopic.com/images/smilies/werd.gif

its annoying when people hear the slightest bit of bad news and in their brains it means all hell breaks loose and the world is ending!

IS THIS THE TRANSPORTATION HUB OF CALATRAVA ??

Yeessssssssssssssssssss is it and is ammazing one of my favorites :nocrook::dance:
Didn't you know? WTF:wallbash:

Pardon my naivety on this, but when the towers came down 220 flloor of office space fell to the ground and took another 60 or so floors of other buildings down with them.

Where did all the tenants go and how many of them are coming back? Why are they not coming back?

From what I hear, a lot have planted their roots elsewhere in the city and places like New Jersey. I think people would like to see a building first in real life before saying that they will be moving in. Some, I'm sure, are coming back. 7WTC is almost full. The government also had a lot of space too and they will be back in FT.

Pardon my naivety on this, but when the towers came down 220 flloor of office space fell to the ground and took another 60 or so floors of other buildings down with them.

Where did all the tenants go and how many of them are coming back? Why are they not coming back?

There has been other office buildings completed in the last 7 years in Manhattan along with there being large blocks opening up as other companies move out of their offices. There is always more supply than demand, but at this momment supply is a bit shall we say tight.

From what I hear, a lot have planted their roots elsewhere in the city and places like New Jersey. I think people would like to see a building first in real life before saying that they will be moving in. Some, I'm sure, are coming back. 7WTC is almost full. The government also had a lot of space too and they will be back in FT.


My company located in the Financial District used to be in the WTC. Rumor has it that we already are looking to rent a floor in WTC 2 or 3. It's very early, but in my meeting today our company grew 13% YTD. We hired 90 people, thus we need more office space. Our standard 5-year lease runs out in 2012.

I hope my office is in 2-WTC...

I doubt you are alone. I think many people are wishing that they get a chance to work in the most advanced, safest and famous office complex ever. Alas, I don't think anyone is going to sign up to make a big move until they see a skyscraper rising, and even after it's completed it will take time for people to warm up to the fact that change happened and to feel safe within new buildings. I hope we all at least get a chance to go inside the buildings once, even if we don't work there.

So there is an element of catch 22 about it? Can Silverstein can't afford to build all three of his buildings as they are now designed without at least some of the floorsspace committed? I'm assuming Freedom Tower is now "change resistant" other than what ends up on top - spire, antenna etc?

My company located in the Financial District used to be in the WTC. Rumor has it that we already are looking to rent a floor in WTC 2 or 3. It's very early, but in my meeting today our company grew 13% YTD. We hired 90 people, thus we need more office space. Our standard 5-year lease runs out in 2012.

I hope my office is in 2-WTC...

Hey, send me a PM if there are any openings!

I'd do anything to work there - seriously. :bowtie:

I was planning on visiting New York in 2012, but I will probably have to wait until 2014 before its complete! I love this tower, but progress is a little on the slow side for my liking. But it will be worth it when it has crowned New York's Skyline. I dont get why there is no 6WTC.

6 WTC was probably the performing arts center.

The article seems to make an assumption that the towers will not get built w ith Merril Lynch pulling out of the negotiations. However no one has stated this from the Silverstein camp and I am pretty sure he was already moving ahead with the construction of the buildings since he has his insurance money in his hands.

So as of right now there are no signs that Silverstein has hinted at being not able to continue construction.

^ After all, Merrill was never part of the original plan anyway, it's not as if they lost anything they had planned.

^ After all, Merrill was never part of the original plan anyway, it's not as if they lost anything they had planned.

Not being able to find tenets wasn't part of the original plan either, but here we are. If you boosters can take off your distorted reality rose colored glasses for a second, you'll find out that the whole thing with ML was about getting a big name established so other companies would feel more confident that the project will finish in a decent time, and would be more secure committing to moving in. Is it likely that they could get people to move in once the project is done? No doubt. BUT THAT'S NOT THE POINT. The problem is that they need people to commit to renting, so that lenders will be willing to lend them the money that they desperately need in order to finish the construction. I don't know if you guys have noticed, but it's really hard to get loans right now, and there just simply anyway that anyone is going to loan them the kind of money they need without tenets lined up. Not in this market.

The only people in the entire world who think that the breakdown of the ML talks is no big deal are people on this thread. They've lined up ZERO people besides government agencies to occupy these threads. I don't care what you guys say...that's bad and it needs to change real soon.

the financing is done^^

the financing is done^^

We heard just a month ago that they blew way over budget, and construction prices are way up these days. But whatever...I'm tired of arguing with you guys. Everything is going perfectly. The ML deal breaking down is actually a good thing. If you guys say it's so it must be true.

We heard just a month ago that they blew way over budget, and construction prices are way up these days. But whatever...I'm tired of arguing with you guys. Everything is going perfectly. The ML deal breaking down is actually a good thing. If you guys say it's so it must be true.
Bahaha, I love you Hollie. No sarcasm. You make good points. I don't know everything and I don't pretend do, but it's hard to ignore that this whole process is just chaos, anything could happen down there.

^^ Well if we're lucky, it'll turn out I'm wrong about the whole thing. It's certainly happened before :cheers:

Hollie Maea, I would like to clarify that I am in no way a bosster wearing rose colored glasses.

Secondly the fact that they haven't lined up any non government tenants is to say the least not surprising to anyone who is trying to rent out these towers. I am sure they were well aware that it would be very difficult to line up private tenants.

However ML was not and has not been crucial to the construction of this building until they pulled out. The building was going to be built until ML decided they were interested in leasing space in the building. That is where the delay in this construction has occurred.

Also the delays at this site are not new. Anyone who is well informed of what is going on at the site would know that this is just recycled news that the newspapers happen to stumble on. Everyone who had some idea of what was going on at the site knew that the completion dates were unattainable because they were not realistic.

Most of the delays on this site involve actions outside of Silverstein's control. Either the rail station, which has been complicated because they decided to rebuild the subway tunnel before escavating below it. That is being built by the Port Authority of NY and is not his problem. The second is the Deutche Bank building which the LMC has made a complete mockery of.

Oh and did we also forget that Larry has 4.5 billion in insurance money?

I'm beginning to wonder if someone is sneaking on top of the Hilton and stealing the Earthcam cameras.

We need for someone to book a room there soon so they can themselves snap some pics. It might cost a bit but for the rest of us it will be worth it.....because it wasn't our money.

too slow.

^^ actually too fast...

Yeah you can say that again. It's been on speen since a several months after the tower cranes and first sections of the core went up. The first beams, including the one that says, "Freedom Tower" and the first pieces of the core will never be seen again. They are buried under the rest of the building which is on its way up.

Yeah you can say that again. It's been on speen since a several months after the tower cranes and first sections of the core went up. The first beams, including the one that says, "Freedom Tower" and the first pieces of the core will never be seen again. They are buried under the rest of the building which is on its way up.

Never say never, it's bad luck. Knock on some wood...

Never say never, it's bad luck. Knock on some wood...

Let us hope that the construction schedule speeds up the pace - it has been too many years and the site is still a hole in the ground. :ohno:

Ive been back in nyc for a month now. I planned on going to wtc. But truthfully there isn't anything to see, so i just stay home. I luv this building as much as the next person. But the PA are doing shitty job keeping on track.

Various site pics from early evening yesterday.

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/280/img1102cm7.jpg

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/8664/img1103jz4.jpg

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/7554/img1107ft2.jpg

http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/2052/img1109mx1.jpg

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/2166/img1111bg1.jpg

http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/5996/img1115cu7.jpg

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/2756/img1117je5.jpg

http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/8396/img1118bu3.jpg

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/8673/img1119aa0.jpg

http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/1548/img1120vy2.jpg

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/5574/img1121zi1.jpg

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/3724/img1122uo2.jpg

Many thanks for the great pictures Fab! :cheers:

I don't like it. Twins were far far better. But...

It looks like the central core is rising at the same pace as the steel beams - pretty smart. :okay:

soon they're gonna have to bump the crane up......finally :)

I wasnt able to check the forum for a few weeks. I noticed that the construction has changed a lot. :okay:

thank you fab :bow::bow: great pics

A wonderful update. Thank you!!!

those white arches in the southern side of the site is comming along nicely, they're putting more up.

those white arches in the southern side of the site is comming along nicely, they're putting more up.
Is there a webcam active where they're visible? I haven't seen their progress for a few days.