great update - thanks.

Is there a webcam active where they're visible? I haven't seen their progress for a few days.

They're even visible from here
http://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/groundzero/

The progress is very slow.

You can never replace the original WTCs, but this one will do the old justice in my opinion. Looking forward to seeing this one rise. And yes, it does seem quite slow.

And yes, it does seem quite slow.

This is too slow! :wallbash:

I have seen countless skyscrapers rise after 9/11 throughout Manhattan.

ugh dont start that again guys

Those of you complaining about how slow it is should go present your wonderful ideas on how things can be sped up to the relevant people. Surely you know how to make things faster? You wouldn't complain unless you had an intimate understanding of all the little details of the entire job would you? Of course not. That would be the behavior of a complete jackass.

Hint hint.

Those of you complaining about how slow it is should go present your wonderful ideas on how things can be sped up to the relevant people.

We are comparing this project to the dozens of other (finished) projects throughout the city over the years since 9/11/01.

As for your other comment, that was not nice! :ohno:

As for your other comment, that was not nice! :ohno:
It doesn't have to be nice to be the truth...

It will rise when it rises guys, give it time. Rome wasn't built in a day. 7WTC went through the same slow-start process. It'll kick up.

world trade center construction seems to be moving right along. looks fabulous!!:okay:

http://panynj.com/wtc/drp/gallery/images/WTC_july18_3.jpg

lots of pics on the PA website
and video
mms://wm.on24.com/media/news/corporatevideo/events/11/48/44/rt/1_wmmulti.wmv

It looks like bones...which is this part?

http://panynj.com/wtc/drp/gallery/images/WTC_july18_3.jpg


The transit hub is coming along nicely!!

I find it refreshing to see progress.

Thanks for the update, philvia. :okay:

The transit hub is coming along nicely!!

I find it refreshing to see progress.

Thanks for the update, philvia. :okay:
^^^^^^^^^^^^
thats not the transit hub thats the freedom tower

^^ Thats the transit hub which will cut across west street eventually.

^^ Thats the transit hub which will cut across west street eventually.

Thank you, ramvid01 for recognizing the transit hub.

In that particular photo, you can clearly see the arches that cover the walkway within the transit hub. :cheers2:

its actually just a corridor FOR the transit hub :nuts:

It's part of the below grade transportation system; however, it runs right next to the Freedom Tower and is CLEARLY yet another milestone. According to the section elevation of the Freedom Tower, it is a part of the building's below grade area.

..

It's part of the below grade transportation system; however, it runs right next to the Freedom Tower and is CLEARLY yet another milestone. According to the section elevation of the Freedom Tower, it is a part of the building's below grade area.

Thanks Ebola for Actually explaining it:okay:

Thanks; it should be what I circled in red.

http://i35.tinypic.com/2utm6oz.jpg

south side guys, south side of the site. Or the left side from the webcam.

It looks like bones...which is this part?

Which is exactly one of Calatrava's signature styles. ;)

incredible Caltrava Style uhuhu

http://panynj.com/wtc/drp/gallery/images/WTC_july18_3.jpg

lots of pics on the PA website
and video
mms://wm.on24.com/media/news/corporatevideo/events/11/48/44/rt/1_wmmulti.wmv

what means PA website ...
there are wtc pictures??

what means PA??

:lol::lol:foget.....
PA means porth aurtorithy rigth??
:bash::bash::bash:
:nuts:
cheers:cheers:

We are comparing this project to the dozens of other (finished) projects throughout the city over the years since 9/11/01.

As for your other comment, that was not nice! :ohno:

Comparisons are worthless. Every project has different designs, construction access, utilities, soil conditions, bedrock qualities and wildcards like a new commuter transportation system being built right in the region of the foundation.

But if you want comparisons then here's one for you. In my home town we have a restaurant building that has been undergoing renovation now for four years. It used to be a Burger King and then the owners decided to turn it into a sit down restaurant. So for four years now every work day construction workers go into the building and every day the building gets worked on and yet it still isn't done. It has gone through three name changes and two styles of new roof. This is a 4000 square foot restaurant we're talking about and now here everyone's complaining endlessly about a 108 story skyscraper that hasn't even been under construction as long as the restaurant.

Get a grip people.

what means PA website ...
there are wtc pictures??

what means PA??

http://www.panynj.gov/

they've added more columns all the way east to the trains, i guess more arches soon to follow? :P

am I right by saying that they got rid of the 15 second update webcam?

http://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/groundzero/

that section is gone. although there's been so much progress on the site.

So when is FT scheduled to be topped-out again?

Sorry if it has been answered 1000 times.

that section is gone. although there's been so much progress on the site.

The link to the HD cam has also been removed.

^^ will they be back? And is there any alternative cameras?

^^ will they be back? And is there any alternative cameras?

I was just thinking...

...they could be moving the cams for better views especially since the construction is starting to take place.

^^ will they be back? And is there any alternative cameras?

http://rebuildgroundzero.org/webcam/rgz_000.jpg

So when is FT scheduled to be topped-out again?

Sorry if it has been answered 1000 times.
It's either late 2010 or 2011, not sure which.

safe troyboy.

I just thought this tower construction doesn't use as much rebars compared to other skyscrapers, is that because of it has already superstrength concrete?

Other constructions usually have swamp of rebars laid on the floor but this one isn't as much. Also the steel-concrete combined columns on the perimeter of the site has only few rebars put inside the concrete.

For example in the photo below shows only few rebars surrounding the freedom white steel girder. When I saw SWFC documentary its columns had jungle of rebars around the girder.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/12/20/nyregion/20groundzero.large.jpg

With SWFC, only the 4 mega-collumns got the rebar+concrete treatment. With FT, all the collumns are getting this treatment, so the extra reinforcement needed is reduced.
I also think that SWFC might have been using slightly lower grades of reinforcing steel, which could also exlain why more was required there.

lots of pics on the PA website
and video
mms://wm.on24.com/media/news/corporatevideo/events/11/48/44/rt/1_wmmulti.wmv

Can you please post a link to the webpage you're referring to? I've been looking all over, but only found this page < http://www.panynj.gov/drp/gallery/showPics.php?year=07&month=cr11&pnav=crpicstble > with the last progress update dating back to October last year...:bash:

^^ its nearly a year unupdated.

Well, thanks to Google, I found the new location where they store updates. Here it is: < http://www.panynj.gov/wtc/drp/gallery/progress.html >

Well, thanks to Google, I found the new location where they store updates. Here it is: < http://www.panynj.gov/wtc/drp/gallery/progress.html >

Nice find thanks mate!

This project is really starting to move along, its going to be very exciting to see FT grow over the next couple of years.

It's either late 2010 or 2011, not sure which.

late 2011 sounds reasonable, 2010 is not

Have somebody or know somebody who have construction photos of Freedom Tower in high resolution ??? I need it for my new book about skyscrapers. Photographer will be also mention in book. Please contact at daniel.zorec@gmail.com

Have somebody or know somebody who have construction photos of Freedom Tower in high resolution ???

Why don't you simply visit and snap the photos yourself?

Why don't you simply visit and snap the photos yourself?

Maybe they cant?

- Andy

I wonder how many thread pages its gonna take to see the finished tower. Already almost 300 pages, and still no building!

Have somebody or know somebody who have construction photos of Freedom Tower in high resolution ??? I need it for my new book about skyscrapers. Photographer will be also mention in book. Please contact at daniel.zorec@gmail.com

Stop spamming with this BS all over the forum. No photographer is going to hand over images for your "book" so you can $ benefit $ from their hard work. Nothing short of a contract, release, and compensation would suffice, but I'm sure you're not interested in that. :ohno:

Well, I just got back to Philly after a long weekend in Manhattan. Stayed with an uncle whose apartment is near City Hall and the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge - only about 5 or 6 blocks from the WTC construction site. We saw a concert at the Winter Garden and then had a late night snack in Battery Park City. Anyway we walked over to the construction site - it was after midnight and I had a nice chat with one of the construction workers. Construction work is going on around the clock, 24 hours a day.

When I told the construction worker that some people are disappointed about how slow the project is going his only reply was that it is indeed behind schedule, but the construction is progressing, and everyone should be a little more patient because they are trying to do a good job. That's was his opinion, anyway.

here s 1 more pic from webshots (click it to make it larger) by © normhotte

http://thumb12.webshots.net/t/50/750/1/68/83/2779168830103792932jzgaJU_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2779168830103792932jzgaJU)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3293/2707584501_cb93789973_b.jpg

by _Action Jackson

bigger size: http://www.flickr.com/photos/purposedriven4610/2707584501/sizes/o/

Stop spamming with this BS all over the forum. No photographer is going to hand over images for your "book" so you can $ benefit $ from their hard work. Nothing short of a contract, release, and compensation would suffice, but I'm sure you're not interested in that. :ohno:

Me and publisher will pay for photos. But we need realy good photos and with 300 dpi. So I can`t use pictures from forum. I need original images with permission of photographer. Publisher will make a contact and pay for photos (around 100 $ / photo).

looks like neither south/north core bothered to move upward.

in summer 2009 i´ll visit NY....how tall will the core be then ?

Ive never understood why there is a pile machine right next to the WFC, outside the rebuilt Winter Gardens and the glass part of the building.

^^ Because the transit corridor ends right there and the escalators will come up where the pile is. I am sure the pile is forming a pile wall.

Great news, the EarthCam is back online again :banana:

www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/groundzero

That link from this page isn't here but jsut give me link please. I completely lost hope of seeing the new photos from that cam but thank God someone didn't.

wonderful :cheers:....my favourite webcam is back :)

Never lose hope Buildmilehightower :)
here the link: http://www.earthcam.net/users2/interface.php?i=0&id=445&projectid=202&clientid=158

i love when the webcam just turns back on and for about 15 minutes you can see really close up
http://i38.tinypic.com/2h55sox.jpg

This is going to look spectacular when it's done! :okay:

Great news, the EarthCam is back online again :banana:

omg thank you god u heard my praying :lol:

Yay! I was about to remove the link from my favorites.

There's a lot of those prefab arches up already. At least 32 and at least 7 to go.

Yay! I was about to remove the link from my favorites.

because of these few days? 1 or 2 years ago the cam didn't work over half a year :)

When I walk through that corridor I'm going to think of what it looked like now. Awesome.

the corridor looks fab, can someone show me where it goes in relation to the tower please ?

Well, considering the magnitude of the project you can't really say there is so much activity. I mean, where are all them gone? I see trucks, machinery etc but I don't see as many persons down there. It's just me or it's due to a process that is slowing? Can we consider the building pace of the FT affected as the rest of the constructions? Any further delay announcement on FT as well? Sorry, couldn't avoid asking.
thnks

the corridor looks fab, can someone show me where it goes in relation to the tower please ?
Ebola posted a good picture a while back:

Thanks; it should be what I circled in red.

http://i35.tinypic.com/2utm6oz.jpg

thanx vesey for that pic , dose that mean that where all the cranes are is where the tower will be then?

thanx vesey for that pic , dose that mean that where all the cranes are is where the tower will be then?

The white cranes. Yes.

Very nice pic. What are those skyscrapers across the river? Is that Jersey City?

cheers paulie, does that mean the main tower wont start until that corridor section is finished first ?

Got this email today from the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center
http://www.national911memorial.org/

July 2008 Update
First Artifact Placed Within the Foundations

Dear <deleted>:

A milestone moment in the creation of the National September 11 Memorial Museum occurred this month as the first non-in situ historic artifact was delivered to the Museum site: the monumental Vesey Street Stairs. The artifact is commonly referred to as the “Survivor’s Stairway” because it served as a vital route to safety for thousands fleeing the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Beginning in the middle of the night on Friday, July 18, and continuing throughout the heat of the following day, dedicated crews at the World Trade Center site labored to transport and position this 21 foot high, 64 foot long concrete remnant. As 25 construction professionals, conservators, structural engineers, and Memorial & Museum staff kept careful watch, the Stairs, securely set within a flatbed transporter truck, passed under a nearby pedestrian overpass crossing the West Side Highway with a mere four inches of clearance. Weighing some 116,000 pounds, the Stairs were then lifted by the single cable of a 500-ton crane, pivoted, and lowered more than 70 feet to bedrock. Now safely placed within the foundations of the Memorial & Museum, the Stairs will be repositioned in the coming months for their final installation.

The Stairs provide a powerful reference to the survivors’ story and reinforce a fundamental message: every one of us lives in a post-9/11 world, and, in that sense, every one of us is a survivor of September 11. We look forward to keeping you updated on our progress.

Joe Daniels
President and CEO

Alice M. Greenwald
Memorial Museum Director



Looks like the site has become a true museum now :cheers:

^^ That is great news!

History cannot allow future generations to forget what happened in our own generation.

Now, if they can only rebuild those twin towers will we have a living memorial.

For those interested, it seems that the south core is ready for another pour in the next days maybe even tommorow.

The telling sign is that the formwork on the south core is standing up and there seems to be a blue cap on top of the form (which is a sign that it's ready for a pour).

The north core has plenty of catch-up to play...

For those interested, it seems that the south core is ready for another pour in the next days maybe even tommorow.

The telling sign is that the formwork on the south core is standing up and there seems to be a blue cap on top of the form (which is a sign that it's ready for a pour).

OMG, its always been south core rising for the last 4 months? or whatever, when is the last time north core rose anyway?

When the south core rises again, it should be how many metres above ground roughly?

And that blue cap you're seeing is nowhere near the south core, its way behind it on the side of the street. bu those white arches in the south side is nearly all setup.

At the south east corner (not counting the arches) there are silver things laid out on the floor, what is that cos I can't really make of it.

It looked blue last night. It is actually white in the light.

The proposed observation deck will be indoors on the 102nd floor - no rooftop observation deck like what we had before.

Have somebody or know somebody who have construction photos of Freedom Tower in high resolution ??? I need it for my new book about skyscrapers. Photographer will be also mention in book. Please contact at daniel.zorec@gmail.com

I hope you have a good proofreader for that book.

The proposed observation deck will be indoors on the 102nd floor - no rooftop observation deck like what we had before.
What a random comment. This is the new 1WTC thread, not the "whine about the Twin Towers" thread. This is a thread about the present and the future, not the past.

What's gone is now gone forever, you have to accept what we're getting.

huh? That seemed like statement rather than a 'whine' to me. Personally I think it's strange having an indoors obvservation deck. There's nothing like standing out in the air and surveying the landscape like the ESB and Top of the Rock.

What a random comment.
Who died and made you moderator?

This is the new 1WTC thread, not the "whine about the Twin Towers" thread.
Quit bossing me around you jerk! :bash:

This is a thread about the present and the future, not the past.
No it's not! This is a thread about the Freedom Tower (learn to read before you post).

What's gone is now gone forever, you have to accept what we're getting.

I was not bringing up the old twin towers, just making a comment about the proposed observation deck! :ohno:

I'm holding out hope that we'll get some sort of outdoor observation deck. If not WTC1, maybe WTC3? Eventually something will replace what was lost.

I'm holding out hope that we'll get some sort of outdoor observation deck. If not WTC1, maybe WTC3? Eventually something will replace what was lost.

Like I said previously, the restaurant is proposed for floors 100-101.

Also proposed is the observation deck for floor 102.

There will be mechanical floors above that.

But keep in mind that this is merely a proposed status.

If there is a career fair for anyone working up there for those positions, I would apply. :okay:

Vesey, chill out.

i think an observation deck on tower 3 would be awesome!
i dunno i like to be "immersed" in the city, not perched on top of it.

thats why i like rockefellar over ESB

i think an observation deck on tower 3 would be awesome!
i dunno i like to be "immersed" in the city, not perched on top of it.

thats why i like rockefellar over ESB

I agree, however, the "Top of the Rock" is outdoors, not behind a dirty window that will cause your photos from being the best that they can be (especially glare if you use a flash - and if you don't use a flash and someone behind you does at the very time you snap your photo you have instant glare).

Like I said previously, the restaurant is proposed for floors 100-101.

Also proposed is the observation deck for floor 102.

There will be mechanical floors above that.

But keep in mind that this is merely a proposed status.

If there is a career fair for anyone working up there for those positions, I would apply. :okay:

I know what you said and I know the floor plans, I was simply stating that anything could happen and they could squeeze an outdoor deck on top of the indoor one. However, that probably won't happen due to the radio equipment so that is why I mentioned WTC3 for an outdoor deck. Flat roof, great view of Midtown for the most part.

I mentioned WTC3 for an outdoor deck. Flat roof, great view of Midtown for the most part.

Personally, that would be an outstanding idea - double the revenue and jobs for locals running the operation and if offered the opportunity I most likely would apply.

I wonder how much revenue the observation deck produced annually for the original WTC south tower.

I agree, however, the "Top of the Rock" is outdoors, not behind a dirty window that will cause your photos from being the best that they can be (especially glare if you use a flash - and if you don't use a flash and someone behind you does at the very time you snap your photo you have instant glare).

haha what are you talking about

haha what are you talking about

If you are inside of a building at night, overlooking the surrounding skyscrapers (such as the Rainbow Room with a beautiful view of the nearby skyscrapers) - you automatically have glare.

If you or someone else uses a flash the very moment you press the shutter, it will create a very bright reflective light that will ruin your photo.

This is the very reason why an outdoor observation deck will provide for a much better night photography.

If you are inside of a building at night, overlooking the surrounding skyscrapers (such as the Rainbow Room with a beautiful view of the nearby skyscrapers) - you automatically have glare.

If you or someone else uses a flash the very moment you press the shutter, it will create a very bright reflective light that will ruin your photo.

This is the very reason why an outdoor observation deck will provide for a much better night photography.

I think we all know what causes glare, the question is why in the world would somebody be using a flash? We all know that flashes are useless at the distances involved so turn the flashes off! It's the same thing when you see people using flashes at concerts and sporting events.

ANYWAY, anything visible progress with construction?

I think we all know what causes glare, the question is why in the world would somebody be using a flash?

I see it all the time.

Perfect example, people gather around the table for a group shot (with the Empire State Building behind them) and the photographer uses a flash.

It's very annoying when you are sitting at a nearby table and they snap photos for 10 minutes straight.

when did i say anything about an indoor observation deck? all i said was that wtc3 should have an outdoor lmao

when did i say anything about an indoor observation deck? all i said was that wtc3 should have an outdoor lmao

I was responding to the indoor observation deck on the 102nd floor of WTC 1 (Freedom Tower), but I agree 100% with your idea and hope that it does happen! :okay:

I wonder how much revenue the observation deck produced annually for the original WTC south tower.

Dunno about the observation deck, but Windows on the World was THE highest grossing restaurant in the United States. That's probably why they're adding another huge restaurant on the lower floors of WTC4 -- they know how profitable it'll be.

Windows on the World was THE highest grossing restaurant in the United States.

Well, the Freedom Tower has reserved floors 100-101 for a restaurant. :)

I heard that the new restaurant is called "Windows of the World" too. ^^

Just curious, since it is obvious that the old wtc is not gonna be rebuilt in its old place, has anyone expressed interest in building it elsewere?

why should they rebuild the old WTC somewhere else?? :weird:

why should they rebuild the old WTC somewhere else?? :weird:

i think he means rebuilding the twin towers but not in new york...

i can see it now, "dubai plans 2 110 storey twin towers"

Just a question, how deep do they have to dig for the foundation of a building as tall as the Freedom Tower?

^^ No additional digging - construction has begun, but is taking a very long time.

I could see somebody coming up with a plan to rebuild the old WTC somewhere else in mahatttan, anywhere other then NYC is a joke and a insult.

^^ No additional digging - construction has begun, but is taking a very long time.

They dug 10 feet deeper than the original building.

I could see somebody coming up with a plan to rebuild the old WTC somewhere else in mahatttan, anywhere other then NYC is a joke and a insult.

Yeh, some developer is planning on building the Twin Towers on Roosevelt Island! :lol:

any idea when this will be complete? ....pardon my ignorance.

^^ No additional digging - construction has begun, but is taking a very long time.

They dug 10 feet deeper than the original building.

Thanks. So they just used the old foundations of the WTC right?


..

Can anyone show some pictures of this construction???

Thanks. So they just used the old foundations of the WTC right?..
Not at all. The actual location of the two WTC towers will be where the memorial is, it's considered sacred ground since so many people died there. The new buildings are in different locations and will have completely new foundations. Besides the old foundations suffered such severe damage during the collapse they would've been unusable for new buildings.

I could see somebody coming up with a plan to rebuild the old WTC somewhere else in mahatttan, anywhere other then NYC is a joke and a insult.

like the chrysler building in dubai :ohno:

i think he means rebuilding the twin towers but not in new york...

i can see it now, "dubai plans 2 110 storey twin towers"

I wouldn't be surprised. Bahrain, in the Middle-East, has already built two tall twin buildings and even called it the World Trade Center. There are at least half a dozen complexes (not all of them twin buildings) called the World Trade Center either built post-9/11 or are currently in the design stage. Why they would call them this, I have no idea. Not only is it insensitive, but you'd think they could think of an original name for themselves rather than trying to steal World Trade Center. As the name itself implies, there can be only one WORLD trade CENTER, and that's the original one in the financial capitol of the world.

That's why I, like many others, hate the name "Freedom Tower". It's the World Trade Center, Tower 1! Hopefully "Freedom Tower" will just become an alternate, seldomly used name, like "Twin Towers".

I wouldn't be surprised. Bahrain, in the Middle-East, has already built two tall twin buildings and even called it the World Trade Center. There are at least half a dozen complexes (not all of them twin buildings) called the World Trade Center either built post-9/11 or are currently in the design stage. Why they would call them this, I have no idea. Not only is it insensitive, but you'd think they could think of an original name for themselves rather than trying to steal World Trade Center. As the name itself implies, there can be only one WORLD trade CENTER, and that's the original one in the financial capitol of the world.

That's why I, like many others, hate the name "Freedom Tower". It's the World Trade Center, Tower 1! Hopefully "Freedom Tower" will just become an alternate, seldomly used name, like "Twin Towers".

Not true.
There is the World Trade Centre Organisation established in the 1970's, long before 9-11, A 'World Trade Centre' is a generic name for a place where international trade goes on. The World Trade Centre in New York may have been one of the first, but it has never been the only one. There are more than 100 other World Trade Centres around the world. World Trade Centers Association (Wikipedia) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Trade_Centers_Association)

I call it The Freedom Tower, gives the name a little more meaning. Yeah and many building are call world trade. The one in NYC was the first, so think of it as a sign of respect and not a lack of it. And when people say Twin Towers, they're talking about the two tallest building ever built in NYC. When people say WTC they're talking about the whole complex. Keeps tourist from getting confused, Some people didn't know there was seven buildings in the complex.

like the chrysler building in dubai :ohno:

ahhahah. i think that it would be quite an insult if they built anything similar to the twin towers in dubai

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2261/2067689421_5003dc7215_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/102/254323918_e8aa16012a_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/35/70906616_ca988dd8c5_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/86/241683630_b38a42ebc6_b.jpg

Thanks. So they just used the old foundations of the WTC right?


..

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/fc/New_wtc.jpg

You see those 1-4 WTCs and you also see those 2 blue squares in the green area on the ground, those are where 2 former WTCs stood.

I don't understand why WTC #1 needs to be called "Freedom", unless they mean the freedom we lost on 9/11 - if you ask me, it's WTC #1.

I don't understand why WTC #1 needs to be called "Freedom", unless they mean the freedom we lost on 9/11 - if you ask me, it's WTC #1.

The tower will be 1776 feet tall, 1776 is the date independance day of the USA. And independance = freedom.

That's my vision. ;)

Sorry to offend anyone

But I really liike this new tower..its new and fresh and will look really good in the skyline

^^ I completely agree with you :)

Time for an update, taken yesterday by Fimoculous:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3031/2729176954_ff05cd752b_b.jpg

Big image (3753 x 2451 and great quality): http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3031/2729176954_abc760df43_o.jpg

Now that you roof above the tracks are removed you can see the PATH trains :cheers:

So where exactly is the Freedom Tower going to be on that picture?

far left

The tower will be 1776 feet tall, 1776 is the date independance day of the USA. And independance = freedom.

That's my vision. ;)

Thats a good idea :) .

it diserves the name "LETS CONQUER THE WORLD AND BE A FACIST NATION AND TAKE FREEDOM AND LAND FROM THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE TOWER!!!"

You are looking at being banned.
Go back to your hole.
Mods?

WTF??? :ohno:

Just ignore him. He's on his way to get banned. I give him... eurhm... 5 minutes still to live.

Ehh, well, back to topic.

I wonder how they'll configure the tower cranes when they go from two to four? Doesn't seem like there's enough room in the core area for four cranes so will they be distributed to the corners or something else?

Hi, everyone. :) This is my first post altough I've been reading your posts for months. I love NYC and I think it's the most beautiful city in the world. It's my biggest wish to go there. I can't wait to see all these towers built, especially the Freedom tower. Downtown skyline will be breathtaking.

Not true.
There is the World Trade Centre Organisation established in the 1970's, long before 9-11, A 'World Trade Centre' is a generic name for a place where international trade goes on. The World Trade Centre in New York may have been one of the first, but it has never been the only one. There are more than 100 other World Trade Centres around the world. World Trade Centers Association (Wikipedia) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Trade_Centers_Association)

I know that the name World Trade Center was around before 9/11 obviously. I remember a documentary talking about how the Port Authority had been talking about creating a World Trade Center for about a decade or so before construction began (1950s?). No question that the idea of a place where international trade goes on wasn't created by the PA, but was the actual name World Trade Center around before this, or was it coined by the PA?

PANYNJ:


http://www.panynj.gov/wtc/drp/gallery/images/WTC_august4_3.jpg

http://www.panynj.gov/wtc/drp/gallery/images/WTC_august4_2.jpg

http://www.panynj.gov/wtc/drp/gallery/images/WTC_august4_1.jpg

^^ Years from now, we will be walkin' through that! :yes:

Hi, everyone. :) This is my first post altough I've been reading your posts for months. I love NYC and I think it's the most beautiful city in the world. It's my biggest wish to go there. I can't wait to see all these towers built, especially the Freedom tower. Downtown skyline will be breathtaking.
Welcome to SSC!

Calatrava's work is very obvious in this last pic.

Calatrava's work is very obvious in this last pic.
I think it looks really good. :dunno:
It would be cool to be there, walking through it.

Credit: The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (http://www.panynj.gov)
http://www.panynj.gov/wtc/drp/gallery/images/WTC_july18_6.jpg

Nice to see some progress, the only thing wrong with this tower is the Orwellian name, and the fact that its missing its twin

Nice to see some progress, the only thing wrong with this tower is the Orwellian name, and the fact that its missing its twin

Yeah, I would rather have a twin tower too.

Will people just get over the fact that theres only one of this, not two. Times move on, the originals are no more. End of.
When is the next crane going to be erected?

The white arches aren't structural are they? just there for design.

^^ They will support the street on top of it, so yes they are structural :)

^^ Real Calatrava look to them, genius of a man imo

this wtc is much better than the twin towers, this design more in tune wit the rest of manhattan, the twin towers were 2 ugly stains

this wtc is much better than the twin towers, this design more in tune wit the rest of manhattan, the twin towers were 2 ugly stains

I liked the twin towers, although they did not blend in with their surroundings.

These new towers are more significant because there are more of them and they vary in height and design (which is a much welcome concept).

Also, consider the addition of other nearby towers being developed to make the new Lower Manhattan a new and improved skyscraper experience to enjoy.

Great updates, and since its been a month or two since the last time i saw some updates i can see progress is speeding up!

^^ I completely agree with you :)

Time for an update, taken yesterday by Fimoculous:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3031/2729176954_ff05cd752b_b.jpg



What is the building in the back, left center and looks to be about 1 story above ground level?

The outside of the twin tower might have been out of place with the rest of the city. But the inside was a work of art. Their isn't to many building with a lobby as sexy as the old WTC.

the FT is actually above ground now! I was there today, and the superstructure/concrete work is about 7-15 feet above ground!!!

^^
^^
^^
^^
^^
^^ Excellent!
^^
^^
^^
^^
^^ Before you know it, we will actually be looking up! :okay:

What is the building in the back, left center and looks to be about 1 story above ground level?

Im not positive but i think its WTC 3.

^ That building was demolished this week. It was a temporary PATH station.

Im not positive but i think its WTC 3.
WTC 3 isn't even started yet! It will be at least two years before it reaches street level. WTC 1 (Freedom Tower) is the only WTC building that has started construction.

WTC 3 isn't even started yet! It will be at least two years before it reaches street level. WTC 1 (Freedom Tower) is the only WTC building that has started construction.

Lol well i take that back, i didnt think that construction had gotten that far but that building loked to be right about where WTC 3 is gonna be. My bad.

Beautifull skyscraper...

Hello! First time poster but long time lurker, I have a question about the arches in the previous posts, where are they in relation to the Freedom Tower and what kind of traffic will pass though them? are they the entrance to the tower or part of the transit station? Thanks :dunno:

They are right next to the Freedom Tower (on the south side), and are used to connect the World Trade Center to the World Financial Center. It's all part of the transportation system. It's not an entrance to the tower and it's a retail area so only people on foot will use it.

It should not be confused with the the hub terminal, but it is all connected underground:
http://gothamist.com/attachments/Jen%20Chung/2005_07_calatravadesign.jpg

This building is on the other side of the site, in the middle of WTC Tower 2 and WTC Tower 3.

Thank you, so the street on top will be West Side Highway.

Yes, West Side, and an extended Fulton Street, which isn't even there yet.

http://www.renewnyc.com/images_WMS/freedom_tower/masterplan_09-05.jpg

It becomes easy to see even with the masterplan from years ago.

The Calatrava Hallway would be directly under Fulton St.

WTC 3 isn't even started yet! It will be at least two years before it reaches street level. WTC 1 (Freedom Tower) is the only WTC building that has started construction.

I understood that technically speaking anyway Towers 1, 3 and 4 were officially in construction, and that Tower 2's status remained at "Proposed"?

The design of new WTC is ok, but here is something that I would like more:

Imagine this tower at 1776 ft.

A combination of Old Word Trade Cennter, Chrysler Building and Empire State Building.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/h5forem/ny.jpg

:cheers:

^^ isn;t that the tower proposed from china (probaly nanjing or something?)

either that its a perfect NYC skyscraper!!!

^^ isn;t that the tower proposed from china (probaly nanjing or something?)
Chongqing. But rejected (they already have a tower that screams New York) :banana:

That building looks likes something off of sim city. It really doesn't have anything to do with this tower but it's nice none the less.

That building looks likes something off of sim city. It really doesn't have anything to do with this tower but it's nice none the less.

Yeah you're right :nuts:

http://blog.wired.com/photos/uncategorized/simcity.jpg

Any pictures of this from the ground? And its not going to be 2 years until 3WTC reaches ground level. That will be 2009, which happens to be less than 5 months away. Spring their saying. although I wouldn't be suprised if its delayed, YET AGAIN. This is going to take forever to top out, look how long there is between each pour! 1WTC is a very nice building though.

Welcome to SSC!

Thanx!:)

The design of new WTC is ok, but here is something that I would like more:

Imagine this tower at 1776 ft.

A combination of Old Word Trade Cennter, Chrysler Building and Empire State Building.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/h5forem/ny.jpg

:cheers:

I like the top, but the rest of the building is boring.

i dont have a clue how to post images so i'll post the link. its a little off topic but at least it shows 'A' freedom tower...already built ;) and in california!?

are u intreagued? here u are:
http://jharra1.brinkster.net/blog/06_may/03_nyc.jpg

who knows what its made out of? lol

WTH??? cmmn people, back to the topic, although there's been like no big visible progress at all for past few months (but will be worth a wait)

How I love NY... it's good to see some progress, but I they're going real slowly.. :(

i dont have a clue how to post images so i'll post the link. its a little off topic but at least it shows 'A' freedom tower...already built ;) and in california!?

are u intreagued? here u are:
http://jharra1.brinkster.net/blog/06_may/03_nyc.jpg

who knows what its made out of? lol


http://jharra1.brinkster.net/blog/06_may/03_nyc.jpg

hhhm? i dont really like this design....

All these renders of the new WTC are boring and without life of their own .... It was a mistake when SOM took control over the hole plan. How come we went from greatness to the below average and boring designs..??? Where is Daniel Libeskind....???




http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e378/silampa/wtcmusic-1.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e378/silampa/lwtc11.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e378/silampa/dnl.jpg

The design of new WTC is ok, but here is something that I would like more:

Imagine this tower at 1776 ft.

A combination of Old Word Trade Cennter, Chrysler Building and Empire State Building.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/h5forem/ny.jpg

:cheers:


Oh yeah! Much nicer design, maybe someday soomeone will build that one.

^^
I like this design too. Anyhow, I like the cluster of the twin towers. Single skyscaper seems lonely to me.

Daniel Libeskind was last place - yet he was the chosen one!

The day the voices of the people were silenced was a sad day indeed.

I am pleased that the Libeskind design was redesigned - silly wedge of light that had NOTHING to do with 9/11.

All these renders of the new WTC are boring and without life of their own .... It was a mistake when SOM took control over the hole plan. How come we went from greatness to the below average and boring designs..??? Where is Daniel Libeskind....???




http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e378/silampa/wtcmusic-1.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e378/silampa/lwtc11.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e378/silampa/dnl.jpg

You like this better than the new? :bash:

The design of new WTC is ok, but here is something that I would like more. A combination of Old Word Trade Cennter, Chrysler Building and Empire State Building.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/h5forem/ny.jpg

That's a clever idea but i'm sure that the silhouette of this design will exactly look like ESB.

That's a clever idea but i'm sure that the silhouette of this design will exactly look like ESB.

Exactly what I thought, if you glance quickly at that model then you could easily be mistaken for thinking it's the ESB

You like this better than the new? :bash:

Agreed 110% :ohno:

You like this better than the new? :bash:
I was wondering too.

The old design was yet another obnoxious sculpture inconsiderate of the overall project. The new FT design is great, and has great synergy with the whole WTC complex. I especially like Tower 2.

I was wondering too.

The old design was yet another obnoxious sculpture inconsiderate of the overall project. The new FT design is great, and has great synergy with the whole WTC complex. I especially like Tower 2.

Thank you!

Always good to hear from a real skyscraper fan! :cheers1:

You have to understand that the WTC is the WTC. It's located in the financial district surrounded by modern, post-modern and gothic skyscrapers. Your not going to get futuristic designs for major white collar firms like Merrill Lynch.
If you want an amazing life-like skyscraper look to midtown and the beautiful MoMa expansion... Tower Verre.

Daniel Libeskind's design for the Freedom Tower is 20 times better that whatever the office of David Childs and SOM decided to build. Of course, this after getting rid of Libeskind by virtue of ""larry silverstein " . That is clearly a LACK of Integrity from both individuals.

You have to understand that the WTC is the WTC. It's located in the financial district surrounded by modern, post-modern and gothic skyscrapers. Your not going to get futuristic designs for major white collar firms like Merrill Lynch.
If you want an amazing life-like skyscraper look to midtown and the beautiful MoMa expansion... Tower Verre.

Exactly.

The first freedom tower design made me sick to my stomach. It had no business getting pick. That trash would of made NYC the laughing stock of the world. The new FT put NYC in a class by it's self. This building belongs in this city what more can I say then that.

The first freedom tower design made me sick to my stomach. It had no business getting pick. That trash would of made NYC the laughing stock of the world. The new FT put NYC in a class by it's self. This building belongs in this city what more can I say then that.

Libeskind's design was the best, though I'm sure that if used now most of the Freedom Tower would have been changed from the empty glass to offices. I would hope that it would've retained is design though. Oh well. The current design isn't too much worse either. I am very pleased with it actually.

I don't understand why WTC #1 needs to be called "Freedom", unless they mean the freedom we lost on 9/11 - if you ask me, it's WTC #1.

Hmm my thoughts exactly i mean they hate us for our freedoms so i guess they don't hate us anymore? Thanks G Dub! :bash:

Exactly.


Can't disagree with Aizen-sama, yet...

Daniel Libeskind's design is HISTORY, and if you can't accept it, you DON'T BELONG HERE. NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR YOU WHINE.

One world-class architect VS a plethora of world-class architects. Wow, such a hard pick.

But don't get sad! Daniel Libeskind is currently designing one or two really tall skyscrapers for NYC right now.

This thread, as far as I know, is about the Freedom Tower - you know - the Childs version which is GOING UP NOW.

The first freedom tower design made me sick to my stomach.

Agreed!

I recall meeting up with a friend at the public display of the contest winner located at the WFC in particular how awful the design was.

We were hoping that somehow, the design could be changed drastically.

It had no business getting pick.

You are correct.

That design was publicly voted last place!

But it was not about the public opinion, it was about politics.

That trash would of made NYC the laughing stock of the world.

The so-called "Family of the victims" made a spectacle out of the site, with their desire to prevent any skyscraper from ever taking place on their "sacred ground"! :no:

The new FT put NYC in a class by it's self.

Agreed.

While my friend simply wanted the twin towers rebuilt, I realized that the new design was turning out to look pretty good, with real office floors reaching the roof, now it was time to let go of the past (and an old friend) by moving ahead.

Some people will never change, some of us will.

What is "New" about New York is the new and improved World Trade Center. :okay:

One thing we can be thankful to Liebeskind for is the broad site layout ie. Freedom Tower to the north of the twin towers footprints, and towers 2-4 across a reinstated Greenwhich Street.

His first design of Freedom Tower was horrid. Thank god it never got started.

His first design of Freedom Tower was horrid. Thank god it never got started.

Amen to that!

I am just glad that construction is a reality now.

When the tower is complete, there will be opportunities for jobs in those buildings - let us hope this will help our nation!

I don't like calling this 'The Freedom Tower', I don't understand the name at all. More and more people are calling it 1WTC. But to what someone said above, this isn't going to stand on its own, its got 5 beautiful new skyscrapers in the WTC (possibly 6 if they build on the PAC site, or 99 Church Street becomes 6WTC), plus many other new skyscrapers around the WTC. Will loook fantastic when its all done.

^^ I get what u mean. It aint like USA was under any other nation's rule or power or anything, but how else can they name this tower?

^^
It aint like USA was under any other nation's rule or power or anything, but how else can they name this tower?
If I remember corectly, in 1776 they just gain there freedom from British Empire.

^^ I get what u mean. It aint like USA was under any other nation's rule or power or anything, but how else can they name this tower?

As I mentioned before, the Freedom Tower is 1776 feet tall. In 1776, USA became independent from the Kingdom of Great Britain. (Independance Day : July 4, 1776)

This can be seen as freedom: they don't have to obey the English anymore. They are independant. ;)

And that's why it's the Freedom Tower. The name is connected with the height of the tower.

^^ I get what u mean. It aint like USA was under any other nation's rule or power or anything, but how else can they name this tower?

You need to go study your history a little more! Look of that topic "American Revolutionary War". You'll find that the United States fought a historic war to gain its autonomy from Great Britain. Maybe British history doesn't discuss the topic.

You need to go study your history a little more! Look of that topic "American Revolutionary War". You'll find that the United States fought a historic war to gain its autonomy from Great Britain. Maybe British history doesn't discuss the topic.

Oh, my bad I never noticed the link with the freedom from british... (never knew this anyway) I though the word (freedom) had link with 9/11 so I wasn't sure. I surely thought this tower's name had to have something in link with the 9/11.

^^ I get what u mean. It aint like USA was under any other nation's rule or power or anything, but how else can they name this tower?

Once up on a time New York was Dutch...

Is there any time lapse video of freedom tower construction?

mhhh what do you expect to see in this time lapse, a "3,5 year long" time lapse in which you see 4 basement floors beeing constructed? WOW! or do you mean an animated time lapse?

but i am really happy that things are taking shape now, this calatrava bows are looking really brilliant......and the other bathtube is really advanced now.....hope to see this towers going up rapidly.......AND NO MORE DELAYS PLEASE!

The link between the freedom tower and 9/11, is the freedom tower going to cost 911 billion dollars lol. No really whats in a name, all that matter is this building going to make NYC NYC again.

His first design of Freedom Tower was horrid. Thank god it never got started.
You think the design being built is good? I personally think it's terrible, especially the ugly "spire" which looks an awful lot like an antenna in my opinion. Some of the intermediate designs where the spire was integral to the building design looked the best.

^^^^ well good things nobody care what you think, well at less I don't. This building being built get over it. Find something else, you have no power over to bitch about.

^^^^ well good things nobody care what you think, well at less I don't. This building being built get over it. Find something else, you have no power over to bitch about.

If you can't handle someone else's opinion, maybe you shouldn't be responding to every single one of them. It just makes you look immature. Now that's just my opinion, but I think you need to learn how to respect people. Just because this design is the one being built doesn't mean the the discussion over which design was better will magically end.

You think the design being built is good? I personally think it's terrible, especially the ugly "spire" which looks an awful lot like an antenna in my opinion. Some of the intermediate designs where the spire was integral to the building design looked the best.

spire, antenna, who the hell cares

its much better than the old one

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2067/2065358058_028b494912.jpg
http://flickr.com/photos/21221922@N05/2065358058/

The old one was strictly functional, wasn't it? It was there because it was the highest place in the city for an antenna, not to add hieght to the building.

I don't like the spire too. Especially the ropes that are keeping it on its place. It's ugly. :) Nevertheless is the rest of the building and the complex quite OK.

http://curbed.com/2007_09_spire.jpg

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

-edit-

http://img32.picoodle.com/img/img32/3/8/8/f_FreedomTowem_a3255dc.jpg

large version:

Click (http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/3/8/8/f_FreedomTowem_1e4bd7c.jpg&srv=img28)

It is a very unshapely building overall. I wonder if political (financial/lobbyist) matters decided in the end. A place of such symbolic significance for the nation shouldn't present a rather mediocre looking business complex.

Chicago proves that this isn't an issue of modern America.

I don't like the spire too. Especially the ropes that are keeping it on its place. It's ugly. :) Nevertheless is the rest of the building and the complex quite OK.

http://curbed.com/2007_09_spire.jpg

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


I actually think that the top is the best bit of this building, I think the bottom is far worse, it looks like a skyscraper put on top of a completely different structure, the reinforced concrete base of this building bears little resembalance to the rest of it, the continuity is appalling.

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

Is this chef hat looking thing on the base of the spire older version? It just looks terrible or looks like its made out of fabric.

It is a very unshapely building overall. I wonder if political (financial/lobbyist) matters decided in the end. A place of such symbolic significance for the nation shouldn't present a rather mediocre looking business complex.

Chicago proves that this isn't an issue of modern America.

the old ones were freaking run of the mill boxes :lol:

I actually think that the top is the best bit of this building, I think the bottom is far worse, it looks like a skyscraper put on top of a completely different structure, the reinforced concrete base of this building bears little resembalance to the rest of it, the continuity is appalling.

how?
the base is going to be sheathed in "prisms of glass"

how?
the base is going to be sheathed in "prisms of glass"

to hide the fact it's a big block of concrete...

the rest of the building will look like it's been plonked on top of it.

to hide the fact it's a big block of concrete...

the rest of the building will look like it's been plonked on top of it.

They should have made it as with the SWFC. A bottom of rock stones.

The base is not concrete. How many times does that have to be stated?

The concrete perimeter is only about 20 feet tall; the base is 186 feet tall. The prisms of glass will really work well with the rest of the building and they are partly transparent; you can see through, exposing the steel beams of the tower.

They should have made it as with the SWFC. A bottom of rock stones.

I agree 100%, and I'm hoping that they can pull off something similar with WTC1. SWFC's base is nothing short of a masterpiece even though it's nearly all stone.

As for the Freedom Tower - the complex NEEDED a building of this height to remind the country of what used to be there. The spire on WTC1 is only 50 feet taller than the antenna on the original 1WTC, so it really isn't that different. I also think that the spire is going to look nothing short of fantastic during the night or during special occasions. I'm imagining lights shining on it similar to the Sears Tower, or perhaps lighting on the top similar to John Hancock. Either way I think that when this is finished it'll be a big hit.

Also, the old antenna had guy-wires holding it in place so it shouldn't be surprising that the new spire/antenna has the same. They weren't even noticeable the majority of the time.

EDIT: If I could change one and only one thing about the current design I'd find a way to get an external observation deck on the top. That pesky radio equipment on the crown can go somewhere else.

I actually think that the top is the best bit of this building, I think the bottom is far worse, it looks like a skyscraper put on top of a completely different structure, the reinforced concrete base of this building bears little resembalance to the rest of it, the continuity is appalling.
Your drawings demonstrate what I've been saying all along, in the original design the top was really a spire that was integral to the looks and design of the building. In the "evolved" design the spire has been replaced with an ugly antenna that does nothing to enhance the design of the building. The only reason it was placed there is to get to 1776ft!

I do agree that the bottom kind of looks like a podium that the rest of the building sets on.

Too bad that there is, once again (cfr. Chicago Spire) no outside observation deck.

New WTC vs old WTC. As you can see the spire/antenna is almost the exact same height. ~50 ft difference. Oh, and one more thing that annoys me about the new WTC1 is the placement of the mechanical floors. There's going to be office lights going all the way up to a certain point and then there's going to be a large block of mechanical floors all in one area, leaving the building looking quite odd at night. Oh well, I guess. That's part of the reason I'm hoping that it has a more ornate lighting scheme on the top.

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

Nice comparison ;) thanks for showing. :) So the towers are almost of the same height.

^^ Yes , the Freedom tower's roof is as high as the one World Trade Center's roof

Oh, I disagree with some of the comments here. I think the base gives interest to a building that has a zen-like simplicity to it. To me it is like a pedestal ... and in the classical order of things, take a classical column for example, a base, shaft and capital are the elements that complete the composition. In regards to how beautiful this base is, I will withold judgement until it is completed ... one cannot make a judgement from a drawing or a rendering.

everything is a hell of a lot more interesting than what was there, so i have nothing to complain about.

to hide the fact it's a big block of concrete...

the rest of the building will look like it's been plonked on top of it.

I would prefer one type of cladding for the entire building too. But it will be an impressive tower anyway. :)

Small comparison I've made with other skyscrapers being build in the US.

http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/2882/diagramusaskyscraperscofs7.jpg

^^ Magnificent chart! :okay:

The base is not concrete. How many times does that have to be stated?

The concrete perimeter is only about 20 feet tall; the base is 186 feet tall. The prisms of glass will really work well with the rest of the building and they are partly transparent; you can see through, exposing the steel beams of the tower.

actually yes it is concrete. The base of concrete IS 18 floors covered in prisms. "WOW PRISMS=COLOR!" You might say, but i doubt it well turn out well. I kinda liked the spire, but with the closeup shot revealing some ugly antenna crap, I now think it will turn out not as nicely.

They need two towers...this is a disgrace

^^ They are building 6 so far.

^^Owned! :rofl:

Everytime I see renders of the FT, I love it more and more. Seriously, this whole complex will be amazing once completed. :cheers:

Yeh, so while Chicago has the spire, we have an enormous WTC complex filled with super towers of sky high density!

In fact, the more dense it gets in Manhattan, the better! :okay:

http://www.theweekdaily.com/article/index/87889/3/3/Briefing_The_void_at_ground_zero

News & Opinion
Friday, August 15, 2008


Briefing: The void at ground zero
What is ground zero today?
It’s a massive, rectangular pit crammed with construction crews, blasting and drilling equipment, and the skeletal beginnings of a handful of buildings. But the enterprise was supposed to be much further along by now. The centerpiece of the 16-acre site in lower Manhattan, the 1,776-foot Freedom Tower, originally was scheduled to be completed in 2006, but that building just rose above ground level this past spring. Of the six office buildings planned for the area, one 52-story building across the street from the main site has been completed, but five other buildings are not even close. “At least 15 fundamental issues critical to the overall project”—including basic transportation and security needs—remain unresolved, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which owns the site, said in a recent report. Officials admit that they’re chagrined at the lack of progress. “It’s time for this international embarrassment to end,” says Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer.

What’s taking so long?
The project has become a multibillion-dollar political football, pitting numerous agencies and interest groups against one another—each with its own agenda. Many critics say the blame begins with former New York Gov. George Pataki, who in the aftermath of 9/11 made big promises—and demanded tight design schedules—that proved wildly unrealistic. But the creation of “Pataki’s Pit,” as it has been dubbed, had no shortage of helpers. Among those involved are the Port Authority; 19 local, state, and federal agencies; two developers; 33 designers, architects, and consultants; and more than 100 building contractors. Efforts to respect the wishes of victims’ families, including their desire to retain the footprints of the original towers, have also contributed to delays. Then there are the extraordinary construction challenges posed by the site, which Port Authority Executive Director Chris Ward calls “as complex as any in the world.”

What makes the project so challenging?
To begin with, its sheer size and ambition. The completed project will contain as much high-end office space as now exists in all of downtown Atlanta. The steel used to reinforce the foundations alone would stretch from New York to Washington, D.C. The site is already home to one of the densest mass transit hubs in the U.S., moving 150,000 commuters each day on subways, trains, and buses under and around ground zero; erecting a small city on top of that is a daunting engineering challenge. To further complicate matters, the perimeter of each foundation must be supported by what engineers call a “bathtub,” to hold back subterranean flow from the nearby Hudson River. There are also unique security issues, given that the project grew out of the deadliest attack ever committed on American soil.

How does security influence the design?
Political leaders, vowing “Never again,” have paid particular attention to the project’s ability to withstand a major bombing or kamikaze airplane attack. No building can be terror-proof, but experts are taking secretive precautions to ensure that the new buildings do not implode and crumble, as the World Trade Center towers did. In March, an architect from Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the firm that redesigned the Freedom Tower (after the original design by two feuding architects was shelved), accompanied demolition experts to the New Mexico desert, where they detonated explosives inside a three-story model of the tower. Results of that test were not released. Security concerns persist, however. In April, a New Yorker named Mike Fleming who was rummaging through some garbage discovered confidential blueprints of the Freedom Tower that contained floor plans with details on air ducts, elevator shafts, and more. Fleming gave the blueprints to the New York Post, which did not publish them but did publicize the embarrassing breach. They “could have ended up on eBay,” Fleming says.

So when will construction be finished?
It’s anyone’s guess. The latest version of the Freedom Tower is now scheduled to be completed by 2012, but earlier predictions for virtually every phase of the site’s construction have been way off. Foundation work has begun throughout the site, including on Tower 2, which promises to be the city’s second tallest building after the Freedom Tower. Having been burned in the past, officials have stopped making firm promises. In the meantime, plans for a memorial, museum, and underground transit hub are still in doubt (see below). “We’re not going to give any phony dates or timetables at this point and then follow it up with phony ribbon-cuttings,” says New York Gov. David Paterson.

What will it all cost?
The Port Authority’s most recent estimate is $15 billion. But with construction costs in the city rising at a rate of 1 percent a month, few expect that estimate to hold. Some experts say overruns could add another $3 billion to the tab. One casualty of the cost crunch will be the enormous underground transit hub designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. His original design called for a winged roof with a large skylight. Officials say a much more modest transit hub is now likely. But after so many broken promises, the new mood of retrenchment is widely considered progress. “After seven years of Alice in Wonderland fantasy plans,” says New York Sen. Charles Schumer, “it’s refreshing to finally be presented with a no-nonsense, realistic look at the challenges to progress at ground zero.”

Remembering the victims
Like the towers it will be nestled among, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum represents another case of arrested development. The planned memorial will consist of a three-acre plaza surrounding two recessed reflecting pools; names of the nearly 3,000 victims will be inscribed around the pools. But after several false starts due to controversy over design and location, the complex still exists only on paper. In June, the Port Authority acknowledged that the $650 million memorial would not be ready in time for the 10th anniversary of the attacks, in 2011. Families of victims, who have rarely agreed on anything, seemed unanimous in their outrage at yet another delay. “There are family members that I know that are elderly or very ill and they want to memorialize their son and daughter,” says Bill Doyle, whose son was killed at the World Trade Center, “and I don’t know if that will happen anymore.”

Dequal did you jack those models for those skyscrapers from skyscraperpage.com they look to similure. If you did your a bad guy lol.

Dequal did you jack those models for those skyscrapers from skyscraperpage.com they look to similure.

Yeh, those images appear to belong to someone else - but modified.

Personally, I like the illustration. ;)

Dequal did you jack those models for those skyscrapers from skyscraperpage.com they look to similure. If you did your a bad guy lol.

As long as credit is given where credit is due, is there really a problem? I just made a neat old WTC vs new WTC chart using the SSP diagrams but now I'm afraid to post it. :(

Tremendo edificio va a ser este!

Dequal did you jack those models for those skyscrapers from skyscraperpage.com they look to similure. If you did your a bad guy lol.

Where else?

This tower would be more vulnerable to same 9/11 attack than the old WTC isn't it? Because this one has glass surface not steel line every 2 metre gap. Whereas it has better inner structure able to carry load more independently from the core.

This tower would be more vulnerable to same 9/11 attack than the old WTC isn't it? Because this one has glass surface not steel line every 2 metre gap. Whereas it has better inner structure able to carry load more independently from the core.

No bullcrap please...

As long as credit is given where credit is due, is there really a problem? I just made a neat old WTC vs new WTC chart using the SSP diagrams but now I'm afraid to post it. :(

I have no problems with that.

Why don't you simply provide a link to the source and post it? :yes:

^^Owned! :rofl:

Everytime I see renders of the FT, I love it more and more. Seriously, this whole complex will be amazing once completed. :cheers:

I agree... I like it alot. I don't understand all the negative talk.

This tower would be more vulnerable to same 9/11 attack than the old WTC isn't it? Because this one has glass surface not steel line every 2 metre gap. Whereas it has better inner structure able to carry load more independently from the core.

If you're going to post every 10 minutes, don't make it a trend of low quality.

Originally Posted by buildmilehightower
This tower would be more vulnerable to same 9/11 attack than the old WTC isn't it? Because this one has glass surface not steel line every 2 metre gap. Whereas it has better inner structure able to carry load more independently from the core.
No bullcrap please...

He just. doesn't. get it. Some people will never learn. It's highly apparent that our complaints fall on deaf ears. :ohno:

If you're going to post every 10 minutes, don't make it a trend of low quality.

I sincerely hope that people are not just posting messages for the sake of bragging rights to their precious post counts! :no:

Can we please go on topic again? Thank you.