NEW YORK | One World Trade Center (1WTC) | 541m | 1776ft | 108 fl

RKOwens

March 10th, 2009, 04:39 PM

^^^^Does anyone know how many floors is the bunker-like ( bomb-proof) lower floors of this complex?

Only the lobby is going to have a concrete wall around its perimeter, and only around part of it. The entrances at the east and west plazas will have huge open glass facades. Also, above about 15 feet, it will be a "column" of concrete then a tall window, then another column of concrete, then another window, and so on, much like in the orignal lobby of the Twin Towers. Above the lobby, there will be no concrete walls throughout the rest of the base (from what I've heard).

By the way, to all, remember that the North Tower lobby... about 15 feet up to the mezzanine... was walled off on its north side, just led to the concourse on its east side, and led to the Marriot on its south side. Only the west side had actual windows top to bottom. So those worried about the walled off part of the Freedom Tower up to about 15 feet with no windows... remember that the original NT had much the same design.

http://z.about.com/d/manhattan/1/0/g/E/flickr-NoriakiGotoh-wtc-lobby2.jpg

buildmilehightower

March 10th, 2009, 06:41 PM

wow cool decoration, I can't amagine how good white arches in the Freedom Tower will look at christmas time.

lulu007hey

March 10th, 2009, 08:10 PM

http://www.tradeshoes9.com

Uaarkson

March 10th, 2009, 08:48 PM

I'm not sure, but it looks like they're pouring something on the south core

RKOwens

March 10th, 2009, 09:24 PM

wow cool decoration, I can't amagine how good white arches in the Freedom Tower will look at christmas time.

That was a picture of the original North Tower. The Freedom Tower won't exactly have arches, but it will have tall columns with tall windows in between them. Below is an early rendering. Since this is an early rendering, I think it would be cool if they did make the top of the concrete "columns" into arches at the top of the lobby, to resemble the original towers. Either way, I'm happy that there will be plenty of windows allowing natural sunlight in. It won't be the "concrete bunker" that most people make it out to be.

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/20070802freedomlobby.jpg

Having said that, the main hall of the transit hub WILL be a pretty sight to see at Christmas time. I'm guessing that's where they will locate any Christmas tree with wreathes around the mezzanine, and photos with Santa in the middle of the floor area.

Rahmani

March 11th, 2009, 02:48 PM

I visit the topic once a month, expecting some major updates. But I leave disapointed, every time. It has been 3 years. 3 more years to go. :(

buildmilehightower

March 11th, 2009, 04:29 PM

That was a picture of the original North Tower. The Freedom Tower won't exactly have arches, but it will have tall columns with tall windows in between them. Below is an early rendering. Since this is an early rendering, I think it would be cool if they did make the top of the concrete "columns" into arches at the top of the lobby, to resemble the original towers. Either way, I'm happy that there will be plenty of windows allowing natural sunlight in. It won't be the "concrete bunker" that most people make it out to be.

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/20070802freedomlobby.jpg

Having said that, the main hall of the transit hub WILL be a pretty sight to see at Christmas time. I'm guessing that's where they will locate any Christmas tree with wreathes around the mezzanine, and photos with Santa in the middle of the floor area.

by white arches I meant the arches we can see at the south side of the FT construction site. Those will be painted white, and they'll look amazing.

germantower

March 11th, 2009, 05:13 PM

i hope this isn't toooo offtopic!

More troubles for the WTC Project:

http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/95347/wtc-developer-found-to-be-unsafely-using-cranes/Default.aspx

*screaming*

webeagle12

March 11th, 2009, 05:20 PM

i hope this isn't toooo offtopic!

*screaming*

this pertains to WTC4 construction actually :)

germantower

March 11th, 2009, 05:29 PM

^^ i know, because of that i wrote "i hope this isn't toooo offtopic!", since it doesn't pertains the wtc1 tower at all.

webeagle12

March 11th, 2009, 05:34 PM

^^ i know, because of that i wrote "i hope this isn't toooo offtopic!", since it doesn't pertains the wtc1 tower at all.

this is why we have wtc4 thread :)

germantower

March 11th, 2009, 06:25 PM

unlinked

March 11th, 2009, 06:51 PM

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3259/...a8d3bcc5_o.jpg

looking at the above linked image an error was found

Can you spot it?

deez

March 11th, 2009, 06:54 PM

I think Elton John said it best in his 1972 hit, 'Rocket Man'.
'And I think it's going to be a long long time....':wallbash:

deez

March 11th, 2009, 06:56 PM

here we go....

http://www.observer.com/2009/real-estate/refi-fidi-silverstein-port-talk-wtc-dates-funds

webeagle12

March 11th, 2009, 07:10 PM

Nomadd22

March 11th, 2009, 08:14 PM

^^ you really don't get it, heh? Since the WTC4 is in the SAME COMPLEX as WTC1 i thought it could interest people, that only are following this WTC thread, what is happening on other parts of the site.....

The complex has five towers, a large memorial, a transit center, a performing arts center, subway lines, path lines, shopping malls, road construction, parks, pedestrian walkways and a museum.
This thread is big enough without including the entire WTC in it. Don't come into someone elses home and bitch about the rules they ask you to respect.

RKOwens

March 11th, 2009, 08:16 PM

here we go....

http://www.observer.com/2009/real-estate/refi-fidi-silverstein-port-talk-wtc-dates-funds

At this point, what does it really matter? These financial troubles only affect Towers 2 and 3. It has no affect whatsoever on the memorial, or the Freedom Tower, or Tower 4, or Tower 5, or the Performing Arts Center, or the Transportation Hub, or Tower 7 (which is already completed). Yes, the financial problems suck, but remember that towers 2 and 3 are only a small part of the overall site. I'm most looking forward to the memorial anyway, then the Freedom Tower as a close second. Neither of these seem affected.

Msradell

March 12th, 2009, 04:56 AM

At this point, what does it really matter? These financial troubles only affect Towers 2 and 3. It has no affect whatsoever on the memorial, or the Freedom Tower, or Tower 4, or Tower 5, or the Performing Arts Center, or the Transportation Hub, or Tower 7 (which is already completed).
? Pardon me but the performing arts center has already been postponed indefinitely (or canceled depending on who you believe) and the transportation hub has been scaled back and the original design will be greatly modified or changed completely. Only FT, Tower 4, and Tower 7 are givens at this point although I really believe Towers 2 & 3 will also be built by Silverstein quite rapidly.

Ebola

March 12th, 2009, 08:39 AM

Guess what! The other day, I saw a bird land on the Freedom Tower steel! It was all like, "Look at me, I'm a goddamn bird!"

MiKu214

March 12th, 2009, 08:50 AM

Guess what! The other day, I saw a bird land on the Freedom Tower steel! It was all like, "Look at me, I'm a goddamn bird!" It's a bird! It's a plane! Oh wait...

unlinked

March 12th, 2009, 09:11 AM

The uncompleted WT4 crane tower can be seen on image 8/13 at www.wtc.com

The construct of the crane tower(s) was halted due to safety concerns or violations

dachacon

March 12th, 2009, 11:24 AM

^^ oh well then the construction will resume as soon as the safety issues are taken care of. so no biggie.

RKOwens

March 12th, 2009, 06:00 PM

? Pardon me but the performing arts center has already been postponed indefinitely (or canceled depending on who you believe) and the transportation hub has been scaled back and the original design will be greatly modified or changed completely. Only FT, Tower 4, and Tower 7 are givens at this point although I really believe Towers 2 & 3 will also be built by Silverstein quite rapidly.

I was just responding to this new news about the financial problems about Towers 2 and 3. Of course the hub will be scaled back, this is old news (like, 6 months old).

I haven't heard anything recent about the performing arts center though. Where did you hear it might be canceled? I welcome that and have always said that either a low-rise office building or a hotel should be built on that spot. If someone wants to build a theater they can do it one block over on Broadway. The WTC is a center of trade and finance, not theater.

Athinaios

March 12th, 2009, 11:08 PM

Today from EarthCam:

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r48/Athinaios/beam.jpg

A lot of steel beams are waiting to be put on their place....:) For me now is a way better progress than one year ago. Actually every week gives something new.

kingsc

March 13th, 2009, 02:33 AM

That picture isn't of the freedom tower. Can we get some pictures of the site Thanx people.

TheShark

March 13th, 2009, 04:18 AM

That picture isn't of the freedom tower. Can we get some pictures of the site Thanx people.

Well it's also interesting to know what's going on around the memorial too... To me, any pictures of either the Freedom Tower, WTC 2-3-4 or the memorial are just fine

germantower

March 13th, 2009, 04:23 AM

^^Totally agree with you shark

BTW where else should we be allowed to discuss about the memorial, since we haven't got any dedicated thread for the memorial itself!

RKOwens

March 13th, 2009, 04:47 AM

wtcprogress.com is now allowing people to submit questions for the east-west connector along the Freedom Tower. They also posted a video of progress around the site. It's very short, but very recent (seems to have been shot within the past few days, since it shows the FT's east perimeter columns in place, which just happened a few days ago). They also posted a cool new rendering of the corridor! (At least, it's the first time I've seen it.)

http://www.panynj.gov/wtcprogress/img/wtc_trans_hub_mezz.jpg

Ebola

March 13th, 2009, 05:38 AM

^^ That seems right.

micrip

March 13th, 2009, 07:39 AM

That picture isn't of the freedom tower. Can we get some pictures of the site Thanx people.

My, people are getting touchy around here lately. I agree with the Shark...anything pertaining to the overall site is fair game as long as it's not overdone.

VRS

March 13th, 2009, 07:47 AM

the rendering corridor its unique..

kingsc

March 13th, 2009, 09:10 AM

My, people are getting touchy around here lately. I agree with the Shark...anything pertaining to the overall site is fair game as long as it's not overdone.

What are you talk about? I could careless what pic people post. I was just hoping to get some new one for the freedom tower. Not like I need them, I can just go visit the site. I point out the fact it wasn't the Ft and you people try to jump down my throat. so who's the touchy one.

cincobarrio

March 13th, 2009, 09:12 AM

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SqhhJb_P3Kk/SJvKgFuHpsI/AAAAAAAABqA/rdWwHlpC3TM/s400/caring.png

kingsc

March 13th, 2009, 09:19 AM

Yes that about sum it up. Thats about as much of a care I give zero. And those white halls are under the building right. Thats apart of the mall there building.

cincobarrio

March 13th, 2009, 09:25 AM

Yes that about sum it up. Thats about as much of a care I give zero. And those white halls are under the building right. Thats apart of the mall there building.

i was just being humorous by posting that "could care less" vs. "couldn't care less" chart to correct you.

kingsc

March 13th, 2009, 09:43 AM

I understand what you were trying to doing. You called yourself correct me. I cared to a degree, now I care to a lesser degree. I can't control whats posted here. What I can control is how much I care about. At this point I just don't care, it is what it is.

cincobarrio

March 13th, 2009, 09:51 AM

right.

Ebola

March 13th, 2009, 10:03 AM

This thread seems to be a tad off topic; I could care less, but I couldn't not care less.

Bricken Ridge

March 13th, 2009, 10:48 AM

Only the lobby is going to have a concrete wall around its perimeter, and only around part of it. The entrances at the east and west plazas will have huge open glass facades. Also, above about 15 feet, it will be a "column" of concrete then a tall window, then another column of concrete, then another window, and so on, much like in the orignal lobby of the Twin Towers. Above the lobby, there will be no concrete walls throughout the rest of the base (from what I've heard).

By the way, to all, remember that the North Tower lobby... about 15 feet up to the mezzanine... was walled off on its north side, just led to the concourse on its east side, and led to the Marriot on its south side. Only the west side had actual windows top to bottom. So those worried about the walled off part of the Freedom Tower up to about 15 feet with no windows... remember that the original NT had much the same design.

http://z.about.com/d/manhattan/1/0/g/E/flickr-NoriakiGotoh-wtc-lobby2.jpg

And I thought the NYC police suggested a "safety zone" close to the ground level for evacuation purposes in case similar catastrophic events will recur......

Sentient Seas

March 13th, 2009, 11:27 AM

They need to plan ahead just in case in all iconic towers...
Have safe rooms or some sort of contingencies in place. You never know in this world. 9/11 took me by surprise so much it took weeks before the reality of it hit me...

This tower will be one of my favorite to see rise...

Nomadd22

March 13th, 2009, 02:39 PM

There will be around 80,000 people in the complex at times. Better be big safe rooms.

"Don't make no never mind to me nohow"

RKOwens

March 13th, 2009, 04:10 PM

There will be around 80,000 people in the complex at times. Better be big safe rooms.

"Don't make no never mind to me nohow"

I know there will be refuge rooms on each floor of the Freedom Tower, but I don't think any are planned for the other buildings, which seems right... refuge rooms take up a huge amount of space (like, a third of your potential office space) and so are a cost that should only have to be accepted by the most iconic tower in the complex. Remember, the other towers are still going to have their stairwells encased in very, very thick and strong concrete cores, so refuge rooms are probably uneccesary anyway.

TheShark

March 13th, 2009, 08:03 PM

I read somewhere they were using the strongest concrete ever used on an office tower in New York... don't know if that's true though

unlinked

March 14th, 2009, 12:57 AM

RBGZ Cam up and running again

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

spectre000

March 14th, 2009, 03:59 AM

philvia

March 14th, 2009, 04:11 AM

well, it was for a little while anyways

webeagle12

March 14th, 2009, 08:31 AM

redbaron_012

March 14th, 2009, 09:39 AM

I also find the core construction unusual ? In Australia most skyscrapers have a reinforced concrete core that is slip formed and rises ahead of the rest of the frame whether steel or concrete. I know the former WTC had 'Sheet Rock' ? lined core. It seemed crazy that some people in stair wells or lifts could break through walls into bathrooms etc. while trying to escape. I am sure this building will have the very best design and strength. Here is a pic of a typical core going up here by comparison.
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/236/picture011medium.jpg (http://img8.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture011medium.jpg)

NegaSado

March 14th, 2009, 01:08 PM

In 2005, when I first visited New York, I'd imagine coming back in 2010 and seeing this completed. Now I'm going back again this year, and it's still just a big gaping hole. Oh well. :(

BrooklynNYC

March 14th, 2009, 04:43 PM

In 2005, when I first visited New York, I'd imagine coming back in 2010 and seeing this completed. Now I'm going back again this year, and it's still just a big gaping hole. Oh well. :(

Maybe you should reconsider coming.

Or perhaps stop posting stupid comments.

Either will do.

ElCrioyo

March 14th, 2009, 04:59 PM

what the fu** is wrong with the people in this thread...is there any need to be so defensive?^^i live in New york City and i totally agree with NegaSado...this people are taking extremely long to do a ordinary tower that can be done in less than 4 years....this should've been done by 2008...and now they say 2011-12...wtf is that about

I think people in this thread should be more respectfull about other people's view!so i think YOU "BrooklynNYC" should stop posting STUPID COMMENTS!

aleochi

March 14th, 2009, 05:33 PM

storms991

March 14th, 2009, 05:41 PM

Maybe you should reconsider coming.

Or perhaps stop posting stupid comments.

Either will do.

Don't deny the obvious.

NegaSado

March 14th, 2009, 06:10 PM

unlinked

March 14th, 2009, 07:01 PM

and it didn't last too long before going down again :lol:

Please note the RBGZ is still in its normal mode of operation as it was before by shutting down during evening hrs

We can now see the newly erected tower crane at WT4.
It appears to be the same as those now constructing the Freedom Tower (WT1)
It is likely another tower crane would be added soon. Correct?

ramvid01

March 14th, 2009, 07:01 PM

You want someone to blame about the slowness of the project right now?

Blame the PATH train. If they had just shut it down for a month we would be on the 40th floot by now.

BrooklynNYC

March 14th, 2009, 07:36 PM

lol, Im sorry if I upset you, BrooklynNYC. It's just that I've been looking forward to seeing this project completed, and it's a big shame that it still feels far away as ever, even after four years. Between my last visit in 2007 and now very little noticable progress has been made. Downtown simply needs the impulse.

Im still gonna enjoy the city though. New York remains one of my favorite destinations on this planet. With the low airfares today, I can't resist coming back again! :)

Ha, I was just joking, sorry guys.

I must say it is a little bit frustrating that everybody is so impatient with this project.... IT'S 100 FEET TALL NOW! That is super exciting. I'm impressed every time I drive by it. IT IS GOING TO BE INCREDIBLE WHEN IT'S FINISHED. It's a massive site, the FT won't go up over night.

adam-albany

March 14th, 2009, 08:44 PM

this people are taking extremely long to do a ordinary tower that can be done in less than 4 years....There is nothing ordinary about this tower, which is being built upon the densest piece of real estate in one of the biggest cities in the world.

doubleno7

March 14th, 2009, 08:55 PM

Yeah thats true... theres nothing ordinary about this project.
Anyone care to post construction update photos... we have not had one in a few pages (good deal of bickering though :ohno:) and the webcams do not seem to be very reliable.

Onn

March 14th, 2009, 09:12 PM

Here are a huge pile of new pictures, courtesy of NYguy on SSP. :cheers:

MARCH 13, 2009
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/110166194/large.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/110166225/large.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/110166231/large.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/110166243/large.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/110166254/large.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/110166286/large.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/110166325/large.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/110166350/large.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/110166353/large.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/110166361/large.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/110182062/large.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/110166369/large.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/110166409/large.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/110166484/large.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/110166692/large.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/110166812/large.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/110166819/large.jpg

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=4139693&postcount=4537

I have to say, the inter-workings of the Freedom Tower are a beast. This is fascinating to watch.

Onn

March 14th, 2009, 09:23 PM

More than a job, World Trade Center is a point of pride
Double shifts, seven days a week for Collavino crew in New York

http://dcnonl.com/images/archivesid/32992/410.jpg

50,000 cubic yards of concrete was slated to be poured just to get the Freedom Tower job up to street level.

IAN HARVEY
March 12, 2009

Renzo Collavino is far from home, deep in a 16-acre hole at what was and what will be one of New York’s most famous landmarks.

Work at the World Trade Center Freedom Tower is progressing slowly; too slowly, in fact, dragged back by a series of issues around how to best preserve existing structures and the subterranean rail lines below the massive hole excavated after the towers were downed in the infamous 911 attacks.

“The project is several months behind schedule,” says Collavino, who with brother Paolo and father Mario, make up Collavino Construction Group, the Windsor-based outfit which is the main sub-contractor on the US$300 million-plus concrete job.

Add in the credit crisis and the sudden evaporation of money needed to keep construction projects like the WTC rolling and it’s been a rough few months. Renzo and his key managers live in New York and commute home to Ontario every two weeks.

Despite the chaos and the pressure of the ever-ticking clock, his voice is calm and contained. These are delays outside of his realm of control.

His focus remains on the below grade portions of the works with special attention on the elevator shafts and ensuring there’s no thermal cracking.

“We’re on double shifts seven days a week now so we are doing our part to be back on schedule by summer,” he says.

The US$3 billion Freedom Tower will have an illuminated spire and top out at 1,776 feet — an auspicious number marking the birth of the American republic.

It will feature an observation deck at 1,300 feet with a square glass parapet paying homage to the original Twin Towers.

The tower rises from a cubic foundation and tapers into triangles while forming an octagon at its centre. Over the 105 floors will be 2.6 million square feet of space which are slated to open in 2013.

The concreting operations are still below grade, with about 50,000 cubic yards total pour slated to get the job to street level.

Then, the structural steel will commence followed by pouring of concrete on metal decks, concrete elevator core walls and auxiliary works such as walkways, slabs, stairs, pads and curbs.

It sounds easy enough but the logistics are a nightmare. The lower Manhattan site is smack dab in the middle of an old historic area with narrow streets and limited access.

Materials can only move by schedule, early in the morning or at night and nothing can sit on the street waiting for a delivery window for more than 30 minutes.

Still, getting a workforce hasn’t been an issue as it might be on other jobs.

“Everyone wants to work on this, to make a contribution,” he says. “There’s a lot of pride surrounding the construction of this tower.”

Indeed, for many of the trades, their fathers, uncles and cousins worked on the original structures and creating a new structure has become a mission and a statement.

The job is also a challenge, technically.

“We’re dealing with 16,000 psi concrete on the elevator shafts where there’s a 160F temperature requirement and the maximum allowable variation from the inner and outer walls is 30F,” he says.

“So we’re using ice during the initial curing process in both summer and winter to control the temperature.”

The elevator shaft walls vary from two to six feet and have considerable amount of reinforcing steel, he says.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” he says.

The design has been predicated on the events that transpired on Sept 11, 2001, to ensure that the building will never suffer the same tragic fate as its predecessor, the Twin Towers.

The original World Trade Center tower collapsed quickly when the heat from burning jet fuel weakened the steel structural components, leading to failure and a domino effect which brought the floors crashing down on each other. This time, designers and engineers are trying to ensure it will never happen again.

All the rebar is also bent and laid by hand, he says, since local union rules prevent use of pre-bent rebar delivered to site.

The project is presently approaching grade with the expected completion to mid to late summer.

“In the next coming months we will be focusing our attention on organizing and planning the above grade works which will include a 4 foot thick, 70 ft high blast wall around the perimeter of the base of the tower. Collavino states.

“Though this project has its daily challenges, we continue to move forward towards the completion of the tower, a symbol of freedom and a testament that America still stand strong.”

http://dcnonl.com/article/id32992

Msradell

March 14th, 2009, 11:11 PM

All the rebar is also bent and laid by hand, he says, since local union rules prevent use of pre-bent rebar delivered to site.
I knew there were stupid union rules in NYC but this one has to top them all! There's certainly no logical reason for this rule except to protect union jobs. It potentially can harm the quality of the project and certainly raises the price and take longer. I'm sure this is just an example of one of many ridiculous union rules that makes construction so difficult in New York! Of course the politicians don't help the situation any because they are all in bed with the unions! It's no wonder construction projects in New York take so long and costs so much.

Zensteeldude

March 14th, 2009, 11:14 PM

Wow, there are alot of errors in that article. But I guess fact checking is near impossible for this building, seeing how much information is suposta be kept secret. I also noticed that they kinda left out that Collavino is from Windsor Ontario, Canada. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

TheShark, yes, some of the cement used in Tower One is the strongest ever devised. The stuff ya get at Home Depot is about 3,000 psi, the strongest used in T.O. more than four times that.

Zensteeldude

March 14th, 2009, 11:20 PM

Msradell

March 14th, 2009, 11:31 PM

Actually I have seen pre-bent re-bar waste more time on the job site than field bending. Also, most buildings in NYC are designed for a minimum amount of bending becouse of that rule. Besides, bending re-bar is no big deal.
I agree bending #4 or #5 bar is no big deal, but most of the re-bar used here is considerably larger and much more difficult and time consuming to bend. I'm glad they design to minimize the need for bending but I'm sure there is still quite a bit that has to be bent. Does this rule even applying to standard bent parts like saddles?

Also if they have rules like this that don't contribute to productivity I'm sure they have many others that are even worse. Unions should work with contractors to improve construction efficiency instead of working against them.

RKOwens

March 14th, 2009, 11:38 PM

Zensteeldude

March 14th, 2009, 11:44 PM

The core bars are mostly #11, the largest bars (there are very few) are #20. I might be wrong but I think the rule doesn't cover saddles etc., just "main" bars.

I agree about rules that just pad labor hours, it's like protectionist trade rules. If things keep going the way they are Unions might end up pricing themselves right out of work.

For the non-trade folks the re-bar number multiplied by 1/8th of an inch= diameter. IE: a #8 is one inch.

Zensteeldude

March 14th, 2009, 11:47 PM

Is one of the errors the statement that the blast wall will be 70 feet high? I thought it was 50 feet.

I think I remember you (Zen) saying that the lobby will be 50 feet tall. Is this right?

The lobby ceiling is 50 feet, the blast wall extends to the underside of the 3rd floor spandrel beams. I'm afraid I can't actually say what's wrong in the article due to confidentiality agreements.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35124796@N04/3256946986/in/photostream/

festivephone

March 14th, 2009, 11:59 PM

The time this whole thing is taking has always made me wonder whether its to do with the fact that they want to get the terrorist threat neutralized or silverstein would rather use the billions he got for his insurance payout on somthing else rather than office space that will be hard to fill. Im not impressed with the freedom tower anyway. It should have been a bold act of defiance and not a slimmed down and halved version of the real thing. The Norman foster building with the four diamonds on top is far more impressive and i feel his origional new twin towers design was the pick of the bunch by far.

Zensteeldude

March 15th, 2009, 01:17 AM

Red tape, way too many folks involved in the design, red tape, Survivor Families involved in the design, more red tape. Finally, something I wouldn't mind my wife or friends working in that isn't a bunch of junk stuck on top of a little office building !!!!

Now that construction is in the hands of folks who do this stuff day in and day out it's getting done !

Carlos123

March 15th, 2009, 01:23 AM

I finally took a ride to the WTC site and the whole area is now buzzing with construction and cranes galore everywhere...

I was happy to see so much progress!!!!!!! HOOOOOORAY

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v109/nyctowers/2009/carlosydc083.jpg

:banana:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v109/nyctowers/2009/carlosydc091.jpg

:)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v109/nyctowers/2009/carlosydc115.jpg

:)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v109/nyctowers/2009/carlosydc102.jpg

:)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v109/nyctowers/2009/carlosydc100.jpg

I can't wait to go back in a couple of months!!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v109/nyctowers/2009/carlosydc108.jpg

:)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v109/nyctowers/2009/carlosydc118.jpg

Me and the future Freedom Tower behind me!!!! :banana:

Zensteeldude

March 15th, 2009, 01:25 AM

Nice shots man, thanks.

Ebola

March 15th, 2009, 01:49 AM

Truly amazing update, Carlos.

kingsc

March 15th, 2009, 07:15 AM

Great update carlos new york, new york. I'd go visit the site but I'm pretty lazy. I just wait around for others to do it for me lol.

Uaarkson

March 15th, 2009, 07:27 AM

Damn, if I lived in NYC I would be down here as often as possible...

adam-albany

March 15th, 2009, 08:33 AM

Visiting the site really transformed my appreciation for all of the shots that come in semi-regularly. Having walked the perimeter, I can place in my head where certain shots are taken from and how the hole site fits together geographically.

ZZ-II

March 15th, 2009, 11:55 AM

by NYguy, SSP:

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/110166325/large.jpg

8.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/110166350/large.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/110166325/original.jpg

redbaron_012

March 15th, 2009, 01:21 PM

ZZ-II and Carlos123 thanks for your great pics.....helps me see more detail on progress! : )

spectre000

March 15th, 2009, 05:39 PM

Here's a overview pic from panynj.gov. From March 2009.

http://www.panynj.gov/wtcprogress/gallery/photos/wtc_site/WTC-Aerial_labelled-mar09.jpg

TXSkyWatcher

March 15th, 2009, 06:17 PM

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SqhhJb_P3Kk/SJvKgFuHpsI/AAAAAAAABqA/rdWwHlpC3TM/s400/caring.png

I am glad you posted that...been telling people all my life that the saying is better as 'I couldn't care less' than the old 'I could care less'. When you couldn't care less, it really means something!

As to the abrasiveness of some of our less fortunate members....I just ignore 'em, they don't contribute anything much anyway...:bash:

kingsc

March 15th, 2009, 08:54 PM

Damn, if I lived in NYC I would be down here as often as possible...

Who me I don't live in NYC I live in scranton pa thems the breaks.

RKOwens

March 15th, 2009, 10:09 PM

Who me I don't live in NYC I live in scranton pa thems the breaks.

Heck, Scranton is still a lot closer to New York than most others in the country. When I visited Ground Zero this past September I was coming from Tennessee and left at about 4:30 in the morning. I drove through the Scranton area of Pennsylvania (I know I passed through Allentown and Bethleham, not 100% sure if I actually passed through Scranton though) around 12:00 noon and made it to NYC around 2:00 in the afternoon. Going from eastern PA to NYC is nothing! 2 hours! I'm now living in Baton Rouge and drive to New Orleans (1.5 hour drive) whenever I want to see a MOVIE at the nearest IMAX or to go to a parade!

Seriously, you can plan a trip to NYC and be back all within a day, without having to get a hotel or anything. I WISH I lived only two hours from New York City. Gas is also way cheaper than when I went ($4 a gallon... and it started plummeting like a few days after I got back!!!)

Twix

March 15th, 2009, 10:10 PM

Rebuilt the Twin Towers!
http://www.triroc.com/wtc/pix/twin.9.2.jpeg

www.wtc2011.com
www.makenynyagain.com

ZZ-II

March 15th, 2009, 10:10 PM

lol, you're a bit late ^^

GOR@N

March 15th, 2009, 10:26 PM

they really should have. alot more symbolic i recon.
send a msg to the terrorists that we'll just rebuild what u destroy :D

Ganis

March 15th, 2009, 10:39 PM

no one would go back into a re built world trade center. Also new and better building techniques are used today.

philvia

March 15th, 2009, 10:58 PM

Twix is talB

Ban.

Twix

March 15th, 2009, 11:27 PM

Twix is talB

Ban.

No, I don't like the FT. Everyone voted on Ken Gardners WTC2 plan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MADqUga8oR0
The Latest Interview With Ken Gardner About New Twin Towers on MSNBC News.

Carlo[NL]

March 15th, 2009, 11:49 PM

^^ 1300 voted which I think is to small to be a reliable poll.:lol:
By the way plans are already underway for the Freedom Tower.

Twix

March 15th, 2009, 11:55 PM

;33658636']^^ 1300 voted which I think is to small to be a reliable poll.:lol:
By the way plans are already underway for the Freedom Tower.

I know. But I will miss this towers so much. People called the Twin Towers old, and the Freedom Tower the future. :ohno:

ZZ-II

March 16th, 2009, 12:03 AM

however, you've to come over it. stay on topic ^^

Twix

March 16th, 2009, 12:06 AM

however, you've to come over it. stay on topic ^^

Okay I will. Sorry for my comment about rebuilding the Twin Towers. I will visit the Freedom Tower if it's done after 2013. :)

Tag_one

March 16th, 2009, 12:11 AM

Twix is talB

Ban.

TalB, wow that was long ago. That was before the crisis wasn't it :lol:

Jizzy

March 16th, 2009, 12:22 AM

not a bad tower, imo. i give it 6 out of 10.

one of the other wtc towers have a better design, not sure which one, basically at the top it has like four diamond shapes

TheShark

March 16th, 2009, 01:37 AM

not a bad tower, imo. i give it 6 out of 10.

one of the other wtc towers have a better design, not sure which one, basically at the top it has like four diamond shapes

That would be 200 Greenwich Street (2WTC)

micrip

March 16th, 2009, 07:33 AM

Here's a overview pic from panynj.gov. From March 2009.

http://www.panynj.gov/wtcprogress/gallery/photos/wtc_site/WTC-Aerial_labelled-mar09.jpg

The pedestrian overpass at the bottom of the picture survived the attack, did it not? Is the plan to keep it, replace it with something else, or remove it all together?

kingsc

March 16th, 2009, 07:55 AM

TalB, wow that was long ago. That was before the crisis wasn't it :lol:

Yep I was just created a profile on here, he got banned a few days late. Ahhh the good ol days lol.

kingsc

March 16th, 2009, 08:04 AM

Heck, Scranton is still a lot closer to New York than most others in the country. When I visited Ground Zero this past September I was coming from Tennessee and left at about 4:30 in the morning. I drove through the Scranton area of Pennsylvania (I know I passed through Allentown and Bethleham, not 100% sure if I actually passed through Scranton though) around 12:00 noon and made it to NYC around 2:00 in the afternoon. Going from eastern PA to NYC is nothing! 2 hours! I'm now living in Baton Rouge and drive to New Orleans (1.5 hour drive) whenever I want to see a MOVIE at the nearest IMAX or to go to a parade!

Seriously, you can plan a trip to NYC and be back all within a day, without having to get a hotel or anything. I WISH I lived only two hours from New York City. Gas is also way cheaper than when I went ($4 a gallon... and it started plummeting like a few days after I got back!!!)

I don't have to plan I'm from there, I just go to my grandmothers or my aunts house. Scranton's about a hour and a half away from NYC. You went toward philly and allentown my friend you took the very long way through pennsylvaina. Next time go north toward scranton cuts time by half. Gas was $1.75 when I drove to ohio and back to NYC and that was december.

I'm going to visit the WTC this summer for sure.:)

christos-greece

March 16th, 2009, 10:15 AM

The pedestrian overpass at the bottom of the picture survived the attack, did it not? Is the plan to keep it, replace it with something else, or remove it all together?
I can answer about your first part of your question:
Yes it does... its the only remain structure of the old wtc twin towers

Ebola

March 16th, 2009, 10:29 AM

No, I don't like the FT. Everyone voted on Ken Gardners WTC2 plan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MADqUga8oR0
The Latest Interview With Ken Gardner About New Twin Towers on MSNBC News.

Seeing FT and friends progress more than you ever thought they would making you wet your pants? :lol:

kingsc

March 16th, 2009, 05:06 PM

Hey I remeber that interview lead to a very long weekend of fun and danger. NSNBC was being alot like fix news. For the people who don't get it yet, the twin tower wont be rebuilt at less not at the WTC.

But fight hard so it can be built in Brooklyn. Right across the river, Over shadowing it's lost brothers. Who am I kidding there not building the twin towers in brooklyn lol.

cincobarrio

March 16th, 2009, 08:17 PM

Okay I will. Sorry for my comment about rebuilding the Twin Towers. I will visit the Freedom Tower if it's done after 2013. :)

definitely not talb :lol:

RKOwens

March 16th, 2009, 08:19 PM

I can answer about your first part of your question:
Yes it does... its the only remain structure of the old wtc twin towers

Ummm... Are you serious? The southern footbridge is the ACTUAL same footbridge that existed there pre-9/11??? My God... I walked across it during my visit to Ground Zero and had no idea!!! I thought it was just one that was built afterwards like the north footbridge. I can't believe this. If I had known I would have freaked out knowing that I was standing inside one of the remnants of the original World Trade Center! I've GOT to go back before they remove it. Does anyone know what they're planning on doing with the footbridge? I pray to God they keep it there permanently. If not, when are they planning on removing it?

Update: I've looked through some old photos of Ground Zero and it does seem that the bridge survived relatively intact:

http://911research.com/wtc/evidence/photos/docs/oem/9_15_pic03.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3648/3359738913_ec00a064c0_o.jpg

Also, this video shows a fairly clear view of the footbridge during the collapse of the South Tower. It seems that the Marriot Hotel helped to shield it from some of the debris:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuwcpEVofyA

adam-albany

March 16th, 2009, 11:12 PM

The New York Times has an article and video feature on the rebuilding today:
When Are They Going to Build the New World Trade Center? Just Look Up (http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/16/when-are-they-going-to-build-the-new-world-trade-center-just-look-up/)

Zensteeldude

March 17th, 2009, 12:48 AM

If you compare the pic RKOwens posted to the one micrip posted you can see exactly where the new copper roofing had to be installed on the WFC. (the newer stuff is black rather than green) The south bridge is on the list of structures with minor damage (broken windows) and debris on the roof.

Ebola

March 17th, 2009, 12:52 AM

All good, it will turn green with some time.

RKOwens

March 17th, 2009, 03:20 AM

webeagle12

March 17th, 2009, 03:59 AM

Concrete subcontractor doubles shifts to get WTC back on schedule.

enzo Collavino is far from home, deep in a 16-acre hole at what was and what will be one of New York’s most famous landmarks.

Work at the World Trade Center Freedom Tower is progressing slowly; too slowly, in fact, dragged back by a series of issues around how to best preserve existing structures and the subterranean rail lines below the massive hole excavated after the towers were downed in the infamous 911 attacks.

“The project is several months behind schedule,” says Collavino, who with brother Paolo and father Mario, make up Collavino Construction Group, the Windsor-based outfit which is the main sub-contractor on the US$300 million-plus concrete job.

Add in the credit crisis and the sudden evaporation of money needed to keep construction projects like the WTC rolling and it’s been a rough few months. Renzo and his key managers live in New York and commute home to Ontario every two weeks.

Despite the chaos and the pressure of the ever-ticking clock, his voice is calm and contained. These are delays outside of his realm of control.

His focus remains on the below grade portions of the works with special attention on the elevator shafts and ensuring there’s no thermal cracking.

“We’re on double shifts seven days a week now so we are doing our part to be back on schedule by summer,” he says.

The US$3 billion Freedom Tower will have an illuminated spire and top out at 1,776 feet — an auspicious number marking the birth of the American republic.

It will feature an observation deck at 1,300 feet with a square glass parapet paying homage to the original Twin Towers.

The tower rises from a cubic foundation and tapers into triangles while forming an octagon at its centre. Over the 105 floors will be 2.6 million square feet of space which are slated to open in 2013.

The concreting operations are still below grade, with about 50,000 cubic yards total pour slated to get the job to street level.

Then, the structural steel will commence followed by pouring of concrete on metal decks, concrete elevator core walls and auxiliary works such as walkways, slabs, stairs, pads and curbs.

It sounds easy enough but the logistics are a nightmare. The lower Manhattan site is smack dab in the middle of an old historic area with narrow streets and limited access.

Materials can only move by schedule, early in the morning or at night and nothing can sit on the street waiting for a delivery window for more than 30 minutes.

Still, getting a workforce hasn’t been an issue as it might be on other jobs.

“Everyone wants to work on this, to make a contribution,” he says. “There’s a lot of pride surrounding the construction of this tower.”

Indeed, for many of the trades, their fathers, uncles and cousins worked on the original structures and creating a new structure has become a mission and a statement.

The job is also a challenge, technically.

“We’re dealing with 16,000 psi concrete on the elevator shafts where there’s a 160F temperature requirement and the maximum allowable variation from the inner and outer walls is 30F,” he says.

“So we’re using ice during the initial curing process in both summer and winter to control the temperature.”

The elevator shaft walls vary from two to six feet and have considerable amount of reinforcing steel, he says.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” he says.

The design has been predicated on the events that transpired on Sept 11, 2001, to ensure that the building will never suffer the same tragic fate as its predecessor, the Twin Towers.

The original World Trade Center tower collapsed quickly when the heat from burning jet fuel weakened the steel structural components, leading to failure and a domino effect which brought the floors crashing down on each other. This time, designers and engineers are trying to ensure it will never happen again.

All the rebar is also bent and laid by hand, he says, since local union rules prevent use of pre-bent rebar delivered to site.

The project is presently approaching grade with the expected completion to mid to late summer.

“In the next coming months we will be focusing our attention on organizing and planning the above grade works which will include a 4 foot thick, 70 ft high blast wall around the perimeter of the base of the tower. Collavino states.

“Though this project has its daily challenges, we continue to move forward towards the completion of the tower, a symbol of freedom and a testament that America still stand strong."

http://dcnonl.com/article/id32992

:grouphug:

P.S: looks like both cameras crapped out again /facepalm

Msradell

March 17th, 2009, 04:30 AM

^^ The article was posted including the complete headlines and picture with credits in post 7835!

TheShark

March 17th, 2009, 04:59 AM

Zen, are you talking about the darker lines on the WFC domes extending down the sides? I'd never noticed that before. Is that something they had to replace due to damage? If so, why didn't they just use the same color?

The roof was originally that color (it was made with copper). It became green because it oxidized. The copper lines will become green too in a couple of years.

MichiganWolverine

March 17th, 2009, 06:37 AM

Kinda surprised that they didn't try to match the patina of the copper. There are surface treatments that use chemicals to oxidize the copper to give new copper an aged look.

cincobarrio

March 17th, 2009, 06:43 AM

but if they did that, people wouldn't be having these kinds of discussions.

adam-albany

March 17th, 2009, 07:15 AM

Zen, are you talking about the darker lines on the WFC domes extending down the sides? I'd never noticed that before. Is that something they had to replace due to damage? If so, why didn't they just use the same color?The statue of liberty used to be the new color too. It's a natural chemical reaction that happens with time.
http://pro.corbis.com/images/CB017330.jpg?size=572&uid=%7BFB293D9D-2658-40E8-8FF6-62B7B32B17A9%7D

kingsc

March 17th, 2009, 08:36 AM

Bricken Ridge

March 17th, 2009, 08:51 AM

^^^^The color of the statue of liberty did change overtime.....roughly 20 years to its present green patina..... it was already changing to black while it was built in Paris.......

adam-albany

March 17th, 2009, 08:58 AM

I don't know about that. I haven't seen any picture of The statue of liberty in a bronze color. I get that some of the picture are in black in white. But wouldn't the statue be black if it was that dark of a color. And I haven't read anything, about the color changing over time.The statue of liberty was dedicated in October 1886. Photography was very rudimentary at this point, and color photography would not seriously take hold until the early 20th century, by which point the oxidation process would have already turned the statue green. However the chromolithograph below, dated 1885, shows the original copper:
http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/1473/377pxcurrierandiveslibe.jpg

Lusitania

March 17th, 2009, 09:25 AM

dachacon

March 17th, 2009, 11:18 AM

It is quite true I'm afraid, but to be quite honest, I don't think the green takes too much from its original form.

it only takes a few months actually. here in la our observatory has a copper domed roof in the center, it was replaced with a new one and it started turning green a month later and became fully green a year later.

cincobarrio

March 17th, 2009, 03:53 PM

also: the copper frieze at the old yankee stadium.

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/6763/attachmentgw2.jpg

ZZ-II

March 18th, 2009, 12:36 AM

come on guys, stay on topic please!

cincobarrio

March 18th, 2009, 04:24 AM

word.. FREEDOM TOWER WHAT UP

Ebola

March 18th, 2009, 04:54 AM

it up, it up

webeagle12

March 18th, 2009, 05:38 AM

word.. FREEDOM TOWER WHAT UP

word STUPID POST what up :ohno:

nygirl

March 18th, 2009, 05:54 AM

^^ Enough now--back to topic.

cincobarrio

March 18th, 2009, 06:36 AM

word STUPID POST what up :ohno:

take it easy albany

micrip

March 18th, 2009, 07:44 AM

I thought my question about the footbridge was relavant, and I think we all learned something. Some did go off on a tangent about the aging properties of copper, but it's all good.

kingsc

March 18th, 2009, 07:46 AM

The joys of getting off track. No new developements as far as I can tell. No new on the north core rising. Someone should go check it out for us.

McGrupp34

March 18th, 2009, 10:10 AM

give me three days or so and ill get your pics of the north core

skyperu34

March 18th, 2009, 08:30 PM

Any new updates ??? Why so much off topic posts???

christos-greece

March 18th, 2009, 09:16 PM

EarthCam today:
http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/oo124/chris-the-007/WTCarea.jpg

The memorial it begins to take shape of its final form.

234sale

March 18th, 2009, 09:31 PM

buildmilehightower

March 18th, 2009, 09:53 PM

^^ LOL he looks lik a wrestler.

New Jack City

March 18th, 2009, 11:18 PM

Flickr:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3549/3363476012_4cfd42abb6_b.jpg

Roel

March 19th, 2009, 12:46 AM

I am planning a visit end of August.. thanks for the pictures dude,:cheers:

Please don't include the pictures next time you reply to a picture update. That's one of the rules. Thanks.

Banjalučanin

March 19th, 2009, 02:29 AM

Finally some progress! :cheers:

LONDON STAR

March 19th, 2009, 02:49 AM

The wound is starting to heal...

RKOwens

March 19th, 2009, 05:34 PM

meh_cd

March 19th, 2009, 07:56 PM

They're pouring concrete at the FT today... I have no idea for what.

On a side note, does anyone know what they plan to do with the area to the east of the Freedom Tower once they finish pouring the concrete for the B1 level (the level they're working on now)? This is where the future Performing Arts Center will be located, but I'm sure their prints for the Performing Arts Center are nowhere near completed. Therefore I'm wondering if they'll actually continue on and pour the concrete for the lobby/auditorium level of the PAC. Basement levels are one thing, but it seems strange if they pour the street level floor without knowing what will even exist there (ie, where the holes for plumbing or stairwells or elevator pits or whatever will be located on the ground floor). Will they just put this area on hold once they finish B1? Hopefully so... it would mean they could focus more on the Freedom Tower.

Looks like they're pouring one of the basement floors in the area you're describing. My guess is that for now they'll just level it off at street level with some hookups for the new building left just below the ground so that they are available when they figure out what they're going to do. Many renders just have the area as a grass park, which I actually think would be great. With no plaza like the original WTC there needs to be an area where one can stand between the towers and look up. I'm talking short term, though, since apparently there will be a park near 5 WTC and the church whenever they are built.

EDIT: I've looked at a few renders and it looks like the area you're talking about will become a small plaza similar to the one near 7 WTC. The grass park/location of the PAC is on top of the current PATH building.

slamakos

March 20th, 2009, 01:44 AM

wow!

TheShark

March 20th, 2009, 02:12 AM

^^
What a constructive post :lol: just joking

Anyway, could you precise where they are pouring concrete... You kinda confused me... Is it on the north core or on the performing arts center?

metsfan

March 20th, 2009, 03:11 AM

The wound is starting to heal...

One and a half buildings isn't good for 8 years of waiting. I am so sick of the lack of progress here. Every time i'm across the river i get to see the big hole sans 'scrapers. It isn't right, and even the contractors admit it.

- A

Ebola

March 20th, 2009, 03:15 AM

I'm sick of the Mets' lack of progress, but you don't see me constantly moaning about it. The person to blame for it not being rebuilt already is every person on earth.

Marni

March 20th, 2009, 03:25 AM

when will this baby be finished?

TheShark

March 20th, 2009, 04:00 AM

when will this baby be finished?

It's estimated it'll be completed by 2013-2014, while the memorial should be finished in time for the tenth anniversary of 9/11, in 2011

droneriot

March 20th, 2009, 04:12 AM

The person to blame for it not being rebuilt already is every person on earth.
Huh? What did I do now?

Onn

March 20th, 2009, 04:27 AM

:drool:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/selimaj/3368917266/sizes/o/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3601/3368917266_85e0aca705_o.jpg

VRS

March 20th, 2009, 04:34 AM

^^ LOL he looks lik a wrestler.

for me = he looks like David = a magician street..

adam-albany

March 20th, 2009, 07:16 AM

:drool:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/selimaj/3368917266/sizes/o/What a fantastic view of the site to have out the window! The only downside is you also have all the noise of the construction you get to witness.

Another of Mr. Dunlap's articles on Ground Zero has been published by the New York Times, this one on the elevators in the new WTC: World Trade Center’s Elevators to Be Among the World’s Fastest (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/27/nyregion/27elevator.html)

And a blogger is taking a photo a day of the construction outside his window, a slightly different angle than EarthCam and RGZ:
http://howtodaylooksgroundzero.blogspot.com/

unlinked

March 20th, 2009, 02:16 PM

It appears heavy equipment has been mobilized on the WT2 site:):):)

ZZ-II

March 20th, 2009, 07:46 PM

than post this in the WTC2 thread and not here ^^

jhalsey

March 20th, 2009, 07:51 PM

It's just about getting under way now. Long time for substructure.

RKOwens

March 20th, 2009, 09:09 PM

Looks like they're pouring one of the basement floors in the area you're describing. My guess is that for now they'll just level it off at street level with some hookups for the new building left just below the ground so that they are available when they figure out what they're going to do. Many renders just have the area as a grass park, which I actually think would be great. With no plaza like the original WTC there needs to be an area where one can stand between the towers and look up. I'm talking short term, though, since apparently there will be a park near 5 WTC and the church whenever they are built.

EDIT: I've looked at a few renders and it looks like the area you're talking about will become a small plaza similar to the one near 7 WTC. The grass park/location of the PAC is on top of the current PATH building.

Regardless of whatever is built on the site planned for the PAC (I don't know if a theater is the best thing to build, but I do agree that they should build SOMETHING rather than leaving it be just a grassy park), there will still be a plaza east of the Freedom Tower. It won't be as huge as the original plaza, but if it's a huge plaza where you can stand in the middle of all of the buildings that you want, just stand in the memorial plaza... 8 acres, plenty big.

By the way, I've been thinking about something. After the WTC "Sphere", my second favorite plaza structure is the assembly of steel which sat between the two towers (I'm not sure what it's name was, but here's a photo...).

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/3370991352_c22264dedc_o.jpg

It seems that the WTC sphere is going to be put back into place once the site is completed and I think it would be awesome if they replaced this structure as well. I'm sure the original was destroyed when the towers collapsed, but they could rebuild an exact replica. As far as where it could be located, the plaza east of WTC1 would be perfect, like so...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3418/3370209145_68672a71f6_o.jpg

This is a blurry pic of the structure (the only one I could find from an overhead angle), but the dimensions are correct. As you can see it would still leave plenty of room around the structure.

RKOwens

March 20th, 2009, 09:26 PM

What a fantastic view of the site to have out the window! The only downside is you also have all the noise of the construction you get to witness.

Another of Mr. Dunlap's articles on Ground Zero has been published by the New York Times, this one on the elevators in the new WTC: World Trade Center’s Elevators to Be Among the World’s Fastest (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/27/nyregion/27elevator.html)

And a blogger is taking a photo a day of the construction outside his window, a slightly different angle than EarthCam and RGZ:
http://howtodaylooksgroundzero.blogspot.com/

OMG, this dude is awesome. Now we have a third webcam from a completely unique angle! Not the highest quality, but since it refreshes every second it's cool enough. Also, check out this awesome time-lapse video he made...

http://www.sharef.net/htlgz_hi.mov

xdexina

March 20th, 2009, 09:27 PM

Regardless of whatever is built on the site planned for the PAC (I don't know if a theater is the best thing to build, but I do agree that they should build SOMETHING rather than leaving it be just a grassy park), there will still be a plaza east of the Freedom Tower. It won't be as huge as the original plaza, but if it's a huge plaza where you can stand in the middle of all of the buildings that you want, just stand in the memorial plaza... 8 acres, plenty big.

By the way, I've been thinking about something. After the WTC "Sphere", my second favorite plaza structure is the assembly of steel which sat between the two towers (I'm not sure what it's name was, but here's a photo...).

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/3370991352_c22264dedc_o.jpg

It seems that the WTC sphere is going to be put back into place once the site is completed and I think it would be awesome if they replaced this structure as well. I'm sure the original was destroyed when the towers collapsed, but they could rebuild an exact replica. As far as where it could be located, the plaza east of WTC1 would be perfect, like so...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3418/3370209145_68672a71f6_o.jpg

This is a blurry pic of the structure (the only one I could find from an overhead angle), but the dimensions are correct. As you can see it would still leave plenty of room around the structure.

^^
thats a good idea
i hope they put that structure replica there
when i saw first time wtc i love that metal structure

meh_cd

March 20th, 2009, 09:37 PM

The problem with using the memorial plaza as an area to view the towers is that it is covered with trees and finding a good viewing spot might be difficult. Not to mention it might be disrespectful to those who are there because they lost family.

The placement and design of the PAC in that render is just awful. I know it isn't the final design, but I hope they have something similar to the museum if/when a building goes up there.

As for the sculpture, yeah. It was destroyed. The sphere survived, as did the black pyramids that were out front near WTC 4 and 5, but those were apparently bulldozed or saved during cleanup depending on who you ask. Dunno if we'll see that again. I wonder if they'll recreate the 1993 memorial that was destroyed? There's two small fountains near 1 WTC in the renders that could serve this purpose.

christos-greece

March 21st, 2009, 02:11 PM

By the way, I've been thinking about something. After the WTC "Sphere", my second favorite plaza structure is the assembly of steel which sat between the two towers (I'm not sure what it's name was, but here's a photo...).

Talking about the "sphere" ; is there any change to see that sphere again, when the new WTC towers complete?

RKOwens

March 21st, 2009, 05:36 PM

Talking about the "sphere" ; is there any change to see that sphere again, when the new WTC towers complete?

You can see it right now in the north part of Battery Park. :) This is a photo I took of it a while back:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3137/2876374328_936e392a4e.jpg

And yes, they are planning on returning it to the site once it's completed, though it's unclear where and whether it'll be returned in its current, damaged condition, or if they'll fix it up.

Ben.Dessler

March 21st, 2009, 09:15 PM

Its good to see progress now. This is one of my favorites supertalls

venom6

March 22nd, 2009, 12:14 AM

It looks nice, but i liked the old one better :(

antigoon99

March 22nd, 2009, 12:19 AM

I like the progress, can't wait till its finished :banana:

Msradell

March 22nd, 2009, 05:59 AM

And yes, they are planning on returning it to the site once it's completed, though it's unclear where and whether it'll be returned in its current, damaged condition, or if they'll fix it up.
I hope they'll leave it in the damaged condition, I think it looks kind of neat that way and besides it would be much better memorial to the events of 9/11 if they don't repair it.

Zollern

March 22nd, 2009, 06:28 AM

^^
Similar to the cracked and unrepaired Liberty Bell.

micrip

March 22nd, 2009, 09:12 AM

It should not be repaired. It is a relic now. I wonder if it's possible to return it to the exact same spot it stood before 9/11? It was between the two towers, correct, and that will be empty space when the memorials are completed?

LoKeY

March 22nd, 2009, 09:50 AM

^ actually it stood more or less where this will be going (the visitor center, museum, or whatever it's called)

http://www.downtownexpress.com/de_280/pavillion.jpg

germantower

March 22nd, 2009, 06:25 PM

It can't be relocated where it was, because the new greenwich street will be there were the sphere once stood!

RKOwens

March 22nd, 2009, 09:27 PM

It can't be relocated where it was, because the new greenwich street will be there were the sphere once stood!

Not only that, but the plaza was initially about 15 feet or so above street level. Now, Greenwich street is simply street level. So to return the sphere to its exact initial spot, it would be in the middle of the street plus floating about 15 feet above the street. :nuts:

Actually, even though its impossible to return it to its EXACT original spot, I think they should locate it in the grove at the northeast portion of the memorial plaza, which will be very very close to its original spot and still basically at the center of the overall complex. This is also the only spot in the memorial design which is open with no trees... it seems MEANT for the sphere.

kingsc

March 22nd, 2009, 11:07 PM

I know it was said before but the museum does look like a building on it side. The sphere
should be place back at WTC, Where doesn't matter as long as it's there.

CULWULLA

March 23rd, 2009, 12:27 AM

great progress guys.
started off with concrete core. now steel?
how high atm? 30m?

g-man430

March 23rd, 2009, 12:48 AM

World Trade Center site needs more taxpayers dollars or else it will stop construction according to the Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123758929303200145.html

meh_cd

March 23rd, 2009, 12:51 AM

World Trade Center site needs more taxpayers dollars or else it will stop construction according to the Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123758929303200145.html

That has nothing to do with 1 WTC.

g-man430

March 23rd, 2009, 12:54 AM

Yes it does. Freedom Tower is part of WTC complex. From article:

But if construction of the office towers doesn't proceed, the entire site could be plunged into further delays and uncertainty. The planned $3.2 billion transit hub relies on Mr. Silverstein's office towers for ventilation and fire exits. The Port Authority's $3 billion Freedom Tower would be unable to open as planned because its delivery ramps tie underground into the part of the site that Mr. Silverstein jointly controls with the Port Authority.

meh_cd

March 23rd, 2009, 03:48 AM

jwalas

March 23rd, 2009, 05:03 AM

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa155/jwalas/Construction/P1040478.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa155/jwalas/Construction/P1040479.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa155/jwalas/Construction/P1040482.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa155/jwalas/Construction/P1040480.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa155/jwalas/Construction/P1040484.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa155/jwalas/Construction/P1040486.jpg

webeagle12

March 23rd, 2009, 05:48 AM

thanks for pics :)

Shezan

March 23rd, 2009, 06:07 AM

great to see this work in progress :okay:

kingsc

March 23rd, 2009, 07:33 AM

Thanx for the pix. The of the greatest things I could get on my birthday. updated picture of the freedom tower.

Javier.med.qqta

March 23rd, 2009, 07:48 AM

thank's for the pics

RKOwens

March 23rd, 2009, 07:19 PM

Thanx for the pix. The of the greatest things I could get on my birthday. updated picture of the freedom tower.

Hah, mine is tomorrow (24th). Happy birthday!

wtc.com posted a new video which has some brief interviews with Joe Woolhead.

RKOwens

March 24th, 2009, 12:28 AM

national911memorial.org just posted a link to a story stating that a 20-foot section of the North Tower's antenna will be incorporated into the museum. Awesome news, and best of all, they posted our first real rendering of the interior of the museum (in years)! Unfortunately, this is the largest that I could find of it anywhere on their site. If anyone comes across a larger rendering, please post it.

http://www.national911memorial.org/img/home/grotto.jpg

By the way, the URL of this picture, which shows the hall between the two footprints, refers to it as "grotto". So I guess that's what we're calling it now, the grotto. :)

highrisellc

March 24th, 2009, 12:30 AM

concrete looks sloppy work. whos the concrete contractor?

Zensteeldude

March 24th, 2009, 12:59 AM

If you are refering to the exposed re-bar etc. it's suposta look that way, that's where concrete beams well tie into the wall. The blue stuff is insulation to make keys for slabs and shear walls.

PS: Thanks for the pics, jwalas .

metsfan

March 24th, 2009, 01:20 AM

Will be getting new photos this weds.

- A

webeagle12

March 24th, 2009, 04:25 AM

Will be getting new photos this weds.

- A

please stop with this bs, getting annoying :ohno:

anyway here is 1 more pic...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3601/3368917266_85e0aca705_o.jpg

Copyright by alexselimaj

RKOwens

March 24th, 2009, 04:39 AM

please stop with this bs, getting annoying :ohno:

anyway here is 1 more pic...

Copyright by alexselimaj

I'm glad I didn't have to be the one to say it. Seriously, mets, you rock and everything but haven't you been saying you would be posting pics "very soon" for about 6 months now?

kingsc

March 24th, 2009, 07:28 AM

Hah, mine is tomorrow (24th). Happy birthday!

wtc.com posted a new video which has some brief interviews with Joe Woolhead.

Thanks man just turned 25 now I can say happy birthday to you.:cheers:

Webeagle your got some of the greatest shots ever. :banana:

And Met that I'm getting pics line is a lil played out. You better watch it before you get banned for spamming :ohno:

bjkeys321

March 24th, 2009, 08:26 AM

please stop with this bs, getting annoying :ohno:

anyway here is 1 more pic...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3601/3368917266_85e0aca705_o.jpg

Copyright by alexselimaj

what's under construction in the back there?

krolm

March 24th, 2009, 09:01 AM

what's under construction in the back there?

are you talking about the deutsche bank being dismantled or the one behind it?

RKOwens

March 24th, 2009, 06:02 PM

what's under construction in the back there?

It's going to be a residential tower. I don't remember the name of it or how tall it will be, but some of our other members have posted details and pics of it in the past.

Come to think of it, whoever moves into that building is going to be miserable for their first few years, since construction on Tower 5 is right across the street and will probably begin around the same time this building opens. Yikes.

ZZ-II

March 24th, 2009, 07:24 PM

123 washington street, 192m i believe

RKOwens

March 25th, 2009, 01:05 AM

David Shuster is at it again. On tonight's show, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, he's going to be interviewing the Twin Towers II creator Ken Gardner. In the intro for the segment, they just talked about the bumbling delays at Ground Zero and showed video footage of an empty Ground Zero... from like 2005! Why do they do this? Ground Zero looks nothing like it did in 2005. They are intentionally trying to decieve their audience into believing that no progress has been made at Ground Zero by showing footage from years and years ago.

At least, the intro for the segment did. I'll write again once they show the actual piece. Tune in if you're reading this around, ah, 6:05 eastern time. (The show started at 6.)

SilentStrike

March 25th, 2009, 02:51 AM

wow, construction's this far already!!
havent been to this thread for a while but :O

ShieldCastle

March 25th, 2009, 03:04 AM

There is another article here about the financial-crisis and WTC:

http://translate.google.com/translate?prev=_t&hl=da&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.business.dk%2Farticle%2F20090322%2Fejendom%2F90322020%2F&sl=da&tl=en&history_state0=

g-man430

March 25th, 2009, 03:07 AM

I'm hopeful construction will continue on this project. :)

ShieldCastle

March 25th, 2009, 03:13 AM

Huh? It hasn't stoped..! Yet anyway..

Zensteeldude

March 25th, 2009, 03:17 AM

Much of the WTC site has already been bought and paid for ! The Silverstien part is the only iffy bit.

http://www.panynj.gov/DoingBusinessWith/contractors/html/postings.html#freedom

Near the bottom of the page.

ShieldCastle

March 25th, 2009, 03:21 AM

Well that is not quite true, because of all the delays and all the "problems" with the design. The project is already way over budget. And the Silverstien part is "Only" ALL the towers!

meh_cd

March 25th, 2009, 03:31 AM

Well that is not quite true, because of all the delays and all the "problems" with the design. The project is already way over budget. And the Silverstien part is "Only" ALL the towers!

Tower One is by the Port Authority, not Silverstein. That's the entire point.

highrisellc

March 25th, 2009, 03:32 AM

what's under construction in the back there?

that is washington st. Its is a residentail building. I was the surveyor there for the foundation about 4 years ago. The job has been going for so long. The building department keeps shutting down the project. They have had alot of difficulties after the fire at the deutsche bank.

The foundation was very intresting. If you can look up the project we had to freeze the ground to dig for the elevator pit, and not vibrate the adjacent building. The building next to it is leaning more than 13 inches.

ShieldCastle

March 25th, 2009, 03:36 AM

Point being? Okay, so Silver does not own 1WTC. He stil owns all the other buildings, and the problem is the delay, every day a huge fine is added to Silver. Because Port A, can't start the work on the Subway hub, because Silver is not ready yet. And Port A, is thinking about stepping in, and taking over the whole project. So it doesn't get more delayed.. And we are in a global financial-crisis and the project is already 3 billon over budget, don't tell me that doesn't scare the new investors.

Zensteeldude

March 25th, 2009, 04:18 AM

Silverstien is getting $300k a day from the PA for delays from work the PA is suposta do in the tower 2,3 and 4 areas. The PA has over $10 BILLION in there construction fund, the media is HYPEing this crap to death. The WTC is funded and moving along just fine thank you.

Onn

March 25th, 2009, 04:55 AM

Freedom Rings Up! First Lease at World Trade Center Site

By Eliot Brown
March 24, 2009

The first office lease in the rebuilt World Trade Center is expected to be signed on Thursday, according to officials and others familiar with plans, as the China-based Beijing Vantone Real Estate Company has completed negotiations to take about 190,000 square feet of space in the Freedom Tower.

The Port Authority, which is developing the Freedom Tower, is slated to approve the deal at its Thursday board meeting, allowing the lease to be signed, those familiar with discussions said. Vantone, which signed a letter of intent to take space with the Port Authority in June, plans to create something of a portal for Chinese and American companies doing business with each other—dubbed “China Center”—in the 102-story tower that is scheduled for completion in 2013.

Should the lease indeed be signed, it would put an end to years of flirtations with Lower Manhattan and the World Trade Center by Vantone. The firm has nearly had deals at two other downtown locations, Larry Silverstein’s 7 World Trade Center and L&L’s 195 Broadway, both of which fell apart late in the negotiating process.

The deal is for five full floors of the tower and the terms of the deal are said to be similar to what was outlined in June. Those terms called for an approximately 23-year lease with rents that start at around $80 a square foot.

In January, the Port Authority transferred rent incentives once intended for a JPMorgan Chase tower downtown to the Freedom Tower, perhaps a sign that Vantone will benefit from the subsidies, valued at $5 a square foot. The Partnership for New York City has also committed money for the project.

A spokesman for the Port Authority, Stephen Sigmund, said in a statement that the agency is “continuing to work to turn the term sheet into the first signed lease for a private tenant in the building.”

Brokerage Jones Lang LaSalle, led by Peter Riguardi, represents Vantone and advises the Port Authority.

Between the federal, city and state governments, more than 2.3 million square feet has been committed at the four-tower World Trade Center complex, though leases have not yet been signed. That leaves more than 7 million square feet completely unaccounted for, including two entire planned buildings, Mr. Silverstein’s Towers 2 and 3, with no prospective tenants. Mr. Silverstein and the Port Authority are in discussions on how to adjust his lease and allow for him to build some of his towers amid the recession.

http://www.observer.com/2009/real-estate/freedom-rings-first-lease-world-trade-center-site

highrisellc

March 25th, 2009, 05:07 AM

I dont want to cause any controversy but a big reason the project is delayed is because of the Port Authority.

spectre000

March 25th, 2009, 05:08 AM

^^ That's great news. 190k sq ft is an impressive sized lease. I'm sure we'll be seeing more signings in the future.

RKOwens

March 25th, 2009, 05:21 AM

Onn

March 25th, 2009, 05:45 AM

I don't know how many of you caught the Ground Zero segment on MSNBC today, but basically it was the same old stuff... Ken Gardner saying how the current construction could be incorporated into his design by reinforcing it and such (:lol:)... Nothing really to talk about here.

The first time I saw that I swore it was from The Onion. The guy is such a used car salesman. "It's like comparing a 1969 Mustang to a 2009 Mustang..." :lol:

meh_cd

March 25th, 2009, 07:34 AM

ShieldCastle

March 25th, 2009, 11:12 AM

Labi 206

March 25th, 2009, 03:04 PM

dude, they might not build this at all.

meh_cd

March 25th, 2009, 07:07 PM

Do I really have to post the article again? Look at the article that I posted, there it says that Silver is caught in the financial-crisis, and he want's help from Port A, to take over some of the assignments. Why would the Wall Street Journal write this if it wasn't what was going on? And look at the Burj Dubai 5 years and you have a 818 meter high skyscraper. With the WTC it is 3 years and only the basement levels and the north core has just begun rising.

It's pretty obvious you don't understand the complexities of the site so please just continue to ramble on. I know what the article says and I also know that it is the Port Authority holding up sites 2 and 3 at the moment. If you want to argue with the facts then be my guest.

And lol at the Burj Dubai. Don't even get me started on Dubai.

And to top all of this off, Silverstein is not building this tower. He's asking for some kind of assistance with 2, 3, or 4.

kingsc

March 25th, 2009, 07:59 PM

dude, they might not build this at all.

They might not building what, cuz there already building tower 1. Late me guest your didn't care enough to read what was on the page before this one.
I mean there are pictures if you don't believe me lol.

Labi 206

March 25th, 2009, 11:20 PM

They might not building what, cuz there already building tower 1. Late me guest your didn't care enough to read what was on the page before this one.
I mean there are pictures if you don't believe me lol.

well this is why i made that early comment. watch this, it explains. although i dont get this black dudes hair. http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=54664711

meh_cd

March 25th, 2009, 11:49 PM

well this is why i made that early comment. watch this, it explains. although i dont get this black dudes hair. http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=54664711

One problem: David Shuster is an idiot who misleads his viewers and Ken Gardner's plan is awful. Shuster has been harping on this for YEARS.

The Freedom Tower is already funded. Where is Gardner going to get his money? Pull it out of thin air?

And where do they get off saying the public hates the Freedom Tower? They might hate the name, but I doubt they hate the tower itself. Shuster and Gardner are just part of a small, very vocal group of people that want the towers rebuilt. Look up the Twin Towers Alliance or search the forums (or any NY Times article on the WTC project) for a guy named TalB.

NewYorker2009

March 26th, 2009, 02:36 AM

Hey everyone I've been reading all your updates on certain construction projects including the Freedom Tower. I live in Brooklyn, New York and I have to say I miss the Twin Towers everyday and I felt it was best to rebuild them but since Freedom Tower is rising I guess it is impossible now. I have seen Ken Gardner's plan and I have to say I would make changes to it if it were to ever get built. I favor the current deisgn over Gardner's plan. I hope Larry Silverstein and the Port Authority will work this out with the funding issues. I hope the Beekman Tower doesn't top off at floor 38 but as far as I heard the construction is proceeding so we'll see what happens. Keep up the good work with the updates.

ShieldCastle

March 26th, 2009, 02:42 AM

I know what the article says and I also know that it is the Port Authority holding up sites 2 and 3 at the moment. If you want to argue with the facts then be my guest.

And to top all of this off, Silverstein is not building this tower. He's asking for some kind of assistance with 2, 3, or 4.

^^ What the fuzzle! Are you living in a box? Why are you telling me what I already know, and has been saying for the last couple of pages?!

And if you bothered, you could read that a lot of other writers has the same opinion to the "Problem with the delay and cost of the project".

And why should I not get you started on Burj, you obviously could teach us all a thing or two?! :crazy:

As you quoted, SILVER NEEDS HELP, THAT WAS MY POINT! AND IN MY OPINION THAT IS A BAD THING TO BEG FOR HELP! So let's stay to what we know, shall we? ...

meh_cd

March 26th, 2009, 03:18 AM

^^ What the fuzzle! Are you living in a box? Why are you telling me what I already know, and has been saying for the last couple of pages?!

And if you bothered, you could read that a lot of other writers has the same opinion to the "Problem with the delay and cost of the project".

And why should I not get you started on Burj, you obviously could teach us all a thing or two?! :crazy:

As you quoted, SILVER NEEDS HELP, THAT WAS MY POINT! AND IN MY OPINION THAT IS A BAD THING TO BEG FOR HELP! So let's stay to what we know, shall we? ...

Jesus Christ, my point is that your link isn't pertinent to this thread because SILVERSTEIN ISN'T BUILDING TOWER ONE. Take a look at the name of the thread. That's right, 1 WTC (Freedom Tower). If you want to complain about Silverstein lacking funds then take it to the threads for Towers 2, 3, and 4.

By all means, show me some articles that say the memorial and Tower One have funding problems. I'll be waiting. You keep talking about funding problems in an article that had nothing to do with 1 WTC or the memorial.