[desertpunk]

World Trade Center Construction


World Trade Center Billboard by Wisconsin Historical Images, on Flickr

The World Trade Center Began its life as a series of proposals for a major downtown development in the 1950s. By the mid 1960s, a site was in place, designs were chosen and clearance and construction began around 1967. The twin towers were finally completed in 1973 and the entire WTC development was finished in 1978 with the Vista International Hotel. This is a thread devoted to images of the World Trade Center's creation. Enjoy!


Onlookers view construction at the World Trade center. (1969)

Onlookers Observe Construction of World Trade Center by Wisconsin Historical Images, on Flickr

​

 

[desertpunk]

World Trade Center Area 1966-68

The WTC site as it appeared in the mid 1960s. Known as "Radio Row" the low rise buildings dating to the 1850s were, by 1960, a disheveled lot of derelict and low rent repair and radio shops. The two higher buildings at 30 and 50 Church St. were the Hudson Terminal Buildings that stood above the PATH/subway tracks. And they stood squarely in the sights of Robert Moses and the Port Authority.


West Street, West Side Highway and abandoned 19th century warehouses at World Trade Center site before construction started on the WTC. 1966. New York

West Street, West Side Highway and abandoned 19th century warehouses at World Trade Center site before construction started on the WTC. 1966. New York by wavz13, on Flickr


Washington St and Chambers St toward Hudson and West Side Highway. Not far from the future World Trade Center. 1967. New York

Abandoned 19th century buildings at Washington St and Chambers St toward Hudson and West Side Highway. Not far from the future World Trade Center. 1967. New York by wavz13, on Flickr

West St. at Jay and Caroline vacated prior to demolition 1967

West Street, West Side Highway, at end of Jay St by Caroline St. 1967. New York by wavz13, on Flickr


West St. between Duane and Reade 1967

West Street between Duane and Reade Sts. Right by the new World Trade Center. 1967. New York by wavz13, on Flickr


West Street between Jay St and Duane Street. Right by the new World Trade Center. New York. 1967

West Street between Jay St and Duane Street. Right by the new World Trade Center. New York. 1967 by wavz13, on Flickr


West St. and Warren 1967

West Street and Warren St. 1967. New York. Just a few blocks north of the new World Trade Center. by wavz13, on Flickr


West St. and Chambers 1967

West Street and Chambers St. 1967. Just a few blocks from the new World Trade Center. New York by wavz13, on Flickr


Washington Market, demolished in 1967 to make way for the WTC.

The Bowery Boys http://theboweryboys.blogspot.com/2010/08/mad-men-notes-swanky-steaks-and.html


The Site

1966-67 The site looking north towards the NY Telephone Building.

World Trade Center site in 1966. New York Telephone building and the West Side Highway surround it. by wavz13, on Flickr


Site clearance nearly finished and excavation begins c.1966

World Trade Center site before construction started. 1967. New York by wavz13, on Flickr


Excavation complete and construction underway 1967-68

World Trade Center by H.A. Dunne & Co., New Milford, CT, on Flickr


Site clearance and early stages of excavation 1967-8. Note the Steamshovel!

World Trade Center by H.A. Dunne & Co., New Milford, CT, on Flickr


April 1968

http://www.businessinsider.com/world-trade-center-history-2011-9?op=1


Looking south. Excavation work nears completion on the "bathtub".

World Trade Center by H.A. Dunne & Co., New Milford, CT, on Flickr


Looking north. Finishing excavation July 19 1968

World Trade Center by H.A. Dunne & Co., New Milford, CT, on Flickr


all above: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thearchiveonline/


1966 reel showing WTC site clearance: (at 1:26)

 

[desertpunk]

WTC Construction Photos 1967-1972

An elderly gentleman admires early progress in the construction of the World Trade Center, 1969

Construction view of the original World Trade Center South tower looking northeast. The cast-iron PATH train tube runs between the building and the site's concrete & perimeter. Greenwich Street at right, Vesey Street in distance. New York. 1968 by wavz13, on Flickr


Construction view of the original World Trade Center with the North Tower and the still-open West Side Highway in the background. Looks like the PATH train tube is exposed across the worksite. New York. 1967. by wavz13, on Flickr


all photos below: http://www.flickr.com/photos/islandoftea/

Exterior work around the base of the WTC. Note the spray insulation around the columns that would fail 40 years later.

Fabricated exterior column sections being lowered into place.

Slurry wall and foundation column work. c. 1968

Slurry wall around the "bathtub". c.1968

Slurry wall ties.

Cranes

View S. from the WTC.

View towards Wall St.

Service pier below the WTC site.

Framework rising.

View towards Brooklyn from the WTC.

View towards the harbor.

Work at the plaza level.

View of the Woolworth Building from below 5 WTC.

Construction at neighboring US Steel Building at 1 Liberty Plaza c. 1970

View north above the NY Telephone Building (Verizon) towards Tribeca and the West Side Highway.

View below to core under construction.

View below of construction.

Core rising.

View of tower 1 rising, from basement level.

Ties and podium work.

"Column-free" interior view. Note the ties of floor joists to exterior columns that failed in a cascade as the walls buckled and the towers began to collapse.

Interior deck and ironwork.

Workers applying foam fire retardant above plaza level.

Open lobby and exterior column treatment work.

Rising shaft.

Column segments showing Veerendiel Arch construction.

View north from 1 WTC at around the 70-80th floor level.

Bathtub floor and foundation work. c.1969

Framework at top of 1 WTC. c.1970


1970s WORLD TRADE CENTER Under Construction Vintage Photo WTC New York City by Christian Montone, on Flickr

 

[desertpunk]

1969-70

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eliev/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eliev/



WTC Construction workers 1969-70

http://photographyblog.dallasnews.com/2011/09/remembering-sept-11-photos-o.html/

http://www.businessinsider.com/world-trade-center-history-2011-9?op=1

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eliev/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eliev/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eliev/


1969-71


WTC_early_construction,_1967-1971_033 by mjdart, on Flickr
WTC_early_construction,_1967-1971_039 by mjdart, on Flickr


WTC_early_construction,_1967-1971_029 by mjdart, on Flickr
WTC_early_construction,_1967-1971_028 by mjdart, on Flickr



WTC_early_construction,_1967-1971_024 by mjdart, on Flickr
WTC_early_construction,_1967-1971_008 by mjdart, on Flickr


WTC_early_construction,_1967-1971_027 by mjdart, on Flickr
WTC_early_construction,_1967-1971_030 by mjdart, on Flickr


WTC_early_construction,_1967-1971_041 by mjdart, on Flickr
WTC_early_construction,_1967-1971_035 by mjdart, on Flickr


WTC_early_construction,_1967-1971_021 by mjdart, on Flickr
WTC_early_construction,_1967-1971_023 by mjdart, on Flickr


WTC_early_construction,_1967-1971_009 by mjdart, on Flickr
WTC_early_construction,_1967-1971_022 by mjdart, on Flickr

 

[desertpunk]

1969

Tower One peeks above the hoarding April 1969

http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

Bathtub East

Bathtub West

Construction view of the original World Trade Center with the North Tower and the still-open West Side Highway in the background. Looks like the PATH train tube is exposed across the worksite. New York. 1969. by wavz13, on Flickr

Onlooker May 1969

http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

1WTC June 1969

http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

July 1969

Tower One September 1969

http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

September 1969

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ury914/favorites/page51/?view=lg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

September 10

World Trade Center by H.A. Dunne & Co., New Milford, CT, on Flickr

The core of 2WTC begins to rise, November 13, 1969

World Trade Center by H.A. Dunne & Co., New Milford, CT, on Flickr


World Trade Center Under Construction in 1969 by Herbie in the Hills, on Flickr


World Trade Center by H.A. Dunne & Co., New Milford, CT, on Flickr

November 21, 1969

World Trade Center by H.A. Dunne & Co., New Milford, CT, on Flickr

December 1969

scan9063 by Jamie6737, on Flickr


New York 1969 by beachy head, on Flickr

 

[desertpunk]

World Trade Center 1969-72

all photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

Infrastructure work c. 1969-70

Plumbing and mechanical system work c. 1969-70

Steamfitting work.

Hoist work.


January 22, 1970


wtc-ambridge-01-22-70-02.jpg by H.A. Dunne & Co., New Milford, CT, on Flickr


wtc-ambridge-01-22-70-01.jpg by H.A. Dunne & Co., New Milford, CT, on Flickr


February 27, 1970


wtc-ambridge-02-27-70-01.jpg by H.A. Dunne & Co., New Milford, CT, on Flickr


wtc-ambridge-02-27-70-02.jpg by H.A. Dunne & Co., New Milford, CT, on Flickr

Early construction work in NW of 5WTC c. 1970

2 WTC begins its ascent c. 1970

Work at plaza level below pedestrian bridge.

Heavy plumbing being lowered.

Massive pipe segments below grade.

1 WTC getting fireproofed.

2 WTC's Rising core.

Furure site of hotel and both 1 and 2 WTC.

Core of 2 WTC rising before its twin. c.1970

Breaking the street level.

2 WTC begins to rise.

Naked steel at 1 WTC.

Sub basement ironwork.

View towards Governor's Island and the Verrazano Narrows Bridge.

View north with the NY Telephone Building at Vesey St.

View North from 1 WTC

Skycrane at Port Authority pier.

The view Northeast.

Pier with Battery Park City fill development.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/christianmontone/

May 1970 Note the clearance and utility development at the 7 WTC site as well as the Hudson Terminal Building which will not be demolished until the underground PATH Station is completed.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

May 1970

world trade center under construction may 1970 by eralsoto, on Flickr


September 1970


New York 1970, construction of the twin towers by Dierk Topp, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/roadcruiser1/

http://www.cleveland.com/science/index.ssf/2011/08/a_decade_after_the_911_attacks.html

 

[desertpunk]

1971

http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/
As Tower One tops out, 2 WTC begins to rise alongside. Down below, site work continues and framing begins to emerge for the lower buildings.

Aerial view of 2WTC and 1 Liberty Plaza

February 1971 Note the massive lot clearance undertaken in Lower Manhattan for civic and roadway projects.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

March 1971

http://www.corbisimages.com/stock-photo/rights-managed/RT003698/aerial-view-of-lower-manhattan-in-1971

April 1971 View from near Chatham Square of the WTC towers as well as the freshly topped out 1 Liberty Plaza and in the foreground, the new NYPD headquarters Building is being constructed.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_frenkel/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_frenkel/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/a_stich_in_time/favorites/with/2848321297/

May 1971 Looking towards New Jersey. Note progress at the plaza.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bridgeport_mike/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/qbarandrew/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_frenkel/


September 1971

http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

Aerial view showing progress at the WTC site and the new landfill island as well as the yet to be demolished Hudson Terminal Building.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulpablopawel/

Taking down crane September 1971

http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

Cladding work progresses

http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

The changing colors of the new skyline 1971

all photos above: http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/34403360

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/7906156

http://theboweryboys.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-strange-new-skyline-world-trade.html

 

[New Jack City]

A-mazing thread, keep it going!

 

[desertpunk]

^^

Thanks!

1970

http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

1970


New York City in 1970 by Olivier Nade, on Flickr

http://letsrollforums.com/world-trade-center-constructions-t24782.html

http://wirednewyork.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21249&page=14

1971


New York City in 1970 by Olivier Nade, on Flickr

http://www.ladder18fdny.com/pages/frank-procellers-pics.htm

Topping out ceremony for 2 World Trade Center, July 19 1971

http://www.businessinsider.com/world-trade-center-history-2011-9?op=1


World Trade Center, 1971. by Endless Forms Most Beautiful, on Flickr


World Trade Center, 1971. by Endless Forms Most Beautiful, on Flickr


World Trade Center, 1971. by Endless Forms Most Beautiful, on Flickr

 

[3tmk]

Not quite on topic, but you wouldn't also have photos of the construction of the WFC, and in extension, the whole of Battery city?
In particular, the creation of the landfills over the old piers.

I noticed you included one or two, would be nice to see more

Great job on the thread.

 

[desertpunk]

^^
Sure! Along with 7 WTC, the WFC is a big part of the story!






Late 1970



New York 1970, construction of the twin towers by Dierk Topp, on Flickr



New York 1970, construction of the twin towers by Dierk Topp, on Flickr

 

[desertpunk]

The World Trade Center in early renderings



Before the final design by Minoru Yamasaki was chosen, several proposals, sites and configurations were pitched to Robert Moses and the Port Authority. Below are some of these renders and mockups as well as the final design.

January 1960: World Trade Center rendering for a proposed site in Lower Manhattan on the East River.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

1961: The proposal changes with higher structures.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

1961: A model of this proposal.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

1962 photo of Minoru Yamasaki (posing with different project)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

1964 sketch of final tower design

http://www.flickr.com/photos/whsimages/

1964: Yamasaki standing with first model of the final tower design. Lower structures were reconfigured later.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

1963: Master plan for the World Trade Center

And the final blueprints:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/


1223862561 by Manhattan4, on Flickr

 

[redbaron_012]

desertpunk.................I am almost speechless looking at these pics......I live very far away yet have visited this site before and after 9/11 and continue to be awed by anything about it's history, past and present. thanks for the pics......

 

[desertpunk]

1972

http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

By 1972 the towers were fully framed and 1 WTC neared completion. Cladding raced up the side of both towers as the lower structures for the US Customs House and WTC 5 progressed.

January 1 1972

http://www.flickr.com/photos/erichardyuk/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/erichardyuk/

April 1972

August 1972

June 1972

May 1972 Note infill work at Battery Park City site.

all above: http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emsolo/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rainbo8/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

http://humphreysbogart.tumblr.com/post/31343637040

 

[desertpunk]

1972

http://www.davidicke.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-133535-p-2.html




Rooftop view looking towards 2WTC and exterior cladding finish work, late 1972

http://my.fit.edu/~rosiene/30855.htm

View from Plaza as cladding work nears completion

 

[CrazyBurj]

Thank you for those amazing construction photos. I love to see how these towers were build back then. I searched for those pics for a long time...now i found them...

thx desertpunk

 

[desertpunk]

Thank you and redbaron 012! Your comments are always welcome!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

 

[desertpunk]

"Radio Row" and the WTC site in early photographs

The neighborhood bounded by Vesey, Church, Liberty, and West Streets was no dead zone. It was a lively, if shabby mix of small shops, cafes, and old mercantile rowhouses along the SE corner of Lower Manhattan. And although Wall St. was close by, the area known as "Radio Row" was a world onto itself.


all photos below: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nypl/

Standing at the corner of Liberty St. and Chuech St., The Singer Tower was torn down in 1967 and replaced by the US Steel Building now known as 1 Liberty Plaza.

Radio Row in 1936 on Cortlandt St. ( http://news.za.msn.com/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=158925444&page=2 )

Dey St. between West St. and Washington St. 1936

1936 West St. north of the WTC site, also demolished as part of the redevelopment of Lower Manhattan.

1936 Reade St. between west St. and Washington St.

West St. row. 1936

Jersey Central RR head house at the foot of Liberty St. 1936

Truck traffic along West St. facing east toward the Hudson Terminal. 1936

 

[desertpunk]

"A Building Project Like No Other"
From a 1970 brochure:

all photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

 

[meh_cd]

Love the thread. I have most of the pictures, but that's because I've been going nuts and saving pictures on the original WTC for years now. Only a matter of time before flickr/photobucket/whatever users shut down their accounts, are deleted, etc.

It's nice to have stuff in one location for the users of the board. Good work!