NEW YORK | One World Trade Center | 1,776' Pinnacle / 1,373' Roof | 108 FLOORS

[hunser]

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NYC 2012-60 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lindzc/7149868169/) von Lindzc (http://www.flickr.com/people/lindzc/) auf Flickr


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And a pretty cool one...

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WTC and BB, no clouds (http://www.flickr.com/photos/29205256@N02/7004909516/) von BSEinBrooklyn (http://www.flickr.com/people/29205256@N02/) auf Flickr

[CarlosV]

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[Yankee fan for life]

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NYC 2012-60 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lindzc/7149868169/) von Lindzc (http://www.flickr.com/people/lindzc/) auf Flickr


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A New Family (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dandimar/7148982199/) von dandimar (http://www.flickr.com/people/dandimar/) auf Flickr


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Head in the Clouds (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dandimar/7002891000/) von dandimar (http://www.flickr.com/people/dandimar/) auf Flickr

And a pretty cool one...

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5469/7004909516_bcc89309de_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/29205256@N02/7004909516/)
WTC and BB, no clouds (http://www.flickr.com/photos/29205256@N02/7004909516/) von BSEinBrooklyn (http://www.flickr.com/people/29205256@N02/) auf Flickr

Finally a pic from the dumbo of 1 wtc dominating the beekman.

[JSsocal]

^^^That picture was taken many stories up, from the waterfront in dumbo its still very close, its just perspective.

[sterlippo1]

^^^That picture was taken many stories up, from the waterfront in dumbo its still very close, its just perspective.

Yeah, true, but i know what he means. We usually see the one with the BB straight ahead and 1WTC looking the same size as Beekman:yes:

[CarlosV]

Domamania and father holding 1 WTC :yes:

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IMG_4262 copy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceva321/7007501348/) by Ceva321 (http://www.flickr.com/people/ceva321/), on Flickr

[chris123678]

Yes they are mechanical floors, and it depends on when new steel is delivered.

Really? I thought these were the observation deck floors? 101 and 102? Or Do they count as mechanical floors?

[StrongIsland]

Really? I thought these were the observation deck floors? 101 and 102? Or Do they count as mechanical floors?

These ARE the observation floors...the Jump will be 103 and 104

[hunser]

So now we are up to 102. Next are 102M, 103, 103M, 104, 104M, 105 (roof). Three more jumps left till parapet.

[chris123678]

These ARE the observation floors...the Jump will be 103 and 104

But I was told these are mechanical floors. So will there be new steel next week?

[eseninobrandon]

100 more feet to go :banana:

[Dense_Electric]

Here's my understanding of where we are:

100, 101, and 102 are observation decks. Steel is currently at 102, and the next jump will probably go up to 103. The jump after that will probably go from 103 up to the roof (which would be 105), and will cap the converging columns off with prefabricated corner nodes (the columns appear to converge between 103 and 104, which is why I think 103 to the roof will be one jump). After that, one more jump to the parapet.

Can any of the more knowledgeable members verify?

[PZelda]

Carlos, that pic is hilarious! :D Turned out better than the one I tried to take of myself holding Lady Liberty last time I visited. :)

[Roadcruiser1]

Sorry Otie but credits to you. This is how much is left. If some of you would look the page before then you won't have to be asking this question, and no it won't happen until new steel is delivered which didn't happen yet. Since each column is about 20 feet it would take about 3 jumps to finish the floors and 1 jump for the parapet.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7204/7003732800_322091fba2_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62018165@N04/7003732800/)
One WTC | Diagram Update | May 6th, 2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62018165@N04/7003732800/) by Otie O'Daniel (http://www.flickr.com/people/62018165@N04/), on Flickr | Larger version (http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/4444/1wtc060512.jpg)

[Otie]

http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/infocus/supermoon050712/s01_RTR31PUL.jpg
(Reuters/Gary Hershorn) (http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2012/05/supermoon-2012/100291/)The full moon rises over the skyline of Lower Manhattan and One World Trade Center in New York, as seen from West Orange, New Jersey, on May 6, 2012.

[CarlosV]

the moon looked so beautiful last night...

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[Kevin Scott Koepke]

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titans of new york; 5/7/2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/plasticfantasticphotography/7155716014/) by plastic fantastic photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/plasticfantasticphotography/), on Flickr

[Yankee fan for life]

Does any body here on this forum count 1 wtc communication platform ring as part of its roof or separate in terms of height ?

[Otie]

The communications platform ring is part of the antenna and shouldn't be counted as a roof element due to the lack of an architectural feature in it.

[NewYorkDominates]

http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/infocus/supermoon050712/s01_RTR31PUL.jpg
(Reuters/Gary Hershorn) (http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2012/05/supermoon-2012/100291/)The full moon rises over the skyline of Lower Manhattan and One World Trade Center in New York, as seen from West Orange, New Jersey, on May 6, 2012.

I'm sorry for saying it,but it seems like Twin Towers under construction.

[Tru Bert]

Guys I saw that tower one is supposed to top off in July now. I don't believe that, so can someone please cover the topic?

[hunser]

http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/infocus/supermoon050712/s01_RTR31PUL.jpg
(Reuters/Gary Hershorn) (http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2012/05/supermoon-2012/100291/)The full moon rises over the skyline of Lower Manhattan and One World Trade Center in New York, as seen from West Orange, New Jersey, on May 6, 2012.

Omg, what a shot. One of the best so far. :yes:

[MolsonExport]

as seen from West Orange, New Jersey, on May 6, 2012

Orange indeed. Amazing shot.

[NYguy]

Guys I saw that tower one is supposed to top off in July now. I don't believe that, so can someone please cover the topic?

Why? It will be topped off. I don't see what diffrence a month or two (or three) makes. Some of you just need to relax and watch the building being built. Once it's done, it's done. Enjoy the ride while it lasts.



jimforest (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimforest/7154708870/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

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[2-TOWERS]

those are all amazing shots , shows a little resemblance of the former twins going up in the 70's , one world trade really shows off its height !!!!!!

[Tru Bert]

[QUOTE=NYguy;5693724]Why? It will be topped off. I don't see what diffrence a month or two (or three) makes. Some of you just need to relax and watch the building being built. Once it's done, it's done. Enjoy the ride while it lasts.

I didn't say I was upset by this, I just want to see it done. I live here in NY, I see it everyday i could careless how long the top off takes. As long as its done then I'm happy.

[Roadcruiser1]

Actually some of you are missing the point. Right now since One World Trade Center is under construction you should take as much pictures of it as possible. Once it's done and the glass and everything is fully put up you will only be taking a picture of a complete building and you would lose the opportunity to take a picture of it under construction.

[NYguy]

I just want to see it done. I live here in NY, I see it everyday i could careless how long the top off takes.

Yes, well all you have to do is simply - wait for it, since it is obviously getting done.


http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/08/nyregion/companies-bid-to-operate-new-world-trade-center-observatory.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
Bidders Compete to Run Trade Center Observatory, 1,200 Feet Up

By CHARLES V. BAGLI
May 7, 2012




Seven companies submitted bids Monday afternoon to operate what will be New York City’s highest and largest observatory, at 1 World Trade Center, according to real estate executives. Observation decks like the two at the Empire State Building have become so lucrative that the bidding for the three-level attraction on floors 100 through 102 drew bidders from as far as Canada and France, as well as a local restaurant owner.

Under the plans, five high-speed express elevators will transport visitors more than 1,200 feet above the street to a perch near the top of the tower, for $20 and $25 per person. The observatory will offer unobstructed views of the city, Long Island, New Jersey, and Westchester and Rockland Counties.

The owners did not return calls seeking comment, but real estate executives briefed on the submissions identified the following bidders:

¶ Montparnasse 56 USA, an affiliate of the French firm that runs an observatory and roof terrace at the Montparnasse Tower in Paris.

¶ Legends Hospitality Management, which runs food services and merchandising at Yankee Stadium and the Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

¶ Danny Meyer, who owns a string of local restaurants, including Union Square Cafe, Blue Smoke and Shake Shack, and concessions at Citi Field and the Saratoga Race Course. He teamed up with GSM Projects, a Canadian firm.

¶ Aramark, a large food services company.

¶ Anthony E. Malkin, who operates the Empire State Building. Its 86th- and 102nd-floor observatories generate over $60 million a year in profit, more than any other deck. In the last decade, annual attendance has climbed to four million, from three million.

[PZelda]

New floor of glass started on Carlos' side via Earthcam! :D

[CarlosV]

^^^

$25 to visit the observatory!! :omg:


Actually some of you are missing the point. Right now since One World Trade Center is under construction you should take as much pictures of it as possible. Once it's done and the glass and everything is fully put up you will only be taking a picture of a complete building and you would lose the opportunity to take a picture of it under construction.

Amen!


New floor of glass started on Carlos' side via Earthcam! :D

not yet.....just taken

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DSC_0405 copy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceva321/7158715630/) by Ceva321 (http://www.flickr.com/people/ceva321/), on Flickr

[NewYorkDominates]

Is $25 good or bad?

[gramsjdg]

I'd pay $25 to walk on the top ring of the communications platform at 1401 ft. :D

[MolsonExport]

Why? It will be topped off. I don't see what diffrence a month or two (or three) makes. Some of you just need to relax and watch the building being built. Once it's done, it's done. Enjoy the ride while it lasts.

I didn't say I was upset by this, I just want to see it done. I live here in NY, I see it everyday i could careless how long the top off takes. As long as its done then I'm happy.

Relax. Daquan13 told me that they were going to build this all the way to the top.

[PZelda]

Is $25 good or bad?

It's right on par with what it costs to visit Top of the Rock and ESB. Adult passes for Top of the Rock is $25, and if you just wan to see the 86th floor at the ESB, it's $23 for an adult pass. If you want both 86th/102nd floors, $40. So $25 for 3 floors at 1 WTC will be a steal compared to the ESB!

[sw5710]

^^^

$25 to visit the observatory!! :omg:




Amen!




not yet.....just taken

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8142/7158715630_8efb2996e0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceva321/7158715630/)
DSC_0405 copy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceva321/7158715630/) by Ceva321 (http://www.flickr.com/people/ceva321/), on Flickr

Carlos:It looks like the floors are going in for 101 and 102 As for the $25 it is still less then the $35 to go to the 102nd floor of ESB!

[CarlosV]

^^^

yes they are laying down metal for the floors :)

$25 or more to visit the top for example a family of 4 is a small fortune!!! :( plus food, trinkets, etc... too much money

[PZelda]

That's why I didn't buy anything from the Top of the Rock or ESB shops. They have this dealy in Rockfeller Center where they take your picture with the NYC skyline behind you before you go up to the observatory decks and they give you a ticket (I think) with the # of your picture on it. When I viewed mine at the shop, I found out they were asking $30 for one picture!! Noooo thanks! I know, it will get expensive fast.

[chris123678]

They put the steel beams in for the floors? Or the metal decking itself?

Either way, that went faster than the other floors.

[sw5710]

They put the steel beams in for the floors? Or the metal decking itself?

Either way, that went faster than the other floors.

Beams,columns then the deck. This jump of observation floors 101,102 does go faster then the mechanical floors. If they use the 26' columns again the next jump will complete 102 and start 103 the next mechanical floor. It will be interesting to see if the next jump will be the 40'+ columns and take us to floor 104.

[eseninobrandon]

Guys I saw that tower one is supposed to top off in July now. I don't believe that, so can someone please cover the topic?

july!??!? impossibru!!!!!!

[Tru Bert]

july!??!? impossibru!!!!!!

Atucally if you look at how much there is left to build in one of carlos's photos, you will see it could take till July, but I saw this on the internet ( so you never know ). Though, I still think mid-June it will top out, only cause the parapet has to be installed for a completed top off.

[marshall]

I predict mid-to late June for the roof topping out, maybe July 4 for the parapet..I have another question..does anyone know if either 2WTC, 3WTC, or 4WTC will have any observation decks on the roof or near the top? It would be cool to look across at 1WTC from the top of any of those nearby buildings!

[Roadcruiser1]

It would take at least 2 to 3 weeks for one jump. The next jump should take place soon maybe next week. Then there would be a jump in late may. Finally in early June the parapet comes up and it's done. No need to rush things.

[Tru Bert]

It would take at least 2 to 3 weeks for one jump. The next jump should take place soon maybe next week. Then there would be a jump in late may. Finally in early June the parapet comes up and it's done. No need to rush things.

Simply agreed, it will most likely be mid June, end of story.

[QUEENSNYMAN]

Delete

[NYguy]

Matt Champlin (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattchamplin/7158904670/sizes/o/in/photostream/)

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[NewYorkDominates]

^^^4WTC looks very fat,but amazingly beautiful nonetheless.

[Gabedamien]

Hi fellow forumites.

One of the things I like about 1WTC is that the designers clearly put a lot of thought into how it would interact with light.

For example, since certain facets of the curtain wall end up being angled slightly, those facets end up reflecting the sky in a different way than almost any other building in the area. And since those same facets are at a 45° angle to most other surfaces in the Manhattan grid, that effect is magnified. This already shows up in most sunlit shots where at least one facet is quite a bit brighter than anything else in the environment, but I think will be even more stunning during sunrises/sunsets, and especially once the curtain wall has risen to the roof. Of course it’s patently obvious as well that the near-seamless curtain wall contrasts brilliantly with surrounding structures such as the World Financial Center, with its more opaque gold tones. And they have explicitly talked about how the cladding at each edge is supposed to “lick” the light, framing the tower and giving it some additional visual interest. All this and we haven’t even seen how the prismatic base glass will turn out, once it’s finally installed.

ANYWAY, I know you guys all know this. But I was wondering if perhaps there wasn’t going to be an unintended light effect from the parapet’s transparency.

All the floors beneath are, of course, indoors; the ambient light behind them is affected by the floor and roof and artificial indoor lighting. In general, a window will look more reflective when it is dark on the far side and light on the near side. In contrast, the parapet windows enclose an area with a floor but no roof (duh). In all the renders I have ever seen, the parapet windows have virtually the same color and luminosity / reflectivity as the floors beneath. But at least during certain times of the day, or more specifically when the sun hits it right, will not the parapet windows have a totally different character? I can imagine sunlight filtering through the parapet windows from behind giving the top two rows of curtain wall a more luminous / warm appearance.

This is just bored speculation, I admit. Still, it stands to reason from an optical perspective, I think. Yes, any such effect will be mitigated by the shadow from the roof equipment and communications ring. But I’ll bet that in certain conditions, 1WTC’s top will have a surprisingly distinct band of different light.

Sorry for the long trivial speculative post. Just curious if any of you have had similar thoughts.

On a related note, will the mast be spotlit? That would make it a knockout beauty, I have to say. I know there’s going to be a beacon (too bad it’s supposed to extend horizontally and not vertically! Missed opportunity, IMHO).

[NYC2ATX]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7244/7149760819_e0313a971d_b.jpg

The West Side Highway looks greener every year. :D:D:D In related news, the trees planted in the new traffic islands on Broadway are growing nicely...I'm guessing the same is true of similar plots on First, Second, Eighth and Ninth Avenues. :cheers:

THE GREENING OF NEW YORK CITY :banana:

[OrionDay2012]

With the amount of utility that will be within and above the parapet, it is very un-likely that sunlight will effect that area significantly. Even with shadows at their smallest, (when the sun is highest in the sky) the existence of the cooling towers, catwalks, and comm. ring will block most light from most every angle. Think of the comm. ring as a tree canopy in that respect. But you bring up an interesting idea, so consider this;

Prismatic glass framing the beacon. It would appear as if it were lit all day :) ... That would be a cool use of free light IMO. :)

[OrionDay2012]

BTW, glass looks as if it is passed the "octagon". Almost 4 rows in two weeks, great job, I've been excited to see the other triangles grow and surpass the origionals, it's one of the surest signs of progress.

[Otie]

WTC Progress on Twitter (https://twitter.com/#!/wtcprogress)

https://p.twimg.com/AsZQhLfCEAADr49.jpg:large

https://p.twimg.com/AsUueg0CIAElsT7.jpg:large

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[MadGnome]

I usually hate this discussion, but it's OK when I do it.
Are there any rumors as to the CTBUHs stand on a non clad spire? If it just looks like an antenna tower, I don't see how they could include it as an architectual element and count it in the official height. The tower on the ESB looks like a part of the structure a lot more than one on a flat roof would.

[m0by]

I usually hate this discussion, but it's OK when I do it.
Are there any rumors as to the CTBUHs stand on a non clad spire? If it just looks like an antenna tower, I don't see how they could include it as an architectual element and count it in the official height. The tower on the ESB looks like a part of the structure a lot more than one on a flat roof would.

I agree, a "normal" antenna won't fit to OneWTC... but I guess there will be a "cladded spire". But I'm not sure...

What a foggy day in New York. Does the Carlos Xray Cam work?

[gramsjdg]

Well the antennas on the original WTC-1 and the Sears tower were/are technically both cladded as well. Thats why the the 1787 ft height is meaningless to me. This is a 1368 ft tower. If the communications ring were structural then it would be 1401 ft.

[PZelda]

I agree, a "normal" antenna won't fit to OneWTC... but I guess there will be a "cladded spire". But I'm not sure...

What a foggy day in New York. Does the Carlos Xray Cam work?

Seems like most of it has lifted now, from watching the webcams. Also, a TON of new glass on Carlos' side now :) (only 3 exposed floors remaining until it hits black netting!)

[detroitmetro101]

World Trade Center’s Symbolic 1,776-Foot Height Is at Stake in a Redesign

By DAVID W. DUNLAP, 5/9/12, new york times



"Seventeen-seventy-six will never lose its place in the history books, but its claim to the record books has been undermined by a decision not to build a sculptural fiberglass-and-steel enclosure for the central mast atop 1 World Trade Center.

It is the addition of that mast that would elevate an otherwise 1,368-foot skyscraper into a 1,776-foot structure whose defining measurement was meant to express American spirit and resolve in the face of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, the private body that serves as a worldwide arbiter of building heights, will ultimately count or discount the mast in its height determination for 1 World Trade Center based on whether it is considered a functional antenna or a nonfunctional spire.

The decision to remove the cladding from the mast was made in January, said Douglas Durst, who is codeveloping 1 World Trade Center with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. It is now coming to light with all the attention paid to the fact that the building has reached a height of 1,271 feet, making it the tallest in New York City.

If the unclad mast is regarded as an antenna, the Council on Tall Buildings will almost certainly not allow it to be included in the calculation. That would mean that 1 World Trade Center would lose both its symbolic dimension and its claim to unseating the Willis Tower in Chicago as the tallest building in America. Should the mast be regarded as an ornamental and nonfunctional spire, however, the equation would change in favor of 1 World Trade Center.

“This definitely raises questions,” Kevin Brass, the public affairs manager for the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, said in a statement Wednesday. “Our criteria are very specific. We include spires and not antennas. If this is an antenna, it won’t be part of the height measurement. The cladding was an integral part of the design and made the extension part of the permanent look and feel of the building.”

The chief architect of 1 World Trade Center, David M. Childs, now a consulting partner to the firm of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, plainly called the resulting structure an antenna in a statement Wednesday. He also took a rare step for any architect in questioning a client publicly.

“We are disappointed that a decision has been made to remove the sculptural enclosure at the top of 1 World Trade Center,” Mr. Childs said. “Eliminating this integral part of the building’s design and leaving an exposed antenna and equipment is unfortunate. We stand ready to work with the Port on an alternate design that will still mark the 1 World Trade Center’s place in New York City’s skyline.”

Though eliminating the cladding will save about $20 million in construction costs, Mr. Durst said that what doomed the enclosure, known as a radome, was the prospect of maintaining such a complex structure — itself nearly as tall as a 40-story building — more than a quarter-mile in the sky.

“There was no real method to maintain or repair the radome,” Mr. Durst said in an interview Tuesday, as his colleagues in the Durst Organization likened any such effort to something out of “Mission Impossible.” They said that if one of the hundreds of fiberglass panels in the radome were damaged by lightning or ice, climbers would have to scale the radome, winches would have to be installed in the upper reaches of the tower, and cables would have to be lowered to the 9/11 Memorial plaza, where replacement pieces weighing thousands of pounds would await.

...."http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/09/world-trade-centers-symbolic-1776-foot-height-is-at-stake-in-a-redesign/?hp

[sw5710]

There is a story out today on SSC about the spire/antenna. Here we go!

[detroitmetro101]

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2012/05/09/blogs/20120509Tall/20120509Tall-custom1.jpg



source, new york times...http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/09/world-trade-centers-symbolic-1776-foot-height-is-at-stake-in-a-redesign/?hp



these people are messing with us, unbelievable...

[babybackribs2314]

http://newyorkyimby.blogspot.com/2012/05/one-world-trade-center-after-redesign.html

Render!

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2012/05/09/blogs/20120509Tall/20120509Tall-custom1.jpg

The contrast is clear, as the old spire was much bulkier and larger, with the new antenna plainly mechanical. Besides the change in function, the official height of the building will also be different. The Council on Tall Buildings defines spires as architectural elements, a category antenna do not fall under. Thus, the design change also alters the building's official height from 1,776 feet tall to only 1,368. The difference is trivial, but would make One World Trade's reign as New York's 'official' tallest very short, as 432 Park's official height will be almost 1,400 feet.

[marshall]

Here is a side by side, with SOM's on the left, and the potential re-designed spire on the right, found it off of skyscrapercity...What do you guys think? I love SOM's design, but the one on the right I don't think looks all that bad either really.

http://i47.tinypic.com/w2kkcl.jpg

[marshall]

http://newyorkyimby.blogspot.com/2012/05/one-world-trade-center-after-redesign.html

Render!

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2012/05/09/blogs/20120509Tall/20120509Tall-custom1.jpg



I like SOM's design better, and for the sake of keeping 1wtc the tallest in terms of pinnacle, and classification, I hope Durst sticks to SOM's design...In this side-by-side rendering, I don't think the redesign spire looks all that bad aesthetically...However, regardless, 1wtc will still be the tallest in New York for a long time, I feel pretty sure of that. You are assuming 432 Park will be built to its intended height, which is not at all certain. It could be downsized, keeping 1wtc the tallest. That being said, I still think Durst should honor SOM's design for the sake of global prominence, it would give 1wtc bragging rights over Taipei 101 and even the Sears Tower, if the radome is stripped off, the antenna would not count in height/pinnacle. So for that reason I support the original design. Let's hope it doesn't change.

[StrongIsland]

[QUOTE=marshall;5695464]Here is a side by side, with SOM's on the left, and the potential re-designed spire on the right, found it off of skyscrapercity...What do you guys think? I love SOM's design, but the one on the right I don't think looks all that bad either really.


I don't know I like them both to be honest:/ The new base looks a lot better then the old one though it really compliments the building in that rendering compared to the old one that looked as if the building could just topple off of it...

[MadGnome]

Thanks DetroitMetro. Exactly what I was looking for.

[NYC GUY]

I hope they keep the original design it just looks better.

[1Boston]

It's not as bad as i imagined, but it's still bad. I would much rather have SOM's design, which im sure everyone but Durst would agree. The worst parts about it are the color, the thickness and the little knobs that are all over it. It would be much harder to see at night and it would not be the same without that lighting they were planning for the top of the spire.

[NYC GUY]

So which one do you think will be picked?

[Onn]

Mega Super Fail. :hell:

[Dac150]

Obviously the preferable is the original design, however the alternative isn't all that terrible. Technically speaking it will be the same height regardless of whether or not the antenna is concealed.

[steveve]

Sure the antenna prob isn't as bad as it could be, but NOOOOOOOOOOOO, the old one still looks 100x better.

the new antenna's ribs look retarded.

[Don098]

:hell::hell::hell::yuck:That's looks like shit. Is it too late to go back to the original design? They've clearly figured out how to maintain it, albeit cumbersomely. It's certainly not impossible. This period of austerity that this country is fixated on will lead to our decline, and here on top of our greatest new symbol of strength, resiliency, and power, we make a permanent concession based on a temporary, relatively negligible amount of money. The Durst organization is spineless.

[Dac150]

The Durst organization is spineless.

You have to understand the fact that it's a business that's considering this for economical reasons, not to deliberately tarnish the aesthetics of the building. I agree that the original design concept is 'better', however it should not be felt that Durst is considering this out of any form of spite.

[Don098]

You have to understand the fact that it's a business that's considering this for economical reasons, not to deliberately tarnish the aesthetics of the building. I agree that the original design concept is 'better', however it should not be felt that Durst is considering this out of any form of spite.

Where exactly did I say that the Durst Organization made this decision spitefully, and that they were deliberately trying to tarnish the aesthetics of the building? If you're taking that from the word spineless, you need to look up its definition. No one is saying that. Everyone understands the cause: to save money and preserve their bottom line. The problem is that the bottom line is measured 4 times a year, and the result of this decision will haunt the building over the course of its lifetime which could easily be 100 years. That's myopic, and "spineless" because they didn't have the ball to take a bit of a loss in the short-term to preserve the greater good for the long term. That's typical of businesses, and that's the context in which everyone's opinions are being amplified.

[Dense_Electric]

Tell me they're at least keeping the current design for the communications ring. I honestly think that lends a lot more to the appearance of the building than the spire/antenna.

[Don098]

This conversation should be shifted over to the more public commentary on the NYTimes article. The Durst Organization's communications office will more closely monitor the article than this forum, and there's a better chance they'll see the outrage on there than on here.

[NewYorkDominates]

A sign of a great country in decline.

Comment from NYT,all which is frighteningly true:

"The year 1368 was the start of the Ming Dynasty;a nice fit for the future "China Center" occupants of 1WTC,and a sly comment on the current world economy."

[Dac150]

that's the context in which everyone's opinions are being amplified.

No quarrels from me - just wanted to qualify that it be known Durst is not the enemy. I'm sure they have their reasons.

[Don098]

No quarrels from me - just wanted to qualify that it be known Durst is not the enemy. I'm sure they have their reasons.

Enemy is a bad word to use. Reprehensible is a better one. I don't believe their reasons substantiate the outcome.

[chris123678]

I'd hate to complain, but they need to leave this God damn building alone.
We've waited all these years just for this building to get up off the ground and its just ridiculous. Glass changes, spire changes, strikes, concrete, delays, etc, it just never ends for this tower.
You'd think that a site like this, a tower like this, such a symbolic thing for our country, that they would stop being cheap and let it take it's title, but it's all for the money, and if not, pardon my ignorance but this is ridiculous.

[gramsjdg]

The new design is most definitely an antenna. In fact, it has almost the same design as Conde Nast's antenna. If that isn't adding insult to injury, I don't know what is.

I say remove the antenna "spire" and the communications ring, (which looks like it is now without the radomes) skip WTC-5 and just build WTC-2 1776 ft tall.:rolleyes:

[gramsjdg]

From the same NYT article:

“We never have, never will, refer to it as an antenna,” said Jordan Barowitz, the director of external affairs at Durst.

“When the building is complete in 18 months or so, there will be no broadcast equipment on the spire,” he added. “It will be a spire, lit with LEDs. I don’t know how you could call that an antenna. It’s a spire from which broadcast equipment will be suspended.” He referred to the three steel rings at the base of the mast, which will contain communication equipment.

Mr. Durst said the mast would “still be a fairly robust structure.”

“I don’t think it will affect the visual appearance,” he said. “I try not to get involved with the aesthetics.



Well everyone, we were all worried for nothing. If Durst says its a spire, then it must be a spire:duh

[NYCLuver]

The antenna/spire is just a slightly more refined version of the one on top of 4 Times Square. We need a higher resolution photo of that antenna/spire.

(My photo)

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t263/DKNY617/IMG_0380.jpg

[CitySkyline]

For what it's worth, here's an additional part from that article at: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/09/world-trade-centers-symbolic-1776-foot-height-is-at-stake-in-a-redesign/?hp

(The bold-face is mine)

---------------------------------------------
For its part, the Durst Organization expressed confidence on Wednesday that the mast would be treated as an architectural element, preserving 1 World Trade Center’s claim to superlatives.

“We never have, never will, refer to it as an antenna,” said Jordan Barowitz, the director of external affairs at Durst.

“When the building is complete in 18 months or so, there will be no broadcast equipment on the spire,” he added. “It will be a spire, lit with LEDs. I don’t know how you could call that an antenna. It’s a spire from which broadcast equipment will be suspended.” He referred to the three steel rings at the base of the mast, which will contain communication equipment.

---------------------------------------------

Personally, I preferred the original design, but at this point, I doubt they're going to use it. I can get used to the new design, especially if it will be lit with LEDs. :shrug:

[CarlosV]

I agree, a "normal" antenna won't fit to OneWTC... but I guess there will be a "cladded spire". But I'm not sure...

What a foggy day in New York. Does the Carlos Xray Cam work?

sure does!!

still pretty foggy ..it has not lifted... ;)

notice new row of glass.....

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8006/7167267258_1245576539_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceva321/7167267258/)
DSC_0409 copy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceva321/7167267258/) by Ceva321 (http://www.flickr.com/people/ceva321/), on Flickr

.

A giant looms over the city...

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7212/7167277646_fdd9fd6974_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceva321/7167277646/)
DSC_0410 copy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceva321/7167277646/) by Ceva321 (http://www.flickr.com/people/ceva321/), on Flickr

[TouchTheSky13]

Yay!!!

[TouchTheSky13]

The new design looks like the Elder Wand from Harry Potter. Durst, f*** off. This isn't your building. This is New York's building, this is America's building. SOM needs to fight to make sure that their design is the one that is used.

[uaarkson]

“When the building is complete in 18 months or so, there will be no broadcast equipment on the spire,” he added. “It will be a spire, lit with LEDs. I don’t know how you could call that an antenna.

Idiots.

[Dac150]

Obviously Durst is not going to refer to it as an antenna . . . This is a 'wait and see' circumstance.

[uaarkson]

I don't see how it is. I have very little hope that this change will not go through.

[Dac150]

I don't see how it is. I have very little hope that this change will not go through.

Until it's confirmed, then yes, it is. I tend to agree though that Durst will go with the option that's more cost effective.

[sw5710]

Carlos:

Has more steel decking gone in today for floors 101 and 102?

[TouchTheSky13]

This is sooooo dumb. I don't trust Durst. They're lying. This new design looks bad...really bad.

[Don098]

:previous:Again, make sure to keep this conversation going in the comments section of the NYTimes article. Durst will read those much more carefully than anything written on this forum. :tup:

[NYC GUY]

Why can't they just install the radome later?

[mt_climber13]

So does this tower get smaller as it gets higher? Or is that an optical illusion?

[Gabedamien]

Ugh, WHAT? This is a big disappointment. I have sympathy for backers of what’s become the world’s most expensive tower, and difficulty of maintenance may be a very valid point, but... damn. That spire was a thing of beauty and absolutely a fundamental part of the design, at least from my perspective. Losing it is a major fail on their part.

And I couldn’t care less about what this means about 1WTC’s height; it will be the same real profile and dimensions regardless. I just think they are committing a major aesthetic blunder on what is to becomes a long-lasting iconic building. Ugh.

[Gabedamien]

So does this tower get smaller as it gets higher? Or is that an optical illusion?

It depends how you define “smaller.”

The base square (by which I mean the widest part of the base) is bigger than the roof square.

From any of the cardinal points on Manhattan’s grid, the edges go straight up and down.

From any of the 45° points on Manhattan’s grid, the edges taper.

[brooklynbandit]

If they are gonna change the spire to a antenna might as well give it the classic white type that the former trade center/Willis tower type

[NYC GUY]

I just read the comments section in the NYT article and a lot of the comments said that that they were happy about the change and that 1776 feet tall was a dum idea. I still think the original spire design is better and now im just confused

[chris123678]

I don't care what Durst say's, that is a antenna, no getting around it, just a classy antenna.
As I've said before, the changes in this building are getting ridicilous. The spire, the base, what's next?