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

[NYC4Life]

No more blabbing about the slow pace, this tower is on track!!

[iamtal]

Hi,

Again, sorry about my poor English (which as you can guess, isn't my native language...)

I live in Israel, and I'm a huge fan of USA. NY specifically, is my most favorite place in all over the world. :cheers:

I read a lot of posts here complaining about slow pace of the 1WTC rebuilding, And I think that people don't really understand how big and complicated this project is.

[NYguy]

Break-A-Leg Photography (http://www.flickr.com/photos/elo_001/3919723332/sizes/o/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2666/3919723332_f3b9655e8f_b.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2666/3919723332_ab3b386117_o.jpg

[Wheelingman04]

How high above street level is this tower now? It's hard to tell.

It is amazing how slowly the Deutche Bank Building is being deconstructed, not that it is much of a loss anyways.

Great photos BTW!!! Love them. Good work.

[theWatusi]

Getting ready for the crawler crane on the west side.

http://wirednewyork.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=7589&d=1253370310
GreenwichBoy (http://wirednewyork.com/forum/showpost.php?p=297803&postcount=6472)

[pattali]

Hi,

..
I live in Israel, and I'm a huge fan of USA. NY specifically, ....

Welcome Iamtal !



Earthcam is out like 50 % since new version, it sucks ! Just an old photo at
http://archives.earthcam.com/archives5/ecnetwork/us/ny/nyc/gzmpr/gzrobotic1.jpg
Maybe a new link ???

[Zensteeldude]

How high above street level is this tower now? It's hard to tell.

It is amazing how slowly the Deutche Bank Building is being deconstructed, not that it is much of a loss anyways.

Great photos BTW!!! Love them. Good work.

The core steel is about 105 feet above the intersection of West and Vesey Streets. (That's the north west corner of the site)

[philvia]

Getting ready for the crawler crane on the west side.

niceeee

[Plokoon11]

Is that crane for cement, or does it serve the same function as the other crane? I ask because they both look different.

[theWatusi]

The crane for the west side is not there yet. I believe it will be a similar model, but larger than the one that is currently on the East. It will perform similar functions as that one.

[BStyles]

Wow, I have definitely got to get some more pictures of the progress over there. This tower is taking off!

It'll be nice to see the lobby squared out with beams and the first mechanical floor going in.

[Plokoon11]

From the looks of how they are constructing this it looks like they are going to increase the core once the outside beams are all placed in, then we will see the core go up half way, and then the steel cage will go up and then more beams.

[geoking66]

After years of inefficiency and arguing, we're finally getting somewhere. I didn't think we'd get this much construction for another decade.

[Acer1]

Getting ready for the crawler crane on the west side.

Um, so it's going to be more stationary in the center than the other crane so it's going to have to 'reach' more to get the big iron into position, is this correct?

[NYguy]

Wow, I have definitely got to get some more pictures of the progress over there. This tower is taking off!

It'll be nice to see the lobby squared out with beams and the first mechanical floor going in.

If I'm not mistaken, we've already seen a little of the first mechanical floor (the smallest one shown in the rendering), but I'll have to go back and check...

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/64463214/large.jpg

[NYguy]

kris10pfilliam (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42473407@N08/3930122459/sizes/l/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2510/3930122459_3b5d3e9527_b.jpg

[rich_200]

Getting ready for the crawler crane on the west side.


Oh yeah! I didn't expected it so fast

[Zensteeldude]

This might help.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35124796@N04/3935120605/

[Zensteeldude]

The core of the crawler crane for the west side is sitting on a trailer just north of the site (on Washington St. I believe). I wouldn't be suprised if they simply placed it on the section of platform already installed, maybe as soon as Sunday the 20th.

PS: It is a brand new Manitowoc 18000.

[Plokoon11]

Wonderful news!

[Acer1]

The core of the crawler crane for the west side is sitting on a trailer just north of the site (on Washington St. I believe). I wouldn't be suprised if they simply placed it on the section of platform already installed, maybe as soon as Sunday the 20th.

PS: It is a brand new Manitowoc 18000.

Oh holy crap.
http://www.kensdiecastconstructionmodels.com/18000gallery.html
I guess it's not meant for moving around all that much. Will be interesting to see this thing as it rests down during bad weather days.

[Lecom]

Hi,

Again, sorry about my poor English (which as you can guess, isn't my native language...)

I live in Israel, and I'm a huge fan of USA. NY specifically, is my most favorite place in all over the world. :cheers:

I read a lot of posts here complaining about slow pace of the 1WTC rebuilding, And I think that people don't really understand how big and complicated this project is.
Welcome to the forum :cheers:

[Zapatan]

This is really exciting, I can't wait to see this building get huge.


Anyways, I hear the 89th and 90th floors may no longer be used for broadcasting, does that mean they will turn them into offices?

[NYguy]

This might help.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35124796@N04/3935120605/
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3500/3935120605_1e98fbb53d_o.jpg



Nice.

[RoldanTTLB]

Here's some Friday morning shots from just before the horizontal piece went up. Also, a bonus shot from the height challenged Fitterman hall around the corner.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/SrO66cIEBeI/AAAAAAAADVM/cDYA7bs51lU/s800/DSC02156.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/SrO67VLENMI/AAAAAAAADVQ/dpBlX7WrIPU/s800/DSC02157.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/SrO688FPcnI/AAAAAAAADVU/ENOni6AXzY0/s800/DSC02158.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/SrO69tUIImI/AAAAAAAADVY/diOwk99FSGU/s800/DSC02159.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/SrO6-BT0FkI/AAAAAAAADVc/Wq5PyLTr6og/s800/DSC02160.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/SrO6-tzJVuI/AAAAAAAADVg/kfbg5CHiN9A/s800/DSC02161.JPG


http://lh4.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/SrO65roqoeI/AAAAAAAADVI/LEvecgVw9jk/s800/DSC02154.JPG

[Zensteeldude]

Oh holy crap.
http://www.kensdiecastconstructionmodels.com/18000gallery.html
I guess it's not meant for moving around all that much. Will be interesting to see this thing as it rests down during bad weather days.

Acer, that model comes with the "Super Lift" kit. (weight wagon, counter jib etc.) I expect it to be rigged just like the one on the east side, it's just bigger. They need extra reach with a 70 ton load (plus safty factor) because the platform well be further away from the building on the north end.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8dThChE7rM

Someone shot the 18000 at the Lomma yard in South Kearny.

[J.M.]

YAAAAY, A shot of the true length of this baby finally captured, WONDERFUL PROGRESS! :cheers:

[uaarkson]

Just...wow. I guess we'll have to nickname this new crane Bigger Red.

[BStyles]

From: http://www.kensdiecastconstructionmodels.com/18000gallery.html

http://kensdiecastconstructionmodels.com/images/Picture%207348.jpg

I bet the life sized one could lift a small house ant take it off. One day we'll be able to lift 10-20 floors of a fabricated tower into place.

As far as the tower goes, that crane should be an interesting drive-by on weekdays. I'll make sure to get some pics of it in column-placing action.

[Zensteeldude]

OK, the 18000 is being set up on the platform at this very minute.:)

[Plokoon11]

*Grabs some popcorn and soda*

[uaarkson]

Are there any functioning webcams up at the moment?

[TwinTowersForever]

I know this is comletely out of place but can someone please point me to the thread about this tower in this article. I cant find it

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/15/arts/design/15arch.html?_r=1

Btw that is an awesome crane ^^

[BStyles]

Oh, that's Tower Verre, a new project by the MoMA. It's here: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=133753

They're assembling the crane right now! And our best earthcam camera is stuck on an image from the day before yesterday.

[Plokoon11]

^ Yeah I know, it always happens when something big happens.

[NYguy]

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_3T08TVQ0h2g/SrO66cIEBeI/AAAAAAAADVM/cDYA7bs51lU/s800/DSC02156.JPG

While the other towers will be imposing due to their large bases, this one ironicly will be imposing for the exact opposite...it just sprouts out of the ground, large, but just large enough to take it all in up close.

[theWatusi]

West crane base

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/2665/wtc44c.jpg
ZippyTheChimp (http://wirednewyork.com/forum/showpost.php?p=297901&postcount=6488)

[BiggieSmalls]

I Wonder if they are installing that massive extended counter weight system shown in some of the google pics of this monster.

http://www.mullencrane.com/images/new/18000.jpg

[kenratboy]

Sorry if this has been covered - why are they using crawler cranes of this scale for this project? Why not tower cranes?

[Acer1]

Sorry if this has been covered - why are they using crawler cranes of this scale for this project? Why not tower cranes?

There's two tower cranes installed for 1WTC but they can't lift 60-70 ton beams that's used on the base of this building. So that's why there's two mobile cranes helping out until the base section steel is installed.

In addition, there will be one more tower crane installed that will be attached to the side of the building once steel rises high enough and requires a need for it.

That's 5 cranes, biggest and the best out there. Quit being picky on how it's done. :P

[Acer1]

... I expect it to be rigged just like the one on the east side, it's just bigger. They need extra reach with a 70 ton load (plus safty factor) because the platform well be further away from the building on the north end.

Had no clue that the platform for the crane would be so small. Thanks for the info.

[YSL]

How long until this is at least 1,000ft in the sky?? LOL, just curious.

[kenratboy]

There's two tower cranes installed for 1WTC but they can't lift 60-70 ton beams that's used on the base of this building. So that's why there's two mobile cranes helping out until the base section steel is installed.

In addition, there will be one more tower crane installed that will be attached to the side of the building once steel rises high enough and requires a need for it.

That's 5 cranes, biggest and the best out there. Quit being picky on how it's done. :P

Hey! Who said I was being picky!

You answered my question. I did not know the reason (massive weight) for using these cranes.

[Independence]

Oh holy crap.
http://www.kensdiecastconstructionmodels.com/18000gallery.html
I guess it's not meant for moving around all that much. Will be interesting to see this thing as it rests down during bad weather days.

Man, this is A W E S O M E!:D

[Dirty Sandpit]

How long until this is at least 1,000ft in the sky?? LOL, just curious.

I'm guessing anywhere from Dec 2011 to Feb 2012, if they have no more problems, they should have it topped out. They seem to be picking up the pace a bit now. Doesn't it open in Q4 2013?

[Plokoon11]

From some webcam I see they might have some new columns? Hard to see but I think it is new columns.

[GSS]

Good to see that this project has been picking up pace.

[NYguy]

SEPTEMBER 21, 2009

Lots of excitement at the site these days...

1.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/117566887/large.jpg

2.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/117566897/large.jpg

3.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/117566922/large.jpg

4.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/117566936/large.jpg

5.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/117567028/large.jpg

6. The latest star at the WTC site...

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/117567097/original.jpg

7.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/117567146/large.jpg

8.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/117567157/large.jpg

9.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/117567180/large.jpg

10. I'm sure the guys (and gals) working on this tower are filled with pride...

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/117567200/large.jpg

11.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/117567226/large.jpg

12.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/117567270/large.jpg

13. When I was a kid, this would have been too much excitement for one day...:)

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/117567287/large.jpg

14.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/117567330/large.jpg

15.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/117567413/original.jpg

16.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/117567463/large.jpg

17.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/117567510/large.jpg

18.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/117567568/large.jpg

19.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/117567644/large.jpg

20.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/117567661/large.jpg

21. Old guard waits for the new...

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/117567667/large.jpg

22.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/117567676/large.jpg

23.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/117567677/large.jpg

24. An idea of how far we have to climb. Seasons will come and go, but it'll be a fun ride...

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/117567683/large.jpg

25.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/117567699/large.jpg

26.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/117567772/large.jpg

27.
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/117567805/original.jpg

[philvia]

nice pics :)

[Zensteeldude]

Those are some great pics NYGuy !

For the record, the platform the 18000 is sitting on is supported by the perimeter columns of the tower and the slurry wall with it's 3 foot thick liner wall (about 6 feet total thickness).

PS: the 18000 with all the counter weights, boom etc. weighs about 424 tons.

[theWatusi]

I sent an email to the fine folks at earthcam. Maybe if we flood them with complaints, they'll fix it?

[CHAPINM1]

Did they set any more columns in place today?

[Plokoon11]

Nope they can't until that large crane is constructed.

[BStyles]

Question. In some of NYguy's pictures(which are awesome, by the way) there are some black steel boxes on the Fulton Street part of the site, which resemble the links on the tower cranes. Are those extra links for one of the cranes, or for an entirely new crane?

[Zensteeldude]

I don't see a base, and the tower cranes on Tower One don't need tower sections to go higher, It's a mystery to me.

[uaarkson]

What about the 3rd crane? The one that goes up on the outside of the tower?

[uakoops]

I don't see a base, and the tower cranes on Tower One don't need tower sections to go higher, It's a mystery to me.

If they make the towers taller, then maybe they don't have to jump them so often? They could save some down time that way.

[Ghost]

Doesn't the north crane have to jump soon?

[iamtal]

Question. In some of NYguy's pictures(which are awesome, by the way) there are some black steel boxes on the Fulton Street part of the site, which resemble the links on the tower cranes. Are those extra links for one of the cranes, or for an entirely new crane?

My guess - It is for the north crane...

[djvandrake]

Awesome pics NYGuy! And it's fantastic to see all this progress!! :tup:

[Zensteeldude]

They are just using the tower sections to support the boom of the 18000 during assembly. Mystery solved.

[CHAPINM1]

I wonder when they are going to jack up the north crane. Looks like the progress on the north core has finally caught up to that of the south core.

[MercurySky]

I just got back from New York last week and I was very impressed by what I witnessed at the site. The pics here are always good but seeing it with my own eyes is a real treat! Damn! It is massive. 7 World Trade Center is quite a site. I cannot wait to see all or some of these buildings (Hopefully all 1,2,3,4,5 eventually) with that great cladding like 7 World Trade Center.

[iamtal]

HD Camera is broadcasting some strange images, probably sky (or a room wall, difficult to understand), It seems that technician is working on it, So I guess that soon we will have the HD camera back :)

http://i37.tinypic.com/doulhh.jpg

[meh_cd]

Looks like the sky and the edge of the Hilton. Either it has been tipped over for days or you're right and the tech is fixing it.

[YSL]

I've never seen this rendering before. And I didn't know the spire's light would be as powerful (actually, even more powerful) as it's shown on the renderings. So cool.

The spire will be an intense beam of light that will be lit at night and will likely be visible over a thousand feet (305 m) into the air above the tower. New York City is a suitable place to set such a light pointing towards the sky without complaints of light pollution by astronomers, as the night sky in locations near New York City is already far too bright for serious astronomical observers.

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/8477/view1ry6.jpg (http://img23.imageshack.us/i/view1ry6.jpg/)

[Wheelingman04]

^ It's like a pinnacle rise and fall from that angle. Cool! Interesting.

[pattali]

Earthcam is back :tup:

http://archives.earthcam.com/archives5/ecnetwork/us/ny/nyc/gzmpr/gzrobotic1.jpg

[theWatusi]

Earthcam is back :tup:

http://archives.earthcam.com/archives5/ecnetwork/us/ny/nyc/gzmpr/gzrobotic1.jpg

yey! :hyper:

[Monsanto21]

yey! :hyper:

High Fives everyone!:banana: :cheers:

[Puzzlecraft]

Been away for a few days in Moab, UT a beautiful place.

Wow..... "Bigger Red" has just got to be one of the most fantastic machines ever! ..... with the possible exception of some huge mining machines.....

I was going to post the latest from "webcam looking north" as I see Bigger Red is rising, but with the Earthcam back up, no need to.

Going to be great watching WTC1...........

[BStyles]

Actually, there's a lot happening with the cranes on the site. They added a larger boom to the red crane that was assembling steel at the memorial, moved it over the PATH tracks, they're setting up moving space for another crane at the south pool, the Manitowoc 18000 is being assembled(the irony of this is that the 18000 will be able to pick up the crane that's assembling it:haha: ), and I guess the original Manitowoc is doing rural work, finishing the eastern half of the mechanical floor. And finally, the north crane might jump soon, followed by the fact that we can see the south crane again.

I raise my glass to the earthcam.:cheers: Let's hope it doesn't fail again for a good while.

[speedy1979]

Here's some pictures of the new Manitowoc 18000 crane.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a241/speedy79/ManitowocFreedom.jpg

and one more:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a241/speedy79/Manitowoc18000.jpg

[iamtal]

Let's see what we missed on the last few days.

(Also, please forgive me for all my grammar/spelling mistakes).

1. New steel on the SE corner of the memorial structure
2. Some progress on the chiller plant area (If I understand correctly)
3. They closed the open part that was in this point.
4. They moved all the equipment from the part of the north pool without concrete (I guess that they are going to pure concrete there soon)
5. The new crane of course which is partly assembled
6. New steel for the second floor (right to the crane)
7. The last perimeter beam in the NW corner
8. Great progress on the grade level of 4WTC
9. New giant crane near the SE corner of the memorial (They are using it for the steel assembly)
10. New crane on the path mezzanine near the south pool.

http://i37.tinypic.com/2h49nrn.jpg

If I missed something, please add.

(And again, please forgive me for all my grammar/spelling mistakes).

Regards,
Tal.

[iamtal]

SEPTEMBER 21, 2009

Lots of excitement at the site these days...



NYguy, great pictures, Thank you very much. Your pictures really help to understand how big the project is.

Also, on the next time that you are going there, can you please take some photos of 4WTC? They are making huge progress everyday there, and there are almost no pictures of it. I think that this tower is really unappreciated.

Regards,
Tal.

[RoldanTTLB]

NYguy, great pictures, Thank you very much. Your pictures really help to understand how big the project is.

Also, on the next time that you are going there, can you please take some photos of 4WTC? They are making huge progress everyday there, and there are almost no pictures of it. I think that this tower is really unappreciated.

Regards,
Tal.

Hey! Bad news, it's nearly impossible to take photos of 4WTC right now. They're making huge progress, yes, but the ground floor isn't quite finished yet, and the construction barrier is some 15 feet high and particularly far away from the site. Unless you're in the US Steel building, or one of the adjacent buildings (which I admit I am not), it's really hard to take photos. I promise that all of us will take tons of photos once it's feasible.

[iamtal]

Hey! Bad news, it's nearly impossible to take photos of 4WTC right now. They're making huge progress, yes, but the ground floor isn't quite finished yet, and the construction barrier is some 15 feet high and particularly far away from the site. Unless you're in the US Steel building, or one of the adjacent buildings (which I admit I am not), it's really hard to take photos. I promise that all of us will take tons of photos once it's feasible.

Thanks :-)

[iamtal]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2442/3948845254_be777e00bc_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3505/3948787470_bdf8941385_b.jpg

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

[NYguy]

Also, on the next time that you are going there, can you please take some photos of 4WTC? They are making huge progress everyday there, and there are almost no pictures of it. I think that this tower is really unappreciated.

There are some photos in the tower 4 thread that shows the site pretty much as it is.


Jonathan Bayer (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlbnyc/3949287116/sizes/l/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2631/3949287116_b6b9f955f8_b.jpg


MaSyropi (http://www.flickr.com/photos/masyropi/3945801329/sizes/l/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3420/3945801329_26e8502d99_b.jpg


Adventure Addict (http://www.flickr.com/photos/adventureaddict/3943637093/sizes/l/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3432/3943637093_775df80d9b_b.jpg

[Zensteeldude]

This is why I knew the tower sections were not for either of the cranes on the Tower One site. This also applies to Tower 4 sense DCM is doing the erecting there too.

http://www.dcmerectors.com/tower-crane_video.htm run time is 6:22 and worth every second.

NOTE: you must allow the ActiveX add on to load in order to watch the video.

[Acer1]

This is why I knew the tower sections were not for either of the cranes on the Tower One site. This also applies to Tower 4 sense DCM is doing the erecting there too.

http://www.dcmerectors.com/tower-crane_video.htm run time is 6:22 and worth every second.

NOTE: you must allow the ActiveX add on to load in order to watch the video.

Isn't 4WTC supposed to get another internal tower crane soon?

[BStyles]

Either that or a Manitowoc. The lobby's columns are also long and overweight for the tower crane, and they're setting up space for a crane either for the memorial pool or the tower.

Compared to 1WTC, they made Tower 4's crane exceptionally tall.

[NYguy]

Now that we are in this phase of construction, it's worth going back to look at just what is planned, specifically for the lower levels...

http://www.wtc.com/about/freedom-tower/freedom-tower-design

Base

The tower rises from a cubic base whose square footprint - 200 feet by 200 feet - will be the same size as the footprints of the original Twin Towers. The base will be clad in more than 2,000 pieces of prismatic glass, each measuring 4 feet by 13 feet 4 inches, with varying depths. The design utilizes the optical properties of prismatic glass to reflect, refract, and transmit light in various spectrums, creating a dynamic, shimmering glass surface that drapes the tower's base. The prismatic glass was developed over the course of two years in conjunction with some of the world's top glass manufacturers, who worked with architects to find ways of constructing prismatic glass at a scale not formerly made.

Plaza

An architectural conception with precedents ranging from Bryant Park and the steps at the Metropolitan Museum to the base of Renaissance palazzos will allow the building to flow out into the plazas to create areas for people to gather, sit, relax, and reflect. Ribbons of stainless steel will cascade down from behind the prismatic glass façade of the base to form a series of step terraces that integrate the horizontal surfaces of the plaza into the vertical surface of the building. The terraces, made of textured stainless steel, will be shaded by a ring of trees that further humanizes the scale of the space. The plaza will be richly textured with small sets of granite cobblestones.

Generous open spaces will be filled with trees, water, and places of respite for tenants and the estimated 3 million annual visitors to the WTC site. Designed in collaboration with landscape architects Peter Walker and Partners, these areas will connect the tower with adjacent neighborhoods and allow views and access into the memorial. Glass walls at the plaza edges will provide protection from the wind. While incorporating enhanced security measures, the building will remain open and accessible.

Antenna

The antenna will consist of two major components: a 408-foot mast and a communications platform ring. The mast is a hybrid structure, consisting of a steel tower supporting the antennae and a special protective enclosure, called a radome, which will be transparent to radio waves. The steel tower will have eight sections stacked vertically and decreasing in width, while the radome enclosure will be formed of a modular, fiberglass composite sandwich panel system arranged in an octagonal antiprism. This folded-plate enclosure structure is the first of its kind to be used in antenna construction. The panels will work as simple plates in bending, as is the case for most cladding, but the folded-plate structure will exploit the spatial geometry and in-plane sheer stiffness of the ensemble of the panels to resist wind loading. The geometry of the radome shell is based on a repeating modular system that allows for easy replacement and erection and also creates a protected maintenance area that is unique in the antenna industry.

At the base of the mast, a tetrahedral lattice ring will support point-to-point microwave dishes, steerable Electronic News Gathering antennas, and pole-type radio communication antennas. To add more support against wind, eight radio-frequency (RF) transparent Kevlar guy cables will be connected from the mast back to the ring. Window-washing equipment will be incorporated into the antenna ring structure. Because of its circular shape, this design will make it possible to service the building with only three maintenance units. The ring and mast structures were created in conjunction with structural engineers from the Stuttgart firm of Schlaich Bergermann und Partner.

When lit at night, the mast's surface will appear as a faceted surface, while a beacon at the top will send out a horizontal light beam that can be seen from miles away.

Curtain Wall

For the curtain wall, architects worked with industry experts to develop glass of a new monumental scale that is capable of withstanding the wind pressure experienced by a super-tall building while also meeting stringent security requirements. The five-foot by 13-foot-four-inch insulated glass panels will span the full floor-to-floor height with no intermediate mullion - a first in skyscraper construction. These glass panels will allow for maximum daylighting and impart monumental scale to the project.

Lobbies

Entrances on all four sides of the buildings, each 60 feet high and ranging in width from 30 feet on the east and west sides to 50 feet on the north side and 70 feet on the south side, will activate the building at street level.

The west portal will provide entrance to both the lobby of the observation deck on the concourse level and the transportation infrastructure. Visits to the observation deck will begin with an extraordinary elevator ride. The "scenic" elevators will transport visitors vertically through a super-tall building, with the 1,300-foot ascent/decent taking approximately 50 seconds. The east portal will provide access for office tenants and restaurant patrons who will then ascend to the top of the building.

The north and south entrances, which will provide access for commercial office tenants, will be marked by an array of dichroic glass panels. These panels, composed of multiple layers of clear, etched and dichroic glass, will draw on the spectral qualities of light to create vibrant color patterns across the surfaces of the lobby. The design draws on the results of a year-long research project into the optical effects of dichroic glass in transmission and reflection.

The grand lobby will encircle the central core and be filled with natural light that will enter the space through the east and west entrances as well as through apertures in the north and south walls. This light-filled lobby will provide a setting for changing art exhibits of various mediums.

[wong21fr]

I've got a question on the West Plaza:


http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a241/speedy79/Manitowoc18000.jpg

That steel tubular structure that is behind and below the Manitowoc is a skylight that will be be within the fountain on the West Plaza, right? If that's correct than all that is needed to complete the plaza level concrete pours is the last corner, right behind the Manitowoc, right?

Or are they still pouring around the perimeter columns along Vesey Street as well?

[Puzzlecraft]

NYGuy - thanks for posting that.

One thing, the write-up said "while a beacon at the top will send out a horizontal light beam". In pictures, the beam was vertical. I'm interested in knowing what the directionality of this horizontal beam - e.g. multiple beams, one beam which rotates; I presume not in just one direction..... or could this be a typo?

[Zensteeldude]

A few updates to the info NYGuy posted.

The Twin towers had a column center to column center distance of 205' 7". Tower One measures 200' even, so Tower One is a little smaller.

The current design calls for four 6 inch Kevlar cables to support the mast against wind loads.

The light at the top of the mast is pointed straight up.

Everything else looks to be accurate.

[J_M_Tungsten]

I still can't believe the size of this site and the cranes! Nothing is small about this project at all! I just noticed the people in the bottom of the picture from 3 post up.

[RockMont]

I still can't believe the size of this site and the cranes! Nothing is small about this project at all! I just noticed the people in the bottom of the picture from 3 post up.



Well that's why the United States of America is what it is. You can knock down our buildings, but all we'll do is put them back up bigger and better than before.

[BrownTown]

Well that's why the United States of America is what it is. You can knock down our buildings, but all we'll do is put them back up bigger and better than before.

Actually they are smaller and less numerous than before, so it isn't exactly the sort of statement of strength you imply.

[Dirty Sandpit]

Actually they are smaller and less numerous than before, so it isn't exactly the sort of statement of strength you imply.

lol...that is funny! :cheers: However, noone should doubt that this building is for all intents and purposes, better than the originals. I take it you were part of the "rebuild as was" crowd. I myself wasn't thrilled they didn't build but one, but now I quite like the complex currently under construction. I remember watching a movie called "Click" and they had a clip of new york with new twin towers which acatually looked quite cool.

[QuarterMileSidewalk]

NYGuy - thanks for posting that.

One thing, the write-up said "while a beacon at the top will send out a horizontal light beam". In pictures, the beam was vertical. I'm interested in knowing what the directionality of this horizontal beam - e.g. multiple beams, one beam which rotates; I presume not in just one direction..... or could this be a typo?

I'd go for the rotating beam.

[NYguy]

Actually they are smaller and less numerous than before, so it isn't exactly the sort of statement of strength you imply.

What? That doesn't even make any sense, there are multiple towers at the new WTC. But debate it over in the "new" WTC thread.


NYGuy - thanks for posting that.

One thing, the write-up said "while a beacon at the top will send out a horizontal light beam". In pictures, the beam was vertical. I'm interested in knowing what the directionality of this horizontal beam

Most likely vertical, possibly both. I've seen both versions in renderings, but I can't imagine a totally horizontal beam being shot out accross the area.

[Acer1]

What? That doesn't even make any sense, there are multiple towers at the new WTC.

You have to find the sarcasm in that towers 2 & 3 are no where ready to be built yet due to political issues. Bigger and better? In 30 years or so. Joking, just joking. :)

[NYguy]

You have to find the sarcasm in that towers 2 & 3 are no where ready to be built yet due to political issues. Bigger and better? In 30 years or so. Joking, just joking. :)

The Freedom Tower isn't exaclty close to completion either, and the original complex wasn't built in a day. So no, I find no humor in people bringing negativity into this thread which is moving forward with progress now, though it will take years to complete.

[Crawford]

You have to find the sarcasm in that towers 2 & 3 are no where ready to be built yet due to political issues. Bigger and better? In 30 years or so. Joking, just joking. :)

No, they're not u/c right now because of economic issues, not political issues. Same as any other new office construction anywhere on the planet.

And anyone who thinks that five is fewer than two, and three (or four) towers over one thousand feet is somehow less impressive than two over a thousand feet obviously doesn't have a clue.

[NYguy]

-Glass walls at the plaza edges will provide protection from the wind.

-Window-washing equipment will be incorporated into the antenna ring structure.

A couple of things I haven't paid much attention to, but makes more sense looking at the renderings, the glass has always been there...

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk157/BOJAMforeva/SDC10586.jpg

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2006/12/07/nyregion/600_blocks.jpg
nytimes

The Vesey Street side will be below the plaza levels, and its the only side that will incorporate stairs in the lobby to make up the difference, also from the plaza.

I'm not sure how the window-washing works.

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/98943545/large.jpg

[Zensteeldude]

There is a ring track just above the parapet that can be seen in the rendering of the top of the tower. There well be three units riding on it with horizontal telescoping arms. From the end of the arm hangs a conventional window washing scaffold.

I think I still have the WW prints at home, if I do I'll post some pics this evening.

[djvandrake]

After reading NYGuy's post from wtc.com with the descriptions of the lobby and building features I can only think that this tower is going to be an amazing sight to behold when completed. I get chills just thinking about it. I will definitely be visiting the big apple to see this tower when it's finished.

[Dac150]

NYguy, any idea where within the WFC the underground concourse connecter will be? My guess is somewhere in the back of the Winter Garden behind the marble steps, but I haven’t found any indication anywhere in that vicinity.

[kingsdl76]

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/98943545/large.jpg[/QUOTE]


:previous: :previous:

Quick question.... does anyone know how tall the structure on top of the roof will be?? Not the spire... but the structure at its base. I'm curious because if that structure has the same perimeter as the top of the building, it'll actually make the building appear taller than 1368 ft.

If someone could let me know when they get the chance..

Thanks....