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

[NYguy]

WTCProgress (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wtcprogress/4729938915/sizes/l/)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1311/4729938915_9c07b90792_b.jpg

[JACKinBeantown]

What is that? Apparently some sort of water pipe.

[SteveD]

Looks to be too big for a water pipe.

Maybe an HVAC component? Part of a boiler or chiller?

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm off base.

[Innsertnamehere]

according to SSC, its an HVAC component...

[NYguy]

What is that? Apparently some sort of water pipe.

It's from the Port Authority's update.

Workers lower one of five giant chiller units into the subgrade area of the WTC site. The chiller units have the capacity to cool 700 homes and will provide air conditioning for the 9/11 Memorial, WTC Transportation Hub, and additional retail spaces.


More photos from that group here...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wtcprogress/

[CSABA8]

Yes..It's a heat exchanger, for chilling or warming water/oil ect. ...i used to work with them in refineries

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cd/Straight-tube_heat_exchanger_1-pass.PNG

[JACKinBeantown]

Ask a question, get an answer... a very thorough answer. Thanks, everyone.

[GarCastle]

Don't believe the hype. Those are not chillers, they are defensive missile launchers. :^)

[Bucktown718]

Don't believe the hype. Those are not chillers, they are defensive missile launchers. :^)
LOL you made my day dude.

[Acer1]

Don't believe the hype. Those are not chillers, they are defensive missile launchers. :^)

Weren't those supposed to be on TOP of the building? :)

[SkyscrapersOfNewYork]

i was passing by the Manhattan Bridge on the Brooklyn side and i saw the freedom tower sticking up, its finally reached the skyline!:banana:

[NYC4Life]

i was passing by the Manhattan Bridge on the Brooklyn side and i saw the freedom tower sticking up, its finally reached the skyline!:banana:

A pic of it would have been nice ;)

[SkyscrapersOfNewYork]

A pic of it would have been nice ;)

srry i forgot my camera when i went to Brooklyn , but i did take these yesterday

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4737344356_5dba69da40_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4737345514_713c907ac5_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4736721693_1f522991a1_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4139/4736725133_18c9f8402f_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4134/4736726321_8ba30ea78f_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/4737359028_00ff813f6f_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/4737360182_eb7dac9143_b.jpg

why is the tower smoking in the next pic?
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4736727543_4c8e4e943e_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4736728715_7c97ee7f80_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4736730967_00435baaba_b.jpg

memorial pool
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4737372898_392a3d7559_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4737375338_ebb4a2d228_b.jpg

any explanation for the water?
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4737377968_790412f71f_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4736742953_c6d8d588ae_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4736742953_c6d8d588ae_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4736745373_4552e9c268_b.jpg

[Draegen]

Fire maybe? that would be bad :koko:

[BStyles]

Maybe they're trying to beat the heat. Welding while it's damn near 100 degrees is pretty hard.

[J.M.]

Maybe they're trying to beat the heat. Welding while it's damn near 100 degrees is pretty hard.

Spot on, amen.

[J.M.]

Actually, on picture 9 in SkyscrapersOfNewYork's pics, theres a box made of bricks, what's that for??

[OneWorldTradeCenter]

Actually, on picture 9 in SkyscrapersOfNewYork's pics, theres a box made of bricks, what's that for??

I wanted to ask that as well. I guess it has something to do with the stairs to the enter of the building? :koko:

[upNaway]

the water is a guy needin to go pee really bad

[newstl2020]

^I would guess that it is much more likely being done to control dust from some sort of excavation/demolition on the site.

[OneWorldTradeCenter]

Shot from the webcam (wtcprogress.com), taken a few moments ago:

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/2734/800x600k.jpg

[Zensteeldude]

I wanted to ask that as well. I guess it has something to do with the stairs to the enter of the building? :koko:

The concrete block structure is the temporary PATH vent. The permanent one is inside the tower and not yet finished.

[scalziand]

why is the tower smoking in the next pic?
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4736727543_4c8e4e943e_b.jpg


It looks like it's coming from a level where fireproofing insulation is being applied.

[Zensteeldude]

It's most likely just smoke from welding. Spray on fireproofing makes a much bigger mess. Also, spray on fireproofing is NOT weather proof therefore it is highly unlikely that they are spraying it on now.

[Acer1]

It's most likely just smoke from welding. Spray on fireproofing makes a much bigger mess.

I thought it was the Subway box doing that.

[Bucktown718]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/4741980215_cbccbfabeb_b.jpg
fimoculous (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fimoculous/)

[colemonkee]

Great find. The corner nodes are really starting to show some separation.

On another note, are the "floors" of the memorial pools supposed to get the same gray granite treatment as the walls?

[NYguy]

^ I don't think so, but possibly.

Slightly older, but nice views...
http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2010/6/9/204422/4995/hotels/The_World_Center_Hotel_Jackhammers_and_All_is_Officially_Open

http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/47121/WCH_BlackRattanSeats_Roof.jpg


http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/47121/WCHChairs_View.jpg


http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/06/10/article-1285540-09F7843F000005DC-295_634x348.jpg
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-1285540/New-York-hotel-opens-World-Trade-Center-Ground-Zero-site.html

[canadate]

My latest photos..6/27/10 http://s973.photobucket.com/albums/ae212/canadate/One%20World%20Trade%20Center-%20June%2027th%202010/

[ahealy]

^ I don't think so, but possibly.

Slightly older, but nice views...
http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2010/6/9/204422/4995/hotels/The_World_Center_Hotel_Jackhammers_and_All_is_Officially_Open

http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/47121/WCH_BlackRattanSeats_Roof.jpg


http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/47121/WCHChairs_View.jpg


http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/06/10/article-1285540-09F7843F000005DC-295_634x348.jpg
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-1285540/New-York-hotel-opens-World-Trade-Center-Ground-Zero-site.html
what is the name of the black monolithic tower above the waitress called?

[SkyscrapersOfNewYork]

what is the name of the black monolithic tower above the waitress called?

the Millennium Hilton

[ahealy]

Beautiful Building. Thanks

[RKOwens44]

Very, very cool pics canadate! I love seeing pics taken from the gate where you can really see the work going on inside the lobby on the north and east side, as well as pics of the west plaza and west side of the lobby, but hardly anyone takes pics from these locations anymore, so it's great to finally see a recent pic of what's taking place here. :)

[NYguy]

[nilay] (http://www.flickr.com/photos/zero_g/4744616898/sizes/l/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4744616898_d41cd25457_b.jpg

[Loslocos]

On another note, are the "floors" of the memorial pools supposed to get the same gray granite treatment as the walls?

If you head over to the HD Web Cam you can now see for yourself!:banana:

http://www.earthcam.com/clients/groundzero/groundZero.swf

[BiggieSmalls]

with all that black the "void" is gonna be a frying pan for the next 100 days.. until they get some water flowing.

[wong21fr]

If you head over to the HD Web Cam you can now see for yourself!:banana:

http://www.earthcam.com/clients/groundzero/groundZero.swf

That's a waterproof membrane.

[canadate]

Very, very cool pics canadate! I love seeing pics taken from the gate where you can really see the work going on inside the lobby on the north and east side, as well as pics of the west plaza and west side of the lobby, but hardly anyone takes pics from these locations anymore, so it's great to finally see a recent pic of what's taking place here. :)

Thanks a lot, glad you liked them. I usually go over to the west side so I'll make sure I'll continue to get a few shots from over there in with each update.

[Dac150]

[nilay] (http://www.flickr.com/photos/zero_g/4744616898/sizes/l/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4744616898_d41cd25457_b.jpg

From this angle you see why BNY Mellon wants to expand into some new digs. Hopefully they’ll eventually be right down the street…

[NYguy]

dandeluca (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dandeluca/4750410175/sizes/l/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/4750410175_805f6814ac_b.jpg

[Ziroc]

Nice Pic, NYGuy! :cheers: It keeps growing! Can't wait till it surpasses all the other buildings around it! :)

[CSABA8]

Nice Pic, NYGuy! :cheers: It keeps growing! Can't wait till it surpasses all the other buildings around it! :)

That could happen end of this year...hopefully

[NY-rob-NY]

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: its great to see this picture of wtc:banana: :banana: :banana:

[J_M_Tungsten]

Whats up with all the lights on in the Goldman Sachs building? Seems wasteful.

[uaarkson]

Whats up with all the lights on in the Goldman Sachs building? Seems wasteful.

The entire building is Goldman Sachs employees, they have people in there working 24/7. Same thing over at the New York Times building.

[J_M_Tungsten]

O ok. Why are the lights so much brighter than the lights in the world financial center buildings? White light energy efficient bulbs?

[J.M.]

^ I think it's the walls of each building, they're very reflective and I think it dimmers the lights and effects how they appear. Plus the windows on Goldman looks much wider and taller, and I don't think the WFC is one of those 24/7 kind of places for most tenants (noting a lot of the dark areas).

As for One World Trade Center atm. How prepared is the base for glass installation?

[BStyles]

I walk by sometimes and some of the floors are still undergoing carpentry work, so that could be another reason.

1WTC is getting up there.

[canadate]

Here's some that I shot yesterday >> http://s973.photobucket.com/albums/ae212/canadate/One%20World%20Trade%20Center-%20July%201st%202010/ I would've had more but I had a little memory card issue. The problem has since been solved and the next update will have a lot more photos.

[RKOwens44]

canadate, you always have some of the best pics. I love how you don't just take pics of the building standing right near the base of it but often times from a distance where you can get an idea how the building will "fit into" the skyline when it's completed, like how it'll look from the north when you're driving down West Street, or from Vesey Street, etc. Keep up the good work! Very much appreciated.

[uaarkson]

RBGZ cam is FINALLY back up:

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

[canadate]

canadate, you always have some of the best pics. I love how you don't just take pics of the building standing right near the base of it but often times from a distance where you can get an idea how the building will "fit into" the skyline when it's completed, like how it'll look from the north when you're driving down West Street, or from Vesey Street, etc. Keep up the good work! Very much appreciated.

Wow, that post made my day! Thanks so much for that, it feels good to know that there are people out there that actually appreciate what I do..b/c a lot of people try to put it down. To not only you, RKOwens44 but everyone who continues to show support, you are also appreciated. And yes, I try my best to bring some variety to my photos. I had some pretty epic ones planned but since I had that memory card problem I didn't get to take those shots. Look out for those in the next week or so though..they're from a pretty obvious spot but I haven't seen it done yet so I'll give it a shot. :tup:

[RKOwens44]

I'm sure everyone here appreciates the people who live in NYC and take pictures so that us in the rest of the world can keep up with what's going on, even if they don't always say it.

And I think I already know the location for your "epic shot" which hasn't been done before. Whether or not this is your location, 1WTC should definitely now be visible from the observation deck at the top of the Empire State Building.

[canadate]

I'm sure everyone here appreciates the people who live in NYC and take pictures so that us in the rest of the world can keep up with what's going on, even if they don't always say it.

And I think I already know the location for your "epic shot" which hasn't been done before. Whether or not this is your location, 1WTC should definitely now be visible from the observation deck at the top of the Empire State Building.

Well I actually meant some people that I know personally, some of them don't show any support towards my decision to pursue photography as a career. It's just nice to see optimism towards it for a change. Thanks again! As for the shot, no it's not from the Empire State but I have been wanting to get back up there to take that one; haven't been up there since last August. I'm sure the shot that I'm talking about has been done before, just as most other shots in the city but I just haven't seen it yet. I'll see what I can do with it though, hopefully it'll come out good!

[NY-rob-NY]

this picture is cool. i hope then the building is 2013 finished.:shrug: :banana:

[OneWorldTradeCenter]

this picture is cool. i hope then the building is 2013 finished.:shrug: :banana:

It will be finshed by 2013!

[Bucktown718]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4756525162_97c7f5bcc2_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4755880749_092bf3a4ed_b.jpg
diavoletto2718 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/diavoletto/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4123/4757424518_5eb92a59e9_b.jpg
scriptingnews (http://www.flickr.com/photos/scriptingnews/)

[OneWorldTradeCenter]

great! 28 stories (when I counted correct).

[Aleks]

woahh! gettin tall! me likes.

[Kippis]

I'm not new to this project, but I do have a question regarding the tower's construction. Is the building going to be entirely built using steel beam reinforced floors, or are there going to be any concrete floorplates as the tower goes up?

[NYguy]

Minor news...
http://www.dnainfo.com/20100701/financial-district-battery-park-city/world-trade-center-worker-hurt-by-falling-metal

World Trade Center Worker Hurt by Falling Metal
The construction worker was hit in the leg and taken to Bellevue Hospital with minor injuries, officials said.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/sfb111/story_xlimage_2010_07_R8563_WTC_Worker_Hurt_07012010.jpg

July 1, 2010

A construction worker was hospitalized Thursday when a piece of metal from the World Trade Center site fell onto his leg, officials said.

The unidentified worker was on the fifth level of the One World Trade Center high-rise project — the site of the future Freedom Tower — when he was hurt about 12:43 p.m., according to officials from the FDNY and the Port Authority.

The worker was taken to Bellevue Hospital with minor injuries, an FDNY spokesman said.

A source said the worker was employed by the Canadian company Collavino Construction, which is the primary contractor responsible for pouring the concrete at the site, according to the website Construction Today.com.

An official who answered the phone at the company’s New Jersey offices said he was not aware that any of their workers were injured.

In March, another worker was injured at the site when he fell 20 feet into a hole from the fourth or fifth level of the building, the FDNY said at the time.

During that incident, the FDNY was barred from entering the WTC site, which is under the control of the Port Authority. The injured worker was carried to the FDNY and the EMS workers outside the construction site, the FDNY said at the time.

The FDNY said there were no such restrictions to their access during the latest incident.

[Acer1]

Minor news...

It is minor. Accidents on projects like these are expected. It's just nice to know things have gone relatively smoothly. Especially with an active subway system right next to it.

[Zensteeldude]

I'm not new to this project, but I do have a question regarding the tower's construction. Is the building going to be entirely built using steel beam reinforced floors, or are there going to be any concrete floorplates as the tower goes up?

The short answer is all the floors above the lobby/plaza are steel supported reinforced concrete slabs (except inside the core). Everything from the lobby down is reinforced concrete.

Sounds like some rebar fell on him, hope he fully recovers. With the size of some of the bars in this tower having a piece fall on you can be very bad.

[J.M.]

Is one side of the building going without the bomb blast protection wall?

[CSABA8]

It is minor. Accidents on projects like these are expected. It's just nice to know things have gone relatively smoothly. Especially with an active subway system right next to it.

Let's hope that was the last accident.. :)

[Zensteeldude]

Is one side of the building going without the bomb blast protection wall?

No, the north and south sides have the slotted wall that can be seen in pics. The entire perimeter well have a protection wall between the columns except at the entrances. Also the emergancy stairways well be enclosed.

[OneWorldTradeCenter]

Minor news...
http://www.dnainfo.com/20100701/financial-district-battery-park-city/world-trade-center-worker-hurt-by-falling-metal

World Trade Center Worker Hurt by Falling Metal
The construction worker was hit in the leg and taken to Bellevue Hospital with minor injuries, officials said.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/sfb111/story_xlimage_2010_07_R8563_WTC_Worker_Hurt_07012010.jpg

July 1, 2010

That poor guy. I hope he is going to relax right now.

[Draegen]

Thats what happens when your building a supertall i wouldn't be surprised if there was a death in the future

[Innsertnamehere]

not necessarily a supertall, but it usually happens when building the tallest building on the content..... (injury, not death)

[J.M.]

Thats what happens when your building a supertall i wouldn't be surprised if there was a death in the future

Positive perspective of the day. It was bound to happen, and i'm sure somewhere around the 80th or 90th floors there will be 2 more. But it's just a huge factor when building a supertall, most of us had already mentioned that fact.

BTW, Thanks Zensteeldude for your response the bomb wall thing.

[Kamatzu]

Love the hand pointing up at the bottom of that pic. Something cool about it.
(this one, linked as to prevent posting the same image over and over...) (http://s3.amazonaws.com/sfb111/story_xlimage_2010_07_R8563_WTC_Worker_Hurt_07012010.jpg)

[Spud]

Thats what happens when your building a supertall i wouldn't be surprised if there was a death in the future

The most dangerous height to fall from on a building site is three foot. This is the height that causes the most injuries and even a few deaths. The reason for this is twofold: 1/ Because people don't expect to get hurt at that height so they take risks, and 2/ If you do fall you don't have time to land on your feet. Common injuries include broken arms, dislocated shoulders and concussion.

Workers working at higher heights usually have either a handrail or a fall arrest system as well as specialized training and detailed job planning.

In regards to the WTC site, I'd say that since it's such a high profile job the management will be taking an extra cautious approach.

[Ordo_]

It is minor. Accidents on projects like these are expected. It's just nice to know things have gone relatively smoothly. Especially with an active subway system right next to it.

Thats what happens when your building a supertall i wouldn't be surprised if there was a death in the future

I'm sorry, but are you people actually defending construction accidents? This isn't the first work-related accident at this site and any such injury is inexcusable.

[uaarkson]

Prep work is underway at both the 2 and 3 WTC sites, and the transportation hub has started. The entire site will be 100% under construction by the end of the year, most likely.

[uaarkson]

I'm sorry, but are you people actually defending construction accidents? This isn't the first work-related accident at this site and any such injury is inexcusable.

No one knows the extent of the injury or the exact cause. It's inexcusable if it was due to negligence, but it may have just been an honest accident.

[kiwi4life]

Guys u almost sound like your wishing death on someone who is currently building one world trade center, i know u all dont, but almost sounds like it, i myself work in this industry in Canada, and ive seen injuries, bad ones etc, its not nice thing to see, speciallly when its good friends, id hate to see a death. but anyway thought id point that out, thanks boys, by the way this tower is f***in INTENSE!!, congrats to the boys building it, they deserve all the credit, keep it up!!

[Rizzo]

No job site should ever have an injury....regardless of complexity

[uaarkson]

I can't imagine how you possibly got "we are wishing death on construction workers" out of any of that.

[Bucktown718]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4765651920_fff0f1899e_b.jpg
karlo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/karlo/)

[J.M.]

Looks like a real good day for construction.

[brian.odonnell20]

when's installation for the 30th floor gonna be ? ? anyone know? :cool: :rolleyes:

[NYguy]

^ Just keep watching.

A little older, but like the view...
desbah (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desbah/4762742452/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4762742452_b16bf00045_b.jpg


scriptingnews (http://www.flickr.com/photos/scriptingnews/4757424518/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4123/4757424518_5eb92a59e9_b.jpg

[theWatusi]

Is the Queen's visit bringing work to a halt today?

[westmc9th]

Is the Queen's visit bringing work to a halt today?

No the work is still going on the steel plates are going down on the top floor and work is going on on tower 2 and 3 so no work may stop when she arrives but probably not

[hunser]

nice progress! the 30th floor is within sight, can't wait! :cheers:

[NY-rob-NY]

:shrug: :banana: :banana: :tup: oh this picture is great. i hope then the wtc wil be finished at 2013.:shrug: :banana: :banana:

[Zensteeldude]

Looks like a real good day for construction.

One of the last places I would want to be on a day like this is on the 28th floor of Tower One installing decking.

It reached 103F in the shade here in Linden (15 miles SW of the WTC)

The galvanized sheets of decking are like a mirror so you still get sunburn even with a brimmed hardhat.

The humidity was low 30%, so it's not all bad.:yes:

[BiggieSmalls]

One of the last places I would want to be on a day like this is on the 28th floor of Tower One installing decking.

It reached 103F in the shade here in Linden (15 miles SW of the WTC)

The galvanized sheets of decking are like a mirror so you still get sunburn even with a brimmed hardhat.

The humidity was low 30%, so it's not all bad.:yes:

how hot do you think it was in teh north pool today? with all that black waterproofing and granite you could likely frye an egg down there,.

[RKOwens44]

Was anyone watching the news when the queen visited Ground Zero a little while ago? I kept watching CNN for like an hour waiting, then finally gave up and ran some errands. When I came back about an hour later, she'd already visited it. They're not showing any video of it though! Anyone know which section of the site she actually visited?

[HyperPower]

^^^ At least she paid a visit to the WTC site. I'm sure she is not accustomed to having people not bow to her, if anything someone probably tried to sell her an NYC hotdog with mustard. :eat:

[BStyles]

Why do all the buildings in the background look the shiniest and most beautiful when the queen visits? They never do that for us.:(

[mrnyc]

well that was nice. i read this was her first visit to nyc in 34 years.

she was to speak briefly at the un and i think tour the renovations at hanover square too, no?

[OneWorldTradeCenter]

Why do all the buildings in the background look the shiniest and most beautiful when the queen visits? They never do that for us.:(

Maybe they did something with the image's colors. Or they just cleaned all the windows. Ok, when I'm talking about windows: Usually the first windows should be installed very soon at One WTC.

[RKOwens44]

Did someone delete my two postings with pictures of the queen's visit to Ground Zero? WTF? This whole "on topic" thing is getting out of hand. They were pictures of the queen visiting 1WTC and the site. 1WTC was clearly visible in those pics anyway.

Yes, this thread is about 1WTC, and if people want to talk about the queen of England visiting 1WTC, those posts should not be deleted! It was the most interesting thing that happened at 1WTC all day (probably all week), yet no one is allowed to talk about it or posts pics of it without them being deleted? How ridiculous.

[Tom In Chicago]

^You failed to credit the photos to their original source. . .

[Zapatan]

it's already awesome! :cheers:

[Boquillas]

^You failed to credit the photos to their original source. . .

Glad to see new folks making contributions are being welcomed warmly with a cordial warning before posts are deleted.

[uaarkson]

RKOwens isn't new.

[OneWorldTradeCenter]

Some good shots from wtc.com

http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/6258/142320100701eastbathtub.jpg

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/6496/144020100701tower1credi.jpg

[NYguy]

This is not really surprising...http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/07/08/2010-07-08_exfoe_wins_right_to_buy_share_in_wtc_tower.html

Douglas Durst - once a foe of Freedom Tower - wins right to buy stake in 102-story WTC colossus

By Douglas Feiden
July 8th 2010

Developer Douglas Durst - who once bought newspaper ads denouncing plans to build the Freedom Tower - on Wednesday won the right to buy a stake in the 1,776-foot icon.

Port Authority brass said the Durst Organization will take over leasing, operations and management of the 102-story colossus and shell out at least $100 million for a minority share.

The family-owned firm, best known for its Conde Nast Tower in Times Square, edged out Stephen Ross' Related Cos. in a hard-fought, 6-month competition and now has 30 days to lock up a final deal, officials said.

Officially rebranded as 1 World Trade Center, the $3.1 billion skyscraper on the northwest corner of Ground Zero has soared 270 feet above street level, to the 28th floor, and is now expected to open by 2014.

PA Executive Director Chris Ward said the deal will fuel momentum for developing the entire World Trade Center site and proves that private-sector interest in the tower is snowballing.

Added Jody Durst, the company's president, "The building is a symbol of New York's resilience and strength, and we have tremendous confidence in its future success."

That's quite a turnaround from 2007 when company chairman Douglas Durst slammed the building as a "legacy of poor planning" and questioned whether it was needed.


http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local-beat/Durst-To-Rebuild-One-World-Trade-98033339.html

Durst to Rebuild One World Trade

By JUAN DEJESUS
Jul 8, 2010

The development of One World Trade Center just showed signs of life.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced the selection of the Durst organization Wednesday as the developer that will take on the monumental task of rebuilding the 1,176-foot Freedom Tower at the World Trade Center site -- a project that seemed to have been interminably stalled by negotiations and is slated for completion in 2013.

"We are very proud to have been selected by the Port Authority to work with them on the development of One World Trade Center,” Jonathan Durst, President of the Durst Organization told NBCNewYork.

The Durst Organization is best known for the Bank of America tower, a 2.1 million square foot tower that dominates the Bryant Park skyline.

The selection came after an intense competitive six-month process involving some of New York City’s and the nation’s most prominent private sector real estate companies, like developing powerhouse Related Companies.

Stephen M. Ross, Chairman and CEO of Related Companies told NBCNewYork, “While we are disappointed and thought we offered a great vision for this iconic destination development and Lower Manhattan. We wish the Port Authority and their new partner well.”

Port Authority staff and Durst will work over the next 30 days to finalize an agreement subject that would be subject to the approval of the Board of Commissioners.

In a statement, Port Authority Chairman Chris Ward said, “The Port Authority chose to advance negotiations with Durst because its proposal best aligned with the agency’s interests in the long-term success of the office tower and because of the firm’s prior success in developing premier,'green'office buildings.”

The proposal Durst presented includes a minimum investment of $100 million.

“This confirms a clear and growing market interest in One World Trade Center and adds further momentum to the development of the overall site,” said Ward.

The contract will net Durst a membership interest in One World Trade Center LLC. Durst will also take on primary construction and responsibility for tenant fit-out, leasing and property management. This will let the company receive a financial return tied to its equity interest and performance of the building.

“The building is a symbol of New York’s resilience and strength and we have tremendous confidence in its future success. The World Trade Center site is, perhaps, the most complex building project ever undertaken and the Port Authority’s progress on the construction of One World Trade Center is to be congratulated.”