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

[gramsjdg]

I just sent Durst this nastygram:

"I am writing to express my extreme disappointment with your corporation's ill-advised decision to change the architectural design of the spire/antenna mast on top of World Trade Center One. SOM's final design for the radome covering the spire was both aesthetically pleasing, contiguous with the building's design, and functional in that it allowed for maintenance to be conducted on the mast while protected from the elements. This tower is not just another building in NYC, it is a memorial to the events and loss of life on 9-11 and a new centerpiece for the city. Your company will ultimately be held responsible by not only the people of NYC, but all of the U.S. who look to this symbol of national pride if your selfish and foolish change to the spire is implemented. That should make for some good long-term PR!"

:yes:

[Rizzo]

I am certain that Minoru Yamasaki if he was alive today would be extremely upset with the designs and the work of the current World Trade Center. It's so slow, inefficient, and every corner is being cut.

There's some purity in 1960/70's highrise design isn't there? Huge and fully built out. Almost all floors an office from 2-110. We seem to add alot of non-rentable filler nowadays that end up with misleading floor counts.

[jd3189]

I'm starting to move toward government finance and the "build it and they will come" ideology for not only 1 WTC but for the whole new World Trade Center as well. If this isn't any old tower,but a symbol for America and its people, the people can pay taxes to finance this instead. I may be talking crazy,but I simply don't trust private companies like Durst and DCM anymore. The PA, even if it is a public entity, is no different from the rest of the pack. We can't allow them to turn the spire, the crowning structure of this tower, into some half-done antenna. You know what? Let the ESB keep all its broadcasting rights if it means that 1 WTC will stay the way it's suppose to be. There always has to be something wrong with this project.

[Zapatan]

I just sent Durst this nastygram:

"I am writing to express my extreme disappointment with your corporation's ill-advised decision to change the architectural design of the spire/antenna mast on top of World Trade Center One. SOM's final design for the radome covering the spire was both aesthetically pleasing, contiguous with the building's design, and functional in that it allowed for maintenance to be conducted on the mast while protected from the elements. This tower is not just another building in NYC, it is a memorial to the events and loss of life on 9-11 and a new centerpiece for the city. Your company will ultimately be held responsible by not only the people of NYC, but all of the U.S. who look to this symbol of national pride if your selfish and foolish change to the spire is implemented. That should make for some good long-term PR!"

:yes:


What's their email adress?

[OrionDay2012]

My thought is, if a frame can be produced with the same polygonal shapes that produced the radome laden spire, (epoxy that white and) from most perspectives it will be very close in appearance. It will be too dense to notice it is not solid from almost any ground perspective aside from close up. The LED lighting will give it better and more efficient lighting options. Let's just see what comes of this. As with the base cladding I do not think there will be a loss here, these people like this stuff the same if not more than us, it's their profession. This building will be iconic, none involved will prevent that, they know the deal, this is a work of passion. Cheers! :cheers:

[hunser]

^^ I don't care if they clad the base in gold, if the spire doesn't stay the way it's supposed to be, it's pretty much game over, aesthetically speaking.
All our hopes rely on SOM now to wake those f*turds from their insane idea.

Btw, I sent an email too... let's see if I'll get any answer.

[Otie]

What's their email adress?

Jordan Barowitz
The Durst Organization
jbarowitz@durst.org
212-257-6605

OR simply email to info@durst.org

[NYguy]

Port Authority/Durst press release...

http://www.panynj.gov/press-room/press-item.cfm?headLine_id=1544

STATE-OF-THE-ART BROADCAST CENTER POISED TO RETURN TO WORLD TRADE CENTER

Mar 06, 2012


One World Trade Center, soon to stand as the Western Hemisphere’s tallest building, is planning to add broadcasting to its summit. As part of an arrangement now being finalized with The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, The Durst Organization would oversee construction and operation of a new, state-of-the-art broadcast facility atop the tower. The installation would offer television and FM radio broadcast capabilities.

With a 408-foot spire reaching an ultimate height of 1,776 square feet, One World Trade Center’s broadcast center is expected to attract a number of prestigious broadcast partners, while promising to generate significant revenue for the project in return for a relatively modest capital investment.

Employing full redundant power, the One World Trade Center broadcast center would be marketed together with a broadcast tower atop 4 Times Square, also operated by The Durst Organization. The two towers would together serve as a primary and back-up facility, creating an economy of scale for broadcast tenants.

...Upon completion, the broadcast center is projected to generate more than $10 million annually. The facility would require approximately $7.4 million in up-front capital costs. All costs related to the broadcast facility would be borne entirely by The Durst Organization. Prior to September 11, 2001, the World Trade Center’s North Tower featured a 360-foot broadcast center at its top.
With construction now having risen to the 92nd floor, One World Trade Center is the tallest building in downtown Manhattan. Upon completion, One World Trade Center will stand 104 stories high and offer 71 rentable floors totaling three million square feet of leasable, Class-A office space.

[SoaringSkylines]

Guys, right now is the PERFECT time to have our voices heard before the plan is put into action. We're just a few months away before this becomes reality.

Let's call the Port Authority and raise hell. Let's make a nationwide protest. Let's spread the word. I have yet to see ONE person agree with the Durst idea... Oh yeah, besides the company itself.

[Towersteve]

Guys, right now is the PERFECT time to have our voices heard before the plan is put into action. We're just a few months away before this becomes reality.

Let's call the Port Authority and raise hell. Let's make a nationwide protest. Let's spread the word. I have yet to see ONE person agree with the Durst idea... Oh yeah, besides the company itself.

Good luck. I hope you're successful. The lack of transparency continues at the P.A. There should have been a public comment period at the very least concerning this last minute change. I'm still hopeful it will look similar to the original spire.

[Inkoumori]

oy! Seriously?

[Empire state of mind]

From Durst

RE: Antenna on one WTC

Thank you for your note about One World Trade Center.  The decision to eliminate the Radome was not made for financial reasons or even aesthetics. We eliminated the Radome because it could not be maintained or serviced.  Radome simply does not work on the spire of One World Trade Center.   The Spire will be lit with LEDs, have a beacon on the top and look terrific.

Best,

Jordan Barowitz

[Tall guy 31]

From the naked eye...how much of a difference will be noticed from ground level?? Not trying to stir the pot either. I want to see the original design.

[cadiomals]

From Durst

RE: Antenna on one WTC

Thank you for your note about One World Trade Center.  The decision to eliminate the Radome was not made for financial reasons or even aesthetics. We eliminated the Radome because it could not be maintained or serviced.  Radome simply does not work on the spire of One World Trade Center.   The Spire will be lit with LEDs, have a beacon on the top and look terrific.

Best,

Jordan Barowitz

It may look nice at night with the lights and beacon but if that antenna is naked it will look ugly during the day which is really all that matters. If they're not going to cover it in Radome at least let them cover it in a steel lattice sort of like the original design for the spire. To me that looks nice too.

[SoaringSkylines]

From Durst

RE: Antenna on one WTC

Thank you for your note about One World Trade Center.  The decision to eliminate the Radome was not made for financial reasons or even aesthetics. We eliminated the Radome because it could not be maintained or serviced.  Radome simply does not work on the spire of One World Trade Center.   The Spire will be lit with LEDs, have a beacon on the top and look terrific.

Best,

Jordan Barowitz

That sad that Jordan said that.. Because if I recall, that's exactly what he said to Dan (NYCLuver)... Absolutely despicable.

And when you think about it, technically it DOES have to do with financial reasons.
"The Durst firm agreed to spend about $7.4 million to build the 1 World Trade Center antenna, according to the statement. It is prepared to pay another $20 million more in “tenanting costs” to enable broadcasters to use the spire, which is expected to generate about $10 million a year in revenue."

All they want is money from broadcasting tenants.

-- ALSO, if the "radome does simply not work on the spire of the World Trade Center," why did they have these plans like 6 years ago that INCLUDED the radome? How come we're changing now?

[Don098]

From Durst

RE: Antenna on one WTC

Thank you for your note about One World Trade Center.  The decision to eliminate the Radome was not made for financial reasons or even aesthetics. We eliminated the Radome because it could not be maintained or serviced.  Radome simply does not work on the spire of One World Trade Center.   The Spire will be lit with LEDs, have a beacon on the top and look terrific.

Best,

Jordan Barowitz

You need to write back and ask how it couldn't be maintained or serviced when it was originally designed TO MAINTAIN AND SERVICE THE SPIRE.

[Don098]

like someone forgetting to put bathrooms in the memorial plaza? Clearly a bunch of amateurs are designing everything. This spire redesign should not come as a surprise to anyone, by the way! The port authority has been trying to cheapify the project from the beginning! We're lucky to be getting a tower at all, there were far worse, and probably cheaper, proposals for rebuilding the site. An antenna would be a huge downgrade for sure. My issue is that this could mean the tower losing its 1776 ft height, meaning it would be even less out of contention for world's tallest building. What a total disgrace. :(

call them.

[Guiltyspark]

So now the total height should be measured to roof height right? I really don't see how this antenna is any different than the two on top of Sears. Epically now that the covering is not going to be put on. It is just an antenna, not an architectural spire.

[NewYorkSkyline117]

So is this definite that there won't be a mast?

[MolsonExport]

Like someone forgetting to put bathrooms in the Memorial Plaza? Clearly a bunch of amateurs are designing everything. This spire redesign should not come as a surprise to anyone, by the way! The Port Authority has been trying to cheapify the project from the beginning! We're lucky to be getting a tower at all, there were far worse, and probably cheaper, proposals for rebuilding the site. An antenna would be a huge downgrade for sure. My issue is that this could mean the tower losing its 1776 ft height, meaning it would be even less out of contention for world's tallest building. What a total disgrace. :(

With the Burj Khalifa at 829.84 m (2,723 ft), there is no way that 1WTC could ever be in contention for the world's tallest building.

[599GTO]

Just sent an email. EVERYONE should too. No point in sitting back and crying amongst yourselves.

As far as i'm concerned, I am done with this building and defending it if we end up with some disgusting thin needle at the top. The height needs to be officially reduced, it's NOT 1,776 anymore. They need to change their marketing and revise there press releases of it being the tallest building in America or the Western Hemisphere because it's NOT. POS cheap, tacky developers and their watered down building. I was just recovering from my disappointment that the striking 2,000ft kissing towers by Norman Foster (which would probably have been complete by now) weren't selected, this mess that is the WTC complex and finally warming up to this and now bam I don't like it anymore.

It will look so awful and out of proportion. The ugly needle thing works a little better on towers like One Bryant Park because that doesn't have a flat roof. Same as the ESB. It will look awful on this.

Hopefully something nice and tall rises in Midtown.

[uaarkson]

I work for Toyota as a 3D modeler. We are constantly making fixes for vehicles which have already gone into production, because there are some problems that simply don't present themselves on paper. With that said, it's rather embarrassing that this particular problem was caught so late. The process for maintaining the radome should have been tested and finalized years ago.

[NewYorkSkyline117]

Someone answer my question, is this official or NOT? I'm emailing them right now if it's the last damn thing I do. Everyone in this forum HAS to email them if you care about this tower. If I curse on this forum will I get banned? If so, I would've been long gone.

[SoaringSkylines]

Someone answer my question, is this official or NOT? I'm emailing them right now if it's the last damn thing I do. Everyone in this forum HAS to email them if you care about this tower. If I curse on this forum will I get banned? If so, I would've been long gone.


No, it has not been officially written in stone. The head of the developers have to give it a OK. But MOST LIKELY, it will happen. That's why we need to do everything in our power to stop it RIGHT NOW. This is the new face of America that we will have to live with and see for decades and decades and decades to come. Now is the time.


& Not necessarily. Just make sure it isn't too graphic of profanity.

[CitySkyline]

From Durst

RE: Antenna on one WTC

Thank you for your note about One World Trade Center.  The decision to eliminate the Radome was not made for financial reasons or even aesthetics. We eliminated the Radome because it could not be maintained or serviced.  Radome simply does not work on the spire of One World Trade Center.   The Spire will be lit with LEDs, have a beacon on the top and look terrific.

Best,

Jordan Barowitz

Durst should quickly release official renders showing the new spire so we can decide if it will "look terrific" (both daytime and night time renders).

Who knows, maybe it won't be so bad. :shrug:

But until renders are released, we can only speculate that it'll look worse. :(

[marshall]

I am sending them an email later today. Anyone here who gives a crap about how this building will turn out needs to do the same. Time to put our money where out mouth is everyone! Show this Durst group that money should not trump design. And for anyone who thinks that a skeletonized, bare antenna/spire would look good with this tower, think again. It would look ridiculous. The spire IS a major integral part of the final design and the appearance of the building. Again I say, this is YET another example of the complete missed opportunity that has occured with the design of Ground Zero.

There was an opportunity to build big, bold, and cutting edge. But we ended up with second tier designs and "settled" because of political cronyism and backroom deals. Politicians should have stayed the hell out of it and let the architects and the public decide what was build there. Again, if ANY site in the world was screaming for the world's tallest building, this was it!! But nope, Dubai holds that title. They didn't rebuild the Twin Towers, which the public wanted, they got rid of outdoor observation decks, and the restaurant at the top, and now they are talking about getting rid of one of the major design elements?! Well, it will be a travesty if they do. So I will be telling them this in my email to them! Where the HELL has the public input been on all of this? Oh wait, there was none, if the public had a say the Twin Towers would have been rebuilt and we would have been saved from all this ridiculous-ness.

[Roadcruiser1]

I am sending them an email later today. Anyone here who gives a crap about how this building will turn out needs to do the same. Time to put our money where out mouth is everyone! Show this Durst group that money should not trump design. And for anyone who thinks that a skeletonized, bare antenna/spire would look good with this tower, think again. It would look ridiculous. The spire IS a major integral part of the final design and the appearance of the building. Again I say, this is YET another example of the complete missed opportunity that has occured with the design of Ground Zero.

There was an opportunity to build big, bold, and cutting edge. But we ended up with second tier designs and "settled" because of political cronyism and backroom deals. Politicians should have stayed the hell out of it and let the architects and the public decide what was build there. Again, if ANY site in the world was screaming for the world's tallest building, this was it!! But nope, Dubai holds that title. They didn't rebuild the Twin Towers, which the public wanted, they got rid of outdoor observation decks, and the restaurant at the top, and now they are talking about getting rid of one of the major design elements?! Well, it will be a travesty if they do. So I will be telling them this in my email to them! Where the HELL has the public input been on all of this? Oh wait, there was none, if the public had a say the Twin Towers would have been rebuilt and we would have been saved from all this ridiculous-ness.

Will you stop with the Twin Towers argument? It's over okay. We will not see Twin Towers ever again at least not in anybody's lifetime.

[marshall]

Will you stop with the Twin Towers argument? It's over okay. We will not see Twin Towers ever again at least not in anybody's lifetime.


You don't have to get so snappy. I was making a point that the powers that be at the site should simply stop butting in with the design and listen to what the architects and people want. I know the Twins won't be rebuilt, I was simply making a point. I support 1WTC, but they need to leave it ALONE and stop constantly changing the design!

[NYC GUY]

Over in skyscraper city they keep talking about how they arent changing the actual design just changing the material.

[Onn]

With the Burj Khalifa at 829.84 m (2,723 ft), there is no way that 1WTC could ever be in contention for the world's tallest building.

Of course not, LESS out of contention. We already know it isn't going to be close, but the loss of the spire in the height would make the number even worse off than it already is. This wouldn't even be close to the world's tallest building.

[patriotizzy]

What's their email address? I'm also highly upset about the spire change, and I would love to help you guys out :/

[CarlosV]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7063/6816333076_b9c2942b5c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceva321/6816333076/)
DSC_0085 copy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceva321/6816333076/) by Ceva321 (http://www.flickr.com/people/ceva321/), on Flickr

[marshall]

info@durst.org

jbarowitz@durst.org

These are the emails that have been cited by Otie and others previously in this thread. I just now sent two emails to each of these addresses, hopefully they will answer.

[1Boston]

So i emailed him yesterday and today i got the same email as everyone else

Dear David,

Thank you for your note about One World Trade Center. The decision to eliminate the Radome was not made for financial reasons or even aesthetics. We eliminated the Radome because it could not be maintained or repaired when it got damaged. Radome simply does not work on the spire of One World Trade Center. The Spire will be lit with LEDs, have a beacon on the top and look terrific.


Its kind of sad to know that they're not even paying attention to all of this. I never mentioned in my email that they were changing it for aesthetics so it proves that he just skims and sends the same reply to everyone. We need to do something more for them to take it seriously.

[Roadcruiser1]

Of course they won't listen to you. You are a normal person not their shareholders. Basic economics explains that companies only listen to their shareholders. Their loyalty is to them not to you.

[NewYorkSkyline117]

I can't think about this. I'll give them a piece of my mind later. Carlos, do you think you could get a closeup of the new glass coming in?

[SoaringSkylines]

Just now still tried to call AGAIN TODAY and THEY STILL WOULDN'T ANSWER!

I say it's time we take it to the streets with signs outside their little office. They want to ignore us, and we need to show them that isn't going to happen.

And I am sick of Durst giving every single person the same reply... They are just showing that all they care about is their own statements.

[pnapp1]

I can't think about this. I'll give them a piece of my mind later. Carlos, do you think you could get a closeup of the new glass coming in?

There is no new curtain wall installation yet. It will resume in a week of two!

[sw5710]

So when do we get a new render of the spire/antenna from them. Carlos keep up the good work. We need those pictures badly.

[NYC GUY]

^^^
I just hope it looks similar to the original design.

[SoaringSkylines]

http://cdn.globest.com/media/newspics/nyc_1-wtc-2x2.jpg
"The planned broadcast tower atop
One World Trade is expected to
bring in more than $10 million of
rent per year."

^^ I am not sure if apparently this is the new rendering?

(Whereas the previous CURRENT renderings have a white spire).

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7001/6638408533_9851425783_z.jpg

SOURCE: GlobeSt.com

[NYC GUY]

^^^
where did you find that rendering?

[SoaringSkylines]

^^^
where did you find that rendering?

http://www.globest.com/news/12_301/newyork/office/-319353.html

Go check it out.

[jd3189]

From Durst

RE: Antenna on one WTC

Thank you for your note about One World Trade Center.  The decision to eliminate the Radome was not made for financial reasons or even aesthetics. We eliminated the Radome because it could not be maintained or serviced.  Radome simply does not work on the spire of One World Trade Center.   The Spire will be lit with LEDs, have a beacon on the top and look terrific.

Best,

Jordan Barowitz

What kind of bullshit is this guy trying to accomplish? A skinny antenna with christmas lights as opposed to a grand spire with a beacon will look "terrific"? I don't see the logic in it. If they don't have maintenance or service for the radome right now, just wait for it! Most of the new WTC is mostly delayed anyways. They don't have an excuse to rush now because they should have gotten this done years ago.

[chris123678]

http://cdn.globest.com/media/newspics/nyc_1-wtc-2x2.jpg
"The planned broadcast tower atop
One World Trade is expected to
bring in more than $10 million of
rent per year."

^^ I am not sure if apparently this is the new rendering?

(Whereas the previous CURRENT renderings have a white spire).

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7001/6638408533_9851425783_z.jpg

SOURCE: GlobeSt.com



Looks as if that picture could be what the new spire will look like.
Looking at the orginal picture.
http://editorial.equities.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/World-Trade-Center-One.jpg

[NYC GUY]

http://0.tqn.com/d/architecture/1/0/4/-/1/Freedom-Tower-Top-2006.jpg

Found that picture on another site it looks like the same white radome just bronze colored. But i don't think this is a rendering of what they are doing.

[jd3189]

:previous: That's nothing like they are trying to do. Seems one of the bozos from Durst just found an earlier rendering of 1 WTC and spray painted the spire. Hopefully, this means that this retarded plan doesn't come to life.

[NewYorkSkyline117]

Just now still tried to call AGAIN TODAY and THEY STILL WOULDN'T ANSWER!

I say it's time we take it to the streets with signs outside their little office. They want to ignore us, and we need to show them that isn't going to happen.

And I am sick of Durst giving every single person the same reply... They are just showing that all they care about is their own statements.

Just curious but how old are you?

There is no new curtain wall installation yet. It will resume in a week of two!

Oh sorry I was told there was. Nevermind that! thanks

[CarlosV]

I can't think about this. I'll give them a piece of my mind later. Carlos, do you think you could get a closeup of the new glass coming in?

I don;t see any new glass addition from my vantage point...???


So when do we get a new render of the spire/antenna from them. Carlos keep up the good work. We need those pictures badly.

You know "WUSIWIS" LOL what you see is what I see...:haha:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7181/6962833247_1276fb0e41_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceva321/6962833247/)
DSC_0091 copy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceva321/6962833247/) by Ceva321 (http://www.flickr.com/people/ceva321/), on Flickr

[NewYorkSkyline117]

I don;t see any new glass addition from my vantage point...???




You know "WUSIWIS" LOL what you wee is what I see...:haha:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7181/6962833247_1276fb0e41_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceva321/6962833247/)
DSC_0091 copy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceva321/6962833247/) by Ceva321 (http://www.flickr.com/people/ceva321/), on Flickr

Haha whoops I think I mistakened that previous picture :rolleyes::D

[CarlosV]

^^^

you're too eager...

Just now still tried to call AGAIN TODAY and THEY STILL WOULDN'T ANSWER!

I say it's time we take it to the streets with signs outside their little office. They want to ignore us, and we need to show them that isn't going to happen.

And I am sick of Durst giving every single person the same reply... They are just showing that all they care about is their own statements.

Their little office is One Bryant Park! :tup:

[Dense_Electric]

I've started a Facebook page in order to help spread the message about the spire. Be sure to share it with as many people as you can!

http://www.facebook.com/events/382164545128728/ (Link)

I also started a petition. (http://www.change.org/petitions/save-our-spire#)

[NewYorkSkyline117]

^^^

you're too eager...



Their little office is One Bryant Park! :tup:

Oh sorry..

[SoaringSkylines]

So have we confirmed that those renderings I posted were the ones by Durst? (BTW, we need to come up with a silly little nickname for them, seeing that Durst isn't our friend) :)

[NewYorkSkyline117]

I know bad words that begin with D...

[NYC GUY]

Durst the Defacer

[RockMont]

Durst the Dufus.

[Roadcruiser1]

Durst the Douche-bag.

[mrnyc]

from in front of chelsea piers today

http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad293/meesalikeu5/peeps/84bba474.jpg

[gramsjdg]

So have we confirmed that those renderings I posted were the ones by Durst? (BTW, we need to come up with a silly little nickname for them, seeing that Durst isn't our friend) :)

Those renderings are from a much older version of the spire and communications ring -they haven't been recolored, that was the previous plan from around 2005 or so... NYguy could probably confirm that...

[CarlosV]

^^^

MRNYC looks massive!!!! :) i have to go there and shoot it from that angle again...thanks

[sw5710]

The idea to kill the spire is a proposal submitted by Durst. It has not been confirmed.

[NewYorkSkyline117]

The idea to kill the spire is a proposal submitted by Durst. It has not been confirmed.

Thats good to hear...I think we should wait before sending backlashing emails. If that spire does get confirmed, I'm probably gonna lose alot of interest. :/

[yankeesfan1000]

Those renderings are from a much older version of the spire and communications ring -they haven't been recolored, that was the previous plan from around 2005 or so... NYguy could probably confirm that...

This.

The render that you posted SoaringSkyline can be found on the first page of this thread. It's what the spire/antenna was going to look like at first, then got changed to what we think Durst is attempting to redesign.

[Fluffybagel]

If this plan is put into effect, wouldn't it officially (by architectual height) not surpass Willis Tower? Gee, that sucks. 2nd tallest in America, what a downgrade... There have been many disgraceful "changes" to the building, and the site in general. This just crosses the line, though.:hell::yuck::pissed::breakcomp::eviltongue::brickwall::twoguns::maddown::superwhip:whatthefuck:

[Bill Ditnow]

Instead of writing to Durst, you should write to the reporter of the Wall Street Journal, whose e-mail is at the end of the posted article. So far as I can tell, his is the only article that mentions architectural changes to the spire per se. If that is correct then write to him (and to all the other New York papers, or call their newsrooms) and ask for further clarification and whether any renderings of the proposed changes are available. The only way to do anything is to generate more news articles about this, which will awaken public interest. Writing to Durst is ridiculous; of course everyone will receive the same form reply. But inquiries from newspapers will generate a very different response.

[NewYorkSkyline117]

*sigh* ^^^^^ true

[Fluffybagel]

Instead of writing to Durst, you should write to the reporter of the Wall Street Journal, whose e-mail is at the end of the posted article. So far as I can tell, his is the only article that mentions architectural changes to the spire per se. If that is correct then write to him (and to all the other New York papers, or call their newsrooms) and ask for further clarification and whether any renderings of the proposed changes are available. The only way to do anything is to generate more news articles about this, which will awaken public interest. Writing to Durst is ridiculous; of course everyone will receive the same form reply. But inquiries from newspapers will generate a very different response.
That's actually a pretty good idea; Durst has been trying to pull us off with the same copy and paste response routine with your name , [Your name here], added to make it seem as if it was actually read. Emailing it to the WSJ reporter instead may at least alert someone who may actually care the least about the public's opinion; as it is a reporter's job to do so. Another thing, the petition has 6 signatures. Dense_Electric has the link posted on the page before, but I'll post it again:http://www.change.org/petitions/save-our-spire The more support, the less grotesque our appeal will seem.

[Bill Ditnow]

Being a journalist, let me explain how this works.

The initial article by the WSJ focused on the business aspect of the proposed change (understandable for a business-oriented newspaper). The stuff about the proposed architectural change was almost an afterthought.

The story was then picked up and rewritten (shortened) by the wires, most of which eliminated the architectural part entirely.

However, the architectural/aesthetic change, an afterthought in the first story, can now serve as the basis of a new story in which this change is the focus. Contact the WSJ and other New York newspapers and ask them to look into this, and ask Durst what specifically is planned and whether there are renderings of the new look. Almost certainly at least one paper will check it out and when it does, all the other papers will follow and you will have generated all the interest that you want.

[NYC GUY]

If this plan is put into effect, wouldn't it officially (by architectual height) not surpass Willis Tower? Gee, that sucks. 2nd tallest in America, what a downgrade... There have been many disgraceful "changes" to the building, and the site in general. This just crosses the line, though.:hell::yuck::pissed::breakcomp::eviltongue::brickwall::twoguns::maddown::superwhip:whatthefuck:

All the articles I've read say that it will still be 1776' and in a thinner casing.

[NewYorkSkyline117]

Just sent an email. EVERYONE should too. No point in sitting back and crying amongst yourselves.

As far as i'm concerned, I am done with this building and defending it if we end up with some disgusting thin needle at the top. The height needs to be officially reduced, it's NOT 1,776 anymore. They need to change their marketing and revise there press releases of it being the tallest building in America or the Western Hemisphere because it's NOT. POS cheap, tacky developers and their watered down building. I was just recovering from my disappointment that the striking 2,000ft kissing towers by Norman Foster (which would probably have been complete by now) weren't selected, this mess that is the WTC complex and finally warming up to this and now bam I don't like it anymore.

It will look so awful and out of proportion. The ugly needle thing works a little better on towers like One Bryant Park because that doesn't have a flat roof. Same as the ESB. It will look awful on this.

Hopefully something nice and tall rises in Midtown.

Exactly. I mean really, save it for 420 park god damnit. Besides, on that tower it would just look like a much taller version of Bloomberg Tower

[marshall]

That's exactly what I've been saying, both in my emails I sent to them and my voicemail today. I said that a skinny spire would not work on this building because 1WTC tapers as it rises, and needs a thick spire to cap it off and streamline it visually. I sincerely hope that if they do go forward with re-design, that they find some middle ground and do not strip the spire bare, at least leaving somewhat of a substantial girth to it. Durst better come clean or come out with a proposed rendering of what they are proposing and stop hiding behind vague press releases!

[NewYorkSkyline117]

That's exactly what I've been saying, both in my emails I sent to them and my voicemail today. I said that a skinny spire would not work on this building because 1WTC tapers as it rises, and needs a thick spire to cap it off and streamline it visually. I sincerely hope that if they do go forward with re-design, that they find some middle ground and do not strip the spire bare, at least leaving somewhat of a substantial girth to it. Durst better come clean or come out with a proposed rendering of what they are proposing and stop hiding behind vague press releases!

i DON'T GET IT, WHy must they strip the radome? I was reading the plans for the spire and they said that the material of the radome was still penetrable for signals?

[Fluffybagel]

All the articles I've read say that it will still be 1776' and in a thinner casing.
It will by pinnacle height, but antennae don't count to architectural height. However, it did when it was a spire. If this is put into effect, it won't be arguable whether or not it will count towards height anymore officially. It won't, period. I still wonder if the PA and the media will still claim it's 1776ft though, even if Durst's plan is put in effect.

[marshall]

I just hope nothing has been decided yet..what I don't get is that in some of their responses, Durst officials mentioned (I'm paraphrasing) that the spire and radome (in its current SOM form) would be difficult to maintain? And this was only thought of NOW??! I don't buy it. I just think it's about money and Durst wants all the broadcast rights for the top of 1WTC and if that means a totally functional, but totally ugly antenna, then they just don't care apparently. But we shall see.

[Bill Ditnow]

As I say, contacting the news media to ask for a follow-up story on the architecture and not just the business end is your best bet. You'll get nothing out of Durust but the news media will.

[oblivionlml]

If2nd tallest in America, what a downgrade...

The originals were shorter than Willis Tower so why is it such a problem now?

[Fluffybagel]

The originals were shorter than Willis Tower so why is it such a problem now?

Big problem, actually. First off, media has the whole nation thinking it would be taller. And you shouldn't compare the old wtc with the new one. The new one may reflect on the original, but their two different complexes. I don't care about beating willis in height, just that 1776 was a brilliant idea for the building's height. It was patriotic and provoked a sense of nationalism to the site. Let's just hope Durst will stop tampering with the design, so we can have this height back.

[IntoTheLens827]

Ok, What the heck is going on now!?!? COME ON! RU KIDDEN ME!?!? :yuck: This can't be happening! :yuck:I really hope this isn't true! :slob: Well (AS FOR MY SAYING), IT WILL BE A VERY BIG MISTAKE TO CHANGE THE DESIGN! I want the Spire to stay the same with a FULL SYMBOLIC HEIGHT OF "1,776 Feet", NOT 1,368 Feet! :koko: Why wait this long & less then 3 months before the start of the SPIRES CONSTRUCTION!?!? SIGH! RU KIDDEN ME!?!?! :hell: "LETS ALL STAND UP TALL TOGETHER FOR THIS ONE & LETS NOT LET THEM CHANGE THE SPIRE ON US"! :hell: -Greg / IntoTheLens827.

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, RATE, & COMMENT. Thank You!
MY VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ5HKKBQsGk

[NYC GUY]

So which spire is most likely going to be built. Durst's antenna or the original spire?

[Otie]

You guys are confused, the antenna will remain as designed (the steel sections are already done and stored at the ADF/DCM shop); what's at stake is the architectural radome enclosure that wraps the unsightly antenna.
Hope this helps:

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6234/6236979630_00dce50af5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62018165@N04/6236979630/)
Radome enclosing antenna at One World Trade Center (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62018165@N04/6236979630/) by Otie O'Daniel (http://www.flickr.com/people/62018165@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6709801577_fb87d9868e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62018165@N04/6709801577/)
1WTC | Mast and radome enclosure (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62018165@N04/6709801577/) by Otie O'Daniel (http://www.flickr.com/people/62018165@N04/), on Flickr

[NYC GUY]

^^^
But is it more likely that they will keep the radome. Also I just thought of this if they build just the antenna could they put the radome in later?

[Yankee fan for life]

People all of you should relax and clam down as you can see by going back to the wall street journal article they have retracted their statement about any design changes and that was the only article that i saw that said their would be design changes, and if their is a design change wait and see how the final design comes out for all we know it might be a better design.

http://online.wsj.com/article/AP3cb3c58b524e4152bd1a8184845ce644.html

[Roadcruiser1]

Here is what I don't get Otie. If the sources I posted a few pages back are correct then One World Trade Center would still be counted as 1,776 feet tall even without the radome right?

[NYguy]

Reread this post: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=5617988&postcount=20985


So now the total height should be measured to roof height right? It is just an antenna, not an architectural spire.

No, the antenna will still be "housed" inside the spire.


All the articles I've read say that it will still be 1776' and in a thinner casing.

It will be thinner.


It will by pinnacle height, but antennae don't count to architectural height. However, it did when it was a spire.

It's still a spire, that hasn't changed.



WTC Tower Seeks Radio, TV Signals .

By ELIOT BROWN

The owners of One World Trade Center are planning to install a broadcast antenna in the 1776-foot building's spire in a bid to lure some of the more than two dozen television and radio stations currently broadcasting from the Empire State Building.

The plan, which came after Durst Organization executives pitched the Port Authority on the idea, calls for other changes to the planned 408-foot spire on top of One Trade Center. Its architectural cone would be stripped away, putting in place a thinner, more functional spire that the Durst Organization said would save about $20 million.


Also, I posted the press release from the Port Authority, so it's official unless they change course. The spire is Durst's call:

http://www.panynj.gov/press-room/press-item.cfm?headLine_id=1544


But also, when originally conceived, the broadcasters were going to help build the spire. That may not be the case now, but it wouldn't hurt to get some complaints over there as well (unless of course, they're the real reason behind the change). These people were also going to build their own 2,000 ft broadcasting tower. Saul Shapiro is the head of that group

[Fluffybagel]

:previous: Oh, that's a slight relief. But I'm still not happy.

[NYguy]

Meanwhile, older and recent shots show the impact this tower has already had dominating the lower Manhattan skyline...


jeffnye (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lipidjeff/6963086247/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7184/6963086247_896f948e7e_b.jpg



Tattoo Dave (http://www.flickr.com/photos/socalcox/6814773188/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7036/6814773188_21d4a12133_b.jpg



Bridif (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bridif/6813627284/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7045/6813627284_8f305a1f19_o.jpg

[NewYorkSkyline117]

I still don't get it..in the original articles long ago about the radome, it said the fiberglass allowed signals to pass through, would it make a difference?

[Arawooho]

I am also very confused, is there a comparison between the new spire and the old one?

[Zapatan]

Does anyone else not notice that they keep using the word "would" in the articles, that makes me think this is not a definite plan.

[sw5710]

1 year ago. (Remember the vent)

[jthornton17]

All i've got to say is thank God that the original Freedom Tower design isn't being built. If you haven't seen it, just go back to the early pages of this thread. I believe it's in there. It was awful. I have to agree the outside foam that was going to surround the ant. is very cool looking. Kind of reminds me of the globe at Epcot. But it is what it is.

[m0by]

I don't get the whole anxiety...
They changed a lot so far... the whole base, the communication ring (compared to the first rendering) and now MAYBE the spire.
We haven't seen any renderings so far and just need to wait! Maybe you will like it - who knows?!

You didn't say the old North Tower of 1WTC (-2001) did look ugly either...! And this tower was even more massiv at top compared to the new 1WTC and had a thin antenna too.

And who really gives a damn if this building will be the tallest in the US?
It will be a landmark and a symbol of America! And you can be proud of it!

I'll love this tower, even with a thinner spire!

Just my two cents... :cheers:

[sterlippo1]

thanks NY Guy for actually posting some pictures :tup:. except for one from carlos of course;), since all this started with the spire no one is posting any pics!:(

[Fluffybagel]

I don't get the whole anxiety...
They changed a lot so far... the whole base, the communication ring (compared to the first rendering) and now MAYBE the spire.
We haven't seen any renderings so far and just need to wait! Maybe you will like it - who knows?!

You didn't say the old North Tower of 1WTC (-2001) did look ugly either...! And this tower was even more massiv at top compared to the new 1WTC and had a thin antenna too.

And who really gives a damn if this building will be the tallest in the US?
It will be a landmark and a symbol of America! And you can be proud of it!

I'll love this tower, even with a thinner spire!

Just my two cents... :cheers:
Well it was because the original north tower's antennae was just an afterthought added on in the late 70s. This has been planned years ago, so like some other people, I'm confused why their only catching this "flaw " now.:shrug:

[NYguy]

Well it was because the original north tower's antennae was just an afterthought added on in the late 70s. This has been planned years ago, so like some other people, I'm confused why their only catching this "flaw " now.:shrug:

Well, some people still fail to understand that the reason the spire is included in the height at all is because it is an architectural feature of the building, and that has always been the case here. As I've said before, the spire has been the focal point of the design (and battles over it) since the conception of the master plan, long before the design of the tower itself. This is not just some random "pole" stuck on the top of the building, and shouldn't be treated as such, because if that were the case, they could have gone in an entirely different direction with the design. It's what we were made to believe, and I'm sticking with that.

Now, Durst is taking a lot of heat for these changes, but the Port Authority has played with the notion of changing the design of the spire before. The one thing that was commited to was that there will be a spire. Durst will use the antenna at the "other" Conde Nast building as a marketing "package" together with this one. That's really what it's about. They aren't architects, and couldn't care less about what it looks like, as long as there is something up there that fits the guidelines for the spire reaching 1,776 ft. It's too bad, really.


http://therealdeal.com/blog/2012/03/06/durst-port-authority-plan-broadcast-antenna-for-1-wtc/

...the Durst Organization has gotten the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey on board to install a radio and television broadcast antenna inside the building’s spire.

The antenna would be located inside a slimmer, less conical spire than initially planned that would save $20 million but drew criticism from the project’s architects, Skidmore Owings & Merrill.

I don't know what the new spire will look like, but I don't need to see it to know I don't want a "slimmer" (smaller) spire. But that's the way its played.



roccocell (http://www.flickr.com/photos/roccocell/6817181736/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7179/6817181736_8c6b154218_b.jpg



http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7202/6817181888_6be2479f0f_b.jpg

[NewYorkSkyline117]

This isn't confirmed so please stop freaking out. It's just so utterly disgusting that they would even consider such a f-ing horrid idea.

[CarlosV]

I am always very happy when i get to see and capture thru my lens workers atop the tower.....well working! :haha:

1.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7069/6818212354_0b9a9fc5da_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceva321/6818212354/)
DSC_0098 copy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceva321/6818212354/) by Ceva321 (http://www.flickr.com/people/ceva321/), on Flickr

2.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7050/6818204342_c38bb9812e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceva321/6818204342/)
DSC_0098a copy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceva321/6818204342/) by Ceva321 (http://www.flickr.com/people/ceva321/), on Flickr

[aquablue]

Why the bleep do they need a broadcasting tower her anyway? go build one on an old brownfield site in Jersey FFS. This is the WTC, a symbolic place where aesthetics should be respected and placed at priority level #1.:hell:

[SoaringSkylines]

This isn't confirmed so please stop freaking out. It's just so utterly disgusting that they would even consider such a f-ing horrid idea.

To people that are saying this^^

Yes, it may not be confirmed yet, but NOW IS THE TIME TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT BEFORE IT IS CONFIRMED. Because this tower only has just a few months left until they go to the spire-- or shall I say "ugly anorexic needle."

Because most likely the plan will be accepted because you better believe; when you talk about anything being "financially better", the Port Authority is ALL over that.

So now is the time to stop them before they give it the okay. Like I said, this is the new face of America and we are going to have to live with seeing this (hopefully) for about 120-150 years. Don't let them turn this all around and ruin it for New York and America in just a few weeks.