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

[CHAPINM1]

It has all come down to one word vs. another between Durst and Childs - obviously Durst has an ego behind him and will not subscribe to any notion of being in the wrong on this. It is what it is at this point, we're on the homestretch.

Yeah, I admit I am pretty brazen for saying it, but Durst is a real piece of shit. He can take that piece of garbage excuse of stick he calls a spire and stick it up his @$$... I have no love for that malcontent. Hasn't brought squat to this project whatsoever, or at least anything worth a damn...

Oh, and a side note. I really do hope that the official height on this gets scaled back to the roof for simple fact that I hope it sets in example of these pricks who think they can do half ass the final stages of this project. A spire is one thing, but an ugly skinny exposed broadcasting antenna won't hack it no matter how well some self righteous dipshit says it will in ordered to reach the desired height.

[Dac150]

Hasn't brought squat to this project whatsoever, or at least anything worth a damn...

Not entirely true - he's bringing Conde Nast Downtown, which is significant. That of course doesn't subsidize for how self centered of a move this is on his part, however he has brought something to the table.

[CHAPINM1]

Not entirely true - he's bringing Conde Nast Downtown, which is significant. That of course doesn't subsidize for how self centered of a move this is on his part, however he has brought something to the table.

Yeah, that was a big move, just too bad he's not seeing the big picture of this project.

[meh_cd]

Let me try and list the changes made to the building so far.

1. NYPD demands 20 story concrete base.
2. Restaurant is scrapped. "Won't be profitable!" They say. Even go so far as to remove the service elevator so that if they ever do want to put a restaurant in, it will be all the more difficult.
3. Conde Nast says they will need some kind of relatively large vent somewhere on the lower floors for their test kitchens. We still don't know what that will look like.
4. The prismatic base cladding shatters into a million pieces if you look at it wrong, it is decided that strapping sheet metal and glass fins to the side will solve the problem.
5. They scrap the chamfered corners that they spent who knows how long engineering and building.
6. The West Street plaza is redesigned from a nice little meeting area into another cordoned off area. Move along!
7. Spire enclosure is scrapped and we are left with a skeletal antenna that will look exactly like the one at 4 Times Square.

Did I miss anything?

[O-tacular]

How is it even possible at this stage for them to do this? Aren't there contracts already in place? Aren't there promises that need to be kept? I'm no New Yorker, and I feel betrayed.

EDIT: Even a cheap ass, aesthetically challenged monkey would have to recognize the ugliness of this naked skeleton of an ANTENNA! Durst must be a real arrogant, cheap piece of shit to have the balls to deny what this is. It's a fucking effigy of the original! It's the equivalent of fusili Jerry!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3068/2940036875_836e362597.jpg

[george]

This tower is stunning, it remains a rock star. Spire or antenna, I feel the pain. I happen to prefer the revised industrial, functional design.

"That the life is recognizable in its expression,
That form ever follows function. This is the law." Louis Sullivan

[NewYorkDominates]

They say 1WTC is going to be a sign of American resiliency and the ability for America to move on;I say it's quite the opposite.All this security measures and redesigns is more like an imprinting of what happened that horrible day,and a sign of the economic state the country is in.

For a while(since the plans were announced),I thought of the WTC site as a decent successor to its old counterpart,but now things are just dwindling all over the site to a point where caring for the buildings is minuscule.The only thing done right at the WTC site has been the memorial.

Sometimes I question what's in store for the future of NYC or even America,as I'm sure countries elsewhere already have the upper hand in some aspects.

[O-tacular]

They say 1WTC is going to be a sign of American resiliency and the ability for America to move on;I say it's quite the opposite.All this security measures and redesigns is more like an imprinting of what happened that horrible day,and a sign of the economic state the country is in.

For a while(since the plans were announced),I thought of the WTC site as a decent successor to its old counterpart,but now things are just dwindling all over the site to a point where caring for the buildings is minuscule.The only thing done right at the WTC site has been the memorial.

Sometimes I question what's in store for the future of NYC or even America,as I'm sure countries elsewhere already have the upper hand in some aspects.

I agree. The castration of the original spire is a perfect metaphor for a country that has been devastated by the unchecked greed of Wall Street.

[Dac150]

Restaurant is scrapped.

Personally, I find this to be the greatest travesty of them all.

[Bill Ditnow]

I agree. The castration of the original spire is a perfect metaphor for a country that has been devastated by the unchecked greed of Wall Street.

Actually the whole building, regardless of what sort of toothpick they stick on top of it, is an exemplar of the unchecked greed of Wall Street that drove the country to ruin in 2008. Soulless and charmless, without a leavening speck of creativity or humanity, it will be speak, sadly, to our era, even as the Empire State building, the Chrysler Building and the Woolworth building spoke (boisterously and joyously and optimistically) to their eras, eras when America's best days lay ahead and not in the rear-view mirror.

[JDRCRASH]

Can some philanthropist PLEEASE just donate $100 Million to restore the old design!!! :(

[JayPro]

I continue to nurse the premonition that this whole clusterjerk hasn't been addressed by every official who has any emotional stake in this.
We haven't heard from Mr. Bloomberg, who has at least been honest enough to call out the PA for their bullshit. And he's been on record and quite adamant in his desire to see this complex define New York for years to come.
I normally don't make this kind of appeal; but I strongly suggest we bring as much pressure to bear on the Mayor's office to at least question Durst and the PA on their TBH pig-headed refusal to at least compromise.
And if it turns out that nothing can be done, then don't let it be said that we didn't try.

[NYonward]

My opinion of the original spire was that it was a lame attempt at symbolism (1776 ft. gag) and was ugly anyhow. While this new antenna isn't beautiful - it's honest.

Actually the whole building, regardless of what sort of toothpick they stick on top of it, is an exemplar of the unchecked greed of Wall Street that drove the country to ruin in 2008. Soulless and charmless, without a leavening speck of creativity or humanity, it will be speak, sadly, to our era, even as the Empire State building, the Chrysler Building and the Woolworth building spoke (boisterously and joyously and optimistically) to their eras, eras when America's best days lay ahead and not in the rear-view mirror.

I thought we were done with this backwards-type thinking. Thankfully a lot of people had different opinions to yours and we will have a sleek, tall tower.

[CHAPINM1]

I thought we were done with this backwards-type thinking. Thankfully a lot of people had different opinions to yours and we will have a sleek, tall tower.

That is very well said... :) Despite it all, the tower itself will be great and an achievement to have watched risen!

[ozone]

This new antenna is honestly ugly. Let's be really honest here. This is one fugly tower and everyone knows it. But what do you expect from the guy who went along with the take down of the original?

I thought we were done with this backwards-type thinking. Thankfully a lot of people had different opinions to yours and we will have a sleek, tall tower..

Sorry to break it to fella but his thinking isn't the one that's backwards.

[hunser]

^^ The tower itself sure isn't ugly, far away from it. This new spire is, if it were up to me they should remove it.

[jsr]

^^ Good. Now the building will officially be 1373 feet tall, falling behind Willis Tower and Trump Hotel Tower. Pathetic.

Ironically had 9/11 not occurred, the original WTC would have been behind both the Willis Tower and the Trump International Hotel and Tower.

[Towersteve]

My opinion of the original spire was that it was a lame attempt at symbolism (1776 ft. gag) and was ugly anyhow. While this new antenna isn't beautiful - it's honest.



I thought we were done with this backwards-type thinking. Thankfully a lot of people had different opinions to yours and we will have a sleek, tall tower.

I'm tired of people resorting to insulting people's opinions. It's not backwards thinking it's a difference of opinion. There are plenty of people (probably a majority on this board, and in the public) who were very disappointed with this design. If it were a typical skyscraper it wouldn't be a big deal. (although a bland 1,373 foot tower is not a giant achievement in the current age of skyscraper building). This is not a typical skyscraper. You can choose to ignore the symbolism of this building but a lot of people don't. Your opinion isn't any better than theirs.

[marshall]

I never got why the original goal was only to build as tall as the original twins, 1368...seems a bit odd, why wouldn't they shoot for the stars as it were, and build the tallest in the country by roof height? I don't get it. it's not 1972 people! Anyway, I REALLY hope the latest antenna rendering is not what will actually be built because it's ugly as HELL! I want to like 1wtc, but the whole thing just isn't right. Anyway, I've said it before, and I'll say it again, if they follow through with this awful antenna design, they should at least raise the roof height some..I mean, come on. It could be done. Maybe raise the roof height to 1500 or 1600 feet at least...They they can do their stinking antenna design if they want. God I hope SOM can pull a rabit out of the hat at the last minute!

[Zapatan]

There is no hope for anything good to come at this point, I mean I shouldn't say never but it's 97% certain this will end up looking like utter garbage in the end.

SO FREAKING SAD

[OrionDay2012]

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg69/scaled.php?server=69&filename=rendering002.jpg&res=landing

This looks like the origional stripped of the radome and broadcasting equipment. It is literally the skeleton of the origional plan. That is like if i were building you a house and handed you the keys after the framing inspection. "welcome home"

[yankeesfan1000]

I don't want to quote Otie's render again, but won't the circular steel levels eventually be hidden behind broadcasting equipment? Assuming that they sell or rent that space out... Or am I completely misunderstanding everything?

The antenna is pretty awful though. At the very least, I'd like something more along the lines of Bank of America, as opposed to 4 TS or the POS shown.

[Hed Kandi]

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg69/scaled.php?server=69&filename=rendering002.jpg&res=landing

This antenna looks like it came straight out of the wastelands of Soviet Russia. Poor New York! :(

[fountainhead]

Actually the whole building, regardless of what sort of toothpick they stick on top of it, is an exemplar of the unchecked greed of Wall Street that drove the country to ruin in 2008. Soulless and charmless, without a leavening speck of creativity or humanity, it will be speak, sadly, to our era, even as the Empire State building, the Chrysler Building and the Woolworth building spoke (boisterously and joyously and optimistically) to their eras, eras when America's best days lay ahead and not in the rear-view mirror.

You hit the nail on the head...

[Renton]

This looks like the origional stripped of the radome and broadcasting equipment. It is literally the skeleton of the origional plan. That is like if i were building you a house and handed you the keys after the framing inspection. "welcome home"

The rendering I just viewed from an A.P. article is even worse than this pic. It looks like some old Eastern European Antenna. I'd rather see no Antenna than this.

[Roadcruiser1]

The rendering I just viewed from an A.P. article is even worse than this pic. It looks like some old Eastern European Antenna. I'd rather see no Antenna than this.

Already saw this rendering, but it is bigger and is in more detail so I am going to post it again. Can't zoom in any closer.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/media/ALeqM5gaFlvcWEy6s3DzVZ62P2QwRmpJHQ?docId=23e4c0f4117c4d1297b006c87d83d787&size=l

[Jonboy1983]

I'm also at a loss for words...

I had some earlier, but they involved something rather unspeakable toward Durst... So I deleted it...

[Yankee fan for life]

The only saving grace for is a lest in my opinion 1 wtc design is still a beautiful building to me but, my god that f***king antenna ! :hell::hell::hell::hell::hell::hell:

[MrSlippery519]

My god that is ugly...I will wait to see the real thing but honestly the render looks bad. The ring is even worse than the antenna...they could have at least kept it the same.

[Zapatan]

This is interesting,

The CTBUH just changed it from 1374 back to 1776, I wouldn't get my hopes up but...

http://www.skyscrapercenter.com/new-york-city/one-world-trade-center/98/

[NYC GUY]

Someone please tell me they aren't building that ugly antenna instead of the spire. That Childs will make a new design that its just as good as the original spire.

[Tru Bert]

I dont get when shit like this happens, it just became Ny's tallest and it will only stay that way. Now it won't even be tallest in America. This pisses me off.

[Domamania]

Hi everyone, i have a question to ask. I was wondering for the past 2 years how much will Tower 1 WTC will weigh when completed?

[hunser]

http://ctbuh.org/News/GlobalTallNews/PR_120510_OneWorldTradeCenterHeight/tabid/3293/language/en-GB/Default.aspx

Questions on One World Trade Center Height


May 10, 2012

Changes to the design of the top of One World Trade Center have raised questions about the ultimate height of the tower, which is currently planned as the tallest building in North America.

As first reported by the New York Times, the Durst Organization has removed the cladding for the structure on top of the tower, which may change the calculation of the building’s ultimate height. Based on preliminary information, it is unclear whether the remaining structure will be included in the final measurement, which could cut several hundred feet off the building’s official architectural height.

The result was a wave of articles and calls to the CTBUH, which is widely regarded as the arbiter of height measurements and the lists of tallest buildings in the world. The Wall Street Journal, New York Post, New York Daily News and Associated Press covered the story.

In response the CTBUH has released an official statement:
We are aware that changes have been announced to the design of the structure on top of One World Trade Center, which may affect the final height measurement for the building. We understand that sculptural cladding has been removed, which will change the structure.

One World Trade Center, which is still under construction, is currently listed in the CTBUH’s Skyscraper Center at an anticipated height to “architectural top” of 1,776 feet. This includes the structure described in the materials previously provided by the architect as a spire. A spire is typically a permanent structure and part of the architecture and artistic expression of the building.

The CTBUH includes spires in its height measurement to “architectural top,” the primary category in ranking the tallest buildings in the world. But antennas, masts, water towers and other functional-technical structures – which often are not designed by the architect of the building and change according to prevalent technologies – are not included in the height measurement to the architectural top. However, they are included in measurements to the architectural “tip,” a secondary category tracked by the CTBUH. Definitions can be found on the CTBUH website at www.CTBUH.org.

At this point, since the building is far from completion, there is no final determination on the height of One World Trade Center. A final determination will be made by the CTBUH Technical Height Committee based on analysis of the drawings and other information submitted by the building owner, development and consultant team. Building designs often change during construction and final ratification of the height and formal recognition on the list of 100 Tallest Completed Building in the World occur after the building is officially completed and application details submitted.

Over 40 years the CTBUH has developed detailed criteria for measuring the height of buildings, which are internationally recognized in the industry. Any disputes are resolved by the CTBUH Height Committee - a panel of industry experts specifically set up for this purpose.

For more data on One World Trade Center and thousands of tall buildings around the world, including tallest rankings, visit The Skyscraper Center (www.skyscrapercenter.com)

[NYC GUY]

^^^
So from now until they complete it they could think of a new design or go with the original design?

[Roadcruiser1]

Hi everyone, i have a question to ask. I was wondering for the past 2 years how much will Tower 1 WTC will weigh when completed?

It's probably going to be around 200,000 tons, or 400,000,000 pounds.

[Dac150]

The CTBUH is dancing around the obvious with that statement - anything could change, however barring a change from where this currently stands I don't see how the antenna will be factored into the final height (short of CTBUH contradicting themselves as a result of pressure).

[marshall]

So is it basically set in stone that the stripped bare antenna is going to be what we will get now? Or is there any possibility of a middle-ground? Something that would be easier to maintain (for Durst's rationale) while staying true to SOM's design? Or is this basically what we are getting now. So no beacon either? Im just confused, is this all speculation or is this new (bad) design going to be what we will get? If so, why not just add a couple hundred feet making it 1500 or 1600 feet, just a smidge taller? There have been skyscrapers in the past that tweaked things at the last minute, so why not 1wtc? I just have a feeling that maybe the dye isn't totally cast yet as far as the final product??

[CarlosV]

:yes:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7234/7173232504_30b1cd8206_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceva321/7173232504/)
DSC_0414 copy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceva321/7173232504/) by Ceva321 (http://www.flickr.com/people/ceva321/), on Flickr



.

I love the skeleton of this building......

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7093/7173256806_23719f606e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceva321/7173256806/)
DSC_0415 copy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceva321/7173256806/) by Ceva321 (http://www.flickr.com/people/ceva321/), on Flickr

[Zapatan]

So is it basically set in stone that the stripped bare antenna is going to be what we will get now? Or is there any possibility of a middle-ground? Something that would be easier to maintain (for Durst's rationale) while staying true to SOM's design? Or is this basically what we are getting now. So no beacon either? Im just confused, is this all speculation or is this new (bad) design going to be what we will get? If so, why not just add a couple hundred feet making it 1500 or 1600 feet, just a smidge taller? There have been skyscrapers in the past that tweaked things at the last minute, so why not 1wtc? I just have a feeling that maybe the dye isn't totally cast yet as far as the final product??



due to the buildings tapering it would be virtually impossible for more roof height to be added without it looking freakishly awful.

I have a feeling this is set in stone, I don't know why there isn't an enfuriated uprise by the architects.

The CTBUH had the official (architectural height) listed as 1374 feet and changed it back to 1776, I don't know what that means but I guess we'll all find out soon enough.

[jd3189]

I'm sorry if this also pisses people off, but from the start, I should have been a supporter for rebuilding the Twin Towers taller and better than before. If the change of the spire is actually going to be done, then I can't be happy with this tower no matter how new or advanced it may be. I always had a problem with 1 WTC, from the absence of an outdoor observation deck to the fact that it will be only 104 or 86 floors tall when the buildings before it were 110 floors each and also included an outdoor deck. The WTC was already good the way it was before 9/11. They practically took an idea for a taller proposal in Lower Manhattan and reverted to some mere replacement for what was there before, and if anyone is wondering what that proposal was, it was the NYSE tower, that would have went to 1,776 or more to the roof and 2,000 ft via a spire. It was suppose to succeed the Twins and become not only the tallest in the city and country, but it would have returned the WTB title to the USA if 9/11 never happened. When this building was first proposed, it was supposed to be the tallest in the world as well, but years of delays and retarded disputes have made it be only the 3rd tallest in the country and in the global stage, just behind some Chinese supertall nobody really knows about. This would have been taller than the Sears by rooftop if they just stayed with the spire and made a skypod similar to what's in the CN tower, and to a lesser extent, the 102nd floor of the ESB, which are both counted toward roof height. This complex was suppose to be ground breaking, but now it's just some cheap-ass crap you see around Times Square. I believe the reason why New Yorkers and Americans in general don't care anymore is because most of them still want the Twins to be rebuilt. They were the landmarks of Lower Manhattan and of NYC at the time, and now a underachiever is taking their place. 1 WTC will never be the WTB, it will never be America's tallest, and it won't even be NYC's tallest for a good amount of time. 432 Park will succeed it, but it's not worthy of hold that title. I truly want the Metlife North Building to be built to be the tallest in the USA by a good chunk, but not many see this happening. The way I look at it, the only thing to be happy about in the new WTC right now is the memorial plaza, but even that has its faults since the waterfalls flowing down to two pairs of holes seem to repeating the same action that happened on 9/11. Unless the spire is being built as planned, I deem this whole project a piece of shit compared to the original WTC. Too many great aspects were put down for nothing when they could have easily reconfigure the building, like they disappointingly did just now. I have lost hope and for the moderators that might delete this point because of my many references to the old WTC, so be it.The least they could have done with the spire is made it similar to the old one in the North Tower. The one they're trying to make us accept does not blend in with the bloody design of the rest of the tower at all. It's some skinny syringe that has no place in New York's tallest. Dunst would be shot dead. Yeah, I'm serious. This is an eyesore every person in the Tri-state area on this part of the Eastern Seaboard will have to look at and face every damn day. Again, if this is official, I could honestly care less now. I'm all for Twin Towers, either in this city or another somewhere else. Wouldn't even care if someone crashes a plane into this tower, as it isn't worth shit anymore to me. It isn't worth shit to anyone. Sorry to curse, but I know for a fact everyone is equally pissed off at this travesty. There is hope, but that would require many to care, and whenever I go to an article or a video with comments online for 1 WTC, barely anyone sees the importance of this tower.:hell: But, it's all good. I won't be looking forward for anything for this nation. As Zapatan said, America is just gonna fail one day because of the greedy bastards in Wall Street, and they have finally won in messing up 1WTC for the rest of us.:(


Had to rant. Because it bothers me that things could have went better after the recent height gain, but instead went bad. Hopefully that re-design SOM is doing will include something other than the radome, but that's slim. At this point until something good comes up, I don't give a damn.:breakcomp:

[brooklynbandit]

I may be wrong but supposedly wasnt the spire already made and sitting in sections somewhere?

[Otie]

Yes, the whole mast is being stored at the ADF Group steel shop in Quebec.

[CClaudio21]

Yes, the whole mast is being stored at the ADF Group steel shop in Quebec.

So basically The Derp Organization is stupid and wasting money to "save" money. Why change it now if it's already fabricated?

[NYC GUY]

I may be wrong but supposedly wasnt the spire already made and sitting in sections somewhere?

Yes I posted some pictures of it back in march i think. Heres the link. http://www.adfgroup.com/projets/edifices/highrises.html

[Otie]

So basically The Derp Organization is stupid and wasting money to "save" money. Why change it now if it's already fabricated?

Because they're not redesigning anything, nor modificating the mast, just removing the protective shell or radome.

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]

^^^
Then doesn't that mean they could put the radome in later?

[marshall]

This is confusing as hell. One day its going to be 1776 feet, the next, 1368, the next 1374, and now back to 1776 according CBU?? What the hell is the final height going to be? Do these builders have Tourette's or something? So, roof will be 1374 now? So they are raising it from 1368?

[Kevin Scott Koepke]

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5116/7172479158_74d522ca48_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/77991338@N07/7172479158/)
lower manhattan, as seen from hoboken; 5/10/2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/77991338@N07/7172479158/) by The Astounding Lomonaut (http://www.flickr.com/people/77991338@N07/), on Flickr

[Otie]

^^^
Then doesn't that mean they could put the radome in later?

Now that's a more interesting question. While leaving the enclosure work pending is a great idea, it's late installation would require to shut down all the antennas already set up by a long period of time, a requirement companies wouldn't be glad to hear. In the broadcast industry maintenance personel have usually very few minutes to get their job done, now imagine the time needed to erect every single section of the radome.

[Eidolon]

Yes I posted some pictures of it back in march i think. Heres the link. http://www.adfgroup.com/projets/edifices/highrises.html

I really don't like the fact they chose to devalue the architecture of 1 WTC once again. Truly dissapointing.:shrug:

Oh well, if things don't work out and 1 WTC is ruined with that junky antennae I really hope the mast is used for another project (preferably in NYC) because it would look good on many of them, 15 Penn especially.

[ChiPhi]

I just don't understand how the architects and builders are just now realizing that it would be difficult to fix the spire... what have they been doing for the past years?

[marshall]

I just don't understand how the architects and builders are just now realizing that it would be difficult to fix the spire... what have they been doing for the past years?

Exactly my sentiments! This supposedly is the most expensive skyscraper ever built and has taken a whole decade to complete, when each Twin Tower took about 2 years?? And all of a sudden those idiots at Durst realize, "oops", the spire would be too hard to maintain? Hell no. That's bullshit. They don't give a damn about aesthetics, they just got scared that they'd have to spend too much money maintaining the spire...So where the hell was Durst in the past 8 years? Or when SOM submitted their detailed plans for the spire? It's snake in the grass tactics. The whole project has been mismanaged. Two World Trade Center is hideously ugly, like someone took a chainsaw and sheared off the top, and now 1wtc won't have the beautiful spire/beacon? They should have listened to Donald Trump and built the Twin Towers II. But since nothing in this country ever seems to get done anymore, I guess we should be glad we are getting something on the site..At least it will be a vague imitation of one of the old towers. Could be worse I guess....I just don't like these underhanded last-minute alterations...

[Totojuice]

I just don't understand how the architects and builders are just now realizing that it would be difficult to fix the spire... what have they been doing for the past years?

Because it's not. It's simply an excuse from the Durst organization in order to save a couple of dollars.

I wish there was a way to boycott the Durst organization or expose their business tactics. This is shameful.

[Yankee fan for life]

Does The Durst Organization really have and finale say does the port authority or SOM have any saying on the matter ?

[Dac150]

Does The Durst Organization really have and finale say

Supposedly so, according to every article I've read on this that mentions Durst.

[jd3189]

:previous: Hell no! Those bastards need to be kicked out of the project immediately. If they are too lazy to manage the spire, then they need to leave 1 WTC and settle for the Hudson Yards or any of the projects popping up in the West Side. This is just too pitiful to deal with.

[STR]

Already saw this rendering, but it is bigger and is in more detail so I am going to post it again. Can't zoom in any closer.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/media/ALeqM5gaFlvcWEy6s3DzVZ62P2QwRmpJHQ?docId=23e4c0f4117c4d1297b006c87d83d787&size=l

Design change looks like shit. Nice render though.

I just got a new PC, but I'm not even going to bother installing 3DS Max just to recreate this atrocious outcome.

[marshall]

The stripped antenna looks so awful I just can't put it into words. It looks like some awful ugly piece of Soviet architecture from the old Soviet Union, and we all know how great the Russians are at architecture right? Haha not!! Looks like some piece of barbed wire strands up there in that rendering.

[Dac150]

I have to say that it doesn't look terrible from that render, though it's a far cry from what should be. Once the ring fills out with equipment it will look more visually tolerable.

[NewYorkDominates]

Design change looks like shit. Nice render though.

I just got a new PC, but I'm not even going to bother installing 3DS Max just to recreate this atrocious outcome.

It's sad just how much has changed,just in the time you've been gone.

[Zapatan]

I have to say that it doesn't look terrible from that render, though it's a far cry from what should be. Once the ring fills out with equipment it will look more visually tolerable.

it looks pretty terrible, no better than Conde Nast's horrible antenna.

[Alliance]

The base is now square? That's unfortunate, especially because the chamfered corners are actually part of the structure..

[Dac150]

it looks pretty terrible

Well yes, it certainly is. However, at this point it's better to make an attempt at embracing the new reality rather than lamenting over something that cannot be changed other than by the powers that be.

I think there's a glimmer of hope, though I'd say be prepared to embrace what's being shown as what will be.

[Yankee fan for life]

I still refused to believe that durst who only has a 100 million out of 3.7 billion dollars invested on 1 wtc has the last and finale say on the matter.

[Dac150]

The base is now square? That's unfortunate

To me, that along with the elimination of the restaurant and the reconfiguration of the plaza are more disappointing than the exposed antenna.

Is what it is . . .

[marshall]

This tower tapers, and because of this, it needs a substantial spire at the top to give it architectural balance, and just make it look better. The skinny antenna on the old Twin Tower worked because those towers were boxy all the way up, and a fat spire wouldn't have looked right..1WTC is slimmer, and so a skinny antenna just looks stupid. It needs the thicker spire to streamline it and complete it visually. But I guess Durst is either blind or retarded.

[Ehrgeiz91]

I'm sure I'm being stupid here thinking that the voice of the people can make a difference, and I'm sure I'll get some flak for this, but after being away from SSP for a while I came back to this development and was horrified. So much so, that I took it upon myself to contact The Durst Organization. I encourage each and every one of you to do the same. Yes, I know the decision has already been arrived at, and yes, I know big greedy corporations don't care about a lowly citizen like myself, but at least they can build this new hideous antenna with the knowledge that those with an ounce of taste think it's a terrible shadow of what could have been.

This is what I wrote to them. Hopefully it makes it past whoever checks their emails.

"To Mr. Douglas Durst and Co.,

I have followed with enthusiasm the design, construction, and at long last the near-completion of the new One World Trade Center. I am an avid reader and participant in various architecture and cultural websites and forums, and design in general is both a professional study and a hobby of mine.

I speak strongly for both myself and an overwhelming majority of those who have followed with extraordinary patience the slow construction of this new One World Trade Center tower when I say that the recent decision made by your organization, and for unknown reasons agreed with by the Port Authority, constitutes a delusion of the architectural beauty and iconic status of this new tower.

The renders of the replacement antenna, lacking any architectural elements or appointments that could ever lend it the name "spire", is, to be frank, a ghastly relic that would look more appropriate on a decommissioned Soviet-era monstrosity rather than a symbol of America's revival following the attacks of September 11, 2001.

Let me reiterate; I know from both having seen countless agreements, as well as the general attitude of America, that if you remove this spire, you will have turned what could have been America's great new architectural achievement of the 21st century into just another office building. Please, please reconsider the removal of the spire not only for the integrity and reputation of your own organization, but for the city of New York and the people of America."

[jd3189]

I'm sure I'm being stupid here thinking that the voice of the people can make a difference, and I'm sure I'll get some flak for this, but after being away from SSP for a while I came back to this development and was horrified. So much so, that I took it upon myself to contact The Durst Organization. I encourage each and every one of you to do the same. Yes, I know the decision has already been arrived at, and yes, I know big greedy corporations don't care about a lowly citizen like myself, but at least they can build this new hideous antenna with the knowledge that those with an ounce of taste think it's a terrible shadow of what could have been.

This is what I wrote to them. Hopefully it makes it past whoever checks their emails.

"To Mr. Douglas Durst and Co.,

I have followed with enthusiasm the design, construction, and at long last the near-completion of the new One World Trade Center. I am an avid reader and participant in various architecture and cultural websites and forums, and design in general is both a professional study and a hobby of mine.

I speak strongly for both myself and an overwhelming majority of those who have followed with extraordinary patience the slow construction of this new One World Trade Center tower when I say that the recent decision made by your organization, and for unknown reasons agreed with by the Port Authority, constitutes a delusion of the architectural beauty and iconic status of this new tower.

The renders of the replacement antenna, lacking any architectural elements or appointments that could ever lend it the name "spire", is, to be frank, a ghastly relic that would look more appropriate on a decommissioned Soviet-era monstrosity rather than a symbol of America's revival following the attacks of September 11, 2001.

Let me reiterate; I know from both having seen countless agreements, as well as the general attitude of America, that if you remove this spire, you will have turned what could have been America's great new architectural achievement of the 21st century into just another office building. Please, please reconsider the removal of the spire not only for the integrity and reputation of your own organization, but for the city of New York and the people of America."

Great letter. Hopefully they will get the memo.

[Urbana]

The new spire/antenna reminds me of Ostankino Tower in Moscow, a true atrocity.


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/16/224th_Flight_Unit_Antonov_An-124_over_Moscow_6_May_2010.jpg/800px-224th_Flight_Unit_Antonov_An-124_over_Moscow_6_May_2010.jpg


Image Credit: Leonid Faerberg

[rjb001]

:previous:

That's actually the first image I thought of after seeing the new antenna render.:slob:

[marshall]

Yuck, and that's corporate cronyism for you! To hell with design..If they go forward with this hideous antenna, they might has well just build one of those ugly ass Stalinist Towers from from the 1950s from Russia. In what universe do they think a rust-colored, naked antenna works with a gleaming, glass-colored skyscraper? If this monstrosity is the only game in town now as far as antenna, then leave it off! The tower would look better without any antenna than with this. :hell:

[CoolCzech]

Actually the whole building, regardless of what sort of toothpick they stick on top of it, is an exemplar of the unchecked greed of Wall Street that drove the country to ruin in 2008. Soulless and charmless, without a leavening speck of creativity or humanity, it will be speak, sadly, to our era, even as the Empire State building, the Chrysler Building and the Woolworth building spoke (boisterously and joyously and optimistically) to their eras, eras when America's best days lay ahead and not in the rear-view mirror.

While I'm not crazy about the new look, I must ask: you DO know that those earlier buildings were built in the era of supposedly rampant capitalism, while the FT is the result of Big Government, a/k/a the NY/NJ Port Authority, right?

As for the new look: maybe it could be salvaged with the use of more prominent cables, like JMGarcia once suggested? To give it a more sculptural look?

[jd3189]

The new spire/antenna reminds me of Ostankino Tower in Moscow, a true atrocity.


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/16/224th_Flight_Unit_Antonov_An-124_over_Moscow_6_May_2010.jpg/800px-224th_Flight_Unit_Antonov_An-124_over_Moscow_6_May_2010.jpg


Image Credit: Leonid Faerberg

And to think that was the bastard that beat the ESB for world's tallest structure. So we're going to copy off Soviet Russia's bootleg architectural style for the spire? Saddening.

[NYC GUY]

So is there any hope that they could keep the original design or design a new casing for it since they don't actually start the spire till july? I really can't imagine they are just going to leave it like that even though Durst said theres no way to do anything.

[JayPro]

While I'm not crazy about the new look, I must ask: you DO know that those earlier buildings were built in the era of supposedly rampant capitalism, while the FT is the result of Big Government, a/k/a the NY/NJ Port Authority, right?

As for the new look: maybe it could be salvaged with the use of more prominent cables, like JGarcia once suggested? To give it a more sculptural look?

The first sentence here is a *most* interesting observation that to my surprise has escaped the notice of a lot of contributors to this thread. As to your second thought, Durst will prolly shrug that off as an extravagance/"bitch to maintain" excuse as well.

[NYC GUY]

Maybe we are just overreacting, and we just have to wait and see.

[Zapatan]

from CBS news...


Chief Architect David Childs told the New York Times he was disappointed in the co-developers' decision to remove the radome.


"Eliminating this integral part of the building's design and leaving an exposed antenna and equipment is unfortunate. We stand ready to work with the port on an alternate design that will still mark the 1 World Trade Center's place in New York City's skyline," Childs said.

What ashame, Childs hardly seems pissed off, but hopefully he can work to make it better. :hell:

[ChiPhi]

^^^
What were you expecting him to do, come after Durst with a knife? As far as public figures go, that is pretty angry. Of course, an architect, especially if he wishes to earn more commisions, must face the economic realities that developers face.

I don't believe this has been posted yet. CTBUH has basically put out a statement (http://www.ctbuh.org/News/GlobalTallNews/PR_120510_OneWorldTradeCenterHeight/tabid/3293/language/en-GB/Default.aspx) with regards to official height: "F**k if we know!"

At this point, since the building is far from completion, there is no final determination on the height of One World Trade Center. A final determination will be made by the CTBUH Technical Height Committee based on analysis of the drawings and other information submitted by the building owner, development and consultant team. Building designs often change during construction and final ratification of the height and formal recognition on the list of 100 Tallest Completed Building in the World occur after the building is officially completed and application details submitted.

[Dense_Electric]

:previous:

That's actually the first image I thought of after seeing the new antenna render.:slob:

Heh, you know that's funny, I did too. :rolleyes:

I think I speak for all of us when I say, "fuck Durst." That name will be a dirty word with me from now on.

[Zapatan]

^^^
What were you expecting him to do, come after Durst with a knife? As far as public figures go, that is pretty angry. Of course, an architect, especially if he wishes to earn more commisions, must face the economic realities that developers face.


No, but he should be livid and outraged rather than so mildly dissapointed, but it's hard to tell how he really feels just from media coverage maybe he is.

[marshall]

Pardon my french, but if David Childs has any balls he will go to bat for his design and not merely lament the Durst redesign half-assed. Childs is the one who has been front and center promoting the design, and the symbolic height, so the way I see it, Durst has thrown Childs and SOM under the bus. I hope Childs stands up to this stupid redesign, we shall see if he has any backbone.

[JayPro]

It's not any kind of petulant breath-holding contest between starchitect and engineer that the people miffed at this "redesign" (translated: denudation) really want to hear about. They want to see if the public officials who initially gave their blessing to see the original plans go forward have the 'nads to call Dusrt and the PA on the carpet for manipulating a design process that all parties involved swore up and down was absolutely finalized months if not weeks ago.
Succinctly, the reason(s) why Durst and the PA chose this precise juncture in Tower 1's construction to make their spurious announcement needs to be examined rather closely. I call shenanigans.

[NYYskyline]

are they going to still have the antenna have the NY across the sky at night or would a spire do that?

[NYguy]

The primary argument used for not building a 2000 ft tower (as David Childs wanted to do in his redesign), was that Libeskind insisted on the importance of reaching a "symbolic" height of 1776. 1776 was shoved down our throats for years

The spire of 1,776 ft was the most important aspect of the site plan. It was the only design element, other than the descending spiral of heights, that was mandated.



This has to be THE single most important element of the entire complex. When you cut corners to save costs normally it's not on the focal point of a building. Wow.
I propose an SSP forumer riot!

That would be funny, a massive "occupy the WTC" rally at the construction site..;)



I wish I didn't prefer downtown over midtown, otherwise I'd just write the entire redevelopment off at this point.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v423/meh_cd/tumblr_m2ud7zjKsl1ro509g.gif

LOL, I was thinking I've had enough, but I at least want to stay and see the end credits.




Not entirely true - he's bringing Conde Nast Downtown, which is significant.

Are you referring to the company or the antenna....:sly:



I never got why the original goal was only to build as tall as the original twins, 1368...seems a bit odd, why wouldn't they shoot for the stars as it were, and build the tallest in the country by roof height?

They could have done any number of scenarios, but a site plan was chosen. The site plan specifically called for a tower with a spire (an asymetrical spire) that reached 1,776 ft. (The broadcasters at that point were planning their own 2,000 ft broadcasting tower, and only got on board after the site plan was chosen). The spire itself was to be representative of the Statue of Liberty's upraised torch. David Childs interpreted it in his own way, but after a lengthy battle, it was ruled that Childs in fact had to alter his tower in a way that gave us Libeskind's spire at 1,776 ft. After that however, it was revealed that the NYPD had long been concerned by the tower's location so close to West Street (something else determinded by the site plan). As a result, the tower had to be pushed back from the street, given a smaller footprint and more secure base. Until then, the occupied portion of the tower was to be no higher than 1,150 ft. The redesign and repositioning of the tower just so happened to push the height of the tower close enough to the originals that David Childs decided to mark the heights of the originals with the new. Of course, the spire was still there as part of the site plan.


original plan on West Street (Fulton view)
http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/124380672/large.jpghttp://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/124380670/medium.jpg



Does The Durst Organization really have and finale say does the port authority or SOM have any saying on the matter ?

The Port Authority has final say, and they agreed to this months ago.


No, but he should be livid and outraged rather than so mildly dissapointed, but it's hard to tell how he really feels just from media coverage maybe he is.

David Childs is probably weary of all the battles he's had with this tower. This tower has been constantly redesigned, from tip to toe. Some of it has been his own doing, but he can't be too happy about someone disregarding parts of his design. Consider that if the spire weren't part of the site plan, it could have resulted in a different design.



__________________________________________________________________________


More reports have picked up in the change...

http://mycrains.crainsnewyork.com/blogs/polls/2012/05/is-20m-too-high-a-price-to-pay-for-america%E2%80%99s-tallest-tower/
Is $20M too high a price to pay for America’s tallest tower?

May 10, 2012
by Crain's New York Business


As owners of 1 World Trade Center, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the Durst Organization have decided against wrapping the 408-foot antenna that will top their 104-story building with a decorative white sheath. They say the wrapping would cost $20 million and be too hard to maintain. Without that covering, it looks like 1 WTC will not measure up as America’s tallest tower, since the spindly exposed antenna will not be counted as part of the building’s height. The structure’s architect also says that without that shining white cover, 1 WTC will also be uglier.



http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-talk-willis-tallest-building-0511-20120511,0,873654.story
1 big difference
Willis Tower may retain distinction as tallest in U.S.

Blair Kamin
May 11, 2012

For years, architecture buffs have assumed that Willis Tower's days as America's tallest building were numbered. The One World Trade Center tower in New York was going to top it with the help of a spire that would rise to a symbolic height of 1,776 feet, evoking the year of the Declaration of Independence. That would eclipse the Willis, which rises to 1,451 feet.

It turns out that 1 WTC's spire is actually a broadcast antenna that was supposed to be sheathed in a decorative cladding. This aesthetic feature would have made the antenna an integral part of the building's design — and thus, technically, a spire. Spires count in height measurements. Antennas don't.



http://therealdeal.com/blog/2012/05/10/1-wtcs-tallest-building-status-is-in-jeopardy/
1 WTC’s tallest building status is in jeopardy

May 10, 2012

In January, the Durst Organization confirmed it was removing the fiberglass and steel casing (known as the radome) around the mast, that would have brought the 400-foot pole to 23 feet in diameter. Without the cladding the diameter of the spire would be just six feet, rendering it unlikely to be counted as part of the building’s height by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.

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


http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/141731959/original.jpg



http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/images/newsgraphics/2012/0510-met-wtc/0510-met-WTCweb.png
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/05/09/nyregion/one-world-trade-center-mast.html

[Zapatan]

good to see a big fuss is being made over all this at least

[1wtcspiresavor]

Hey guys I have been following this forum for years, I know who most of you are and recent situations finally caused to create an account.
Now that being said I think just sitting here whining on forums wont change a thing .. we have ONLY three options!

1. Just live with it and do nothing (aka stop complaining)
2. Everyone get together and fight this; arrange protests, get SOMs attention, get the medias attention, get tourists at the sites attention! We have numbers here, power is always in numbers; it is just a question of can we organize the numbers we have?
3. Start a fund raiser to raise 10 million dollars. (Though this is an option it is the hardest and least likely of the two with less than a 5% chance of success) However I have been thinking about the numbers and this could be pretty kool if you think about it
NYC has 8 million people; so theoretically if everyone gave a $1.25 we would be good! However the chances of 1 person running into everyone in NYC and getting money from everyone and it being at least a buck 25 is near impossible. However if we have 100 people collecting money the 8 million people they would have to meet goes down to 80,000. Now if you cut that by 50% you now have 200 members trying to meet 40,000 people and get a $1.25. Very hard yes, unlikely ... no not at all! Large universities, stadiums, concerts, and just on the streets of New York would be a very good place! For one person to meet 40,000 people it would take 11 hours if they were to meet someone every second! As youc an see this idea is plausible but very unlikely because obviously people cant spend 8 hours doing this for a week or so since we all have jobs and other obligations.

These are your options everyone, two are not very good; but options are options!

[gramsjdg]

due to the buildings tapering it would be virtually impossible for more roof height to be added without it looking freakishly awful.

I have a feeling this is set in stone, I don't know why there isn't an enfuriated uprise by the architects.

The CTBUH had the official (architectural height) listed as 1374 feet and changed it back to 1776, I don't know what that means but I guess we'll all find out soon enough.



Well, there IS another option to make this building structurally taller without compromising the current design: Put a glass and steel (same as curtain wall facade) pyramid roof on it similar to the Washington monument's "cap" It could be an observation area (like the Pingyang tower) and there would be no antennas. The HVAC equipment could vent out the sides. That would bring the actual roof height to between 1500 and 1550 ft. Maybe Otie or STR could render it?:tup:

It would make it look more like an obelisk or monument- but isn't that what its supposed to be ?

[599GTO]

Any e-mail addresses for Durst? Need to contact.

I'll try hard to send a concerned yet polite message. He'd probably forward my e-mail to the FBI if I really told him what I really think of him.

[eseninobrandon]

why the fuck are they complaining about 20 million dollars that can be saved!? This tower costs 4.8 billion if were gonna pay for it ur gonna make it like we want it!!!:hell:

[SPIREINTHEHOLE!]

Any e-mail addresses for Durst? Need to contact.

I'll try hard to send a concerned yet polite message. He'd probably forward my e-mail to the FBI if I really told him what I really think of him.

http://www.durst.org/contact/

Interesting article I found. Apparently this Durst empire has a history of hindering the world trade center buildings; old and new.

http://www.rew-online.com/2011/09/09/durst-and-the-towers/

In the 1960s, when the Port Authority was poised to begin development of the original twin towers, patriarch Seymour Durst, along with Lawrence Wien and Harry Helmsley, began buying newspaper ads criticizing the project. They formed the Committee for a Reasonable World Trade Center, which argued that the “mountain” was impractical and would present a hazard for airplanes. They said the height should be lowered to 900 feet. (The North Tower’s radio antennae would eventually reach 1,727 feet.)

Some 40 years later, Seymour’s son, Douglas Durst, and Anthony Malkin, Wien’s grandson and owner of the Empire State Building, took out their own ads, creating the Continuing Committee for a Reasonable World Trade Center. They criticized what was then called the Freedom Tower, arguing that the time wasn’t right for another massive glut of subsidized office space.

[Dense_Electric]

The Facebook thing is still open, and I've re-opened the petition until the end of the year.

Get on Facebook now and invite EVERYONE on your friends list. Post this thing to news stories related to the spire. Do everything you can!

Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/events/217789658337718/)


Petition (http://www.change.org/petitions/save-our-spire)

[Duck From NY]

Let me try and list the changes made to the building so far.

1. NYPD demands 20 story concrete base.
2. Restaurant is scrapped. "Won't be profitable!" They say. Even go so far as to remove the service elevator so that if they ever do want to put a restaurant in, it will be all the more difficult.
3. Conde Nast says they will need some kind of relatively large vent somewhere on the lower floors for their test kitchens. We still don't know what that will look like.
4. The prismatic base cladding shatters into a million pieces if you look at it wrong, it is decided that strapping sheet metal and glass fins to the side will solve the problem.
5. They scrap the chamfered corners that they spent who knows how long engineering and building.
6. The West Street plaza is redesigned from a nice little meeting area into another cordoned off area. Move along!
7. Spire enclosure is scrapped and we are left with a skeletal antenna that will look exactly like the one at 4 Times Square.

Did I miss anything?

I might just be done caring about this whole site. Why waste time imagining what it's going to look like if every change since the redesign has been a disappointment.

Don't be surprised if they end up cheaping out on the lobby, and even on towers #2&3.

[NYC2ATX]

I have to say that it doesn't look terrible from that render, though it's a far cry from what should be. Once the ring fills out with equipment it will look more visually tolerable.

I know what I said before about the antenna being a reminder of the old twins, but I agree here. It's not awful. I happen to love 4 Times Square's antenna, and I feel as though I could never picture the Empire State Building without its broadcast equipment up top. But when you get right down to it, 1 WTC's symbolic height is in jeopardy, and I'm disappointed that $20 million is too expensive for one of the city's largest developers that they can just throw that away.

Hell, people have already dropped more dough for a coveted unit at One57. :rolleyes:

[hunser]

I might just be done caring about this whole site. Why waste time imagining what it's going to look like if every change since the redesign has been a disappointment.

Don't be surprised if they end up cheaping out on the lobby, and even on towers #2&3.

Yeah, if they cheap out on 2WTC I'm done too... 'cause this is the only remaining tower which is really unique and beautiful.

[MadGnome]

The new antenna tower in the conception drawing doesn't look bad. But, that's not what it's going to look like. Part of the reason for the shell was to hide all the ugly ass antennas. Take a close look at the ESBs tower. That's what prime antenna real estate winds up looking like. And this spire will be as prime as you get.

[Roadcruiser1]

Well, there IS another option to make this building structurally taller without compromising the current design: Put a glass and steel (same as curtain wall facade) pyramid roof on it similar to the Washington monument's "cap" It could be an observation area (like the Pingyang tower) and there would be no antennas. The HVAC equipment could vent out the sides. That would bring the actual roof height to between 1500 and 1550 ft. Maybe Otie or STR could render it?:tup:

It would make it look more like an obelisk or monument- but isn't that what its supposed to be ?

Again no.

[HomrQT]

Yeah, if they cheap out on 2WTC I'm done too... 'cause this is the only remaining tower which is really unique and beautiful.

Of all the places to not go cheaper, this is the place.

[NYonward]

Durst is true to form in past and now. He was against 1WTC from the beginning because it was competition and would cost him money. Now that he has a stake, he's against anything ornamental because it will cost him money. All the more reason not to have someone like him make this decision....it's a $3B tower, what's $20M more?

I'm tired of people resorting to insulting people's opinions. It's not backwards thinking it's a difference of opinion. There are plenty of people (probably a majority on this board, and in the public) who were very disappointed with this design. If it were a typical skyscraper it wouldn't be a big deal. (although a bland 1,373 foot tower is not a giant achievement in the current age of skyscraper building). This is not a typical skyscraper. You can choose to ignore the symbolism of this building but a lot of people don't. Your opinion isn't any better than theirs.

It's backwards in that you are hoping for something to change that already happened. Different minds prevailed with the tower's design so just get over it. The original comment I replied to had a rant about Wall Street, which is just misguided. Fight that battle where it makes sense.

That is very well said... :) Despite it all, the tower itself will be great and an achievement to have watched risen!

I like its design and it will be iconic in my opinion.

[Towersteve]

It's backwards in that you are hoping for something to change that already happened. Different minds prevailed with the tower's design so just get over it. The original comment I replied to had a rant about Wall Street, which is just misguided. Fight that battle where it makes sense.

Lots of buildings have "already happened." We're allowed to have opinions on them too. And this completed redesign hasn't already happened. I think as taxpayers who have funded a lot of this complex we have every right to be outraged. Yes, I'm happy a large tower is being built. But as far as this redesign and the failure of the rest of the complex to get off the ground in a reasonable time frame without continuing reductions sends a terrible message.