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

[TechTalkGuy]

RBudhu (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanbudhu/7351306624/sizes/l/in/photostream/)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7214/7351306624_703b585d1e_b.jpg
Look at that !! :awesome:

[CHAPINM1]

Judging from Carlos's last picture, looks like the glass progress is now at over 1,000 feet!

[NYC GUY]

@NYguy those two pics with 1WTC and BoA are amazing!! :D

[Noll]

Look at that !! :awesome:

Yeah, isn't it just BEAUTIFUL???!!!

[CarlosV]

more columns erected! :) Cranes jumped!! and glass is up one more floor!! :)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7242/7167059003_0491083356_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceva321/7167059003/)
DSC_0037 copy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceva321/7167059003/) by Ceva321 (http://www.flickr.com/people/ceva321/), on Flickr

.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8025/7352475902_cc0783474d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceva321/7352475902/)
DSC_0031 copy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceva321/7352475902/) by Ceva321 (http://www.flickr.com/people/ceva321/), on Flickr

[NYC GUY]

^^^
:d :d

[NewYorker2009]

Judging from those new core columns erected it looks like the Tower is on the 104th floor not the 105th floor because those perimeter columns never looked liked they were over 40'. Doesn't make a difference really since we are so close to topping off the New King of New York.

[StrongIsland]

Judging from those new core columns erected it looks like the Tower is on the 104th floor not the 105th floor because those perimeter columns never looked liked they were over 40'. Doesn't make a difference really since we are so close to topping off the New King of New York.

No. The new columns erected today are for the core for floors 104-105 and the top of them where those pieces attached to it are is for parapet...we will be topping out within the next 7-10 days.

[NewYorker2009]

No. The new columns erected today are for the core for floors 104-105 and the top of them where those pieces attached to it are is for parapet...we will be topping out within the next 7-10 days.

Where did you get your information?

[StrongIsland]

Where did you get your information?

It's been said on the forum already for starters and I also know someone who works at the site...They are working on floor 104 and 105(the roof)... plans are to begin parapet before the president shows up next weekend...the core colums erected today in fact reach to the parapet level. We are almost there trust me:)

[Roadcruiser1]

If it is true then there is a chance that both One and Four World Trade Center will reach their full height when Obama visits.

[StrongIsland]

If it is true then there is a chance that both One and Four World Trade Center will reach their full height when Obama visits.

There is a a huge chance, 4WTC has one or two columns already at the top of the parapet level, and they are finishing up 72M as we speak.

[NewYorker2009]

It's been said on the forum already for starters and I also know someone who works at the site...They are working on floor 104 and 105(the roof)... plans are to begin parapet before the president shows up next weekend...the core colums erected today in fact reach to the parapet level. We are almost there trust me:)

Oh ok great thanks for the info. It's sometimes hard to tell from the pics so that's why I wanted confirmation from someone who worked there or had inside information. It's nice to know we are almost there, finally. :cheers:

[marshall]

So, just to clarify, Obama will be visiting the site on June 14th? And the topping out of the steel will occur then, or the parapet? I don't see how they could get the parapet up in that short amount of time....Also, in 1970, when the North Tower of the old Trade Center was topped out, did Nixon attend that ceremony? He would have been president when the Twins were finished...Just wondering.

[QUEENSNYMAN]

From this morning.

From: NYBOY75

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRg_kwwqZhY&feature=youtu.be

[Roadcruiser1]

So, just to clarify, Obama will be visiting the site on June 14th? And the topping out of the steel will occur then, or the parapet? I don't see how they could get the parapet up in that short amount of time....Also, in 1970, when the North Tower of the old Trade Center was topped out, did Nixon attend that ceremony? He would have been president when the Twins were finished...Just wondering.

1) Yes

2) Parapet. Yes they can. They got the orders and it came in time.

3) No Nixon never visited the World Trade Center. In fact when the original World Trade Center was finished it was more of a burden that a boom and people that were supposed to show up never even did. This clip will answer your question on who showed up when the original World Trade Center was finished. jqDDRsY0rXQ

[CarlosV]

^^^
true not even the builder of the original WTC showed up due to the rain that day! :(

[eseninobrandon]

guys just wondering at what time is Osama coming to NY? they never really told us that

[StrongIsland]

guys just wondering at what time is Osama coming to NY? they never really told us that

Nobody knows yet but I'll be at the memorial that day so maybe I will get a glimpse of him!

[meh_cd]

guys just wondering at what time is Osama coming to NY? they never really told us that

Sorry to quote the obvious typo, but heh. :notacrook:

[599GTO]

This is really going to top out the day the President comes to town? Was it planned that way or did they speed up the construction to sync the topping out with the visit? Or is it just a coincidence?

Either way...Great news!

[steveve]

1WTC vs. Trump Soho, Awesome cladding vs. awful cladding.

i don't mind Trump Soho's cladding, i like the tinfoil look it has, stands out. :)

[eseninobrandon]

Nobody knows yet but I'll be at the memorial that day so maybe I will get a glimpse of him!

thanks! and lol whoah apologize for my typo

[599GTO]

i don't mind Trump Soho's cladding, i like the tinfoil look it has, stands out. :)

Trump Soho has nice cladding IMO. I love how it glows.

[marshall]

I know 1WTC and 2WTC won't be even close to alike, either in design or height, but it would be rather cool for a tightrope highwire artist like Nick Wallenda (of the Flying Wallendas) who is already planning on walking across Niagra Falls on tightrope, to try and walk between the two towers, someday in the future.

[bunky]

Photo of the big chunk of steel being raised today. Check out how small the truck looks vs the base for a sense of scale, this thing is enormous.


http://benjaminrosamond.com/r1339199387/cc/8/0/3/12803/w/1400x720-RJAB82fJ6UUobqEM.jpg

[599GTO]

OMG when will that base be clad???

[WTCman7301]

OMG when will that base be clad???

I heard this Fall.

[IntoTheLens827]

One World Trade Center At 104 Floors (June 8, 2012).
Please Subscribe To My Youtube Channel "IntoTheLens827", Rate, & Comment. Thanks For Watching My Video! More Videos To Come!

Please Click Here To See My Channel, To Subscribe, & View My Videos: :cheers: http://www.youtube.com/user/IntoTheLens827?feature=mhee :cheers:

Here Is My Video Link: (Please click here if the player here on Skyscraper Page doesn't work) :cheers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcHCxCKCF8A :cheers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcHCxCKCF8A

[eseninobrandon]

its official one world trade is topping out on the 14th! im getting so cray cray! all hail king of new york:worship:

[Roadcruiser1]

its official one world trade is topping out on the 14th! im getting so cray cray! all hail king of new york:worship:

Not topping out. The last steel isn't being raised the parapet is being raised. So it isn't topping out. It just reaches it's full structural height.

[Tru Bert]

Not topping out. The last steel isn't being raised the parapet is being raised. So it isn't topping out. It just reaches it's full structural height.

Ever since I saw the renderings years ago the parapet seemed more like a hat. So at least the main structure will top out next week! Then we will see the parapet be finished during the summer and the Spire/Antenna get built for the rest of the year.:tup:

[NYCLuver]

June 8th, 2012

(From the Far Rockaways, maybe about 15 miles away?)

http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af100/DKNY620/IMG_1899.jpg
http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af100/DKNY620/IMG_1900-1.jpg
http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af100/DKNY620/IMG_1901.jpg

[JayCortese]

Awesome, I can't wait!

:upload_71700::fireworks:dancingbacon:dancingtaco:awesome::banana::whip::tomato::multibow:cucumber::pepper::dancingeggplant:banaride::lockd::apple::fruit::leek::dancing::upload_71700:

[TechTalkGuy]

http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af100/DKNY620/IMG_1901.jpgImagine if we had skyscrapers --between-- Downtown and Midtown !!

[Roadcruiser1]

Ever since I saw the renderings years ago the parapet seemed more like a hat. So at least the main structure will top out next week! Then we will see the parapet be finished during the summer and the Spire/Antenna get built for the rest of the year.:tup:

Not really. The last beam to complete the parapet is called topping out.

[2-TOWERS]

June 8th, 2012

(From the Far Rockaways, maybe about 15 miles away?)

http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af100/DKNY620/IMG_1899.jpg
http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af100/DKNY620/IMG_1900-1.jpg
http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af100/DKNY620/IMG_1901.jpg

Great Pics Nycluver.... thanks :tup:

[tiarae]

An official topping out ceremony is taking place on June 14th...that's what was told to the ironworkers on top. They will be erecting a topping out beam that day.

[Roadcruiser1]

An official topping out ceremony is taking place on June 14th...that's what was told to the ironworkers on top. They will be erecting a topping out beam that day.

Ah okay.

[NYguy]

alisax (http://www.flickr.com/photos/9164087@N04/7339917752/sizes/h/in/photostream/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8002/7339917752_200ea65cf2_h.jpg

[Otie]

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8159/7353421608_4622d11208_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62018165@N04/7353421608/)
1 WTC | Diagram Update | June 9th, 2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62018165@N04/7353421608/) by Otie O'Daniel (http://www.flickr.com/people/62018165@N04/), on Flickr | Larger version (http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/179/1wtc080612.png)

[Otie]

Fun fact: Sunday June 10th is the day 2,000 since the first steel column got in place.

[NewYorker2009]

Great diagram Otie as always! So wait a second. You have the diagram at the 104th floor but other people are saying it's at 105 so I'm kind of confused there. I always thought they were on 104 too and that the perimeter columns were for 103M and 104 and the core goes up to about 104M now.

[chris123678]

guys just wondering at what time is Osama coming to NY? they never really told us that

I hope this was a typo. Despite the near fact that s and b are not near each other

[StrongIsland]

Great diagram Otie as always! So wait a second. You have the diagram at the 104th floor but other people are saying it's at 105 so I'm kind of confused there. I always thought they were on 104 too and that the perimeter columns were for 103M and 104 and the core goes up to about 104M now.

We are at 105...the diagram is wrong, no offense to you Otie

[CoolCzech]

vin Schiano (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vinschiano/7165029061/sizes/h/in/photostream/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8005/7165029061_ef629b370a_h.jpg



RBudhu (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanbudhu/7351306624/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7214/7351306624_703b585d1e_b.jpg



http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7214/7351306624_0c83fef240_h.jpg


"City on the Edge of Forever."

Simply amazing.

[chris123678]

I don't see the LAST piece of steel going in by the 14th.
Definatlyy the first, but not the last.
But we'll see.

[Tru Bert]

We are at 105...the diagram is wrong, no offense to you Otie

Dude its not wrong, were at 104 to 104m. Your wrong.

[Otie]

We are at 105...the diagram is wrong, no offense to you Otie

Tower One is at 104th.

[QUEENSNYMAN]

FROM: NYBOY75

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkGsNOtQmNQ&feature=youtu.be

[chris123678]

Tower One is at 104th.

Isn't 105 the parapet?

[NewYorker2009]

Isn't 105 the parapet?

No, 105 is the roof (1,334' 8") and the parapet goes up 33' 4" above the 105th floor to bring the Tower up to 1,368'.

[StrongIsland]

Dude its not wrong, were at 104 to 104m. Your wrong.

lmfao.

[TechTalkGuy]

It's sad to see people argue over the number of floors the steel is rising.

I am pleased to see progress -- but these petty comparisons of how many inches the steel has risen is getting rather rusty.

You are calling out attention to yourselves for nothing. :koko:

[CHAPINM1]

The spire issue is what really cut the Achilles tendon of this project as far as I'm concerned...

Fish, I completely agree, the building will get done when it goes done so it is pointless to stew. Love your last number of recent contributions to this forum. It's been almost five years since I seen you regularly, great to have you back!!! :D

[sterlippo1]

No, 105 is the roof (1,334' 8") and the parapet goes up 33' 4" above the 105th floor to bring the Tower up to 1,368'.

nice, when it seems that it's stopped growing it really hasn't and we get what amounts to 2 more floors, or 33'+ so there is still some more height to be garnered:cheers:

[TechTalkGuy]

Fish, I completely agree, the building will get done when it goes done so it is pointless to stew. Love your last number of recent contributions to this forum. It's been almost five years since I seen you regularly, great to have you back!!! :DThe reason I gave up for several years was out of disgust -- I can only take so much!
I enjoy the good conversations, but sometimes it gets ridiculous when people argue over the number of inches a tower is rising. :old:

That's about as exciting as debating how many inches the grass grew before mowing the lawn. :sleep:

[marshall]

So what exactly counts as topping out? The first beam for the roof height which will be 1334 ft? Or the first beam for the parapet height of 1368 ft? It's a little confusing..Either way, doesn't seem possible that they will have the topping out by next week.

[Roadcruiser1]

So what exactly counts as topping out? The first beam for the roof height which will be 1334 ft? Or the first beam for the parapet height of 1368 ft? It's a little confusing..Either way, doesn't seem possible that they will have the topping out by next week.

When the final beam structural beam is put into place. That is topping off. Plus I wouldn't doubt Otie. He has the blueprints to the World Trade Center I believe.

[Gabedamien]

Photo of the big chunk of steel being raised today. Check out how small the truck looks vs the base for a sense of scale, this thing is enormous.


http://benjaminrosamond.com/r1339199387/cc/8/0/3/12803/w/1400x720-RJAB82fJ6UUobqEM.jpg

Wait a second, I’m confused. I thought I had read that the base’s originally chamfered corners had been scrapped in favor of (less interesting) 90° corners. But here it looks like the base does have chamfered corners, no? I see so few pictures of the base, and I haven’t been downtown in so long, that I didn’t even think about this until now... what’s the story?

[JSsocal]

^^The cladding won't reflect those corners, they'll extend straight down from the culmination point at the top of the base

[Dense_Electric]

The chamfered corners will still be present under the new cladding, but the cladding itself will form 90° corners. ;)

[chris123678]

Wait a second, I’m confused. I thought I had read that the base’s originally chamfered corners had been scrapped in favor of (less interesting) 90° corners. But here it looks like the base does have chamfered corners, no? I see so few pictures of the base, and I haven’t been downtown in so long, that I didn’t even think about this until now... what’s the story?

From what i was told, they are going to fill the chamfered corners with non structural steel.

[TechTalkGuy]

I am pleased to know that they are taking their careful time with the base -- as this is a very important visual element of the tower.

[Otie]

I am pleased to see progress -- but these petty comparisons of how many inches the steel has risen is getting rather rusty.


Forgive us, anyone connected to the engineering world knows how excited we get with numbers.

[TechTalkGuy]

:previous: Years ago, I used to provide weekly photo updates, but even at a weekly schedule, you really need to have a keen eye to spot the changes.

[Roadcruiser1]

Wait a second, I’m confused. I thought I had read that the base’s originally chamfered corners had been scrapped in favor of (less interesting) 90° corners. But here it looks like the base does have chamfered corners, no? I see so few pictures of the base, and I haven’t been downtown in so long, that I didn’t even think about this until now... what’s the story?

The base was built when the design still called for the chamfer. The base design was changed much later to a square so now the base is going to receive non structural steel which will bring it to a 90 degree angle. After that they are going to finish it up and fit the cladding completing the base.

[Roadcruiser1]

I did a basic drawing explaining what will happen. The dimensions are not to scale and are therefore prone to error, but this is what will basically happen.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7244/7358399442_df3421d5ff_b.jpg

[knarfor]

June 8th, 2012

(From the Far Rockaways, maybe about 15 miles away?)

http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af100/DKNY620/IMG_1901.jpg

I've always liked this view. When I see it, I imagine that 1 WTC and The Empire State Building are each the leader of a gang of skyscrapers, staring each other down.

[Gabedamien]

Wow, so that’s just... what the heck? What’s the rationale behind that? I had made the admittedly baseless assumption that the design change was primarily a financial one, i.e., that a squared-off base was somehow easier to construct (why this would be, I did not presume to guess). But we already have a chamfered base, sooooo....... someone out there thinks that the squared off base looks better? That person needs to have a water balloon thrown at them. :yuck:

I don’t mean to resurrect an old point of contention, but somehow I managed to miss the original discussion of these points. I was already hurting from the plaza changes (meh, I can deal), and the change from prismatic glass to the less interesting base cladding (again, no biggie), and the CARDINAL SIN of removing the radome enclosure for the spire (the WORST). I thought for a brief moment that at least I was getting something back, it was a miracle! But no. :haha:

Honestly though I could probably find a dozen features of this tower I would willingly downgrade if it meant we could have the spire back. Not for the height (ridiculous and immaterial circus, that), but for the sheer beauty of it. It would have looked so amazing... it was my favorite part of the entire structure.

[NYguy]

I'll be away for a couple of weeks, so I'll miss whatever ceromony they'll have...


http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/president-eyeful-thursday-wtc-visit-article-1.1092857

President to get an eyeful Thursday in WTC visit
Much progress has been made since his last trip September 12

http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1092850.1339318498!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_635/image.jpg


By Tina Moore
June 9, 2012


When President Obama comes to Ground Zero on Thursday, he will see an impressive work in progress under a dozen soaring cranes on a site dotted by scores of hardhats. He will see 1 World Trade Center — the Freedom Tower — has almost topped off at 104 floors as workers erect the huge glass panes that encase the structure. Across from that, 2 World Trade is at grade level and workers are beginning the 88-story climb to completion. Three World Trade is a seven-floor concrete block intended to provide extra security to the eventual 80-story building. If the commander in chief looks up, he’ll see an American flag and a POW flag flapping in the wind atop the hulking cement structure.

Next door, 4 World Trade has climbed to 70 floors and has only two floors to travel to reach its apex. Construction crews travel between floors in elevator cages. If Obama goes inside, he’ll see that a marble backsplash has already been added to a lobby wall. Light floods the space that is topped with a 45-foot ceiling. He will be able to look down into a giant football-shaped, two-story hole in the earth that will become a transit hub where subways will connect to trains.



http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1092914!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_635/image.jpg



http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1092919!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_635/image.jpg



patrickhuss (http://www.flickr.com/photos/patrickhuss/7169797521/sizes/l/in/photostream/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8150/7169797521_b48277ba7d_b.jpg



http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8151/7355009444_575095b834_b.jpg

[hunser]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7226/7161457723_9e522a3d72_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nobbiusa/7161457723/)
Red Skies over Midtown Manhattan (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nobbiusa/7161457723/) von Tobias Neubert Photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/nobbiusa/) auf Flickr

[The Imster]

What really is a shame is that the new WTC1 is not going to be taller than the Willis Tower to the roof - i would love to see the it topped out at 1500ft - it would look even more spectacular in the New York Skyline then put a 276ft mast on top - they should do this

[Nomadd22]

What really is a shame is that the new WTC1 is not going to be taller than the Willis Tower to the roof - i would love to see the it topped out at 1500ft - it would look even more spectacular in the New York Skyline then put a 276ft mast on top - they should do this

They probably deleted the chamfered corners because they found out they could save $12.50 by not requiring special angles on the glass. Not much chance they'd spend more on height when it's not practical to have more office floors anyhow.

[TechTalkGuy]

:previous: I too wish it were taller. ;)

[Roadcruiser1]

What really is a shame is that the new WTC1 is not going to be taller than the Willis Tower to the roof - i would love to see the it topped out at 1500ft - it would look even more spectacular in the New York Skyline then put a 276ft mast on top - they should do this

:previous: I too wish it were taller. ;)

Not going to happen. It already had it's specific footprint and structure for it's current height. It can't be increased, but there will be buildings going up that would be taller than the Sears Tower in Midtown Manhattan soon.

[Roadcruiser1]

Wow, so that’s just... what the heck? What’s the rationale behind that? I had made the admittedly baseless assumption that the design change was primarily a financial one, i.e., that a squared-off base was somehow easier to construct (why this would be, I did not presume to guess). But we already have a chamfered base, sooooo....... someone out there thinks that the squared off base looks better? That person needs to have a water balloon thrown at them. :yuck:

I don’t mean to resurrect an old point of contention, but somehow I managed to miss the original discussion of these points. I was already hurting from the plaza changes (meh, I can deal), and the change from prismatic glass to the less interesting base cladding (again, no biggie), and the CARDINAL SIN of removing the radome enclosure for the spire (the WORST). I thought for a brief moment that at least I was getting something back, it was a miracle! But no. :haha:

Honestly though I could probably find a dozen features of this tower I would willingly downgrade if it meant we could have the spire back. Not for the height (ridiculous and immaterial circus, that), but for the sheer beauty of it. It would have looked so amazing... it was my favorite part of the entire structure.

To me the base is extremely similar to the former Twin Towers bases. Since the base is a square just like the base of the Twin Towers were, but if you are angry about the change you will have to complain to Durst. They were responsible for this redesign too.

[QUEENSNYMAN]

FROM: NYBOY75

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxNjQAUosCs&list=UUhtU7A62TdyRVQm8CsdVwBw&index=1&feature=plcp

I have more longer videos I will Post later as I have to, upload them, hope you like. This is a short part 1 followed by 2 more vids.

[TechTalkGuy]

FROM: NYBOY75
RxNjQAUosCs
I have more longer videos I will Post later as I have to, upload them, hope you like. This is a short part 1 followed by 2 more vids.

I was in bed when you were out there!
Next time, try a tripod to steady your zooms! ;)

GREAT update, thank you, QUEENSNYMAN (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/member.php?u=61569)!! :cheers:

[chris123678]

The Change to the base wasn't something that they wanted to do. It was necessary.
The Original prismatic glass that was planned to be installed would have left the base chamfered, but the prismatic glass, when tested, failed. It was discovered that if one of these panels fell off the base in some type of explosion that the glass would break into dangerous large shards.

[QUEENSNYMAN]

FROM: NYBOY75

PART 2 OF THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK TOUR.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3V1bNYrcOg&feature=youtu.be

[jd3189]

Imagine if we had skyscrapers --between-- Downtown and Midtown !!

That may soon be a reality if residential development can be done without affecting the historic neighborhoods in the "gap".

[TechTalkGuy]

FROM: NYBOY75
L3V1bNYrcOg
That carousel is a new feature at the Brooklyn Bridge Park.
The sun surely looked like it'll bake a cake in the heat.
I'm grateful you have taken the time to drive from the Rockaways -- that alone is a hike in itself.

Once again, GREAT update, thank you, QUEENSNYMAN (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/member.php?u=61569)!! :cheers:

[QUEENSNYMAN]

FROM: NYBOY75

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXnpCIzl0Uw&feature=youtu.be

Part 3 hope you like.

[TechTalkGuy]

FROM: NYBOY75TXnpCIzl0Uw
Great views again -- the Beekman Tower really compliments the skyline with One World Trade Center in the distance, along with Four WTC and the rest.
Another GREAT update, thank you, QUEENSNYMAN (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/member.php?u=61569)!! :cheers:

[mheadroom]

Imagine if we had skyscrapers --between-- Downtown and Midtown !!

We can't build tall buildings in Chelsea and Greenwich Village because there isn't a lot of granite or bedrock there. Mostly shale and sandstone. Which is why you don't want to be in that "valley" during a significant earthquake.

[mheadroom]

I did a basic drawing explaining what will happen. The dimensions are not to scale and are therefore prone to error, but this is what will basically happen.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7244/7358399442_df3421d5ff_b.jpg

This gives me hope that maybe 25-50 years from now — when they figured out how to make blast-resistant prismatic glass — they can rip out the ugly fins restore Childs' chamfered design.

[Roadcruiser1]

This gives me hope that maybe 25-50 years from now — when they figured out how to make blast-resistant prismatic glass — they can rip out the ugly fins restore Childs' chamfered design.

Not going to happen. What is wrong with a box base anyway? The Twin Towers had a box base. There is no logical reason for a chamfered base.

[TechTalkGuy]

I realize there are some people who are not crazy about the height, specifically due to the antenna spire.

Why not just plant a tall tree on the roof -- at least it will keep growing, get plenty of sunlight and plenty of rain.

[marshall]

I realize there are some people who are not crazy about the height, specifically due to the antenna spire.

Why not just plant a tall tree on the roof -- at least it will keep growing, get plenty of sunlight and plenty of rain.



I'm all for green architecture, but that would look silly and totally out of place on this building. Plus there will be NO room on the roof for anything but the communications equipment.

[mheadroom]

Not going to happen. What is wrong with a box base anyway? The Twin Towers had a box base. There is no logical reason for a chamfered base.

There's nothing wrong with a box base in general but this building was designed with a chamfered base clade in prismatic glass.

I thought it looked elegant. It complemented the tapered design of the building well and it was a great solution to the fortress look of the base.

I also liked that the chamfered design gave it exactly the same foot print as the old Twin Towers. Now 1WTC will be a few dozen feet thicker. No big deal but I am annoyed that the PA keeps compromising the design of this building. Every change makes it a little more generic and little less iconic.

[Roadcruiser1]

There's nothing wrong with a box base in general but this building was designed with a chamfered base clade in prismatic glass.

I thought it looked elegant. It complemented the tapered design of the building well and it was a great solution to the fortress look of the base.

I also liked that the chamfered design gave it exactly the same foot print as the old Twin Towers. Now 1WTC will be a few dozen feet thicker. No big deal but I am annoyed that the PA keeps compromising the design of this building. Every change makes it a little more generic and little less iconic.

I think a good compromise would be to chamfer the sides a bit to give it the form that was similar to the old Twin Towers, and the dimensions didn't change. It is still 200 by 200 feet.

[Gabedamien]

The Change to the base wasn't something that they wanted to do. It was necessary.
The Original prismatic glass that was planned to be installed would have left the base chamfered, but the prismatic glass, when tested, failed. It was discovered that if one of these panels fell off the base in some type of explosion that the glass would break into dangerous large shards.

But... but... we’re not using prismatic glass any more!

Let me get this straight. We had a chamfered base covered in prismatic glass. The chamfered base was turned into a box base because the chamfered corners would be dangerous if the glass shattered. Then the prismatic glass was scrapped because they couldn’t make it in the first place. And... we’re still going with the box base? Someone in charge is just not paying attention, it would seem.

To answer why the chamfered base is better (in my opinion, of course), it reflects the rest of the tower. This is no longer true with a squared off base. It would also slightly reduce the visual weight of the base a little bit and makes it slightly more geometrically complex and elegant, both pluses in this case where the visual focus should be the upper part of the tower (where the actual floors start). As it is, it feels completely disconnected from the tower proper, like two completely separate buildings fused on top of each other.

Meh, whatever, this is not nearly as big an issue for me as I am making it sound; again, the iconic addition of 1WTC’s skyline is supplied by its top portion, not its bottom portion.

[jsr]

But... but... we’re not using prismatic glass any more!

Let me get this straight. We had a chamfered base covered in prismatic glass. The chamfered base was turned into a box base because the chamfered corners would be dangerous if the glass shattered. Then the prismatic glass was scrapped because they couldn’t make it in the first place. And... we’re still going with the box base? Someone in charge is just not paying attention, it would seem.


Seems to me the strong vertical lines of the new V-glass panels wouldn't work aesthetically with tapering corner chamfers?!

[chris123678]

But... but... we’re not using prismatic glass any more!

Let me get this straight. We had a chamfered base covered in prismatic glass. The chamfered base was turned into a box base because the chamfered corners would be dangerous if the glass shattered. Then the prismatic glass was scrapped because they couldn’t make it in the first place. And... we’re still going with the box base? Someone in charge is just not paying attention, it would seem.

To answer why the chamfered base is better (in my opinion, of course), it reflects the rest of the tower. This is no longer true with a squared off base. It would also slightly reduce the visual weight of the base a little bit and makes it slightly more geometrically complex and elegant, both pluses in this case where the visual focus should be the upper part of the tower (where the actual floors start). As it is, it feels completely disconnected from the tower proper, like two completely separate buildings fused on top of each other.

Meh, whatever, this is not nearly as big an issue for me as I am making it sound; again, the iconic addition of 1WTC’s skyline is supplied by its top portion, not its bottom portion.

This question is left better off to be answered by Otie or Roadcruiser.

[TechTalkGuy]

We can't build tall buildings in Chelsea and Greenwich Village because there isn't a lot of granite or bedrock there. Mostly shale and sandstone. Which is why you don't want to be in that "valley" during a significant earthquake.

If they dig deep enough, would they eventually reach bedrock?

[JSsocal]

We can't build tall buildings in Chelsea and Greenwich Village because there isn't a lot of granite or bedrock there. Mostly shale and sandstone. Which is why you don't want to be in that "valley" during a significant earthquake.

^^That's just a myth, they can really build a skyscraper anywhere- (the world financial center is built on landfill, specifically piles dug deep into the ground). Midtown really developed because it was desirable and far away from the slums of the lower east side and the bowery, not because of bedrock

All this hubbub about the base, as I recall it was SOM who went back to the drawing board with the base, and it is them who are behind the new square corners. The reason I'm happy with this change is now the tower will not be growing wider, before going smaller, when viewing the tower from 45 degrees. The taper makes the tower very bottom heavy.

[Roadcruiser1]

It's not that bad.

http://cbsnewyork.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/1wtcnight_111115_620_1.jpg?w=420&h=315
http://cbsnewyork.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/1wtcdayrendering_111115_620_1.jpg?w=420&h=251

These belong to Otie. Credits go to him.

http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/2252/curtainwall.jpg
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/9022/b03l.jpg

The Tower as a whole.

http://onewtc.com/upload/leasing/gallery/large/1WTC_DayViewfromWHotel.jpg
http://onewtc.com/upload/leasing/gallery/large/1WTC_NightViewfromWHotel.jpg
http://onewtc.com/upload/leasing/gallery/large/1WTC_Viewfrom8SpruceStreet.jpg

[chris123678]

Honestly, the base looked better with the corners.
Now that it's a square, it looks very massive and somewhat unappealing.
But I'll have to wait for the finish product.

BTW- Have they began marble installation in the lobby yet?

[alan88]

Honestly, the base looked better with the corners.
Now that it's a square, it looks very massive and somewhat unappealing.
But I'll have to wait for the finish product.

BTW- Have they began marble installation in the lobby yet?

Marble installation in lobby is underway

alan