I know it's an unusual kind of post, but I threw together a gif simply to demonstrate how much impact I think this will actually have on the skyline. I actually found it a bit moving.
Sorry the image quality is so poor, I took the original image from Google street view, at one of my favorite vantage points in the city - Victory Blvd & Louis St, over on Staten Island. I tried to match the colour and detail of the original, so apologies for the fuzziness - I was going for realism!
In another thread (270 Park), there was brief discussion on what makes a building 'city defining', and in this case I think 2 WTC really does redefine the skyline and the character of the city when stood next to its older sibling.
Original image credit: Google
The completion of this iteration of 2 WTC could stand as a poignant moment for many New Yorkers. From certain vantage points, like this one, the silhouette of the new tower will echo the iconic presence of the original World Trade Center, and for those who remember, these views might bring on a bittersweet feeling. It's a reminder of what was lost, but also of how far the city has come.
I hope one day this building rises, and if so, I know that when people drive down this street, the view will be a reminder that while the world has changed, the spirit of New York City remains unbroken.