NEW YORK | 200 Greenwich - 2 WTC | 1,226 FT | 55 FLOORS

[De Minimis NY]

This is an intelligent, albite unfortunate, design.

Despite the fact that modern commercial and residential tenants increasingly value towers with outdoor space, much of the space that has been built/planned recently, especially with respect to commercial towers, seems like an afterthought (see 250 W 55th). What Bjarke Ingles is doing here is incredible; he is literally crafting hills and cozy landscapes 1,000 feet over downtown Manhattan. This is the future. From a tenant's perspective, this is likely the best building in the complex and far superior to the Foster design.



From a distance on the skyline, however, I have to agree that this is really an unfortunate turn of events. In my mind the real culprit is the base of the building--it's just far too wide. I understand the limitations of building on a foundation that has already been set and the spacial needs of a media tenant, but from a pure aesthetic point of view, a tower just can't soar when it's that stuck to the ground. All of the elegance it exudes from the West, where the thick bottom slab is hidden, is immediately lost as one moves to either the North or South and catches a glimpse of its awkward proportions.

From those angles this thing looks like it was designed by a poor man's Rem Koolhas: uncomfortable massings, but without the necessary exaggeration to pierce into the avant garde.

I can't blame anyone involved for what has transpired, but I think I'm probably done being excited about watching the WTC rise.

[BoM Trespasser]

Originally Posted by JayProReturneth

Parody of what?

The opinions (<operative word) expressed were my own and based on first and second impressions.

For a parody to exist there needs to be something to be the object of satire.

Now...If you truly believe that BIG's 200G is a parody of Lord Foster's 200G, you're certainly entitled to your opinion, as you've just registered. We can respectfully take different paths from there.

Parody of good design, that's what. As I said earlier, the Bobby Clobber approach to architecture.

[Atlanta3000]

Originally Posted by NYguy

I

Again, show me what was better from the north side in the old version. I really want to see it, especially after seeing so many complaints over the years that the only good or best view was from Jersey.





That video is the best. It's what finally put it over the top for me.

As far as the news tickers go, yes, this is the new Dowtown, where surprisingly the new WTC has become a media haven.

As for anyone who thinks this is a sign that the "terrorists have won", you only present yourself as someone not to be taken seriously. What's more, you mock the very people who suffered or lost life as a result of the attacks. You might want to rethink and choose your words more carefully.

We are looking at what will likely be the largest single tenant signing to date at the new WTC, after so much doubt about rebuilding all that space. This is a win for the city, for the nation, for all of us. The site will be made whole and full of life.

Way to go Silverstein, you've kept your promise to rebuild. The man deserves a medal.

I believe you were pointing to my statement, "The terrorist won." I in no way was mocking the people that suffered, but the very news organization you are exalting for there overuse of this statement. Specifically when an Islamic mosque was trying to be built near Ground Zero for example.

Coming from a Southern, white, straight, Christian man - FOX News anchoring 2 WTC is neither a win for the NYC, for the nation or for any of us...

[BoM Trespasser]

I actually don't mind that NewsCorp is setting up down there,but did Ingels have to be so whorish about it? Geez.

[NYguy]

[meh_cd]

Originally Posted by NYguy

I

Again, show me what was better from the north side in the old version. I really want to see it, especially after seeing so many complaints over the years that the only good or best view was from Jersey.

No electronic billboards.

[Kurtz]

Originally Posted by NYguy

^ Ridiculous.



The new WTC

hi guys.
well i like this new tower. How much should it cost?

[UTEPman]

Sorry, but this and 3WTC losing its spires is just unacceptable.

I feel like the rebuilding of this site is an embarrassment to all Americans.

While the rest of the world builds monuments of architecture, we cheap out on the most important skyscraper plot in the country. What a train wreck....

[a very long weekend]

my only problem with this building is that it's so vastly superior to 1 wtc that it embarrasses that era of nyc/ny/us politics and that site. wouldn't have been so bad if 1 wtc still had the white spire, maybe that's still an option down the line, would be neat.

[NYdude]

Originally Posted by ih8pickingusernames

Whatever, the WTC means nothing now. This site lost it's power, symbolism, and importance 15 years ago. This building is disgusting, and whatever the new complex had is now forever lost. The whole site has been a joke and an embarrassment. Hopefully they just use Nordstrom and midtown for establishing shots in cinema so we don't have to see this tragic complex.

Too late, bud. The complex is already featured in numerous movies and tv shows. And I love when it is featured.

Aside from that...I don't think this design is all that awful. The Foster design is never going to happen now, so there's no point of hanging on to what could have been. I'm sure many will think differently once this thing makes it's mark on the skyline. I agree with NYguy on this.

[a very long weekend]

this is a great article about the elaboration of 2 wtc
http://www.wired.com/2015/06/bjarke-ingels-design-two-world-trade-center

[ILNY]

Originally Posted by NYguy

Please tell me this is a joke.

[winlinmac001]

Ladies & Gentleman: This design is a Disgrace and Disrespect to this Site, especially with Fox News being the anchor tenant; I could literally build this trash with Lego pieces / Jenga blocks. What does TriBeCa have to do with the World Trade Center and the surrounding Financial District? Residents are Residents and they have nothing to do with this site; they have Battery Park City.

Foster's Design paid homage and fitted perfectly with the Master Plan. Where the heck is Libeskind and Silverstein; the new design does not fit with the common interest and common good.

[winlinmac001]

Is today April 1st? I think my clock is not working.

Originally Posted by ILNY

Please tell me this is a joke.

[winlinmac001]

You're absolutely right, whatever happened to American Ingenuity.

Originally Posted by UTEPman

Sorry, but this and 3WTC losing its spires is just unacceptable.

I feel like the rebuilding of this site is an embarrassment to all Americans.

While the rest of the world builds monuments of architecture, we cheap out on the most important skyscraper plot in the country. What a train wreck....

[JR Ewing]

H

Originally Posted by UTEPman

Sorry, but this and 3WTC losing its spires is just unacceptable.

I feel like the rebuilding of this site is an embarrassment to all Americans.

While the rest of the world builds monuments of architecture, we cheap out on the most important skyscraper plot in the country. What a train wreck....

3 WTC did not lose its spires.

This tower is stunning. This is much taller than and a million times better than Salesforce, Wilshire Grand, and Wanda Chicago, yet SF, LA, and Chi are creaming over those towers.

Houston, Dallas, Atl., Charlotte, Denver, and Austin are creaming over lame 20 story boxes. Cinci, Phoenix, New Orleans, etc would be jubilant if a 20 story box were proposed for their cities.

If this tower was proposed for London -- at half the height -- it would already have some dopey nickname.

Only in the greatest city in the world could someone find fault with this masterpiece. If one of those horrible Dubai-style towers (but for the Burj) were rising here, I'd be upset, but this thing is stunning.

1. Nordstrom 1,500'+
2. Steinway 1,430'
3. One Vandy 1,415'
4. 432 Park 1,398'
5. Time Warner 1,280'
6. Park Lane 1,250'
7. Verre 1,050'
8. Girasole 1,050'
9. 35 HY 1,050'

This is the Age of Ramses, lads!

[winlinmac001]

I'm still in shock, starring at the rendering, speechless, and now wondering if the core is going to feature the same materials like 4WTC, 3WTC, & 1WTC.

[jbermingham123]

The sloping on foster's design was the most important part of the complex, architecturally speaking, in my opinion. The sloped roof brings the entire complex together by facing toward the memorial. It also was the only break in a chain of four flat-roofed buildings.

Literally the only thing BIG needs to do is slope the roof to the southeast a little bit. it is a tiny change but it is absolutely vital

To see more examples of the horrible effects of too many adjacent, flat-roofed buildings, go look at pictures of the Rockefeller Expansion towers, or anything ever built in Phoenix or Denver.

[winlinmac001]

Please tell me you're not trying to calm us all down. This building makes you want to ; the architectural elements are disgusting. I never had faith in the architect, judging from his previous work.

Originally Posted by JR Ewing

3 WTC did not lose its spires.

This tower is stunning. This is much taller than and a million times better than Salesforce, Wilshire Grand, and Wanda Chicago, yet SF, LA, and Chi are creaming over those towers.

Houston, Dallas, Atl., Charlotte, Denver, and Austin are creaming over lame 20 story boxes. Cinci, Phoenix, New Orleans, etc would be jubilant if a 20 story box were proposed for their cities.

If this tower was proposed for London -- at half the height -- it would already have some dopey nickname.

[hunser]

Huge disappointment. BIG failed, big time.

The more I look at it, the uglier it gets. Thank God we have 57th, HY and Co..