Construction is under way at ground zero—but not much of it. The Port Authority owns the land; Larry Silverstein has development rights—and they can’t agree on who will pay for further building. (Silverstein got $4.5 billion in insurance money after 9/11, but only $964 million remains.) Mayor Bloomberg will reportedly be holding a “summit” this Thursday to try to kick-start the process.
1. 1 World Trade Center
The former “Freedom Tower,” designed by SOM’s David Childs, will reach 102 floors, 1,776 feet tall; it was set to be finished by 2008, then 2011, now 2013. Tenants so far: Vantone, from China, and the State of New York. In April, TV stations pulled out of a deal to broadcast from the spire, though it’ll remain as a decoration. 2. 7 World Trade Center
Already completed; 52 stories, 741 feet tall; designed by David Childs. Tenants include Silverstein Properties, the Moody’s Corporation, Ameriprise Financial, and Fast Company magazine.
3. Arts center
Part of Daniel Libeskind’s original master plan; Frank Gehry is to design. Won’t be done until 2015 at the earliest; only one of four intended tenants is still committed. Land isn’t even available yet, because it’s to be built on what is now the path station’s temporary entrance.
4. PATH/Subway hub
Completion date set at 2007, then 2009, now 2014. Santiago Calatrava’s design was to feature enormous wings that could be opened to the sky—but now they’ll be fixed in place to save money. Last week, the Times noted “the striking incongruity between the extravagance of the architecture and the limited purpose it serves.”
5. 2 and 3 World Trade Center
Planned at 79 floors and 71 floors, to be done by 2011 and then 2014, these towers may never exist. Merrill Lynch pulled out of talks to move in; the Port Authority doubts there will be enough tenant demand until 2030 and suggested four-story, retail-centered placeholders. Silverstein wants the PA to help finance them anyway, and Sheldon Silver said he wants to see tower 2 built immediately.
6. 4 World Trade Center
Estimated finish date has been delayed by only a year from initial 2011 plan; will be 64 floors, 975 feet tall. City of New York and PA agreed to lease over half the office space (Deloitte is a possibility for some of the rest). Work has begun on the foundation—but Crain’s reported last week that Silverstein is now unhappy with the price the city is paying.
7. 5 World Trade Center
There are no set plans for the site of the ex–Deutsche Bank building, which is being demolished and was to be replaced by a JPMorgan tower. The 2007 fire that killed two firefighters slowed work drastically; JPMorgan acquired Bear Stearns and its building and doesn’t need new offices. The PA is looking for investors to turn the project into a residential tower and hotel.
8. National September 11 Memorial and Museum
To open in 2013, though plaza outside is to be done by 9/11/11. The Michael Arad/Peter Walker design wasn’t chosen until 2004; fund-raising was suspended in 2006 when cost overruns became public; budget has since been cut by 40 percent and exhibition space has shrunk. Workers began pouring street-level concrete this month.
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