David W. Dunlap reports on the progress of 1 World Trade Center -- once known as the Freedom Tower -- which is expected to become New York's tallest building today.
Following a difficult political, technical, and emotional path as one of the world's most symbolically fraught buildings, 1 World Trade Center will reach a key milestone in its growth today as the first column of the 100th floor is hoisted atop the building. With the placement of this column the tower will reach a height of 1,271 feet, making it 21 feet higher than the Empire State Building, notes Dunlap.
Of course, the building marks much more than just the tallest occupiable space in New York.
"It's the marker for the memorial," said David M. Childs, the architect who led the design team at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, where he is now a consulting partner. "If you're coming in from Newark Airport, this is the one you'll look to. Somebody will say: ‘You see that tall building? That's ground zero.' "
Mr. Childs said the tower would also play the necessary civic role of being the "answering spire" to the skyscrapers of Midtown. "In a way," he said, "it ties together Manhattan, which lost something because of that emptiness in the sky."
FULL STORY: With a Steel Column, a Tower Will Reclaim the Manhattan Sky
Big Egos and Fat Wallets Drive New York Skyscraper Boom
The Empire State Building's place in New York City's skyline is set to be challenged by several new residential towers, as the city experiences a height hysteria not seen since the heady days of the late 1920s.
LEED May Be Discouraging More Bike Storage Rooms
In a paradox of green building practices, a new office building can't earn points for building bike facilities unless the storage room has showers and changing rooms, making the price pricier.
Report Reveals Proposed NYC Congestion Pricing Details
The draft proposal indicates most drivers would pay $15 to enter the Central Business District.
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service