A more conventional skyscraper design than its neighbors, Three World Trade Center features the podium-shaft-pinnacle design common in many cities around the turn of the 21st century, but oddly rare within the confines of Manhattan. The podium is most prominent toward the World Trade Center's memorial park, allowing the shaft to be moved back from the emotionally sensitive area. This permits more sunlight into the open space.

The building is supported by diamond shaped braces, which allowed the architects to move the support columns away from the corners and toward the center. The result is corner windows unobstructed by major support elements.