Freedom Tower : World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048, United States

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When completed, this will be one of the most important buildings of the early 21st century. It is significant in stature, in design, in its politics, its symbolism, and for the reason it was built.

The Freedom Tower is the replacement for what was once New York's World Trade Center. In September, 2001 terrorists destroyed several of the Center's buildings, including the massive 110 -story twin towers. The stated reason for this action was to protest the United States' support of the nation of Israel and its people. The terrorist attack only served to solidify the bond between the U.S. and Israel, and caused wars in Afghanistan and elsewhere, and the toppling of the Taliban government in Afghanistan. Thousands died when the twin tower fell, and millions were emotionally and psychologically scarred.

The Freedom Tower is more than a real estate project. It is rehabilitation for those hurt by the terrorists and a way to heal the scar on a nation. Part of the healing process is new growth, which this tower represents. But it has been a painful process. The early designs were ridiculed. When the first cohesive plan came out of the pack it, too, found slews of detractors. New Yorkers are notoriously cranky people and they took aim at the design. Most had forgotten, or were too young to remember, that the original twin towers were also the subject of much vitriol for their design and expense. It was only after those towers were taken away that the city realized it had grown to love its pair of white albatrosses. But detractors stalled the project for more than a year, adopted celebrity real estate mogul Donald Trump as their mouthpiece, and embarrassed the city and the nation by allowing the United Arab Emirates to begin work on what would become the world's tallest tower while New Yorkers were busy sticking their thumbs in each other's eyes.

The current design is much less flashy than the previous one. It is something like a large sloping block with the corners carved off, so it appears that the entire building twists as it gets higher. The building's faces will be huge triangles that taper toward the top and the bottom. At the center of the building, they will form an octagon. The skyscraper is symmetrical. Asymmetry was something in the last design that set a lot of people off. Some people also don't appreciate the spire at the top. They forget that the Twin Towers had a spire, too, and the mast is necessary for communications transmitters.

The new Freedom Tower will pay homage to the twin towers in several ways. The base of the Freedom Tower will be 200 feet square -- the same dimensions as the original towers. The observation deck will be at 1,362 feet: the heigh of World Trade Center Tower Two. The glass parapet will be at 1,368 feet: the height of World Trade Center Tower One.

That square base is a safety measure, not just an engineering method. Though it will be clad in glass prisms, the 186-foot-tall base will be a windowless concrete wall, intended to absorb and deflect the blast from car or truck bombs. The glass prisms will be coated with plastic like automobile safety glass to help absorb the impact. It is hoped that the prisms will refract light into color and make the monolithic security measure an eye-leasing curiosity. The Twin Towers were targeted by Islamic terrorist truck bombs twice, once successfully in 1993, before they were destroyed by terrorists in jets in 2001. The corners of the base will taper inward, with small reflecting pools at ground level.

The Freedom tower is just one of several buildings that will be erected to compose the new World Trade Center. The design is officially known as "Memory Foundations" because it leaves room for several memorials in the 16-acre complex. One of those memorials is the slurry wall, more commonly known as "the bathtub." This structure was the basement of the World Trade Center and served to hold back the Hudson River to keep it from flooding the complex. It was here that the remains of thousands of dead were found, and hundreds more who were never found. People will be able to walk down a ramp from ground level all the way down to bedrock along the edge of this wall -- the last original remaining piece of the twin towers.

> Sculptor Kenneth Snelson is working on the spire at the top of the building.
> The glass prisms at the base will each be 13-feet tall.
> The base of the tower will be 186-feet tall.
> The base of the tower will be 200-feet by 200-feet.
> The top of the tower will be 145-feet by 145-feet.
> The shaft of the tower will be 1,182 feet tall.
> The height of the base and shaft together will be 1,368 feet -- the height of the roof of 1 World Trade center.
> The main structure will be topped by a 408-foot-tall mast containing antennae. The base of the mast will be surrounded by a 145-foot wide ring containing more equipment.
> The overall height of the structure will be 1,776 feet -- a number symbolizing the year of America's Declaration of Independence.
> The building will have 2,600,000 square feet of rentable space.
> The trees surrounding the Freedom Tower will be sweetgum trees.
> 1st-19th floors - Podium
> 20th-63rd floors - Offices
> 64th floor - Sky lobby
> 65th - 88th floors - Offices
> 89th and 90th floors - Transmission equipment
> 91st - 100th floors - Mechanical
> 100th - 101st floors - Restaurant
> 102nd floor - Observation deck
> 103rd - 108th floors - Mechanical
> 29 May, 2003 - The New York Times reports that the Metropolitan Television Alliance has signed a deal to put as many as 22 antennae on top of Freedom Tower. The World Trade Center was home to many of New York's television and radio transmitters until the attacks of September 11, 2001. The Freedom Tower will be the new home to TV channels 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 28, 30, 31, 36, 38, 40, 41, 44, 45, 47, 53, 56, 61, and 68.
> 17 July, 2003 - Architect David Childs is chosen to design the Freedom Tower.
> 4 July, 2004 - Groundbreaking. A 20-ton granite slab is used as the cornerstone of the project. It is inscribed with the words "To honor and remember those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 and as a tribute to the enduring spirit of freedom. - July Fourth, 2004."
> 9 November, 2004 - An architecture student sues the designers of the Freedom Tower. He claims the building was copied from his design for a skyscraper intended to be part of New York's 2012 Olympic bid.
> 16 December, 2004 - The World Trade Center victims memorial is revised. The new plan includes a Memorial Hall between the reflecting pools that will mark the footprints of the former World Trade Center. It will also include a grove of oak trees with a clearing for memorial services, and public access to the stumps of the columns that once held the Twin Towers aloft. The memorial is expected to cost US$500,000.00 and be completed by 2009.
> 3 May, 2005 - U.S. Senator Charles Schumer warns that the Freedom Tower project is in jeopardy. He notes that the steel has yet to be ordered, and claims that critics are being given too much attention, preventing the start of real construction. At the same time, the New York Times reports that Kevin M. Rampe has quit as project leader.
> 29 June, 2005 - Amid much criticism from celebrity real estate moguls and the general public, a new design is released for the Freedom Tower.
> April 27, 2006 - 21 months after the cornerstone was laid, it is announced that construction has formally begun on the Freedom Tower. The work was delayed because of disputes between the developer, Larry Silverstein, and the land owner, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The New York Times notes, however, that work actually began quietly a few weeks earlier while the two sides were still hammering out the details. Those details include a total of five buildings to be erected on the site of the World Trade Center, all to be completed by 2011. Mr. Silverstein gives up control of the Freedom tower to the Port Authority in exchange for control of more lucrative property in the complex. He will also pay higher rent.
> June 27, 2006 - The design of the Freedom Tower is revised once again. The 186-foot-tall podium upon which the tower rests will now be covered by a screen of glass prisms, hiding the concrete base that has been often criticized for being too brutalist.
> June 28, 2006 - The New York Times reports that the Freedom Tower will have a sky lobby on the 64th floor. This is a controversial move because so many people died in the 78th-floor sky lobby waiting for elevators when 2 World Trade Center collapsed. The sky lobby in the Freedom Tower was necessitated by the June, 2005 design revision which decreased the building's footprint and restricted the amount of space available for elevator shafts.
> April 18, 2008 - Pope Benedict XVI blesses the ground where the World Trade Center's twin towers once stood.
> April 18, 2008 - WINS reports that a homeless man found two sets of confidential blueprints for the Freedom Tower in a trash can. He turned them over to the New York Post.

Ram Maharaj - Monday, May 5th, 2008 @ 1:58pm • Rating:

Four stars.

With so many views and comments made thus far,it seems that the new "freedom tower" has really gripped the imagination of the world and a new "passion"for this structure is gaining momentum.When completed ,I am sure it would be a real monument to the commercial world.....but a hint of the past will always be there.

Ram Maharaj - Monday, May 5th, 2008 @ 1:58pm • Rating:

Eddie Johanson - Sunday, May 4th, 2008 @ 4:32pm • Rating:

Five stars.

So happy when I knew about this. Great to have this Freedom symbol again. We think of you how lost your lives on that day.Let Freedom Stand. Once agian. So Great

jay - Friday, May 2nd, 2008 @ 11:10pm • Rating:

One star.

Rebuilding the towers exactly where they were and have the memorials inside would have been the best solution

Mart - Wednesday, April 30th, 2008 @ 1:34pm • Rating:

Five stars.

Stunning! Americans can be very proud to have such a significant and gorgeous building to memorialize the 9/11 tragedy.

Luis Landero - Saturday, April 26th, 2008 @ 3:14pm • Rating:

Five stars.

I went to the towers in 1992. I love this towers. I cudnt believe when I so the news in Sep 11 2001. Is great to meek a something bigger and stronger like US nation but at the same time remembering what happened in 9/11.

Chris - Saturday, April 26th, 2008 @ 2:11pm • Rating:

Five stars.

I think that the structure is a beautiful design. I think that the size of the structure is a perfect voice to the world at 1776 feet high. There really is no point to go any higher. The race for the tallest structure well always be; at least the heighth represents America as a whole.

Douglas Hilton - Friday, April 25th, 2008 @ 9:19am • Rating:

Five stars.

Looks a lot more modern than the over-cautiously designed Twin Towers.I expect there will be much more daylight entering the offices et al of this building than in the Twin Towers as mentioned by r ichard g age AIA in his university of manitoba presentation/ findable on video google.Respect to the fallen of all our nations on that fateful day and since.

Kathy - Monday, April 21st, 2008 @ 12:57pm • Rating:

Five stars.

One word...Beautiful!

casey - Monday, April 21st, 2008 @ 12:03pm •
This tower will show our technilogical might as well as power. it will be a remebrance to the people of 9/11!God Bless This Nation!

Donna - Sunday, April 20th, 2008 @ 4:21am • Rating:

Four stars.

Every tower is a masterpiece!! A very good symbol of unity and pride.I was in NY the day they lay the first layer of cement for the new tower. I will be back to see the end result. Forever remembered !!! X

Gage - Saturday, April 19th, 2008 @ 9:56pm • Rating:

Five stars.

Freedom Tower is a good way to respect those whos died on the tragic day of 9/11/01.We are a strong nation with is not within the structure of our buildings but are hearts.We have lost many lives that tragic morning but ..... We are America

Jesus - Friday, April 18th, 2008 @ 7:13pm • Rating:

Five stars.

Congratulations New York, Congratulations USA, great new symbol!!

Robert Hewson - Friday, April 18th, 2008 @ 5:14pm • Rating:

Five stars.

I think the freedom tower will be an amazing structure for such an amazing city.I love New York & everything about it

Steve Cooper - Friday, April 18th, 2008 @ 2:57pm • Rating:

Five stars.

I have read some comments that say the twin towers should have been rebuilt. I feel by building this one new structure, it symbolizes what the attack did for us as Americans. It caused us to come together as ONE nation of people and stand for what we believe in....FREEDOM !!

Mark Van Weelden - Friday, April 18th, 2008 @ 2:52pm •
America, a nation of immigrants, a family of diversity, tightly knit together by the common ideals of freedom, tolerance, and understanding. Our nation is embodied more greatly in no other place than the city of New York. A city that embraces all those who enter its gates. May "Freedom Tower", this awe inspiring structure remind the world that we are Americans. We are diversity. We embrace those of all races and creeds who love freedom and justice. We will not be dissuaded or discouraged by the cowardly and crimnal acts of the misguided, radical few. We are united by this guiding principal... "Freedom and justice for all". We are a nation of many, and yet, a nation of one. May God bless America. God bless New York, heal her wounds, and comfort her pain. May this site, this grand tower, a beacon of hope, always remind us of the great price that is paid by those who love freedom.

Dawn - Wednesday, April 16th, 2008 @ 2:18pm • Rating:

Five stars.

I Just came home from NYC and the site of the Twin Towers, I feel that the way they have designed the new Tower, surrounding buildings/towers, and ponds in the foot print of the former Towers is an amazing tribute to the past, the memory of those that were lost, and shows that we are all looking to the future and not living in the past.

Zane - Tuesday, April 15th, 2008 @ 2:19pm • Rating:

Five stars.

This building is something like a supernova. I hope by the time it's finished Iraq and Afghanistan become thriving democracies in the middle east.

Dean - Monday, April 14th, 2008 @ 8:28pm • Rating:

Four stars.

Nice, but I can only echo what most people are saying that two towers would have been the perfect answer from the great city that says we shall not fear you, not even in our darkest hour, but rise above and pull together as one. I love NY see you soon.

James Nagy - Friday, April 11th, 2008 @ 5:28pm • Rating:

Five stars.

Its a very elegant design and has a nice blue tint to it. But I would really like to see at least two towers at least 2800 ft tall. That will show those narrow minded terrorist that we are not weak.

Jack Duquesne - Tuesday, April 8th, 2008 @ 2:00am • Rating:

Five stars.

The side views remind me of an Italian Out The Front knife, or OTF Knife. Those asymmetric side views are beautiful views in deed.

Ron - Monday, April 7th, 2008 @ 7:42pm • Rating:

Four stars.

I think we should have re-built the towers. This is a nice building, but the towers had personality. I feel we are giving the terrorists another moral victory. I think the ultimate memorial would have been to re-build the towers. And at the same time letting those terrorists know that they are not going to scare us. May God bless us all and watch over our Country. And may he bless all of you around the world

John Guzzardo - Saturday, April 5th, 2008 @ 7:28pm • Rating:

Five stars.

America has often been referred to as "The Light of the Free World" and this building appears to be the flame from which that light will come. Anyone who understands the difficulty in this process knows this is no easy task. My heart goes out to all those who perished on 9/11 as well as their families, and may this building inspire a new generation of Americans to achieve ever greater things.

josh stone - Tuesday, April 1st, 2008 @ 11:50pm •
I cant wait to physically and emotionally fill the void left by the terror attacks of 9/11. The completion of this building will be a healthy start.

Anna Vladi - Tuesday, April 1st, 2008 @ 7:31pm •
Beautiful building! Thank you to all the people working on this important project! NYC would be even more beautiful!

boswell - Tuesday, April 1st, 2008 @ 6:32pm • Rating:

Five stars.

First - it would be a good idea for those who have written comments, Americans especially, to care and bother enough to spell even the simple words correctly. Please stop typing with your toes! Show some respect, if not for yourselves, at least then, for the fine new building, which,Second - when completed, will probably take even the naysayer's breath away...

Alexander Dominic - Tuesday, April 1st, 2008 @ 3:14pm •
The Name of the Building "FREEDOM" is the most sutiable name has been given.May God bless all the people who are putting their effort behind this building.Let the people around the world remember those who have lost their loved ones behalf of this great building.

Duarte Serrao - Friday, March 21st, 2008 @ 2:46pm • Rating:

Five stars.

i think the design is excellent good bless america

George Young - Thursday, March 20th, 2008 @ 11:54pm • Rating:

One star.

This new designed building is a diamond. The old Twin Towers was the heart and soul of the American People.It stood proud, was knocked down to its knees and the American People, but building a new Twin Towers, it rises from its knees again to a taller and better than anywhere symbol in the world to its full proudness and glory as it was once before. American people, Australia is watching.

Angelo Chacon - Tuesday, March 18th, 2008 @ 1:56pm • Rating:

Four stars.

Great design but needs to be taller. lets show them that the U.S. will morn the ones we lost but our pride of being a free country will not croumble.

Arjan - Monday, March 17th, 2008 @ 1:42pm • Rating:

Four stars.

I visited New York the year after they collapsed and ground zero left a big impression on me. I still have a picture of the original twin towers in a frame, I wish they would have rebuild them the way they were. Or at least two towers instead of one. I like the design of the single tower though.

CGallo - Sunday, March 16th, 2008 @ 10:36pm • Rating:

Five stars.

As an Italian/Irish kid growing up in the close suburbs of Chicago I am used to going to the city and privilaged to have gone to the twin towers 1 year before 9/11, Those were amazing buildings just like from my home town but to be at my grade school and watch those buliding fall to the ground on TV was the most hirrifing moment of my life. I know that will never happen again because we are 1 country, 1 nation, 1 Family. Love, A Proud American

christine - Saturday, March 15th, 2008 @ 10:51pm • Rating:

Five stars.

we went to ground zero in december 07, i had a big lump in my throat and a feeling of complete sadness, the freedom tower is magnificent, a fitting tribute to those who died on that aweful day, the people of new york will be proud of the tower, god bless you people of new york

Bill Wood - Thursday, March 13th, 2008 @ 1:45am • Rating:

Four stars.

Alot more sober design than the silly "Architecture of the Absurd" Very glad Daniel Liberskind version didn't get up. and that Franks didn't have a go!

suzete h - Tuesday, March 11th, 2008 @ 1:51pm • Rating:

Four stars.

For the greatest city, for the greatest country, for a new president that will lead us into a hopeful future. I love NY.

Dom Calleja - Tuesday, March 11th, 2008 @ 9:46am • Rating:

Four stars.

It would have been great to see the old towers rebuilt but may have been too emotional for surviving WTC workers & the families of the lost loved ones. As an Australian tourist, I travelled up to the old World Trade Center observation deck twice & still find it hard to come to grips with the enormity of 9/11. The new building is nice and in time will be embraced by Americans & foreign tourists alike.

Amaro - Sunday, March 9th, 2008 @ 3:15pm • Rating:

Five stars.

I think this is a great idea. However, I would ahve liked to see soemthing similar to the original. People remember which tower their loved ones were in at the time. I think this is significant. But I guess this will still show the American Spirit.

K2 - Sunday, March 9th, 2008 @ 4:47am •
Brilliant design, this should show those extremists what for. Suppourt Australian and American troops in Iraq!5 stars do it!

Ewan McGregor - Sunday, March 9th, 2008 @ 4:42am •
Yeah, brilliant deign, love it. Its good how you have a memorial site, very symbollic.

Drew Johnston - Thursday, March 6th, 2008 @ 7:28am • Rating:

Five stars.

I think that building the freedom tower would be a marvelous idea to show that we have recovered from the 9/11 attacks and are rebuilding the building in a new way from the ground up.

Sid Busch - Wednesday, March 5th, 2008 @ 5:38am • Rating:

Five stars.

I will carry to my grave the images of that terrible day. I saw the twin towers go up,but never thought I would live to see them fall. I wish they had rebuilt the towers,but the Freedom Tower will help fill that hole in the skyline.

David Cruz - Monday, March 3rd, 2008 @ 9:21pm • Rating:

Five stars.

I was in 2nd grade when I saw the North Tower burning I thought "Wow!" but when I saw the second plane hit the other tower I, how can I say it in a right way , I "DIED" ,in my soul, but when it came down,both towers, I cried.Now after I think what would I do if I was there.I may have not been there but there are beautiful and mine.The Freedom Tower is the best idea ever.Remember God is with everyone.MAY GOD BLESS EVERYONE NOW AND FOREVER!!

Alok - Monday, March 3rd, 2008 @ 4:40am • Rating:

Four stars.

I would have personally liked the twin towers of the WTC to be reconstructed higher and taller to show these cowards that no one is scared of them. However this design is also good.

C.Thompson - Sunday, March 2nd, 2008 @ 1:27pm • Rating:

Three stars.

I think the stucture is unique and the sky beam is eye catching,it will never replace the twins but I understand things change and move forward . the only thing is there is nothing that even resembles the buildings that met thier demise. I think something should be built closer to the original design to honor their glory and to honor the lives lost

mark stephens - Wednesday, February 27th, 2008 @ 6:06am • Rating:

Three stars.

very elegant and beautiful, but the designers should have been more bold and gone for a much larger and taller building in defiance of the terrorists

Steve Noble - Tuesday, February 26th, 2008 @ 12:42pm • Rating:

Five stars.

This building is beautiful and everyone who has devoted their heart and mind to see it built deserves a huge pat on the back! I heart New York!

John Holstlaw - Monday, February 18th, 2008 @ 3:01pm • Rating:

Three stars.

There is no way to replace the "Twin Towers" But it sure would have been nice to see them try. Two towers would have been more symbolic than one. Oh well. :(

Susan Coleman - Monday, February 18th, 2008 @ 2:07am • Rating:

One star.

As a building it is a poor and boring design much like the twin towers were. As a monument I guess it works but even as a monument to a horrible disaster it leaves you demoralized as the previous raw substance is simply not there. It is basically a very short building in all of my expectations.

Sean Frisbey - Saturday, February 16th, 2008 @ 4:27pm • Rating:

Four stars.

I have to admit that the design is a little...not thought through...but it is the effort that counts. It is being built for a purpose, and whether or not it reflects that, it is just that. I think that the public should have been a little more involved with the designing of this, as it is ALL of us who were affected, not just the designers. It is a cool design, but could have a lot more interest in it.So, to sum it up, great effort and keep up the good work!

sergio sandes - Friday, February 15th, 2008 @ 10:10am • Rating:

Five stars.

Im glad that the building of the freedow tower is going ahead I wished they built the Twin Towers exactly the way they were though. I praise the American people for their defiance against evil. God Bless America.

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