Freedom Tower to rise from ashes at 1,776 feet
Given that Manhattan holds some of the most expensive real estate on earth, I suppose it was only a matter of time before the World Trade Center towers were either rebuilt or replaced. From a financial prespective, I'm sure this will be a huge boon to New York. Even with that consideration, though, I would imagine that the biggest impact will be psychological.
The Freedom Tower, proposed to restore Lower Manhattan's skyline, will be the world's tallest building, according to the architects, who unveiled the revised model Friday.
The tower, designed to be a centerpiece of the rebuilding plan for the World Trade Center site, will rise 1,776 feet -- a nod to the year the United States declared its independence. The height stays as originally proposed a year ago by architect Daniel Libeskind, since designated the site's master planner.
The downed 110-story twin towers of the World Trade Center site were once the world's tallest structures but ranked about fifth before the attacks.
The tower's angular shape and appearance has been altered as a result of Libeskind's work with David Childs, the architect for real estate developer Larry Silverstein, the trade center leaseholder. Silverstein hopes to replace all 10 million square feet of commercial space lost in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack that destroyed the World Trade Center.
As replacements go, I suppose this one will do just fine. I'm less concerned with the design that the emotional impact. Personally, I would have liked to have seen the WTC site turned into a memorial garden of some sort, but I understand the financial realities involved here. Then again, there is also the emotional impact of demonstrating that New York may have been knocked down, but it's getting back on it's feet.
Speaking for myself, I'm not so sure I'd be excited or even willing to go back into an office building at that location. Given the enormity of 9.11, would I be able to put that aside and go back to work every day as I normally would? Thankfully, I don't have to face that dilemma, but it is one that I imagine thousands of New Yorkers will have to wrestle with. Some will refuse, some will embrace the opportunity, and some will be profoundly conflicted. In time, the scars will, if not completely heal, at least be less visible, and the old WTC will become a distant and painful memory. Life moves on. It has to. In the end, what other option is there?
