As the 12th anniversary of the September 11 attacks looms, it's time to take stock of what's going on at the protracted World Trade Center site?namely, when everything is finally gonna open the heck up. Good news for the impatient folks: The year ahead will be a busy one, with One World Trade Center (which is already topped off and spired and the like) opening in early 2014 to anchor tenant Conde Nast and others. Meanwhile, the three-level observatory at its top (she of the stunning views), One World Observatory, will take longer to complete and open to visitors in 2015. But before that, 4 World Trade Center will kick its doors wide open this very fall?November, in fact?and count Port Authority as its main tenant. Also within the 12-month horizon? The underground 9/11 Museum, which is expected to start welcoming visitors in the spring after many delays related to funding, Sandy damage, and other logistical issues. Its glassy entrance will round out the existing two-year-old memorial plaza that houses the twin reflecting pools.
Next up is the much-debated transportation hub designed by starchitect Santiago Calatrava at a revised cost of $4 billion. The PATH train hub, which will connect Jersey commuters to Lower Manhattan will have a host of retail shops and a rather swoopy main hall and oculus, is on track for a 2015 grand opening.
After that comes Larry Silverstein's 3 World Trade Center, which was stalled for quite while but is now back on track with a new anchor tenant: GroupM. Once the t's are crossed and the i's are dotted on that lease, Silverstein can forge ahead with construction, aiming for completion in 2016.
Poor 2 World Trade Center. The proposed 88-story tower at the site's notheast corner may be included in the rendering of the whole site made in miniature by a matchstick artist (pictured above), but the Associated Press reports that it "will not be built until the market improves enough to fill it." Similarly, the plans for a Frank Gehry-designed performing arts center on the site are in flux, having downsized; it's also on the hunt for more financing.
And even if funds and commercial leases are not yet free-flowing, at least the retail spaces are filling up. The Post reports that mall owner Westfield Group has either inked or is close to inking deals with brands like Victoria's Secret, Apple, J. Lindberg, Tory Burch, Theory, Michael Kors, Swatch, and Abercrombie & Fitch to nap spots in the transportation hub as well as 2 and 3 WTC.
· Developers say One World Trade Center will be done in early 2014 [AP via NYP]
· Westfield lands WTC shops [NYP]
· From Oculus To Spire, Checking In On The WTC Site's Progress [Curbed]
· A Guide to the Completion of New York City's Megaprojects [Curbed]
· All World Trade Center Redevelopment coverage [Curbed]
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