NYC, Freedom Tower (1 WTC) - 82 Flr. 1,776 Ft., Est. Compl.: 2011. U/C

I'm surprised that no one has started a thread on the Freedom Tower here. So
I might as well do it.

The Freedom Tower is the end result and decision that spawned from the original Daniel Libeskind design that was chosen by then Gov. George E. Pataki. After the first set of six design plans for Ground Zero were unveiled in July, '02, they were rejected by NY'rs shortly afterwards.

Later around January, '03, nine new plans were unveiled for Ground Zero. About a month or so later, two designs became the top runners for the NWTC.

The tower went through several (3) design changes to the present design that is now being built and u/c. The tower was originally going to be named World Gardens by Libeskind.

The tower will reach a symbolic height of 1,776 ft. The structural height will be the same height as the old Twins were, about 1,368 ft..

Actually, the tower will have about 102 floors. Twenty of them will be used for mechanical space. Topping if off will be a 414 or so ft. spire that will make the tower 1,776 ft.. The tip of the spire will have a powerful blue bam of light that will shine and pierce the night sky - quite similar to the powerful WHITE beam of light that shines from the tip of the pyramid-shaped Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas at night!

Construction of the tower began on April 27, 2006, and the estimated completion date is around September 11, 2011. Presently, the foundation has been put in and the central concrete core has started to rise.

The first several steel columns have arrive earliry this year and have been put in place. More columns and beams will arrive either late this year or early next year. By spring, the tower's infrastructure will begin to rise and will come just above street level.

The steel for the base is coming from the plant in Luxemberg - the same plant that fabricated the steel columns for the original Twin Towers and the new 7 WTC.

Tishman Constrution Co. (who also built the original Twins and both 7 WTC Towers) is the contractor. David Childs of SOM is designing the tower. Ground Zero developer Larry A. Silverstein is in charge of building the tower. When completed, the tower will be handed over to the PANYNJ.

The tower, in and of itself, will feature a blue-like glass facade and will also feature a 187-ft. concrete base to ward off any attempted act of terrorists.

An obs deck will be place at or near the top, as will a two-level restaurant. Embedded in the spire will be a TV/radio antenna to replace the one that stood atop the North Tower. The tower is being built in the northwest corner of Ground Zero.

Anyone with pics? Please post them here. Thank you.