This is definitely going to rise before 2 WTC at this point. Which is ridiculous. It sounds like we could have a plan in place within a year or so…
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LOL. Imagine Silverstein partnering in this and having 5 WTC built before 2 WTC? The sad part is that’s more than likely going to happen with or without him…
But anyway…a little update. Only a few more weeks left to submit proposals. Hopefully we’ll get some concrete news by the end of the year…
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“Two major development groups are battling it out over the last available site at the World Trade Center, according to sources involved in the bidding for the parcel.”
“ Whereas Silverstein Properties and Brookfield submitted a project that favors residential development on the site, L&L MAG pitched building an exclusively-commercial and community-oriented tower designed by the architecture firm Studio Gang.
L&L MAG’s plan envisions a spire with high-end office space that would seek to look and feel distinct from the millions of square feet of competing office space at the World Trade Center site and feature a substantial component of community space in the base of the spire, which could be used for a prominent academic or medical use.
The Silverstein and Brookfield project would include only a small portion of commercial space. Its large residential component, which could amount to 1.1 million square feet under the guidelines set for the bid by the Port Authority, would be required to allot 25% to 30% of the apartment space for affordable housing.”
“ The Port Authority has not specified when it will choose a winner for the property. The developers could bid to either lease or buy the site outright.”
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Exciting news! I love Studio Gang. I was hoping a very bold, modern architect like Gang, Koolhaas, or even Libeskind would be chosen for this site and it looks like I might get my wish. I wonder who Silverstein/Brookfield has chosen as architect.
As for what the tower will actually be used for, I’m torn. On one hand I’m always in favor of more housing. On the other there probably isn’t much space left for new office development downtown apart from this site and 2 WTC, whereas there are plenty of spots where residential development could happen in the future. So part of me thinks they should make this an office building to take advantage of one of the last sites for new office construction downtown.
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While I would prefer residential in order to not compete with 2 WTC, I think that Gang’s proposal could be amazing.
Honestly, if Larry can’t get funding to build on spec, then 2 WTC should be redesigned as a mixed use tower with residential, hotel, and office space. The 1m sf tenants clearly have no interest in the WTC.
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If designed mixed use, 2 WTC would be rising if not risen already. I’ve been wishing that for like 4 years now.
Larry is having great success at 3 WTC with a flurry of leases, but just cant seem to catch that big fish needed for tower 2.
Kinda quasi-unfortunate, but 2 WTC’s lack of success has been partly attributed to the boom going on in Midtown. That, and Larrys willingness not to lower the rates to be competitive.
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At this rate, 3 will be full in a few months. I suspect that then 2 will go up if they see interest from many smaller groups who want in on the WTC but can’t find space in the other towers anymore. The main issue here is just that Larry is concerned about having enough cashflow to pay the construction loans. According to some PA deal he stops getting some
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I agree. If a Middle Eastern wealth fund partners with Larry and 2 WTC is built on spec, it will be a huge success. Absent that though, the 1m sf unicorn that they need will never come to fruition.
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I hope no matter who wins, they take great care to incorporate their design within the context of the 4 other towers. This site has gone through far too many unfortunate design revisions since the original 2007 master plan.
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A little more information on 5 World Trade. Still not plan selection in sight but things are moving the most they have in years and years for this building.
It’s looking more and more like this could be a mixed use residential tower. Interesting…but I’d rather see a hotel/commercial go up here. There’s enough residential going up downtown and all around the city. Too much actually.
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But I’d rather not see new office space downtown that would compete with 2 WTC.
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Agreed.
In my unrealistic opinion they just need to build both simultaneously and be done with it! Enough is enough with this waiting game.
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They will eventually get a unicorn tenant if that’s what they want. NY market is so valuable.
I hope they don’t try that, though. It may be another 10 years.
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Of course not a official design, but it shows how impactful this building will be for the WTC site. Can’t wait to see what we actually get.
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Nice mock-ups. Personally, I think they should put up something like this:
(Borrowed from one of the older Libeskind renderings for 2WTC)
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Omg! Here comes 5 WTC!
A mixed use, mainly residential tower. Hmmm.
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Wow, that’s great news, but at the same time I’m a little miffed that this will probably rise before 2 WTC.
Also, I know I shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth, and I’m going off one blurry rendering, but that building looks ugly. Seems to take after KPF’s Austin supertall and Brooklyn Point, both of which I’m not a fan of at all because I think the facades look tacky and will look dated very soon.
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whomp there it is!
edit: 920 feet
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I really hope that this doesn’t suck. KPF usually does great work. Let’s hope that this isn’t an exception to the rule.
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