Prospect Heights.
2 Likes
The unwrap finally begins in earnest… thoughts?
Sorry for the bad photography, hopefully the pros swing by soon
22 Likes
I like it!
2 Likes
This reminds me of the Citadel from Half Life 2.
4 Likes
This is going to look AMAZING!
3 Likes
It does! Let’s see if it sprouts legs and begins devouring everything around it.
It’s already starting to draw eyes to itself. Could it replace ESB as the default Manhattan reference landmark?
3 Likes
Hopefully it’s not as sinister, although the nimbys in Central Park may think so. The third picture down that bpc posted gives me that vibe of the Citadel the most.
Definitely not as tall though hahaha
https://www.google.com/amp/s/kotaku.com/the-tallest-building-on-earth-is-half-life-2s-citadel-5891138/amp
2 Likes
I’m so used to the blue, that its hard imagining it all unwrapped. but I can’t wait, everything looks sleek
4 Likes
I would imagine one Vanderbilt becoming more iconic.
Also, I feel like One WTC has begun to replace ESB in a lot of American culture
4 Likes
I feel like ESB will always be the king. If you walk up to a stranger and ask for key things in NYC, the Empire State Building will definitely be one of the first answers. If you tell them about One Vanderbilt, they’ll probably say “What the hell is that?” But to us skyscraper nerds, this is definitely a NYC icon along with 111 West 57
5 Likes
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwA8ebaj9wL/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1pk3x6cqxxnal
https://www.instagram.com/mchlanglo793/p/BwFt3fMjvKf/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=18ce7qojio2n7
14 Likes
You could even add another 22 meters or so to the base since 1 WTC is almost at sea level in comparison. Of course that’s not building height, but it will affect its prominence on the skyline.
1 Like
The world of height is an interesting one because depending on who you ask or what committee, CPT would be the tallest structure in NYC for now. Some count spires, others don’t but its good news regardless that we have a new tallest in theory (to roof). Its also massive trolling that Tower Fifth will be 6 ft taller.
I really hope somebody buys that 80 South parcel and builds the designs present for it. Lower Manhattan really needs more super talls. Midtown is having all of the goodies right now.
1 Like
I’m of the approach that the total height should be accepted as long as the decrease in perimeter is not a drastic cut off with each increase in height. It’s for this reason that I don’t accept the spire on 1 WTC since it abruptly changes from 200’x200’x200’x200’ to a few feet around. The perimeter changes from 800 feet to maybe 50’ at best? Roughly 6% of what it was. There’s no gradual tapering that you have in the ESB or the Burj Khalifa.
I’d gladly accept the ESB as a full height of 1,454’ even though the last 200 feet are not usually counted. But that’s just my 2 cents, not worth much lol
1 Like
I agree, especially with the ESB. The antenna above the 1250’ mark is so integral to its form. Like can you imagine the ESB without it? That’s how well it is interwoven into the fabric of the tower. Even if we look at old photos of the ESB without the antenna mast, it doesn’t look complete. The mast makes a big difference.
What happened to 1 WTC with the spire was a sacrilege. 
If NY Times tower spire counts, the ESB should be 1,454 ft. NY Times tower sports one of the worst spires in the city, possibly even the country.
3 Likes
Exactly. The NY Times tower pulls the same thing as 1 WTC, going from a massive footprint to a stick. Doesn’t count in my book.
1 Like
1931
The ESB did not have a spire until 1951
1950
[Url]Redirect Notice
1951, notice the crane still on the top. Which the metal cone at the top above the 102nd observation deck used to be called “The Hat”
http://www.interestingamerica.com/2011-02-04_Empire_State_Building_at_80_by_R_Grigonis.html
^ Fantastic page full of pics here
6 Likes
Minor note. 1 WTC is about 141’ by 141’ at the top. It’s 200 by 200 at the base. Twins were 208 by 208 with slight cutout at the corners.
4 Likes
Good to know. Didn’t realize it tapered that much. Any idea what the circumference of the spire is at the base?
1 Like