Saturday, June 23, 2012

An updated rendering of the 1 World Trade Center (1 WTC), released on May 10, 2012.
The Durst Organization

Freedom Tower update... As of June 7, the 1 World Trade Center's (1 WTC) steel framework has risen to 103 stories, with only one more floor remaining to be constructed before the skyscraper tops out sometime this summer. Even though it is now the tallest building by roof height in New York City, the 1 WTC may not become the highest skyscraper in the United States after all...due to the fact the 408-foot (124 meters) high antenna that will be installed atop the 1 WTC had to be redesigned because of concerns about future maintenance issues. The antenna was supposed to be encased inside a spire in the building's original concept; however, due to the Trade Center's immense height at 1,776 feet (541.32 meters) once completed, engineers might have difficulty making repairs to the spire if it suffered any type of damage. So the antenna will not be enclosed in anything once it is attached to the rooftop of 1 WTC. Architectural experts include spires, but not antennas, when they're judging how tall a skyscraper is. So the Freedom Tower may either be 1,776-feet tall or 1,368-feet (417 meters) tall—at its rooftop level—once experts see the antenna actually placed on the skyscraper. If it's the latter height, then the Willis Tower in Chicago will keep its title as the tallest office building [at 1,450 feet (442.1 meters)...minus its twin antennas] in the U.S.

By the way, for those of you who are wondering what the fuss is all about in regards to 1 WTC (since it is, after all, just an office building), it's a symbol of post-9/11 recovery in New York City even though the skyscraper is still being assembled. Otherwise, a U.S. president wouldn't have dropped by at the construction site to leave his mark on a steel beam that will be one of the final components to be installed as the Freedom Tower nears completion. That is all.

The 1 WTC towers above the New York skyline, on June 1, 2012.
WTCProgress - Twitter.com

The 1 WTC is lit up in red, white and blue lights to mark President Obama's visit to the site on June 15, 2012.
WTCProgress - Twitter.com

President Obama and the First Lady sign a steel beam that will be one of the final components to complete the 1 WTC, on June 15, 2012.
WTCProgress - Twitter.com

No comments:

Post a Comment