US$2.7 billion 3 World Trade Center – built at site of twin towers – opens after years of delay
The opening of the 80-storey tower, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Richard Rogers, is a vindication for developer Larry Silverstein, who fought with government agencies and family members of 9/11 victims to get it done
An 80-storey office building set to open this week at the World Trade Center will be the third completed skyscraper at the site where the twin towers stood.
Monday’s ribbon-cutting for the 1,079-foot (329-metre) 3 World Trade Center marks a major step in the rebuilding of the site, stalled for years by disputes among government agencies, trade centre developer Larry Silverstein, insurers and 9/11 victims’ family members who wanted the entire site to be preserved for eternity as a memorial.
The new US$2.7 billion building, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Richard Rogers, has been the fifth-tallest building in New York City since construction topped out in 2016.
That designation seemed elusive in 2009 when the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which owns the trade centre site and was battling with Silverstein over costs associated with rebuilding, sought to reduce 3 World Trade to a four-storey “stump”.
After arbitration in the dispute between the developer and the property owner, construction started in 2010 but was halted at seven stories because of a lack of financing.