World Trade Center leaseholder Larry Silverstein today released a design for the new 7 World Trade Center.
The building, damaged during the terrorist attacks on the WTC complex, collapsed late in the day on Sept. 11. Silverstein pledged to rebuild it, and the announcement was believed to be a major step forward in the overall rebuilding of Lower Manhattan.
Since the terrorist attacks destroyed the WTC, nothing has been built on the site. Even outside the immediate area, very few developments are in the works, though some developers are reportedly eying the district for office and residential construction. "We will not be intimidated by the terrorists. We are just not going to let them destroy our way of life," said New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg of Silverstein’s determination to rebuild the tower.
The design of the new 7 WTC, created by Architect David Childs of Skidmore Owings and Merrill, will include many additional safety provisions such as added fireproofing and wider stairwells. The building will have 52 stories, 10 of which will be occupied by Con Edison power company substation. The remaining floors are vacant. The original building housed a Con Edison substation and Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s emergency bunker.
The building is scheduled to reopen in 2005.
