September 11th, 2001, had a significant impact on the world and especially upon American security. The devastating attacks by terrorist group Al Quaeda ushered in a new era of high tension in airports. Customs areas were upgraded and extra officers were drafted in to ensure any passengers entering or leaving the United States were fully accounted for and an attack of the type seen on the World Trade Center could not happen again.
11 years on from the terrorist attacks, Lower Manhattan is picking up the pieces and putting itself together again, largely thanks to commercial developments springing up in the area. Of course, the past of this area cannot be forgotten, so all buildings have been constructed around the footprints of the original World Trade Center towers, which are incorporated into a memorial for the victims of both 9/11 and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. The memorial, designed by Peter Walker and Michael Arad, is entitled “Reflecting Absence”, and consists of pools of water in the footprints of the Twin Towers, underneath which is a memorial space with walls inscribed with the victims’ names.
However, while it is clear that the architects wished to honour the victims of the world’s worst terrorist attack, there are obvious signs that the city wishes to move on from the tragedy. New builds including churches, transportation hubs and office blocks have also been constructed around the site, showing that New York is picking itself up and proving that life goes on.
The World Trade Center Transportation Hub was designed by Santiago Caltrava and allows passengers access to most of Lower Manhattan via the subway station. It was constructed as an update to the previous World Trade Center Station, which was outdated and did not allow for the level of access the new one does. At an estimated cost of 3.44 billion dollars, it is certainly not cheap, but gives the area scope for expansion and is a major attraction for new businesses to invest in the new builds cropping up all over the Lower Manhattan district.
One of the most significant commercial properties to be built in the Ground Zero locale is One World Trade Center, or “Freedom Tower” – a name coined by New York’s Governor Pataki. Once built, the tower will stand at a height of 1,368 feet or 417 metres, which is the height of the original World Trade Center north tower. Additionally, the antenna on top will rise to the symbolic height of 1,776 feet (541 metres). 1776 represents the year in which the Declaration of Independence was signed in America, showing that the 9/11 attacks failed to quash the spirit of Americans.
One of the main tenants of the commercial property to be confirmed is Conde Nast Publications, who will take a place in the building once it officially opens. With well-known magazine brands such as The New Yorker, Vogue, GQ and Vanity Fair all falling under this company’s umbrella, it is fair to say that the tower is attracting a certain level of prestige in business terms.
While the September 11th attacks will go down in history as one of the greatest American tragedies of all time, the aftermath has proven how strong a city New York really is. Memorials have been constructed to remember the dead, yet the area has been able to move on and construct commercial developments which will benefit the whole community. So today, while we remember the victims of the horrific attack, we must too remember that New York is sending a message to the world – that they have come through stronger and willing to prove that the city can withstand anything.
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