It’s unfortunate that Santiago Calatrava‘s original design for the WTC Transportation Hub got scrapped for a shrunken, more watered-down version. But the cost saving measures that transformed his beautiful “bird” into what some critics have dubbed as a “rack of lamb” didn’t completely destroy the majestic spirit of the original design.
Construction images recently released by the Port Authority of NY & NJ reveal that the Oculus is finally taking shape, emerging from its WTC site as something that could very well be quite iconic.
The 1st of 114 rafter fins (left) installed on the Oculus. This image was taken March 14, 2014.
At approximately 800,000-square-feet, the hub will be the third largest transportation center in New York City, rivaling Grand Central Station in size. The hub’s concourse will also be just as, if not more, comprehensive as Grand Central, serving more than 200,000 daily commuters. The Oculus will connect visitors to 11 different subway lines, the Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) rail system, Battery Park City Ferry Terminal, the World Trade Center Memorial Site, WTC Towers 1, 2, 3, and 4, the World Financial Center and the Winter Garden. Additionally, 225,000-square-feet of the area along the concourses will be dedicated to retail and dining.
It comes as no surprise that the project has not been cheap. Calatrava’s original design was initially budgeted for $2 billion, and even with some value engineering measures pushed onto it, costs have inflated to nearly $4 billion—this is part in parcel to being nearly six years off schedule. The hub is slated to open some time next year.
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- Cranes continue to piece the Oculus together
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- Here, 66 Oculus steel segments and 76 upper portals have been installed.
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- Looking north at the Oculus.
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- The 1st of 114 rafter fins (left) installed on the Oculus. This image was taken March 14, 2014.
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- Steel arch segments and upper portal steel on the westside of the Oculus. Construction workers really give us a sense of scale for this project.
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- Work on the upper “mezzanine” level walk-way, the home of future retail storefronts.
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- Ironworkers make progress even in freezing temperatures.
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- 10-ton steel arch—which is approximately the weight of three average size cars—lifted by a crane.
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- Workers prepare 35-ton steel arch piece for installation.
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- The future WTC Transportation Hub PATH Transit Hall.
Tags : Fulton Center, One World Trade Center, Santiago Calatrava, World Trade Center, World Trade Center Transportation Hub
Neighborhoods : Financial District
