By Steven Spinola
We marked a major milestone in the history of New York City this week, after eight years of construction and standing at a symbolic 1,776 feet, One World Trade Center opened its doors. As the first employees of Condé Nast are settling into new offices at this spectacular building, thousands of more employees of the publishing company and other firms will move there in the weeks and months ahead.
It is difficult to decide where to begin when discussing this masterpiece of modern engineering, designed by David Childs, a celebrated architect of Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill, LLP.
This is a building which, in addition to being the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, has incredible emotional, symbolic, aesthetic, economic, and environmental value. One World Trade Center is more than New York’s newest skyscraper – it represents the very heart and soul of New York.
One World Trade Center is the culmination of an amazing collaboration between the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and The Durst Organization, and was engineered to be the safest and most secure commercial structure in the world, as well as the most recognized and desirable office address in the world.
It features three million square feet of office space spanning 71 floors, a breathtaking observation deck, a grand lobby, an underground tunnel that will branch off into 11 subway lines. It also boasts LEED Gold Certification, cooling systems used to reclaim rainwater, and an electricity-generated system partly powered by waste steam.
On top of all of this, its energy performance exceeds code requirements by an impressive 20 percent. It is the single most environmentally sustainable project of its size in the world, and has truly set a new standard for environmentally-conscious real estate projects.
In terms of safety, One World Trade Center is also in the top of its class. Like its energy performance, its safety systems also come in well above code requirements. The building also provides a dedicated staircase for exclusive use by firefighters, concrete-protected sprinklers, emergency risers and communication systems, a protected tenant collection point on each floor, and extra-wide pressurized staircases.
Its elevators are housed in the central building’s protected core, and it also features enhanced emergency communication cabling. Once again, The Port Authority and The Durst Organization have both pursued excellence, and this project’s completion is the result of several years of vision and collaborative planning coming to fruition.
The tower is not only a symbol of sustainability and safety, but also one of strength, durability, and endurance. For millions of people, One World Trade represents not only hope and perseverance, but the indomitability of the American spirit. It emanates an extremely modern glow, yet at the same time seamlessly blends in with the everlasting appeal of New York’s iconic skyline. Its very structure is designed around a strong frame consisting of steel beams and columns, ensuring maximum sturdiness and resilience.
One World Trade Center has already leased nearly 60 percent of its office space, and occupancy is continuing to accelerate. At long last, New Yorkers will finally be able to experience the Lower Manhattan neighborhood that was promised to them years ago.
The opening of the tower will no doubt be pointed to for years to come as a turning point in New York City’s history. The redevelopment of the World Trade Center has triggered unprecedented growth in Lower Manhattan and transformed it into a truly 24/7 live/work neighborhood. My congratulations and profound thanks go to the Port Authority and The Durst Organization and all those who worked so hard to make this rebirth possible. I look forward to seeing what exciting new developments Lower Manhattan has to offer us in the future.
In other REBNY news:
REBNY is a proud partner of the 2014 Massey Knakal Multifamily Summit! This exciting two-day event is taking place on November 12 and 13 at the McGraw-Hill Conference Center, and will bring together over 850 owners, operators, investors and multifamily experts, making it the largest day-long multifamily conference in New York! It will also be featuring several guest speakers and informative panel discussions, and REBNY members can receive a $75 discount on tickets using code MP-75REBNY through Eventbrite. For more information on this event, please contact Heather Eisenstadt at heisenstadt@greenpearlevents.com or visit our website mkmultifamilysummit.com.
November 19 is REBNY’s 1st Annual Commercial Brooklyn Cocktail Party! Join REBNY at Brooklyn Winery for a night of wine, light hors d’oeuvres and networking! This event is from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and is $25 for REBNY Members and $45 for non-members. It is hosted by the REBNY Commercial Brooklyn Committee, and tickets are limited. Register and pay online at www.REBNY.com, and for more information please contact Jeanne Oliver-Taylor at JTaylor@rebny.com.
