Rendering of 5 World Trade Center posted on site fence
As of this writing, 3 World Trade Center (“WTC”) has finished construction and joined numbers 1 and 4 in the heart of the new Downtown, as the official World Trade Center website puts it. Plans are in the works for a Bjarke Ingels-designed tower at 2 WTC, and a new design at 5 WTC has just been revealed.
The Deutsche Bank Building at 5 WTC, also known as 130 Liberty Street, suffered damage when parts of the Twin Towers slammed into it in 2001. There was a deadly fire in 2007, and the deconstruction was completed in 2011. The site saw signs of life when JPMorgan Chase announced plans to lease the site for construction of a 42-story “pot-bellied” building, but the bank later backed out. Port Authority still owns the site.
The former "beer-belly" design JP Morgan drafted with KPF a decade ago
In a look at the World Trade Center site last September, Curbed reported that there was no design or development plan. This March, however, YIMBY reported that a 2014 plan by Chinese developer Dalian Wanda Group is being re-examined: A new, glassy supertall designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox would have a department store, 240 hotel rooms, and condos on the upper floors. Such a building would be a striking addition to the downtown skyline but risk encroaching on the views enjoyed by residents of the under-construction 125 Greenwich Street. W New York Downtown Hotel & Residences is another neighbor.
5 World Trade Center vision by Kohn Pedersen Fox / Dalian Wanda Group
Unbuilt vision designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox
Plans for a new venture have not yet been filed with the Department of Buildings, and Dalian Wanda Group’s involvement in the project is in doubt due to the Chinese government’s recent crackdown on international property development. Nevertheless, it is encouraging to see signs of progress and renewal at 5 WTC.
(CityRealty)
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Michelle Mazzarella
Michelle is a contributing writer and editor for real estate news in New York City
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