World Trade Centre opens for business

bear1

After 13 years New Yorkers have finally gotten their skyline back to some sort of normality.
I must say it is a striking looking building:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/world-trade-center-reopens-business-26646782

The cost? 3.9 billion dollars..... :eek:
I'd love to know though how much the insurance company asked to insure it though.
That being said, I can't help but feel that it is sort of like a dare to terrorists. Like waving a red flag in front of a pissed off bull. Fingers crossed that isn't the case but I couldn't work in that building at all.
It probably would have made a much stronger statement if they had built the exact same towers.

branie2

It's great to have it again though

Mr_Red

I wonder if it will be haunted

Don't Chute!

Mr_Red wrote: »

I wonder if it will be haunted

It won't.

bear1

Mr_Red wrote: »

I wonder if it will be haunted

It won't be haunted but I think the employees will be watching the views a lot more carefully now.

seamus

bear1 wrote: »

It probably would have made a much stronger statement if they had built the exact same towers.

Yeah, but why would you do that. Technology has moved on and no doubt there was a list of errors as high the towers themselves, so why not start afresh with a modern building?

In reality apart from their height, they weren't exactly nice-looking buildings, just two sticks poking up into the air.

bear1

seamus wrote: »

Yeah, but why would you do that. Technology has moved on and no doubt there was a list of errors as high the towers themselves, so why not start afresh with a modern building?

In reality apart from their height, they weren't exactly nice-looking buildings, just two sticks poking up into the air.

I agree, they were nothing nice to look at. They were even hated at the beginning but their design then became iconic and pretty much loved.
I think it would make a stronger statement in the sense that it would be like saying to the terrorists "you knocked them down so here they are the exact same again" and use the same reinforced whatever they used on this building.
I always liked the look of the old WTC in fairness, majestic looking.

minotour

I look forward to paying 12 bucks for a coke in the observation deck again.......

bear1

minotour wrote: »

I look forward to paying 12 bucks for a coke in the observation deck again.......

Don't buy it then.

KomradeBishop

Noticed this last night - surprisingly hard to Google good pictures, which show the full building top to bottom, but it's nice.

Saw this guys Halloween costume from a skyscraper forum I found while searching - brilliant
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=118697473&postcount=56443
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=118729012&postcount=56453

The name though, 'Freedom Tower', is a bit cringeworthy - hope it doesn't get permanently dubbed that.

Karl Stein

Video shot 4 days before the 9/11 attacks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmHgY_J63Ik

Egginacup

Shame they didn't rebuild the innocent countries and millions of lives they destroyed in their quest for revenge.

Shiraz 4.99

The main entrance is awful for a building of this prestige.

http://www.independent.ie/world-news/americas/13-years-after-twin-towers-attacks-world-trade-centre-set-to-reopen-for-business-30713181.html

Robbo

Of course Jim Corr knows how it was *really* constructed.

the_monkey

seamus wrote: »

Yeah, but why would you do that. Technology has moved on and no doubt there was a list of errors as high the towers themselves, so why not start afresh with a modern building?

In reality apart from their height, they weren't exactly nice-looking buildings, just two sticks poking up into the air.

Nah, they could have rebuilt them in the same shape with modern methods eliminating whatever errors.
Also they were iconic - fantastic symbol of NYC and America.

They should have built them to the same shapes - maybe a bit taller to hit the 1776 feet mark.

This new building looks ****e ..

bear1

the_monkey wrote: »

Nah, they could have rebuilt them in the same shape with modern methods eliminating whatever errors.
Also they were iconic - fantastic symbol of NYC and America.

They should have built them to the same shapes - maybe a bit taller to hit the 1776 feet mark.

This new building looks ****e ..

I read that the new tower is something like 1300 feet and then they put a 400 foot spire at the top.

valoren

I wonder would the rents for the highest floors (which would generally be higher) be a lot lower than the lower floors?

the_monkey

bear1 wrote: »

I read that the new tower is something like 1300 feet and then they put a 400 foot spire at the top.

It is , it reached 1776 feet to hit that landmark value (1776 declaration of US independence)

I just think the original design would have been a bigger f*ck you to the backward assholes that destroyed the 1st ones.

biko

They should check the towers for pre-installed explosives.

the_monkey

valoren wrote: »

I wonder would the rents for the highest floors (which would generally be higher) be a lot lower than the lower floors?

I doubt it, I remember just after 9/11/2001 people thought the days of the tall building were over - that fear quickly dissapated.

There is no real threat of this type of attack ever happening again - at least in US Airspace, not with tight airport security and Air Marshalls aboard the planes.

Karl Stein

the_monkey wrote: »

I just think the original design would have been a bigger f*ck you to the backward assholes that destroyed the 1st ones.

They're all dead.

Avada

valoren wrote: »

I wonder would the rents for the highest floors (which would generally be higher) be a lot lower than the lower floors?

Nope, read the link in the OP

seamus

the_monkey wrote: »

There is no real threat of this type of attack ever happening again - at least in US Airspace, not with tight airport security and Air Marshalls aboard the planes.

Richard Reid.

3 months after 11/9/2001, when security and alertness was at its highest, this guy boarded a plane in the US with explosives.

The procedures in the US airports are security theatre - people feel better about air travel without actually being any safer.

As time goes on, readiness decreases and the liklihood of something happening increases again.

Let's not forget MH370; all indications are that this was a suicidal pilot. Do you honestly think it would be impossible for a terrorist group to play the long game here and get actual pilots into cockpits again?

Or even the weapons used - on the day they all had stanley knives. Easily picked up by metal detectors, but what about plastic or ceramic blades? Just as dangerous as metal blades, but undetectable at airport security.

The only difference now is that there would be less faffing - no hesitation in shooting down a rogue passenger aircraft. But in the former scenario a pilot could divert as they make their approach to JFK and crash into the city before anyone can scramble any jets.

the_monkey

seamus wrote: »

Richard Reid.

3 months after 11/9/2001, when security and alertness was at its highest, this guy boarded a plane in the US with explosives.

The procedures in the US airports are security theatre - people feel better about air travel without actually being any safer.

As time goes on, readiness decreases and the liklihood of something happening increases again.

Let's not forget MH370; all indications are that this was a suicidal pilot. Do you honestly think it would be impossible for a terrorist group to play the long game here and get actual pilots into cockpits again?

Or even the weapons used - on the day they all had stanley knives. Easily picked up by metal detectors, but what about plastic or ceramic blades? Just as dangerous as metal blades, but undetectable at airport security.

The only difference now is that there would be less faffing - no hesitation in shooting down a rouge passenger aircraft. But in the former scenario a pilot could divert as they make their approach to JFK and crash into the city before anyone can scramble any jets.

There some good points there, still think an on board US Air marshall would
stop it

the_monkey

Karl Stein wrote: »

They're all dead.

Indeed but the "beliefs" that inspired them are still very much alive

Mr Freeze

the_monkey wrote: »

There some good points there, still think an on board US Air marshall would
stop it

How many US Air marshals are there though?

Like there isn't one on every plane.

Edit, a quick google comes back with somewhere between 1% and 5% of flights in the US might have an Air Marshal on board.

KomradeBishop

the_monkey wrote: »

Indeed but the "beliefs" that inspired them are still very much alive

What beliefs are they?

bear1

I'd say there are air marshalls operating within the US to stop this sort of threat.
I'd doubt they would be allowed to travel internationally with guns on board.

the_monkey

KomradeBishop wrote: »

What beliefs are they?

Do we really need to go there ?

with everything that's going on in the world now ..

cena

I look forward to going soon

Tokyo

the_monkey wrote: »

There some good points there, still think an on board US Air marshall would
stop it

It wouldn't be an issue either way - plane would most likely be shot down before it ever got near the city. Had it happened before 9/11, of course there would be a huge outcry, but there's precedent now, those on board would be hailed as heroes for making the ultimate sacrifice, and that would be the end of it.

Mr Freeze

bear1 wrote: »

I'd say there are air marshalls operating within the US to stop this sort of threat.
I'd doubt they would be allowed to travel internationally with guns on board.

There are, but its very few.

Myth 4. Federal air marshals are on many flights.

Far from it. While a FAM could be on your next flight, don't bet on it.

"There are around 30,000 commercial flights per day over the U.S.," says Casaretti. "If you were to attempt to place a team of just two FAMs on each flight, it would require an agency of over 75,000 FAMs (accounting for training and days off). FAMs cover a very small percentage of commercial flights."

Which flight air marshals get on is determined by a computer program that assesses the probability of threat based on the aircraft, departure and destination cities, as well as the amount of fuel on board. This is the threat matrix that comes out of the missions operation center.

The TSA will not release statistics on the number of air marshals. TSA's Pascarella acknowledges only "many thousands." But Biles estimates that there are approximately 3,300 FAMs and of those, 34% are filling ground assignments in training, operations and management.

"We call them 'chair marshals,' riding out their career in management," says Biles. That leaves 66% of the workforce to perform in-flight security duties.

From Myths about Air Marshals.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/2014/08/07/5-myths-about-air-marshals/13724331/


So it depends on where you are flying from or to in the US, and even then there might not be an Air Marshal on board, unless its deemed a very high risk flight by their risk calculations.

0byme75341jo28

Who actually paid for the construction of the towers?

bear1

Kairo Greasy Pajamas wrote: »

Who actually paid for the construction of the towers?

Investors, local authorities, the Government, taxpayers...

dudara

Was in NYC a few days ago and passed by the new WTC. A lot of construction work still ongoing in that area obviously, but the new buildings look well.

Egginacup

the_monkey wrote: »

I doubt it, I remember just after 9/11/2001 people thought the days of the tall building were over - that fear quickly dissapated.

There is no real threat of this type of attack ever happening again - at least in US Airspace, not with tight airport security and Air Marshalls aboard the planes.

Considering this so called tight security and Air Marshall's haven't thwarted a single attack, I'd say they are either pretty useless or the whole terrorist threat is completely overblown farce.

Egginacup

mike_ie wrote: »

It wouldn't be an issue either way - plane would most likely be shot down before it ever got near the city. Had it happened before 9/11, of course there would be a huge outcry, but there's precedent now, those on board would be hailed as heroes for making the ultimate sacrifice, and that would be the end of it.

Why shoot it down when you can let it crash and then blame Putin?

ClovenHoof

Great! we are being robbed again!

Kersh

Delighted the NYC skyline is starting to look good again.

There is a residential tower almost as tall, and taller than Empire State, just up the road :pac:

Measuring roof height, and ignoring "top-off spires" this one is taller than 1 WTC.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/432_Park_Avenue

the_monkey

Kersh wrote: »

Delighted the NYC skyline is starting to look good again.

There is a residential tower almost as tall, and taller than Empire State, just up the road :pac:

Measuring roof height, and ignoring "top-off spires" this one is taller than 1 WTC.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/432_Park_Avenue

Nothing like the NYC skyline !!!

Streetwalker

Freedom tower lol. Sounds like something out of team America world police.

Beefy78

I had a couple of days in New York at the start of last month staying in a really, really ****ty hotel in Chinatown. Only thing the hotel had going for it though was an amazing view of the new tower. I think it'll go on to be as iconic as the old towers were. It is a very impressive looking building in the 'flesh'.

The new memorial is really classy as well.

Its Only Ray Parlour

Streetwalker wrote: »

Freedom tower lol. Sounds like something out of team America world police.

They freed Iraq, didn't they?!

Edit*

Actually, the Afghanistan war was called Operation Enduring Freedom.

bear1

Beefy78 wrote: »

I had a couple of days in New York at the start of last month staying in a really, really ****ty hotel in Chinatown. Only thing the hotel had going for it though was an amazing view of the new tower. I think it'll go on to be as iconic as the old towers were. It is a very impressive looking building in the 'flesh'.

The new memorial is really classy as well.

If I ever got a chance to visit New York I think it would be the main thing I'd want to see. The memorial that is.

Gannicus

Originally read that as World Trade CENTRA opens for business

smash

Watched a documentary there a while back about the progress of the new buildings. The architect planned some crazy stuff to do with the way the shadows will fall at the exact time the original towers fell. Can't remember what it was and couldn't be arsed looking it up but I'm glad there's something interesting there now.

Skylinehead

Streetwalker wrote: »

Freedom tower lol. Sounds like something out of team America world police.

It's not actually called that is it? One World Trade Centre now.

bear1

smash wrote: »

Watched a documentary there a while back about the progress of the new buildings. The architect planned some crazy stuff to do with the way the shadows will fall at the exact time the original towers fell. Can't remember what it was and couldn't be arsed looking it up but I'm glad there's something interesting there now.

I'm trying to find this documentary as it sounds pretty cool... can't find the bastard anywhere

EDIT: Is it this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8epA4EirjR8

Beefy78

The doc is on the US Netflix I think. Either that or a similar one is. Might be on a few of the other Netflix stores too.

smash

bear1 wrote: »

I'm trying to find this documentary as it sounds pretty cool... can't find the bastard anywhere

EDIT: Is it this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8epA4EirjR8

Could be. I'm sure there's a hundred documentaries now. It was on History or Discover channel when I watched it.

I'm pretty sure this is it: http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/the-rising/rebuilding-ground-zero-videos and I think this is a the bit I was talking about http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/the-rising/rebuilding-ground-zero-videos/rebuilding-ground-zero-wedge-of-light.htm

Amirani

Egginacup wrote: »

Shame they didn't rebuild the innocent countries and millions of lives they destroyed in their quest for revenge.

What millions of lives did New York State destroy?