[Epoch Times September 13, 2021](Epoch Times reporter Li Yan comprehensive report) On September 11, 2001, the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York collapsed in suicide terrorist attacks. Today, the new One World Trade Center has risen again from Ground Zero, and the occupancy rate of the most expensive skyscraper in the history of the United States has exceeded 90%.
The Wall Street Journal reported that this 1,776-foot (541-meter) tall office building replaced the original twin towers (North Tower and South Tower) and became the most expensive skyscraper ever built in the United States at a cost of $3.8 billion. Today, more than 90% of the 3.1 million square feet (approximately 28,800 square meters) of the building has been leased out, which is on the same level as other modern office buildings in downtown Manhattan.
According to the building’s owner and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the entire World Trade Center complex has not been profitable since the opening of One World Trade Center seven years ago. The annual report of the Port Authority stated that in 2020, the World Trade Center spent US$335 million, exceeding its revenue of US$328 million.
In 2010, the Port Authority invited private developer Douglas Durst to help “fill up” the building. He said that the slow progress in leasing work over the years was partly because the World Trade Center was resisted by potential tenants, which was related to the terrorist attacks that year.
“When we negotiate with large tenants, there is always someone who says they feel uncomfortable in this place.” Duster said, “So, we ended up renting to smaller tenants, and (their) CEO can Tell the staff:’If you don’t want to come here, you don’t have to force it.'”
The World Trade Center complex is located in Lower Manhattan, New York City, USA. It was originally composed of 6 buildings and the owner was the New Zealand Port Authority. Since its opening on April 4, 1973, the two twin towers have become one of New York’s famous landmarks. The “North Tower” and “South Tower” were the tallest buildings in the world at that time, surpassing the Empire State Building, which was also in Manhattan.
However, in the series of suicide terrorist attacks that took place on September 11, 2001, the twin towers collapsed one after another; other buildings in the World Trade Center were also completely destroyed or severely damaged. Currently under reconstruction.
According to the reconstruction plan, 5 skyscrapers and a victim memorial will be built. One of the buildings is the new main building, while the sixth building will not be rebuilt. As of July 2020, the reconstruction of Building 1, Building 3, Building 4 and Building 7 has been completed, Building 2 is scheduled to be completed in 2022, and the construction plan for Building 5 has been terminated.
The reconstructed One World Trade Center (1 WTC) has a total of 94 floors above ground and 5 floors underground, with a height of 1,776 feet (541 meters). This height was set to commemorate the “American Declaration of Independence” signed in 1776. The building was originally called Freedom Tower, but it was changed to its current name in 2009. The building started construction on April 27, 2006, and was completed on November 3, 2014. It is the tallest building in the United States and New York and becomes the main building of the World Trade Center.
However, the owners said that with the replacement of employees in the workplace, people’s attitudes towards working in the World Trade Center are now changing. Many employees today were young on September 11, 2001. In their view, the 9/11 incident or just a distant historical event has nothing to do with personal safety.
“I think most young people don’t think (working) in the World Trade Center is dangerous,” said Tyler Fogatt, a 26-year-old senior editor of The New Yorker magazine.
“When I came to the “New Yorker” for an interview, I found that I had to pass One Trade Center. I think this is the coolest thing in the world.” She said, “I didn’t think much about its relationship with the 9/11 incident.” .
Duster said that more than 90% of the 3.1 million square feet (about 28,800 square meters) of the building has been leased out, which puts it on the same level as other modern office buildings in downtown Manhattan.
Duster added that the topic of September 11 is rarely mentioned these days. He said: “We have rarely heard this topic.”
The broker said that with the rise of nearby buildings and the removal of fences preventing the public from entering, the new World Trade Center began to look like a modern office building rather than a construction site, and the fear of potential tenants also subsided.
According to Lynne Sagalyn, author of the book “Power at Ground Zero,” the property also has government subsidies, so tenants’ rental fees are lower than similar venues.
Building One suffered huge cost overruns during the redevelopment process. Compared with the other two office buildings under the control of Larry Silverstein, chairman of the developer Silverstein Properties, the redevelopment speed is slower.
However, Marty Burger, CEO of Zhaohua Stan, said: “Rebuilding the World Trade Center is never for money.”
A spokesperson for the Port Authority pointed out that World Trade Center One is “critical to the restoration of Lower Manhattan after September 11.”
On this 16-acre piece of land, in addition to three office buildings including Building One, a shopping mall, and the 9.11 Memorial and Museum, there is also a transportation hub named “Oculus” (Oculus). Put into use.
In addition, a performing arts center and a Greek Orthodox church are under construction to replace the church that was destroyed on September 11, and is expected to open in 2023. Two other office buildings and a residential building are also planned, but construction has not yet started.
Editor in charge: Lin Yan#
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