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It's unfortunate. They had a real opportunity and instead created a lifeless soulless building that stands in deep contrast to the subtle memorial next door or
by jim_greco 12y ago
It's unfortunate. They had a real opportunity and instead created a lifeless soulless building that stands in deep contrast to the subtle memorial next door or Calatrava's soaring transit hub. Too many sacrifices had to be made for this tower. The fortifications at the bottom (20 floors of concrete with a glass covering) are hideous and the removal of the decorative aspects to the spire make it look like a giant syringe.
Not to mention we really didn't need the downtown office space. The Financial District is already half the price of Midtown and firms who want a downtown presence are now looking to more exciting neighborhoods for young workers like Chelsea and the East Village.
- krschultz 12y agoThe spire is especially galling. How much money did it save? 0.5% of the total cost?
- g_mifo 12y agoThe spire is there so that the building is respectfully not taller than the old towers, but still can win the stupid "tallest building" guiness record. Typical play to vanity metrics.
- krschultz 12y agoNo I mean the fact that they neutered the spire. The original design called for a tapered spire. It ended up being built as simple antenna, seemingly with platforms every few stories. It looks unfinished. For a long time I was hoping it was simply unfinished. Turns out it was changed to save $20 million. http://online.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304543904577394473619775032 http://online.wsj.com/articles/SB100014240527023045439045773...
- kevin_thibedeau 12y agoThere was an engineering issue with wind loading on the clad version of the spire so they left it off.
- Theodores 12y agoI like your 'the syringe' name! Can we make that a meme so that is what people call it?