It lacks wow-factor and it is not an iconic addition to the skyline. The Twin Towers (and the Empire State) very much said 'this is New York'. When I first went

It lacks wow-factor and it is not an iconic addition to the skyline. The Twin Towers (and the Empire State) very much said 'this is New York'. When I first went to New York I very much wanted to go up the Empire State - a visit without going to the top would not have felt complete. I am sure many, many tourists feel the same. However, with the Twin Towers there was somewhere higher to go so tourists would be siphoned off and up there. The London skyline has redefined itself in recent times to be a bit like some theme park. The 'eye', the 'Gherkin' and the 'Shard' (as well as the 'walkie-talkie' building and 'cheese-grater') are what the skyline is now. The interior of the 'Shard' is one thing, the exterior is something else. I am not a fan of the new novelty London skyline, however, the 'Shard' looks awesome from afar, if you commute in. It has that aspect of awe and wonder that I think the new WTC needed. How hard is it to have awe and wonder? The Twin Towers were as basic a shape as you can get yet they had it. How valuable is it worth? Probably the French are best to ask on that, the Eiffel Tower has it but there isn't a lot of rentable space there. Yet the Eiffel Tower is probably one of the best investments in a building ever made, it defines the city and tourists as well as locals love it. Innovation is important with iconic buildings. The Twin Towers - despite their many flaws - were truly innovative in their construction and in how acre-sized floors were possible without a lot of pillars in the way. Although the most recent London skyline additions are not exactly 'loved', they all innovate. Does this new WTC building innovate? No. Sure, some things are new and improved, e.g. the lifts, but there is no evidence of engineering genius. As for 'reverence', why should the building stop at the former Twin Tower height? Some brash arrogance with an even taller building should have been the way.