Transforming Ground Zero | World Trade Center New York

On the 11th of September 2001, two terrorist planes crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, USA. This horrific event destroyed the physical structures that were the birthplace and home of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) for the first 30 years of its existence. This tragic event resulted in the senseless loss of thousands of innocent lives. Al- Qaeda’s aims to bring down a nation instead brought the world together. The world was forever changed and the effects of the drastic event reverberated around the globe. 

Despite this tragic loss, The WTCA and global commerce have continued on a path of exponential growth ever since. Over 75 cities, large and small, around the world have established a World Trade Center in their communities since

The aim for the World Trade Center Association is to now continue expanding the global network and promote trade internationally. World Trade Centers are landmarks of international trade and as a result, symbols of the interconnectivity of cross-border business. World Trade Centers aid businesses in interacting with each other on an international platform by connecting with contacts and referrals with access to relevant information.

The World Trade Center Association buildings in lower Manhattan are once again rising out of the ashes like a phoenix, testament to their endurance. After the tragedy, Lower Manhattan resembled a war zone, in which many businesses retreated, but 10 years on, it is fast becoming a trendy area with a booming business and residential population. With the clearing of the ash cloud post 9/11, a new community began growing. The rejuvenation taking place is the result of an impressive rebuild plan which will be complete by 2015 or 2016. Already, the area has attracted a number of high profile companies and developments, as well as high-end retailers.

World Trade Center by Night (credit dbox, courtesy SPI)

The Ground Zero Site of the World Trade Center Association will include four new skyscrapers, a memorial, museum and a park. The tallest of the buildings, at 541 metres tall, is One World Trade Center or ‘Freedom Tower’ and is under the development of the Durst Organisation and owners of the land, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Developer Larry Silverstein, who had the lease on the original site, has welcomed a state-of-the-art facelift to the World Trade Center buildings in his development of the other buildings, with Seven World Trade Center completed.

Space has allowed for this new era of construction of lower Manhattan, with the Ground Zero site at the forefront. These two factors have been the major attractions in welcoming this era as the remainder of Manhattan is notorious for lack of space. The world’s top architects have fl ocked to the area, aided by the transportation upgrade from the World Trade Center.

Built in 1973, the old towers were icons of the New York skyline – their omnipresence publicly noted in movies such as Spiderman and King Kong, as well as Man on Wire, the documentary about the 1974 tightrope walk between the towers by French high-wire artist Philippe Petit. The revamp is based on a design which corrects the flaws of the original towers and includes impressive security. The project has been federally funded and serves to bring new life to the oldest part of New York City which is rich in political and cultural history. The major difference now being that the streets have been brought to life