Architecture

3 World Trade Center officially opens in NYC

3 World Trade Center officially opens in NYC
3 WTC, the taller glazed building pictured, is the second-tallest building in the World Trade Center site and the fifth tallest in the USA
3 WTC, the taller glazed building pictured, is the second-tallest building in the World Trade Center site and the fifth tallest in the USA
View 20 Images
The new 3 WTC is on on the same site as the original building destroyed in 2001
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The new 3 WTC is on on the same site as the original building destroyed in 2001
3 WTC rises to a total height of 1,079 ft (328 m)
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3 WTC rises to a total height of 1,079 ft (328 m)
3 WTC comprises a total of 2.5 million sq ft (232,260 sq m) of floorspace, spread over 80 floors
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3 WTC comprises a total of 2.5 million sq ft (232,260 sq m) of floorspace, spread over 80 floors
3 WTC features a glass curtain wall made up of 10,000 glass panels made in Italy, Canada, Thailand, and the Netherlands
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3 WTC features a glass curtain wall made up of 10,000 glass panels made in Italy, Canada, Thailand, and the Netherlands
"The new 3 World Trade Center is a soaring symbol of the revitalization of downtown New York City and a testament to the enduring spirit of New Yorkers after 9/11," says New York Governor Andrew Cuomo
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"The new 3 World Trade Center is a soaring symbol of the revitalization of downtown New York City and a testament to the enduring spirit of New Yorkers after 9/11," says New York Governor Andrew Cuomo
3 WTC is slated for LEED Gold (a green building standard) and its energy-efficient design includes a focus on maximizing natural light inside
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3 WTC is slated for LEED Gold (a green building standard) and its energy-efficient design includes a focus on maximizing natural light inside
3 WTC (pictured left) is designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners
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3 WTC (pictured left) is designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners 
Access to 3 WTC is gained by a triple height lobby finished in Italian granite flooring
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Access to 3 WTC is gained by a triple height lobby finished in Italian granite flooring
3 WTC, the taller glazed building pictured, is the second-tallest building in the World Trade Center site and the fifth tallest in the USA
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3 WTC, the taller glazed building pictured, is the second-tallest building in the World Trade Center site and the fifth tallest in the USA
3 WTC comprises a total of 2.5 million sq ft (232,260 sq m) of floorspace, spread over 80 floors
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3 WTC comprises a total of 2.5 million sq ft (232,260 sq m) of floorspace, spread over 80 floors
The new 3 WTC is on on the same site as the original building destroyed in 2001
11/20
The new 3 WTC is on on the same site as the original building destroyed in 2001
3 WTC rises to a total height of 1,079 ft (328 m)
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3 WTC rises to a total height of 1,079 ft (328 m)
3 WTC comprises a total of 2.5 million sq ft (232,260 sq m) of floorspace, spread over 80 floors
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3 WTC comprises a total of 2.5 million sq ft (232,260 sq m) of floorspace, spread over 80 floors
3 WTC features a glass curtain wall made up of 10,000 glass panels made in Italy, Canada, Thailand, and the Netherlands
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3 WTC features a glass curtain wall made up of 10,000 glass panels made in Italy, Canada, Thailand, and the Netherlands
"The new 3 World Trade Center is a soaring symbol of the revitalization of downtown New York City and a testament to the enduring spirit of New Yorkers after 9/11," says New York Governor Andrew Cuomo
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"The new 3 World Trade Center is a soaring symbol of the revitalization of downtown New York City and a testament to the enduring spirit of New Yorkers after 9/11," says New York Governor Andrew Cuomo
3 WTC is slated for LEED Gold (a green building standard) and its energy-efficient design includes a focus on maximizing natural light inside
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3 WTC is slated for LEED Gold (a green building standard) and its energy-efficient design includes a focus on maximizing natural light inside
3 WTC (pictured left) is designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners
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3 WTC (pictured left) is designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners 
Access to 3 WTC is gained by a triple height lobby finished in Italian granite flooring
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Access to 3 WTC is gained by a triple height lobby finished in Italian granite flooring
3 WTC, the taller glazed building pictured, is the second-tallest building in the World Trade Center site and the fifth tallest in the USA
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3 WTC, the taller glazed building pictured, is the second-tallest building in the World Trade Center site and the fifth tallest in the USA
3 WTC comprises a total of 2.5 million sq ft (232,260 sq m) of floorspace, spread over 80 floors
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3 WTC comprises a total of 2.5 million sq ft (232,260 sq m) of floorspace, spread over 80 floors
View gallery - 20 images

New York City's new 3 World Trade Center, designed by London-based firm Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, has been declared open for business in an official ribbon cutting ceremony. Standing on the same Manhattan plot as the original building destroyed in the September 11 attacks, the supertall skyscraper rises to a height of 1,079 ft (328 m).

3 WTC is the second-tallest skyscraper at the World Trade Center site, after SOM's One World Trade Center. It's also the 5th tallest in the USA.

Its interior comprises 2.5 million sq ft (232,260 sq m) of floorspace, spread over 80 floors. Access is gained by a triple height lobby finished in Italian granite flooring. The five lowest floors are given over to retail, while the remaining floors are all office space, three with access to outdoor terrace areas. A total of 44 passenger elevators are used to move people around the building.

Structurally, 3 WTC features a reinforced concrete core encased in a load-sharing k-shaped steel bracing system and glass curtain wall ensuring column-free uninterrupted 360-degree views for those inside. Its construction involved over 4,000 people working millions of combined hours and it required 10,000 panels of glass, 27,000 tons of steel and 145,000 cubic yards (110,860 cubic meters) of concrete.

Access to 3 WTC is gained by a triple height lobby finished in Italian granite flooring
Access to 3 WTC is gained by a triple height lobby finished in Italian granite flooring

The building is slated to receive LEED Gold certification (a green building standard) and has a degree of energy-efficient design, including a focus on natural lighting. Air is drawn into the building and filtered before being distributed intelligently, depending on factors such as the number of people on each floor and the quality of the air inside.

With the completion of 3 WTC, there's just one remaining major tower yet to be finished at the World Trade Center site. However, though the foundations have been poured, it remains to be seen whether BIG's eye-catching design for Two World Trade Center will be realized.

"The new 3 World Trade Center is a soaring symbol of the revitalization of downtown New York City and a testament to the enduring spirit of New Yorkers after 9/11," says New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. "3 World Trade will be a hub of commercial activity and growth for the city and support our efforts to ensure New York remains the economic capital of the world."

Sources: WTC, Silverstein Properties

View gallery - 20 images
2 comments
2 comments
Buzzclick
Wow. I'm not very impressed. 80 floors of meh. I'm starting to miss the original WTC.
This new WTC is a mish-mash of competing and clashing styles. It feels like the planners are trying too hard.
Nik
.... and of course it will be built to withstand an impact by an aircraft, as the original buildings were, but not multiple explosive charges of course.