Looking Forward

Tower One

Tower One, also known as the Freedom Tower, will rise to be the tallest building in the square as well as the country, at 1,776 feet, symbolising the year the Declaration of Independence was signed, and the birth of the United States.

Planned to be the exact same base size as the old footprint of the original twin towers, this monument aims not only to offer reminiscence of the past, but to also speak about the shimmering hopes of the future. It will be marked by its crystalline core, which will reflect light from all sides to create a skin surfaced like a kaleidoscope.

The tower will house 69 office floors, broadcast facilities, restaurants, an observation deck, and will connect with the new transportation hub. Other than regaining lost grounds, the building will have advanced safety systems that set a new standard for high–rise buildings. It will also utilize the latest green technologies such as renewable energy, interior daylighting, and the reuse of rainwater. Atop the tower will be a                                     408–foot antenna, with a beacon that will send out a light beam, visible for miles at                                     night.

Tower Two

Tower Two will be the second largest building of the site, as well as in New York City, rising high with a crystalline diamond summit. Fully clad in glass, the dipped peak of building will face the memorial and park below, intended as a nodded acknowledgement.

Arranged around a cruciform core, the tower is punctuated on all sides into four distinct interconnected blocks. High–speed shuttle elevators and cross–corridor circulators will roam, allowing for increased efficiency at all levels. Following the lead of its predecessors, Tower One and Seven, Tower Two will also aim to achieve the Gold standard under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) issued by the US Green Building Council.
 

Tower Three

Tower Three has a most advantageous location and as a result its design accentuates verticality and its central position within the square. The building's corners are column–free–offering for a panoramic view to its office inhabitants, and the diamond–shaped bracing on its exterior marks the uniqueness to its appearance. Being a 'podium' building, Tower Three's upper levels are designed to take weight off the lower ones in a straddling position. Like its predecessors, this tower also strives to achieve the Gold standard under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) issued by the US Green Building Council.

Tower Four

Tower Four will be the fourth–largest skyscraper on the site. Taking into account the aesthetic presences of the other buildings and to create spatial harmony, the architects of Tower Four strive to make this building an ambassador between the square, the memorial, and the rest of the city. It will therefore have an understated, minimalist design.

Its multi–layered composite glass coating skin is carefully structured to change shades depending on times of day. The four corners of the building will all end at different elevations, allowing diverse entry points to the building itself. This building                                                                                                also strives to achieve the Gold
                                                                                           standard under the  Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) issued by the US Green Building Council.

Tower Five

Tower Five will occupy the area formerly occupied by the Deutsche Bank building, but the exact use and design of this new monument is still under debate. Proposals include reconstruction of the building into a residential site, a performing arts center, and even as part of an expansion project of NYU. Currently, deconstruction of the damaged former building is still under way, and the future visage of this tower still remains unsettled.

Performing Arts Center

The Performing Arts Center will house a 1,000-seat venue designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry. The sole occupant of the venue will be the modern dance-focused Joyce Theater, but may also host other events such as the Tribeca Film Festival.
 

Tower Seven

Having already been acknowledged for its genius in design through several notable awards, Tower Seven continues to occupy an unmitigated presence within the square. Noted for both its collaboration with artists on its appearance and for its sustainability innovations, this tower continues to be the role model for its sister buildings to compare and stand up to.

Within this monument is an ephemeral color-changing lobby ceiling and the prosaic poetic texts swirl and run along its exterior glass walls, supplying pedestrians and bystanders with anecdotes to the history of the city on which they walk. Amongst its many 'green' achievements is the ability to allow direct sunlight to touch 90% of commonly occupied space, to employ 100% renewable energy for electricity, and to be the first NYC commercial building to receive the LEED certificate.