World Trade Center-1 WTC-Construction-90th Floor-Untapped Cities-NYCView from external elevator shaft landing on the 9oth floor of 1 WTC

Yesterday, we went to check out construction of 1 WTC construction through the American Planning Association New York Metro Chapter. We made a short video using Google Glass, as we did for the Calatrava Transportation Hub. Our visit took us from the ground floor, up temporary elevators for the construction to the 49th floor, where we transferred to another elevator bank that goes up to the 64th floor. After that, we switched again to elevators to the 90th floor. On the 90th floor, there is a landing for the external elevator shaft which has dizzying views to the world below and 9/11 Memorial.

1 WTC was redesigned twice to match changing security requirements–namely so it could withstand future blasts from vehicles at ground level. Nonetheless, according to Quentin Brathwaite at the Port Authority, who gave us an introductory presentation, the building must still operate as a conventional office tower despite security measures.

See more of our coverage on the WTC:

Calatrava Transportation Hub Construction Video
Behind the Scenes at 1 WTC and Calatrava Hub in June
9/11 Memorial

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