7 World Trade Center - by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill

[expose05]

thanks i appreciate the info.:)

[BPC]

here we go ...

7 World Trade Center Gets a Major Tenant

By CHARLES V. BAGLI

Published: June 20, 2006

The developer Larry A. Silverstein has named a major tenant for 7 World Trade Center, the first skyscraper built in Lower Manhattan since the 9/11 attack, according to two real estate executives who have been briefed on the deal.

Moody's Investors Service, the financial rating agency, signed a letter of intent on Friday to occupy 15 floors in the 52-story tower, which officially opened in May. Moody's, the executives said, plans to sell its cramped 55-year-old headquarters a few blocks away at 99 Church Street.

The move bodes well for both Mr. Silverstein and the downtown real estate market, which has suffered a high vacancy rate since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Developers usually find a deal with an anchor tenant before beginning construction. But Mr. Silverstein built the $700 million glass and stainless steel tower largely with insurance money and tax-free Liberty bonds, so he could afford to wait for the right tenant.

Until the deal with Moody's, Mr. Silverstein had been able to attract only a handful of tenants for eight floors. He also held out for a premium rent downtown.

But in recent months, real estate brokers say, skyrocketing rents in Midtown and a dearth of large blocks of space are prompting tenants to look downtown, where rents are 30 percent less than in Midtown.

Moody's decision to move into 600,000 square feet at 7 World Trade Center reflects a growing confidence in Lower Manhattan, the brokers said.

Howard J. Rubenstein, a spokesman for Mr. Silverstein, said he was unable to reach the developer last night for comment.

Aside from getting a more modern headquarters, Moody's would also reap a long list of tax breaks, rent rebates and other incentives offered by state and city officials to reduce the rent by as much as 10 dollars per square foot annually.

The original tower at 7 World Trade Center was destroyed in the attack on Sept 11. Mr. Silverstein began rebuilding the tower, which sits at the corner of Vesey and Greenwich Streets, in 2002.

Ameriprise Financial has leased half a floor in the building and the New York Academy of Sciences has taken an entire floor, as has Silverstein Properties. Mr. Silverstein also has a tentative deal with Vantone Real Estate, a Chinese company, for the top four floors.

Across Vesey Street, work is beginning on the 1,776-foot-tall Freedom Tower, the first of five buildings at the trade center site, and Goldman Sachs is building a million-square-foot headquarters on West Street.

[antinimby]

That's great news.

I just hope Moody's old building won't turn into more condos. Hopefully, the new owner can refurbish it into class A offices.

[kliq6]

actually there building is kinda old and is ready for a major update, im surprised Moody's has stayed there for so long. WE will see if this term sheet and the Chinese term sheet become a actual lease.

Also a to major financial firms are looking at 7 as a possible place to establish a LM office to reap the tax breaks.

Plus things are rolling good on neg on Building three and four in terms of tenants, now Building Two needs someone

[JMGarcia]

'Seven' knows its place
Ground Zero's $700M tower - a marvel of craftsmanship - craves no limelight
BY JUSTIN DAVIDSON
Newsday Staff Writer

June 28, 2006

From the 52nd floor of 7 World Trade Center, Ground Zero looks orderly and swept, ready to receive a big delivery of architecture. Two massive squares have been marked off in the soil: archeological traces of the Twin Towers and a portent of their memorial.

David Childs, the architect of developer Larry Silverstein's new office tower, stands at the floor-to-ceiling window and, like some delusional tour guide, points out the elements of a nonexistent cityscape. "The PATH station's there, and over to the right of the memorial is the Freedom Tower," which he also designed. He gestured down Greenwich Street to the lined-up plots assigned to celebrated architects Norman Foster, Richard Rogers and Fumihiko Maki. "That's where Towers Two, Three and Four go."
In the arc of Childs' sweeping arm, the future seems obvious and neat, but the present is messier. After the city was mangled and the rubble cleared, the task of filling in the trapezoid was fumbled again and again. Builders and politicians have treated the project like a child in an ugly custody case.

The most recent dustup concerns the memorial, which, if built as originally imagined by the inexperienced young architect Michael Arad, would have cost a preposterous $1 billion. In an attempt to whittle the pricetag by half, authorities last week released a revised proposal that didn't exactly eviscerate Arad's concept but didn't please him, either.

Multimedia mourning

Where he had guided visitors down a ramp and into the substratum of memory and rock, the new plan has them entering through an Orwellian-sounding "Orientation and Education Center." The change would deprive visitors of the chance to react or make a private journey of remembrance before having their experience molded by videos, explanatory text panels, exhibits and narration. Welcome to the age of multimedia mourning.

With his bland manner and bullet-pointed explanations, Childs has a talent for making the four-year scrimmage over the site seem vulgar and distant. His "Seven," as it is known, is an orderly, refined and undemanding building. It stands back from the edge of its lot, allowing Greenwich Street to pass unmolested. Its glass sheath twinkles in the sun, but its shape politely declines to dazzle. Its most distinctive feature, a rhomboid footprint, derives from the way two street grids overlap.

Sure, the building's nondescript, but then it doesn't aspire to be descript. Let other, future structures (the supertall Freedom Tower, for instance) claim the skyline limelight. This one is just an introduction.

Seven is a monument to craft, technology, good citizenship and green design but not to the imagination. It sucks up less energy and lets in more sunlight than a cheaper tower would. It is staunchly girded against a bomb blast. It will slow a fire and speed evacuation down its double-wide stairs. The building even frees office-workers from having to punch elevator buttons: Instead, they swipe ID cards at turnstiles that know which floors they belong on, and pass that message to the elevators.

Accommodating a garden

Above all, Childs is proud of his client for having sacrificed, as he puts it, "the goose that lays the golden egg," in the form of 300,000 square feet of rentable space that was left unbuilt to leave room for the street and a small, triangular garden. (Not that the lost square footage matters to Silverstein's bottom line so far: 45 percent of the 1.7 million available square feet still remains to be rented.)

The original World Trade Center complex obliterated Greenwich Street. Restoring it was one of Childs' earliest priorities. "We knew that if we did that, anybody who came later would have to incorporate it into the master plan," he said. He was right: Greenwich does indeed keep running south, recalling the old, pre-landfill edge of Manhattan Island and the new bisecting axis of the World Trade Center site.

From a distance, Seven World Trade looks big, but it is calibrated to the square inch to accommodate the 250,000- pound Con Edison transformers that sit invisibly at street level. The lobby is fronted in ultra-clear glass, while the other, windowless walls of the lower stories are clad in louvered metal plates that produce an iridescent sparkle when they move, like the scales of an enormous fish. A work of word-art by Jenny Holzer scrolls around the inside lobby, its lit text ricocheting off every surface and even radiating out to the street.

A glistening gem

Above the metallic base is a tour de force of glass: great, 12-foot sheets of the stuff, stretching from ceiling to floor and beyond. Below each pane, a strip of blue stainless steel, visible only from the upper floors of neighboring towers, bats the sunlight back skywards, giving the glass that diamond gleam.

Silverstein spent $700 million on Seven. With it, he has given notice that Ground Zero does not get rebuilt on the cheap. What remains to be seen is how soon this deluxe property can start paying for itself, and whether the rest of the site's future towers will display more charisma than this proper pioneer.

[davestanke]

Great pictures above. One thing is undeniable, WTC 7 has a great feel in the building. Lighting is great and its hard to judge, but the air feels good. From the perspective of people inside buildings, light, air, and sound are right near the top of the priority list.

WTC 7 will be an easy sell. It may be a bit challenged by the surrounding construction and Fitterman Hall/the pit, but it will become clear that those are temporary soon.

After 9/11, real estate crashed downtown. It started to come back with bottom feeders (or visionaries, depending on perspective). Interest grew and people started diving at deals to get them before they were gone. The free market anticipates future conditions very rapidly. If you wait until the future unfolds, you'll be to late to be part of it. It'll only take a couple more chuncks of WTC 7 to go before it starts.

[Citytect]

What happen to the interactive lights on the base?

[TREPYE]

Simple and inconspicuous projects like 7WT are the ones that Childs should be commissioned to do as mediocrity or conformity that is well done does not seem to be that bad. But he should have had no business doing the 1 WTC project as it seems to be beyond his capabilities. Hes a mediocre architect and he should stick to low profile projects like 7 WT. I would not be saying this had he not given us a boring/bland TWC project as well.

This tower is definitely a success because it is alot better than its predecessor. Even though I'm not a fan of flat-top bldngs the facade is really nice and it glows pretty cool at night giving the Woolworth a great companion.

[jeffpark]

Simple and inconspicuous projects like 7WT are the ones that Childs should be commissioned to do as mediocrity or conformity that is well done does not seem to be that bad. But he should have had no business doing the 1 WTC project as it seems to be beyond his capabilities. Hes a mediocre architect and he should stick to low profile projects like 7 WT. I would not be saying this had he not given us a boring/bland TWC project as well.

This tower is definitely a success because it is alot better than its predecessor. Even though I'm not a fan of flat-top bldngs the facade is really nice and it glows pretty cool at night giving the Woolworth a great companion.

i agree 100 percent they should have gone with Cesar Pelli

[pianoman11686]

From the New York Post (http://www.nypost.com/realestate/comm/rent_hiked_at_7_wtc_comm_steve_cuozzo.htm):

RENT HIKED AT 7 WTC

SILVERSTEIN DEFIES BLOOMBERG

July 11, 2006 -- TAKE that, Mike Bloomberg - Larry Silverstein just raised the rent at 7 World Trade Center.

Sources say that in the past few weeks, Silverstein quietly upped the "ask" at 7 WTC by 10 percent over the original average $50 a square foot.

Last year, the mayor made a stink over Silverstein's pricing, saying the developer should slice his rent to $35 a foot - then the average in first-class buildings downtown, all at least 25 years older.

But Silverstein, who swiftly put up the gleaming tower even as the state, city and Port Authority bogged him down at Ground Zero, is calling the shots. Sources say that 1.2 million of the tower's 1.6 million feet are now leased or term-sheeted.

Only 60,000 feet are actually leased. But in addition to recent term sheets - nonbinding agreements that spell out major terms of a prospective lease - for Moody's Financial Services and Vantone, we've learned that term sheets have also been signed for an additional 340,000 square feet.

Three different Midtown companies account for those 340,000 feet. And one reason they're hot for 7 WTC is because of deals like the one Limited Brands, parent of Victoria's Secret, Limited Stores and Henri Bendel, just signed at Vornado's 1740 Broadway uptown. (Terms were not disclosed; various databases listed the asking rent at $60 a square foot.)

The deal - negotiated for Limited by CB Richard Ellis' Mary Ann Tighe, Eric Deutsch, Jason Pollen and Ken Meyerson - gobbled up 320,051 square feet. The move from five smaller Limited office locations in Midtown represents a 50,000-square-foot expansion and also puts the retailer's several Victoria's Secret labels under one roof for the first time - "underwear everywhere," an insider said.

But its larger significance is that it further reduces Midtown's dwindling supply of large-block availabilities, forcing more firms to look downtown.

Tighe says Limited hired CBRE to propose a consolidation plan last December, a process that usually takes six to 12 months.

"But we recommended within 60 days that they had to accelerate their plans, because the market was changing and large blocks were drying up."

CBRE's Deutsch detailed how tight Midtown has become. He says that as of June 30, 2005, CBRE counted 5.28 million square feet of Midtown space available in blocks of 100,000 feet and up, out of a total Midtown inventory of 198 million feet.

By the end of June this year, it plummeted to 3.5 million feet; and the Limited deal reduced it to a mere 3.16 million.

Copyright 2006 NYP Holdings, Inc.

[kliq6]

With Midtown drying up firms have no choice, only thing is not alot of new construction or true class A space left. If they had gotteen the WTC site going as quick as Larry got this one going, wed been on Building Three by now and not have as much of a scarcity of space

[NYguy]

Sources say that 1.2 million of the tower's 1.6 million feet are now leased or term-sheeted.

Only 60,000 feet are actually leased. But in addition to recent term sheets - nonbinding agreements that spell out major terms of a prospective lease - for Moody's Financial Services and Vantone, we've learned that term sheets have also been signed for an additional 340,000 square feet.

Silverstein has shown that when allowed, he can get the job done Downtown. More power to him.


CBRE's Deutsch detailed how tight Midtown has become. He says that as of June 30, 2005, CBRE counted 5.28 million square feet of Midtown space available in blocks of 100,000 feet and up, out of a total Midtown inventory of 198 million feet.

By the end of June this year, it plummeted to 3.5 million feet; and the Limited deal reduced it to a mere 3.16 million.

Even that planned space at the MSG site will be just a trickle in the bucket. After the WTC, the Westside is the only place to go.

[pianoman11686]

China Center will no longer occupy 7 WTC

by Julie Satow

July 11, 2006

Silverstein Properties pulled out of a deal to lease 200,000 square feet after the Chinese development company failed to deliver a letter of credit.

The planned China Center that was to occupy the top four floors at 7 World Trade Center is no more.

Silverstein Properties has pulled out of its agreement to lease 200,000 square feet after the Chinese development company Vantone Beijing Real Estate failed to deliver a letter of credit yesterday.

Vantone had planned to create an office center for Chinese companies, including a restaurant, gym and concierge services.


"The Chinese would still like to make a deal," says someone familiar with Vantone Beijing Real Estate. A letter of credit is in the works and will be ready in a few days, the person says. It is not clear whether this will make any difference now.

"It is unfortunately another deadline in a long series of deadlines that has come and gone without our transaction being consummated," developer Larry Silverstein wrote in a letter dated yesterday to Xue Ya, executive director of the China Center. "We no longer have confidence in your ability to fulfill the terms of the proposed lease transaction."

Vantone and Silverstein Properties signed a letter of intent in January, with a deadline for executing the lease set for June 15.

It was later pushed back to June 26, and finally, June 30. A letter of credit was to be submitted by July 7, and then July 10. "Now, again, the deadline has passed without the promised result," Mr. Silverstein wrote.

The news comes at a time when the asking rents at 7 World Trade Center have seen a 10% hike to $55 a square foot, according to an article today in the New York Post.

Still, only 60,000 square feet of the 1.6-million-square-foot tower has signed leases.

In a statement, Mr. Silverstein said the Vantone failure "is a minor and temporary setback in the building's leasing efforts."

COPYRIGHT 2006 CRAIN COMMUNICATIONS INC.

[pianoman11686]

More on the Vantone lease-in-limbo:

Trade Center Tenant Deal, Once Hailed, Is in Dispute

By CHARLES V. BAGLI and DAVID W. DUNLAP

Published: July 12, 2006

The developer of the first skyscraper downtown since the Sept. 11 attack and the Chinese company that signed a lease to move into the top of the 52-story building disagree on whether the deal has fallen apart.

Larry A. Silverstein, the developer of the building, 7 World Trade Center, said yesterday that the deal, which was trumpeted by state and city officials, had collapsed.

But the company and their supporters at the Partnership for New York City say the deal for the “China Center” is still on — and that they hope to deliver a $45 million letter of credit to Mr. Silverstein as early as today.

Real estate executives and people involved in the deal say that the dispute may have as much to do with the possibility of getting a higher rent from another tenant in a suddenly resurgent downtown market, as it does with the difficulties of negotiating with foreign company that must obtain approvals from 106 separate people in far-off China.

When the deal was announced in January, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Gov. George E. Pataki described it as the first step in establishing the rebuilt World Trade Center as the preferred location “for hundreds of international companies that are emerging from Asia and elsewhere.”

Deputy Mayor Daniel L. Doctoroff said yesterday that it would be “a real tragedy for Lower Manhattan” if the deal were scuttled.

But Mr. Silverstein said yesterday that the company, Beijing Vantone Real Estate Company, failed to meet a deadline Monday for posting a security deposit on a 15-year lease for the top five floors at 7 World Trade Center, at Greenwich and Vesey Streets. In a letter to Vantone, Mr. Silverstein said, “We no longer have confidence in your ability to fulfill the terms of the proposed lease transaction.”

He said it was the fourth time that Vantone had missed a deadline.

“While it is unfortunate that an agreement could not be finalized,” Mr. Silverstein said in a statement issued yesterday, “this is a minor and temporary setback.”

But Xue Ya, director of the China Center for Vantone, said yesterday that Mr. Silverstein had imposed the Monday deadline unilaterally, 10 days after the two sides signed a lease. He said Vantone still wanted to put the China Center, a business and cultural complex, in the heart of Lower Manhattan.

“They plan on delivering the letter of credit and going forward with the deal,” said Kathryn Wylde, president of the Partnership, an alliance of business executives that has played a pivotal role in the deal.

Lynn Krogh, a spokeswoman for the governor, said that Mr. Pataki remained “hopeful that the China Center will make its home on the World Trade Center site or elsewhere in Lower Manhattan.”

At the urging of government officials, the Partnership and downtown business executives, Mr. Silverstein reluctantly signed a preliminary agreement in January with Vantone to lease 200,000 square feet in his nearly vacant tower for an annual rent of roughly $50 a square foot. The state and the city have provided relatively large tax breaks and cash incentives to lure tenants.

But the downtown market has improved dramatically since then. Mr. Silverstein, who recently raised the asking rents in his tower by about 10 percent, is also close to striking major deals with Moody’s Investors Service and the Darby & Darby law firm. Real estate executives are convinced that Mr. Silverstein could now lease the top of the tower for a higher rent than Vantone has agreed to pay.

In a financial milestone for the trade center redevelopment, the city’s Industrial Development Agency gave its preliminary approval yesterday for $1.62 billion in tax-exempt Liberty Bond financing for various projects at the site.

Silverstein Properties is to receive $921 million in financing for the construction of three towers on the trade center site, along Greenwich Street between Vesey and Liberty Streets. The Port Authority of New York and Jersey is to receive $702 million in financing to build the Freedom Tower and the retail space in the three towers on Greenwich Street.

City and state officials divide control over issuing Liberty Bonds. Last month, the state gave preliminary approval for $1.67 billion in financing for Mr. Silverstein’s three towers, bringing the total Liberty Bond commitment to $2.59 billion, roughly 60 percent of the project cost. The balance is to come from insurance proceeds and conventional financing.

The remainder of the city-controlled bond financing, $50 million, was given yesterday to a hotel that is being developed by the Moinian Group as part of a mixed-use tower at 123 Washington Street.

Copyright 2006 The New York Times Company

[pianoman11686]

And another article from the Post:

SILVERSTEIN NIXES DEAL

CHINESE DELAYED TOO MUCH

By Lois Weiss

July 12, 2006 -- LARRY Silverstein allowed them four strikes - now they're out.

It took two delays before the touted Chinese group, Beijing Vantone, finally signed a term sheet for a China Center of 200,000 feet at 7 World Trade Center, and now, after putting off the delivery of a letter of credit twice, the group has been told by the developer to take a hike as its deal is "null and void."

We no longer have confidence in your ability to fulfill the terms of the [term sheet] transaction," Silverstein wrote to the U.S. offices after the last deadline had passed.

But the Chinese have decided they don't want to give up the fight.

Recall that Gov. George Pataki even showed for the unusual photo op at the term sheet signing back on Jan. 24, while the city, the New York City Partnership and the New York City Investment Fund were critical players in wooing Beijing Vantone to the new tower.

Its brokerage rep, Peter Riguardi, president of Jones Lang LaSalle, was in meetings and did not respond to requests for comment.

Instead, the Partnership office released a statement from the Chinese saying Silverstein had "unilaterally imposed deadlines to which we never agreed." The China Center claimed its bank in China had "only one week to review the lease" and expected to obtain the letter of credit "promptly."

"We continue to believe that locating China Center in the heart of lower Manhattan is in the best interest of all parties involved and plan to fulfill our obligation under the letter of intent we signed with Silverstein Properties in January," the statement from Executive Director Xue Ya concluded.

While some might consider this yet one more embarrassing moment for downtown, it actually creates an incredible opportunity for tightfisted Moody's Investors Services. As The Post previously reported, the financial rating agency is on the verge of signing a lease for 600,000 feet comprising a full 15 floors of the building. It already has a term sheet along with a 90-day option to add even more floors to its final count.

The Chinese deal was actually impinging on Moody's receipt of a state rebate of $3.80 for each of the first 750,000 feet in signed leases at the new tower for the life of the lease. The New York Academy of Science, Amerprise and Silverstein Properties already hold down 2.5 floors or about 100,000 feet, while the law firm Darby & Darby is expected to sign for 80,000 feet. Two more tenants are negotiating for well over 260,000 feet - even as Silverstein bumps up pricing to more than $50 a foot, as reported yesterday by Post colleague Steve Cuozzo.

The possible end to the 7 WTC pact or the beginning of yet more extended litigation bakes a bad fortune cookie for Pataki, who needs to chalk up some coups to legitimately vie for higher office in Washington.

"We remain hopeful that the China Center will make its home on the World Trade Center site or elsewhere in Lower Manhattan, and we look forward to ensuring that they are a part of downtown's revitalization," said Lynn Krogh, a spokeswoman for the governor.

Copyright 2006 NYP Holdings, Inc.

[TonyO]

Assuming Larry's deal with the China Center was around $45/square foot, and he has now raised the rent to $55/square foot, he stands to make $20 Million on a different tenant for the same space. Its typical real estate maneuvering. If Vantone wanted the lower rate it should have moved quicker. They can lease at the FT or the other towers now.

[TonyO]

Wall St. Journal
Plots and Ploys
7/19/06

WTC Standoff

Beijing Vantone Real Estate is still trying to move into Larry Silverstein's 7 World Trade Center, even though the New York property tycoon says he doesn't want them.

A week has passed since Mr. Silverstein very publicly nixed a deal for the Chinese property company to take the top five floors of the just-opened skyscraper. (Vantone envisioned the top floor for a private eating club, staffed with a chef imported from Beijing.) Mr. Silverstein said Vantone failed to come up with the required $45 million bank letter of credit.

People familiar with Mr. Silverstein's thinking say he doesn't want his heirs saddled with a top-floor tenant without assurance that the tenant will be able to pay the rent. Unlike the rest of his World Trade Center interests, where he is a minority shareholder, Mr. Silverstein and his family own most of 7 WTC outright.

Kathryn Wylde, who serves as Vantone's spokeswoman, says the Chinese company is "committed to delivering on its financial pledge and is hopeful that Silverstein Properties will come back to the table. If not, Vantone is prepared to look for alternate locations." She says the letter of credit is hung up with two Chinese state banks that have never invested in real estate abroad. The banks' approval could come as soon as today. Vantone already has the 106 signatures needed from various state and business authorities to approve the 160-page lease.

Mr. Silverstein's representatives declined to comment.



__________________________________________________ ____

A BS excuse on Larry's part...his heirs won't be saddled with a bad-credit tenant. They just want to make as much $$ as possible. But I suppose for PC reasons they need to gloss this over.

Vantone will start looking for "alternate locations". Hope they actually sign a letter of intent (at least) or better yet sign a real lease next time.

[lofter1]

Vantone missed the deadline.

Their bank failed to supply the required $$.

Neither is a good sign.

Why shouldn't Silverstein (a) say "Adios" or (b) hold out for more $$ ??

[TonyO]

^ He has every right to, and in doing so is likely to bring in $10-20 Million over the course of a lease with a different, new tenant. More power to him.

[TallGuy]

This also shows that Larry is confident of the real estate market and not desperate to take the first bidder.

[Outerbanks Lookout]

Yea, regardless, a deadline is a deadline...It doesn't matter how flashy/touted the prospective tenant may be. Furthermore, their subtle comment 'if not, we'll be forced to look elsewhere', - ya think? If not, what was the point in inquiring in the first place...:confused: Or maybe this is a pathetic attempt to soften Larry up a little.

[LeCom]

I got a sweet-ass limited edition 7 WTC baseball cap today, with the "7" logo across the front, sent to me by the building's senior contractor at Tishman, with whom I chilled yesterday.

[Outerbanks Lookout]

Do you have any sweet-ass pics of this gem?

I must ask, is this just an ordinary hat, or does reflect the new-age terrorist threat we're facing (possibly an optional flip-down shield in the occurance of a terrorist induced blast?) - analogous with the blast-proof bunkers that are appearing on all of our newer, taller skyscrapers, including wtc 7. ;)

[pianoman11686]

^I want one too! Or at the very least, show us a picture of it. http://www.wirednewyork.com/forum/images/icons/icon10.gif

[LeCom]

Do you have any sweet-ass pics of this gem?

I must ask, is this just an ordinary hat, or does reflect the new-age terrorist threat we're facing (possibly an optional flip-down shield in the occurance of a terrorist induced blast?) - analogous with the blast-proof bunkers that are appearing on all of our newer, taller skyscrapers, including wtc 7. ;)
slow clap

[Outerbanks Lookout]

Ouch, my pride.

[LeCom]

Ouch, my pride.
Stop trolling, but if you continue, then at least use decent comebacks. Or start contributing something to the forum.

[lofter1]

^^ ????

[Outerbanks Lookout]

Comeback to what, your asinine response? If you weren't so inclined to be snide, you might actually acknowledge the light-heartedness and satire in my response. It was meant to be comical, but I suppose when someone, such as yourself, is that pretentious and cynical, things rarely are.

As for me 'trolling', I guess a legitimate interest in architecture, particularly skyscrapers, isn't enough anymore. Who would have ever suspected, that someone from the marshy coastal region of North Carolina, would ever turn towards a larger city, such as New York, to satisfy their insatiable lust for skyscrapers?? That’s just ridiculous (catching the satire, yet)!?

I’m assuming that my contribution, or the lack thereof (according to you), is largely due to the fact that I don’t actually live in NYC. Fortunately, if it wasn’t for the advent of the Internet, collaborative forums like this wouldn’t be possible, and neither would your unfounded banter...

[TonyO]

^ This is way out of hand. You two should take a deep breath and talk over PM.

[LeCom]

^ This is way out of hand. You two should take a deep breath and talk over PM.
Um, there's nothing I need to talk about. It really does not bother me.

As for Outerbanks Lookout, wow, I don't know how it got that far, and even though I could continue (and you would probably do as well), let's leave it all behind as an unfortunate misunderstanding. I may have seen your post as something it wasn't intended to be.

Let's start on a clean slate. Peace?

[Alonzo-ny]

^^ i thought it was a pretty stupid response to your post, not funny at all

[ablarc]

^^ i thought it was a pretty stupid response to your post, not funny at all
Which one?

[ablarc]

As for me 'trolling', I guess a legitimate interest in architecture, particularly skyscrapers, isn't enough anymore. Who would have ever suspected, that someone from the marshy coastal region of North Carolina, would ever turn towards a larger city, such as New York, to satisfy their insatiable lust for skyscrapers??
Nobody's down on tarheels on this forum; NC is well-represented. Welcome to the fold, Outerbanks Lookout.

[ZippyTheChimp]

- analogous with the blast-proof bunkers that are appearing on all of our newer, taller skyscrapers, including wtc 7. In the case of 7WTC, it was a wise decision to harden the location of the two substations that distribute power to much of lower Manhattan.

[Outerbanks Lookout]

Um, there's nothing I need to talk about. It really does not bother me.

As for Outerbanks Lookout, wow, I don't know how it got that far, and even though I could continue (and you would probably do as well), let's leave it all behind as an unfortunate misunderstanding. I may have seen your post as something it wasn't intended to be.

Let's start on a clean slate. Peace? Um, there's nothing I need to talk about. It really does not bother me.
I'm not really sure how my initial response was 'misunderstood', while it may have been dull and 'pretty stupid', it was very apparent I was not attacking or ridiculing anyone. I just did not appreciate it, LeCom, when you attacked me, personally. I felt the subsequent response, was my reaction to your overreaction. Anyway, from now on, I'll just have to make sure my humor (or the lack thereof) can hold up in this forum - You guys are some harsh critics :D

So then yes, peace.

In the case of 7WTC, it was a wise decision to harden the location of the two substations that distribute power to much of lower Manhattan.
Anyway, on a lighter note, Zippy, do you think that these blast-proof bunkers the we're experiencing on some of the more iconic scrapers will be the norm, or is this just something unique do wtc 1 and the necessitation for it on wtc 7?

[Alonzo-ny]

Which one?


outerbanks original one

[ZippyTheChimp]

Anyway, on a lighter note, Zippy, do you think that these blast-proof bunkers the we're experiencing on some of the more iconic scrapers will be the norm, or is this just something unique do wtc 1 and the necessitation for it on wtc 7?
Substituting prominent for iconic, you don't see it at BOA or NYTimes. And 7WTC is the special case with the substations.

So it's just 1WTC. I can understand the hardening of the building, given its location, but the solid concrete base and the metal exterior seemed to indicate that the goal was to eliminate any injury in case of a bomb blast.

Let's face it. A truck-bomb powerful enough to threaten an unprotected building would cause significant personal injury in the area. Load it up with crates of nails, and that's a lot of schrapnel flying around. You can't prevent this in a place such as New York City. All you can do is protect the building from collapse.

So I'm glad they decided to change the facade.

[NYguy]

JULY 22-23, 2006


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[pianoman11686]

Thanks for the pics. 7 looks especially good (and surprisingly slim) in that last pic. I can say, without any hesitation, that this is the best "box" skyscraper ever built. I was coming home on the New Jersey Turnpike this afternoon, and saw the sun reflecting off of the building, giving it an almost silverish glow. Truly magnificent. It gives me hope that the Freedom Tower will be much more than just a tall, glass highrise.

[ablarc]

...saw the sun reflecting off of the building, giving it an almost silverish glow. Truly magnificent. It gives me hope that the Freedom Tower will be much more than just a tall, glass highrise.
Maybe, but it ain't contextual. ;)

[NYguy]

Thanks for the pics. 7 looks especially good (and surprisingly slim) in that last pic. I can say, without any hesitation, that this is the best "box" skyscraper ever built. I was coming home on the New Jersey Turnpike this afternoon, and saw the sun reflecting off of the building, giving it an almost silverish glow. Truly magnificent. It gives me hope that the Freedom Tower will be much more than just a tall, glass highrise.

I keep looking to 7 WTC as a marker for the Freedom Tower (particularly the base), but of course the Freedom Tower is supposed to be an improvement (with all the changes). We'll see.

[NYguy]

NY Post

LARRY WON'T LET BEIJING VANTONE IN TOWER

http://www.nypost.com/img/cols/loisweiss.jpg

July 26, 2006 -- THE Chairman of Beijing Vantone, Feng Lun, finally secured the $45 million letter of credit he needed from China and yesterday paid a visit to the 38th-floor offices of Silverstein Properties at 7 World Trade Center.

Our spy says Chairman Feng asked Larry Silverstein to reconsider letting the incubator trade group lease 200,000 feet at the top of the building.

"While they even offered Larry more money, he was polite but would not change his mind," said our source.

Others at the closed-door meeting included Janno Lieber, Silverstein's Director of WTC Development, a translator and a lawyer for each side.

Kathryn Wylde, president of the New York City Partnership, which has been championing the deal, confirmed the meeting. "He met with Larry and formally presented him with the letter of credit, which he obtained on Friday," she said. "Silverstein turned him down cold."

Coincidentally, Skidmore Owings & Merrill architects were waiting for their weekly development meeting, so Silverstein brought them in to meet Feng.

He then pitched the Chinese space in the nearby Freedom Tower that includes a separate sky lobby with 500,000 square feet right above it. This was actually designed for Beijing Vantone before they were persuaded by government officials to go for a spot at 7WTC.

Silverstein told them they could still add the facilities for catering and overnight stays that Feng's group had also been seeking.

Two weeks ago, we reported Silverstein got exasperated when four deadlines for receiving the letter of credit were missed.

Worried about future rent payments, he cancelled the lease.

[TonyO]

Wall Street Journal
Plots and Ploys
7/26/06

Going Downtown

Just months ago, the New York real-estate community was wondering if 7 World Trade Center would be left standing empty -- the result of too much emotional baggage in its name and lingering doubts about whether employees would want to work in Manhattan's downtown.

But yesterday Silverstein Properties Inc. announced another signed lease, this time with Mansueto Ventures LLC, publisher of Inc. and Fast Company magazines. Mansueto Chief Executive John Koten says the company will be moving its headquarters (currently about 150 employees) from its Midtown location on Lexington Avenue to a floor in 7 WTC in early 2007. This follows announcements by the New York Academy of Sciences, Ameriprise Financial and Moody's Investors Service.

Mr. Koten says a survey of Mansueto employees showed a range of emotions about the possibility of moving into the building -- from excitement to trepidation among those who lost friends in the Twin Tower attacks. Mr. Koten himself is looking forward to the area's changing future. "From a philosophic standpoint, Inc. and Fast Company are about entrepreneurship and innovation, and the companies that we write about tend to go places and do things ahead of everyone else, maybe even when it's not popular at the time," says Mr. Koten. "And I felt like that's what we celebrate, so we ought to do it ourselves."

Including incentives, the company is believed to be paying about $50 per square foot -- a considerable discount to Midtown where the average asking rate for comparable space is about $67 per square foot.

[pianoman11686]

Ground Zero Deal Fails Despite Officials’ Efforts

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2006/07/27/nyregion/china-span.jpg
Feng Lun, a Beijing businessman, says he cannot understand why Larry A. Silverstein backed out of an agreement to lease his company five floors of 7 World Trade Center.

By GLENN COLLINS

Published: July 27, 2006

A last-ditch effort by a Beijing real estate tycoon to save his plan for a China Center at the top of 7 World Trade Center has failed, after the developer Larry A. Silverstein rebuffed frantic lobbying by Gov. George E. Pataki, City Hall and an alliance of the city’s business leaders who had championed the center.

Representatives of Mr. Pataki, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and the business group, the Partnership for New York City, all said they were disappointed. And in his first interview about the unraveling of the deal last week, the Chinese developer, Feng Lun, gave a sharply critical portrait yesterday of the business tactics of Mr. Silverstein, who remains a major force in the rebuilding at ground zero.

But executives working for Mr. Silverstein said that Mr. Feng’s business, Beijing Vantone Real Estate Company, had misstated its financial resources, had failed repeatedly to honor its commitments and had sought to establish food services and hotel accommodations that were unacceptable in an office building.

Mr. Feng said through a translator that Mr. Silverstein had wooed him for two years and had used the China Center to attract other tenants. Then, Mr. Feng said, after he had spent $3 million and won approvals from the Chinese government, Mr. Silverstein terminated the deal as office rents began rising in Lower Manhattan.

“We thought we were negotiating in good faith, and we don’t understand how Larry can pull out now,” said Mr. Feng, 47, who flew from Beijing to try to save the deal. He made a personal plea to Mr. Silverstein on Tuesday in a meeting reported in The New York Post.

During the meeting, Mr. Feng recalled, the developer said he had a new tenant he preferred. “We were delighted to see that the real estate market was growing in Lower Manhattan, after we made our commitment,” Mr. Feng said. “We feel we helped build the market.”

But Janno Lieber, the World Trade Center project director for Silverstein Properties, said no new tenants were approached until Vantone was told last week that the deal was off. “We went the extra mile to help them, and we are very disappointed that this deal did not happen,” Mr. Lieber said. “We no longer had the confidence that these people could make their business a success.”

The collapse of the China Center deal offered new evidence of Mr. Silverstein’s disintegrating relationships with public officials even as he remains the designated builder of the Freedom Tower for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and other skyscrapers at ground zero.

Mr. Pataki phoned Mr. Silverstein yesterday “to express his disappointment,” said John Cahill, the governor’s chief of staff. He added that state officials met Tuesday with Mr. Silverstein to urge that he keep Vantone.

The governor had traveled to China last year to foster New York partnerships, and he was at 7 World Trade Center, along with Deputy Mayor Daniel L. Doctoroff, at a celebratory Vantone announcement in January.

“We certainly recognize his right to make a profit,” Mr. Doctoroff said of Mr. Silverstein, “but in our view a deal was a deal and should have been respected.”

He added: “To us, there were larger issues at stake here, including the city’s relationship with the government of China. We made that case very clearly to Larry, but he chose to ignore us.”

In January Mr. Silverstein signed a memorandum of understanding — a nonbinding agreement on the broad terms of a 15-year lease — with Vantone for 200,000 square feet on the top five floors of 7 World Trade Center. It was to be the first major paying tenant in the 52-story tower, with the space used to establish a business and cultural institution paid for by leases with subtenants.

Mr. Lieber said the public celebration was held at Vantone’s request, to market the China Center to tenants. “We let them use 7 World Trade Center to hold marketing breakfasts for at least six or eight months, and Larry and I appeared at many of them,” he said.

He asserted that it was Vantone that wooed Silverstein Properties and that Mr. Feng had been uncertain about the precise nature of the China Center. He said that Vantone’s proposals to use the center as a wedding, bar mitzvah and hotel space ran afoul of elevator capacity, building security and the needs of other tenants. He also said that Vantone was deceptive about the number of Chinese government approvals it had received, an assertion Mr. Feng denied.

Last week Mr. Silverstein announced that Vantone had failed to meet four deadlines and he terminated the deal.

Those deadlines were “unilateral and arbitrary,” Mr. Feng said yesterday, adding that he needed 106 approvals in China from the government to create the venture and to move money internationally. Then, Mr. Feng said, the 160-page lease had to be translated for Chinese bankers.

“We did not think the time it took to get our letter of credit unreasonable in international transactions,” Mr. Feng said of a required security deposit.

But Mr. Lieber said Silverstein Properties had yet to see a letter of credit from Vantone.

At the time of the January nonbinding agreement, the state and the city provided subsidies that lowered the cost to Vantone, whose annual rent would have been near $50 a square foot. But the downtown market has improved so much that asking rents are now 10 percent to 15 percent higher than that, real estate executives say.

There are now four signed tenants in 7 World Trade Center and enough potential tenants in various stages of negotiation to fill about 1 million of the building’s 1.7 million square feet of space, Mr. Lieber said.

Mr. Doctoroff, the deputy mayor, said Vantone was working in good faith but “it was clear Larry didn’t want to do this deal.”

He added, “We are deeply disappointed that Larry would take advantage of a self-imposed deadline simply to get higher rent from another tenant.”

Mr. Lieber countered, “They think that Larry’s motivation was money, but that wasn’t the issue.”

Mr. Feng is looking for a new site. “You cannot get angry in business dealings,” he said. “I want to make it very clear that I love New York. We’re ready to turn the page.”

Copyright 2006 The New York Times Company

[NYguy]

Ground Zero Deal Fails Despite Officials’ Efforts


By GLENN COLLINS

The governor had traveled to China last year to foster New York partnerships, and he was at 7 World Trade Center, along with Deputy Mayor Daniel L. Doctoroff....“We certainly recognize his right to make a profit,” Mr. Doctoroff said of Mr. Silverstein, “but in our view a deal was a deal and should have been respected.”

He added: “To us, there were larger issues at stake here, including the city’s relationship with the government of China. We made that case very clearly to Larry, but he chose to ignore us.”

Since when is that Silverstein's or any other developer's concern?


Last week Mr. Silverstein announced that Vantone had failed to meet four deadlines and he terminated the deal.

Those deadlines were “unilateral and arbitrary,” Mr. Feng said yesterday, adding that he needed 106 approvals in China from the government to create the venture and to move money internationally. Then, Mr. Feng said, the 160-page lease had to be translated for Chinese bankers.

Let them be someone else's headache.


“Mr. Doctoroff, the deputy mayor, said Vantone was working in good faith but “it was clear Larry didn’t want to do this deal.”

He added, “We are deeply disappointed that Larry would take advantage of a self-imposed deadline simply to get higher rent from another tenant.”

Somebody tell Doctoroff to put a sock in it. If he's so concerned about Vantone, he can tell his boss to rent out City Hall. Let Silverstein, a private developer, get the best tenants he can.

[Ninjahedge]

Everyone is disappointed.

All the politicians at least.

Wah wah wah.

They have tentative agreements for 1m out of the 1.7m SF of the place, I do not see where they, after being asked for a bunch of extras on an already low market price, should feel obligated to make these concessions.

Everyone is playing innocent in this but the fact of the matter is that Mr. Feng was trying to get all that he could, and the longer it took him, the less desirable the deal was (given the decent rental rate he was given).

Feng asked too much and Silverstein wanted more that his business partners now can say is probably feasible to expect.

I think the politicians should shut the hell up on this and not begrudge Larry for trying to get "higher rent from another tenant".

[JMGarcia]

I don't mind Larry getting higher rent, but perhaps its time for Albany to stop subsidizing the rent for Larry.

[pianoman11686]

Or at least reduce the subsidies gradually. Silverstein is clearly transitioning from beggar to chooser. Things will only get more out of hand when tenants start signing leases for spaces in the other towers.

Not more than a year ago, we all thought this building would sit empty for a long time. Now, Silverstein's rejecting 200,000 square feet. There's no way he's doing it as a gesture; as a businessman first, I have no doubt that he has several large leases on the horizon. This building will be successful, and it will fill up quickly. The question is: will we make the same misjudgment about the Freedom Tower?

[Ninjahedge]

I say there should be a stipulation in the agreements that make it so that if it can be proven that he is no longer in any financial risk, that he is no longer in need of protection.

But we can't pull the plug too quickly or we wil end up with a bunch of very, to put it nicely, "economical" boxes on the WTC site.

[Citytect]

The subsidies apply to the first 750,000 sq. feet of leased space. The rest of the space (950,000 sq. ft.) in 7 will be unsubsidized. Being the first building replaced at the WTC, I think it's a fair deal. However, if the market is looking as good as it is now when (if ever) the other towers are completed, the subsidies should be minimal.

[NYguy]

Silverstein is clearly transitioning from beggar to chooser.

That's true, but even the most hard up for tenants won't put up with much of this:

Last week Mr. Silverstein announced that Vantone had failed to meet four deadlines and he terminated the deal. Those deadlines were “unilateral and arbitrary,” Mr. Feng said yesterday, adding that he needed 106 approvals in China from the government to create the venture and to move money internationally. Then, Mr. Feng said, the 160-page lease had to be translated for Chinese bankers.

Really.


Not more than a year ago, we all thought this building would sit empty for a long time. Now, Silverstein's rejecting 200,000 square feet. There's no way he's doing it as a gesture; as a businessman first, I have no doubt that he has several large leases on the horizon.

That's why I never listen to the critics or the doomsayers. Although I expected the leasing activity to take a little longer to pick up, it seems that Silverstein will be ok. It's interesting that Silverstein was still offering the Freedom Tower space to Vantone, something that will clearly be the PA's obligation:

He then pitched the Chinese space in the nearby Freedom Tower that includes a separate sky lobby with 500,000 square feet right above it. This was actually designed for Beijing Vantone before they were persuaded by government officials to go for a spot at 7WTC. Silverstein told them they could still add the facilities for catering and overnight stays that Feng's group had also been seeking.

I think the politicians are just embarrassed because Silverstein has succeeded in getting something built where they have failed. He has shown what can be done when you get the PA, city, state, and the LMDC out of the picture. At least one of these entities is riding off into the sunset. If only they could take Doctoroff - who has done nothing at ground zero but provide lip service - with them.

[wns808]

has Silverstein found more tenants to fill 7-WTC since the Vantone deal went down?

[pianoman11686]

August 2006

At 7 WTC, both sides see goalposts move

Tightening New York commercial market buoys fortunes of once-worrisome office tower

By Jen Benepe

Many predicted the inside of 7 World Trade Center (above) would stand empty for a while, but leases keep coming. The apparent breakdown in negotiations between developer Larry Silverstein and Beijing Vantone over whether the Chinese real estate company will take space at the at the top of 7 World Trade Center has commercial and cultural roots that make an amicable solution a particularly tough challenge.

Silverstein last month cancelled a lease agreement with Vantone after the firm failed to produce a $45 million letter of credit, a move many saw as an attempt by the developer to back out of a lowball lease signed before Lower Manhattan real estate showed signs of a revival at higher square footage rates.

But when Vantone came back to Silverstein late last month with the letter of credit in hand, Silverstein rebuffed the Chinese company's renewed overture to lease the top five floors of the 52-story building. The dispute is a focal point for market watchers looking at the state of Downtown real estate in the aftermath of September 11.

Silverstein may have spurned his former rescuer in part because time has worked in his favor, but brokers said he may have been irritated by the constant slip of deadlines by the Chinese, which some have chalked up to a difference in cultural style. Vantone made its first serious offer in January, when few other tenants were wiling to commit to 7 WTC, but much has changed in the six months since.


A new landscape for deals

Xue Ya, the U.S. representative of Vantone, would not confirm the precise amount her firm had agreed to pay Silverstein to lease the 200,000 square feet on the top five floors of 7 World Trade Center, but market insiders say the space could lease at about $40 per square foot. Federal and state subsidies in place in January would have pushed Silverstein's rates up to about $55 a square foot.

Thanks to a series of clearing bureaucratic logjams, Silverstein can now charge more for the space.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey cut a tangle of red tape with its recent announcement that it would assume responsibility for building and leasing the Freedom Tower. New York Gov. George Pataki pledged to fill at least 400,000 square feet with state offices. The federal government also stepped in with a promise to place the office of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in 600,000 square feet of tower space. Also, the state approved Liberty Bonds for the World Trade center site redevelopment.

Those factors and the tightening market have allowed Silverstein to raise his asking rents at 7 World Trade. He's now expected to get anywhere from $64 to $65 a square foot, an increase of 10 to 15 percent from earlier estimates. (Silverstein did, according to the New York Post, offer Vantone space elsewhere in 7 World Trade or in the Freedom Tower.)

In all, Silverstein will receive $475 million in Liberty Bonds for 7 World Trade, and three additional towers on the site will receive $2.6 billion, provided that he meets his deadlines

"At the rate we're going, the building should be fully accounted for by May of next year," Silverstein said of 7 World Trade, "which is consistent with what transpired when we leased the first World Trade Center in 1987." Many in commercial real estate said that the vitality of the surrounding area, coupled with prospects for a complete trade center, provide added certainty for businesses contemplating a move Downtown. "From a businessman's standpoint, executives need predictability," and now they have it, said Silverstein.

Aside from lifting a giant weight off the shoulders of Silverstein for need to fill the planned 1,776-foot Freedom Tower, the combined Port Authority, state and federal promises to lease up to 1 million square feet at the trade center buildings added credibility that hadn't been there for the past two years, said those close to the project.

"We all breathed a collective sigh of relief," said Joseph Harbert, COO for the New York metro region of Cushman & Wakefield, which is representing clients interested in leasing space at 7 World Trade.

That optimism has translated into signed commitments.

"We have leases out right now for more than half the building," said Simon Wasserberger, first vice president of CB Richard Ellis, the leasing agents.


Time and distance remain obstacles

The competitive climate and solid government endorsements represent a serious shift from January, when Vantone was the sole lessee.

For its part, Vantone's representative says securing Chinese financing has been difficult, and hasn't proceeded according to American norms.

Xue said Silverstein gave the company 10 days but "the Chinese banks have their own procedures, and they need time."

She said the timeline of deadlines Silverstein imposed was a schedule, not a mutual agreement.

Xue said Vantone had to wait to deliver the letter of credit following approval from two Chinese state-run banks, the China Development Bank and China Agriculture Bank, which completed their due diligence by the end of July.

The two banks normally would take several months to review the 200-page lease and grant their approvals, Xue said.

Chinese banks are in the midst of extensive reforms that are intended to bring their lending practices up to international norms and reduce the frequency of politically motivated loans. The Vantone lease, however, is a high-profile deal that involves considerable Chinese prestige.

Xue said Vantone had spent more than two years and over $1 million on consultants to evaluate and prepare the tower proposal. She admitted that there may have been a cultural gap in completing the deal. But she said Vantone was committed to being inside 7 World Trade Center. "A promise is a promise, fair is fair, and we need to deliver on our promise," she said.


Market conditions help

While Downtown lacks the cachet and convenience of Midtown -- the new One Bryant Park building commands $100 a square foot -- several high-flying prospects are already being touted for 7 World Trade.

That includes Moody's Investment Services, which has signed a letter of intent to lease 40,000 square feet, but some say they are lined up to be a 900,000-square-foot anchor tenant -- supplanting Vantone.

The law firm Darby & Darby has also signed a term sheet for two floors in the building. (Ironically, the firm represented a former student of Freedom Tower architect David Childs in an intellectual property infringement suit -- the parties settled out of court.) And Mansueto Ventures, publisher of Inc. and Fast Company magazines, announced in July it would move 150 employees from its Midtown offices to 7 World Trade early next year.

The absence of large office spaces to the north is spurring more interest Downtown.

Only nine locations of 250,000 square feet of contiguous space are now available in all of New York, said Harbert. That could be vital for a company that wants to house all of its employees in one space.

"There are four blocks of space of over 250,000 square feet of space in Midtown, and there are zero in Midtown South," said Harbert. The others are Downtown. "Two-thirds of the driver of going Downtown is shortage of space, not price."

Others point to the rising demand and the absence of construction of new, Class A office space. "Rents are rising very dramatically, there is no new construction planned for the next five years, and there is nothing to point to that says the rents are going to get any cheaper," said Wasserberger.

Midtown's low vacancy rate and rising lease rates will send many clients Downtown, brokers said.

The rent at 7 World Trade, including the state subsidies, gives lessees about a 50 percent discount to Midtown. While it lacks a certain prestige, its proximity building to public transportation hubs, by rail and by water, is also a major selling point, brokers said.

With these kinds of favorable conditions and an expanding tenant roster, Silverstein may be able to raise the rents on 7 World Trade even higher without further dependence on Vantone.

"Right now [the price] is in the $60s," he said. "There is no question that, with time, it is going to go higher."

Whether the moguls from Beijing and Manhattan can come to a satisfactory arrangement remains unclear.


State juggles lease deadlines for move to Freedom Tower

Gov. George Pataki promised last month to fill at least 400,000 square feet of the planned Freedom Tower, but doubts linger over whether Albany's agencies can fill that much space.

The Office of General Services has committed to filling the space with state agencies with leases that will be up when the new building is ready, said Joanna Rose, a spokeswoman for the governor's office.

Rose also said the state had signed a letter of intent with the federal Office of General Services to lease a portion of the World Trade Center site space.

But the clock is ticking: The Port Authority has until Sept. 21 to get commitments for the Freedom Tower in order to take advantage of government-backed financing for the project. Otherwise, the size of the building, and its 1,776-foot height, could be in jeopardy.

The tower is supposed to be ready by 2011, which puts pressure on both the governor's office and the state Office of General Services to line up enough tenants to fill the space, since some agencies already in the city might have to break leases to make the symbolically significant move. The general services office wouldn't comment on what would happen if they couldn't fill the space in advance of the building's high-profile, much anticipated opening.

Some state agencies already in New York City are on office leases that will be expiring within the next two years. As the leases near expiration, the general services office said it would work with the current landlords to extend the leases, obtain holdovers, or otherwise coordinate a move to the Freedom Tower.

Copyright © 2003-2005 The Real Deal.

[stache]

I think the politicians are just embarrassed because Silverstein has succeeded in getting something built where they have failed. He has shown what can be done when you get the PA, city, state, and the LMDC out of the picture.

I agree.

[NYguy]

Others point to the rising demand and the absence of construction of new, Class A office space. "Rents are rising very dramatically, there is no new construction planned for the next five years, and there is nothing to point to that says the rents are going to get any cheaper," said Wasserberger.

Midtown's low vacancy rate and rising lease rates will send many clients Downtown, brokers said.

Thank god the powers that be didn't listen to the doom and gloom critics who complained about rebuilding so much WTC office space. It's highly likely that even that may not be enough.

[kliq6]

Somebody tell Doctoroff to put a sock in it. If he's so concerned about Vantone, he can tell his boss to rent out City Hall. Let Silverstein, a private developer, get the best tenants he can.[/QUOTE]


I agree 100 percent having dealt with this man on many occasions, i can tell yo ufirst hand he knows nothing about economic development, has not created one true deal that has increased employment or the status of the city, the bloomberg admin under him have a zero job growth pecentage currently and the only deals he has struck is to help residential developers that only jobs they will create is a doormans!!!

Not one project, in terms of commericial can be credited to this man

[BrooklynRider]

I think he has a knack for generating good P.R. and he is close enough to the mayor that people feel like the mayor is involved when he is at the table. I'm not sure if he should really be viewed as someone who "makes deals" or comes up with "plans," but he is very effective at bringing disparit entities together to cooperate and at the very least work toward similar ends.

I don' know whether I'd consider myself a fan, but I think he is positioned within the administration as an effective player who has the nod from Bloomberg to act on his behalf. Contrast this with Giuliani, who micro-managed everything. Overall, I think the city is moving forward, but I agree that we are in an economy with three primary drivers: financial sector, real estate, tourism - perhaps entertainment/film industry could be added - but that is contract or per diem work and begets a more transient workforce.

Although I disagree about Doctoroff, I tend agree with the "big picture" Kilq6 paints. We have not expanded our economic base and the nature of the industries driving our economy continues to erode the middle-class.

[JMGarcia]

I would add media (print, advertising, TV, Broadway) at the very least (there are others IMO) as one of the primary economic drivers. There is an impressive list of new "media business" towers - Conde Naste, Hearst, Random House, Time Warner....

[macreator]

...Random House...

Off topic, but, man, I finally took a real look at the Random House building the other day and realized what an ugly ass building it is. From the totally cheap looking base to the even cheaper looking, dull glass they used on the tower portion of the building...it's just a mess. Looks like an ill-concieved and ill-executed 80's Houston tower...not a 21st century mixed use headquarters building in Manhattan.

[LeCom]

Off topic, but, man, I finally took a real look at the Random House building the other day and realized what an ugly ass building it is. From the totally cheap looking base to the even cheaper looking, dull glass they used on the tower portion of the building...it's just a mess. Looks like an ill-concieved and ill-executed 80's Houston tower...not a 21st century mixed use headquarters building in Manhattan.
Houston towers are for the most part dull and boxy yet sleek and classy. Random house is just a pile of crap. Best view of the bulding is when it gets lost in the skyline and only the top is visible, which creates an illusion that it is the top of a well-designed coherent building.

[macreator]

...which creates an illusion that it is the top of a well-designed coherent building...


You got a great big chuckle out me for that line :)

[LeCom]

"Law and Order" is being filmed in front of the building at this very moment

https://extranet.emporis.com/files/transfer/6/2006/08/478179.jpg

https://extranet.emporis.com/files/transfer/6/2006/08/478180.jpg

[lofter1]

Maybe the Jenny Holzer word sculpture will contain a clue to the crime ...

[LeCom]

Maybe the Jenny Holzer word sculpture will contain a clue to the crime ...
Umm... it could symbolize that the crime was... umm... twisted... and bloody... (since it's red)

The truth is out there.

[lofter1]

(I think you're referring ^^ to the Koons piece out front)

I meant the one inside ... look through the windows ^^^^

[lofter1]

Is the guy with the "PROTECT OUR HEROES" sign ^^ an extra for L&O?

Or just some of the everyday local color???

[Edward]

7 World Trade Center (http://www.wirednewyork.com//wtc/7wtc/). 17 August 2006.

http://www.wirednewyork.com//wtc/7wtc/7wtc.jpg (http://www.wirednewyork.com//wtc/7wtc/)

[kz1000ps]

I don't think I've ever loved a box so much. Beautiful photos as always, Edward.

[ramvid01]

That is indeed a beautiful picture of a great glass curtainwall.

[wns808]

by far, 7 WTC is my fave building to be rebuilt from the 9/11 attacks. Can't wait to see how FT and the rest of the WTC towers turn out

[BPC]

I rode the SI Ferry recently, and was amazed at the way this building melts into the sky. I too don't usually love glass boxes, but this one turned out really nice.

[lbjefferies]

I rode the SI Ferry recently, and was amazed at the way this building melts into the sky. I too don't usually love glass boxes, but this one turned out really nice.

I imagine the glass wrapping 1WTC will be just as beautiful. Imagine 7WTC x 2. Add in that wonderful taper and this building is going to be a jewel.

Hopefully we see a antenna modification in September.

[Gotham]

That is a gorgeous shot.....

[londonlawyer]

I don't think I've ever loved a box so much....

Hi, man. That could be interpreted in a very funny way. This building is a beautiful box, but I have seen other boxes that I loved so much, I ate them. :)

[londonlawyer]

Hilarious!

[kz1000ps]

Ohhh London... what would we do without you? I'm surprised you didn't manage to slip Maria Sharapova or someone else equally hot into the post somehow.

[lofter1]

How do you know he's not talking about Maria???

[londonlawyer]

How do you know he's not talking about Maria???

I would be in a constant state of glee if I ever had that opportunity! :)

[NYguy]

Darby & Darby P.C. to Move Headquarters to 7 WTC

NEW YORK, Aug. 24 /PRNewswire

Darby & Darby P.C., a leading intellectual property law firm currently based in midtown Manhattan, has signed a deal to relocate its headquarters to the 41st and 42nd floors at 7 World Trade Center.

Today, Darby & Darby Managing Principal Andrew Baum and World Trade Center Developer Larry A. Silverstein announced that the firm has signed a 15-year lease with Silverstein Properties, Inc. for approximately 80,000 square feet in the 52-story tower. Based at 805 Third Avenue for the past 17 years, Darby & Darby will move its 200 New York employees to 7 WTC by spring of 2007.

Andrew Baum, Managing Principal of Darby & Darby said, "Our move to 7 World Trade Center confirms, and allows us to expand upon, our status as one of the country's and the world's leading IP law firms."

Darby & Darby joins a growing list of organizations that are moving their headquarters to 7 World Trade Center, which opened in May 2006. In July, Mansueto Ventures -- the publisher of Fast Company and Inc. magazines -- signed a 40,000-square-foot lease for an entire floor of 7 WTC. Ameriprise Financial currently occupies the 39th floor and the New York Academy of Sciences will move into their new headquarters on the 40th floor this fall. Moody's Investors Service, the financial rating agency, has also signed a letter of intent to lease 15 floors.

"Darby & Darby's decision to move to 7 World Trade Center is yet another sign of the tremendous appeal of the Downtown commercial market," said Mr. Silverstein, President and CEO of Silverstein Properties, Inc. "We are delighted to welcome the firm to the building. With the Mansueto lease closed and with other exciting deals in the pipeline, we are well on our way to filling the first of the spectacular new office towers being built at the World Trade Center."

As one of the oldest and most respected intellectual property (IP) firms in the world, Darby & Darby has long been an important player in pioneering and precedent-setting IP matters. Founded in 1895, the firm's scientific expertise extends into all areas of chemistry, biotechnology, engineering, electronics and computer science. Beyond extensive technical knowledge, Darby & Darby's great resources are the skill, vision and creativity of its lawyers who are committed to providing superior quality service.

"It is no surprise that a distinguished firm such as Darby & Darby would want to relocate to one of New York's premier new office towers," said Simon Wasserberger of CB Richard Ellis, who handled the negotiations of the lease agreement with Roger A. Silverstein of Silverstein Properties. "Darby & Darby's lease at 7 World Trade Center is indicative of the wide range of tenants -- creative businesses, law firms, non-profits, as well as traditional financial services -- who want to make their home Downtown."

Added Larry Silverstein, "We are in the midst of a Downtown renaissance, thanks in part to the work of dedicated elected officials such as the Governor and the Mayor. In particular, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver devised an initial incentive package over a year ago to jumpstart office leasing throughout lower Manhattan. His efforts have now been proven successful."

Darby & Darby was represented by Moshe Sukenik and Mark S. Weiss of Newmark Knight Frank. According to Mr. Weiss, "The entire Silverstein team was exceptionally responsive and creative in structuring this transaction. They and CBRE did a terrific job."

The agency leasing team from CBRE Richard Ellis is led by Mary Ann Tighe, Chief Executive Officer of the firm's New York Tri-State Region, and Stephen B. Siegel, Chairman, Global Brokerage.

[kliq6]

Its moving along nicely, by Christmas i bet its 80 percent filled and a few leases in place at FT as well. Lets move on to 2,3, and 4

[NYguy]

Its moving along nicely, by Christmas i bet its 80 percent filled and a few leases in place at FT as well. Lets move on to 2,3, and 4


Yeah, its no wonder Silverstein isn't crying over Vantone.

[BigMac]

NY1
August 31, 2006

9/11: Five Years Later: 7 World Trade Open For Business, Lacking Tenants

http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/images/live/103/204762.jpg

It was the last building to fall on September 11th and the first to be rebuilt since the attacks, but will tenants flock to 7 World Trade Center just because there's space available. NY1's Rebecca Spitz filed the following report.

From his office in 7 World Trade Center, developer Larry Silverstein literally oversees the site. It's been his preoccupation ever since the attacks in 2001.

"What will happen as a result of all of this activity is a 24/7 community, the quality of which – the likes of which – has never been seen before," says Silverstein.

Silverstein's pride to date is tower number seven. It was the last building to fall on September 11th and is the only one to be rebuilt in the 5-years since. But despite the fanfare that accompanied its opening, the 52 story building is still largely unoccupied, save architects working on plans for his additional towers 2, 3 and 4, but Silverstein isn't worried.

"You know it reflects exactly what happened the first time around with 7 World Trade Center, which we built in 1987. It took about a year after the building was open for the leasing to really get going. same circumstance as we're having today," says Silverstein.

There are many who think all of 7 World Trade Center is empty, but Silverstein says there are, in fact, eight tenants, some of whom are already there with the rest committed to moving in soon.

"Larry is nothing if not prone to a little hyperbole," says Julie Satow.

Satow is the real estate reporter for Crain's New York Business, and she says the reality is only 10-percent of the building has signed leases. Satow thinks Silverstein's asking price per square foot – between $50 and $60 dollars – has turned some tenants away, even though it's nearly comparable to the price of available space in Midtown.

"Larry's always believed that he could get this leased and a lot of Downtown landlords actually really wanted him not to lower the price, because keeping the price at $50-$55 a square foot really helps all the rents Downtown rise," says Satow.

Another difficulty is the collapse of a deal with Vantone Real Estate, a Beijing company that was slated to occupy space at the top of 7 World Trade Center. Despite the dissolution of that deal and it's accompanying revenue, Silverstein's focus is elsewhere.

"Moody's is taking about a third of the building," he says. "There's a group of other tenants who've committed to blocks of space in this building that bring the total up to a million feet. There are, at this juncture, two blocks of space left in this building."

Of course Moody's isn't actually in the building yet. It's expected to sign a lease for 16 floors of office space with a week's time. Move-in could happen sometime next year.

- [i]Rebecca Spitz

Copyright © 2006 NY1 News

[NYguy]

There are, at this juncture, two blocks of space left in this building."

Makes that flaming headline a little misleading...

9/11: Five Years Later: 7 World Trade Open For Business, Lacking Tenants

[kliq6]

Moody's lease signing will take place on 9/11

[SilentPandaesq]

Darby & Darby P.C., a leading intellectual property law firm currently based in midtown Manhattan, has signed a deal to relocate its headquarters to the 41st and 42nd floors at 7 World Trade Center.


I took some pictures from my pops new office on 42 - will post them. The views are nice, but when they were selecting corners, I suggested that he get a north-east one. Goldman / Foster towers are going to block a lot of views.

[NYguy]

I took some pictures from my pops new office on 42 - will post them.

We'll be waiting. Meanwhile a few pics...

September 3, 2006

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/66285205/large.jpg


http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/66285200/large.jpg


http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/66285231/medium.jpg

[ablarc]

It photographs nicely, but my hotel was around the corner, and I came to think of it as one hell of a boring, ugly building. Does nothing for the street, does nothing for the skyline. Utterly non-contextual, which is a mortal sin for a building this dull.

These blank-faced office buildings are really beginning to wear on me.

Just my opinion.

[NYguy]

It photographs nicely, but my hotel was around the corner, and I came to think of it as one hell of a boring, ugly building. Does nothing for the street, does nothing for the skyline.
Just my opinion.

I disagree on all points, but likewise.

[NYguy]

NY Sun

From Rebuilt Tower, Silverstein Speaks of Frustrating Delays

By DAVID LOMBINO
September 6, 2006


While politicians and their hired architects have sought to create bold, patriotic symbols of Lower Manhattan's revitalization, for the next few years the shimmering glass façade of Seven World Trade Center, taller and more slender than its predecessor, will have to serve as downtown's commercial icon.

Five years after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, it is the only commercial office building to rise again from the ashes. By most accounts, it will probably be another five years before the next office tower at ground zero is completed, and about two more years until a building even rises to street level.

The original Seven World Trade Center fell at 5:20 p.m. on September 11, 2001, after falling debris from the twin towers ignited fires that caused its collapse. That 47-story office tower was built by developer Larry Silverstein in the mid-1980s as the last piece of the World Trade Center.

Today, Mr. Silverstein's office is on the 38th floor of the new Seven World Trade Center. His sleek and surprisingly small corner office overlooks ground zero, where the developer, now 75 years old, hopes to build three giant commercial towers on the east side of the site along Church Street. The Port Authority, as part of the pending conceptual agreement, will operate the 1,776-foot Freedom Tower and build the $500 million World Trade Center Memorial.

"Clearly, this has taken significantly longer than I ever dreamt it would," Mr. Silverstein said in an interview. "The fact that all we have to show for it is Seven World Trade Center, I find deeply troubling and enormously frustrating.

"The fact that this is the only building down here just drives me, candidly, to distraction," he said.

Mr. Silverstein said that, five years after the attacks, he would have expected the Freedom Tower to be climbing skyward, and more significant progress on the memorial and the PATH transportation hub. He leased the twin towers from the Port Authority for 99 years about six weeks before they collapsed, and now as part of that agreement he pays about $10 million every month in rent to the Port Authority, which includes board members appointed by the governors of New York and New Jersey.

Seven World Trade Center is developing a reputation as a come-from-behind kid. In early 2002, several officials including Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Pataki, and the former chairman of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, John Whitehead, asked Mr. Silverstein to slow down his development schedule for the building to incorporate more public input, and wait for a firm development plan for ground zero.

Civic groups and the families of victims of the terrorist attacks said Mr. Silverstein was rebuilding too quickly. Some real estate executives questioned the wisdom of building a new office tower when downtown's vacancy rate was climbing and rents were falling.

For the last year, tenant interest in Seven World Trade Center has been used as a litmus test for the strength of the downtown real estate market, and the pace of its recovery from the attacks. In the run up to the building's grand opening in May, the developer's asking rents — at over $50 a square foot — were widely thought to be overly optimistic.

"A chorus of voices down here were telling me I was smoking something if I ever expected to get $50 per square foot," Mr. Silverstein said. Those voices included members of the Bloomberg administration and others who suggested that Mr. Silverstein was setting rents artificially high to make his plan to redevelop the entire World Trade Center site work out financially on paper. They warned of an impending financial train wreck.

But today, real estate experts say that Mr. Silverstein's timing in building Seven World Trade Center has been impeccable, and that the building and its developer are uniquely positioned today to capitalize on increased demand for downtown office space.

A former president of the city's Economic Development Corporation and the Alliance for Downtown, Carl Weisbrod, said that debate over Mr. Silverstein's asking rents at Seven World Trade has been settled.

"His confidence in the market—that he could hold his price and attract the tenants necessary — has turned out to be the case," Mr. Weisbrod said.

So far, the building has lease commitments for more than half the total space, and Mr. Silverstein said he expects the remaining two large blocks of office space to rent by next May. The New York Academy of Sciences, Mansueto, and Ameriprise Financial have signed leases, and Moody's is expected to finalize a large lease for 400,000 square feet in the next few days.

This summer, Mr. Silverstein scrapped a large lease with the China Center, an office center for small Chinese companies, which had been arranged with the help of top city and state officials. Many saw the move as a sign of confidence from the developer that he could sign more conventional, big-name tenants for higher rent.

A managing director for the real estate firm Jones Lang LaSalle, John Wheeler, said that $50 per square foot is in step with asking rents for top-notch class A office space in Lower Manhattan. "When the market had a higher vacancy rate, politicians were telling Silverstein he should be lowering his rent to help to jumpstart downtown," Mr. Wheeler said.

The major factor behind the increased interest is the spread between Midtown, where some office rents have risen to over $100 a square foot a year, and downtown, where rents are about half that. The spread is too large for many companies to ignore, and the rates for top office properties downtown have risen to around $50 from around $38 a square foot, according to commercial brokerages.

The World Financial Center, the large commercial complex owned by Brookfield Properties, across West Street from ground zero, is basically full after recent lease signings. Goldman Sachs is building a new headquarters a few blocks north on West Street, which is scheduled to be completed in 2009, but the company is expected to occupy the entire building, leaving Seven World Trade as the only new space for rent. Four towers are planned for ground zero, but are not expected to open for at least five years, when different market conditions could exist.

"By all of our projections, the price downtown will continue to rise and we expect a significant amount of pre-leasing on the World Trade Center site," Mr. Wheeler said.

Mr. Wheeler added that the downtown commercial real estate market was slowing prior to the terrorist attacks.

"Today's market has significantly more momentum than we had five years ago," he said. "Seven World Trade Center will be indicative of the completion of Lower Manhattan's revival."

Mr. Silverstein contrasts his experience of building Seven World Trade Center with the pace of development just to the south across Vesey Street. He first met with architects and engineers about Seven World Trade Center the month after the terrorist attacks in October 2001. The developer made certain changes to accommodate critics, including downsizing plans and shifting the footprint to allow for a reconstituted Greenwich Street, which will eventually run through the former World Trade Center site. He began excavation in May 2002, the building's glass curtain wall was sealed in November 2005, and it officially opened for business this May.

"As a private entrepreneur, without government interference, I was able to do what I do best," he said. "I am builder, I can build. I can build on time. I can build on budget. I can finance. I can lease. I can get it done," Mr. Silverstein said.

"Dealing with different government leaders, different political entities, with different political agendas makes for an excruciatingly difficult and frustrating experience," he said.

Real estate experts and public officials familiar with the rebuilding process say that several factors enabled Mr. Silverstein to rebuild quickly. Most notably, because the building was part an older lease agreement with the Port Authority, it therefore was not included in the lengthy public review and design process that has stalled developments at the 16-acre site just to the south.

A Port Authority official explained: "It is like, deciding to go to dinner by yourself is a lot easier than going with your 30 closest friends."

There were no deaths as a result of the terrorist attacks at the site of Seven World Trade, allowing for quicker site preparation. And public officials wanted to rebuild a Con Edison electrical sub-station, housed in the base of the former building, as quickly as possible to help power the new Lower Manhattan.

While Mr. Silverstein is still battling insurers in Federal Court over the exact terms of the payout resulting from the loss of the twin towers, the settlement over Seven World Trade was resolved quickly. Mr. Silverstein rebuilt the building for an estimated $700 million, partially using a settlement of more than $860 million he received from insurers.

Final consent on the latest conceptual agreement over ground zero could come as soon as the next meeting of board of the Port Authority on September 21.

Barring any further setbacks, steel will arrive at the site of the Freedom Tower in January, according to Port Authority officials, and construction is expected to reach street level by 2008, finishing by about 2011. The construction of the Memorial is under way and is expected to be completed in time for September 11, 2009. The Port Authority said it is on track to complete preparation of the east side of ground zero by the summer of 2008, which will allow for Mr. Silverstein to build three commercial buildings along Church Street, to be completed in 2011 or 2012.

Next month, the first tenant to sign a lease Seven World Trade, the New York Academy of Sciences, will officially move in, joining Ameriprise, which moved in this summer.

The Academy of Sciences' president, Ellis Rubinstein, said that in four or five years, when much of the adjacent site nears completion, the decision to move to Lower Manhattan will pay big dividends.

"When I go downtown to see the progress on our floor, I see tourists taking photos of our building," he said, which "has become a symbol in and of itself." "They might regard it as part of the renewal," he said.

[Luca]

welcome to houston...

a very poor building. very, very poor.

[lofter1]

Have you ^^ seen it in person -- up close?

[ablarc]

Have you ^^ seen it in person -- up close?
That question could be idle social chit-chat just seeking information, or it could imply that if you haven't seen a building in person you're not entitled to an opinion.

If it's the latter you need to withhold comment on all buildings you haven't seen --out of sheer consistency.

I spent a fair amount of time examining this building last weekend, so I have seen it, and I think it sucks.

I also agree with Luca that it belongs in Houston.

[lofter1]

OK -- but I was asking Luca ;)

I think it's undeniable that the experience of a building is entirely different when viewing it in 3 dimensions rather than looking at a small two dimensional photo or rendering.

Admittedly that doesn't stop me from throwing in my 2 cents regarding buildings I've not seen up close or only viewed in renderings ;)

IMO 7WTC is a 500% improvement over what was there before. The re-arrangement of the streets is a huge plus. The way it looks from a distance is good. The reflective facade captures the many moods of the NYC sky. Even the base has an interesting and somewhat captivating effect when walking at street level -- although Vesey St. west of Greenwich remains something of a wasteland. The lobby is a spectacular addition to the Downtown streetscape.

I like it.

[NYguy]

IMO 7WTC is a 500% improvement over what was there before. The re-arrangement of the streets is a huge plus. The way it looks from a distance is good. The reflective facade captures the many moods of the NYC sky. Even the base has an interesting and somewhat captivating effect when walking at street level -- although Vesey St. west of Greenwich remains something of a wasteland. The lobby is a spectacular addition to the Downtown streetscape. I like it.

That's exactly right. The comparison to Houston is tired, and completely off base. This tower is (currently) among the most (if not the most) spectacular Downtown.

[evil_synth]

It's also a very green tower, environmental wise, I forgot what rating it got, but it was among the highest.

[pianoman11686]

I spent a fair amount of time examining this building last weekend, so I have seen it, and I think it sucks.

Unfortunately, I have not had a chance to see it, completed, from up close. You can berate it for its failure at street level, but how many commercial buildings of such scale are inviting to passers-by? Even the so-called greatest modernist works (Seagram, Lever House, etc.) are relatively cold to the casual observer: if you don't work there, you've got no business walking in. Have you also considered the fact that this building houses a power substation in its lower levels? How well do you think the metal panels worked? Did you venture inside the lobby? Did you think it was beneficial to leave Greenwich Street open, and put that little plaza/fountain on the other side? Last question: did you get a chance to view it from afar, in good lighting conditions? I only ask that because, from my experience of having seen it several times in late afternoon from the Turnpike, I came to regard it as one of the most captivating structures I'd ever seen in a skyline. The facade became a glimmering sheet of silver, reflecting the sunlight in such a way as to possess an almost ethereal quality. I was very impressed, indeed.

I also agree with Luca that it belongs in Houston.

Houston? You mean somewhere in the middle of this picture?

http://www.photohome.com/pictures/texas-pictures/houston/downtown-houston-4a.jpg

Hardly. If anything, I think the previous 7WTC much more closely resembled something you'd find in Houston.

[ablarc]

did you get a chance to view it from afar, in good lighting conditions? I only ask that because, from my experience of having seen it several times in late afternoon from the Turnpike, I came to regard it as one of the most captivating structures I'd ever seen in a skyline. The facade became a glimmering sheet of silver, reflecting the sunlight in such a way as to possess an almost ethereal quality. I was very impressed, indeed.
Didn't have the pleasure of that experience, since I didn't have a car and New York was having a miniature hurricane. I did get to look at it for days out my hotel window, and I found that experience to be uniformly dull.

Don't know why you don't think it belongs in Houston. To me it's like a hand in a glove; Houston is full of soloists who refuse to join the choir.

[BPC]

I saw 7WTC on a sunny day from the Staten Island Ferry a few weeks ago, and I found it captivating as well. It seems to somehow melt in the sky in a way I have not seen other glass towers do.

[pianoman11686]

Don't know why you don't think it belongs in Houston. To me it's like a hand in a glove; Houston is full of soloists who refuse to join the choir.

I don't like wearing gloves. :)

In all seriousness, though, I understand your point now: it doesn't fit into the mix. But is it dull because of that, or in spite of it? Will things be a lot different in 5 years, when the WTC site is built out? I happen to think, yes. Give it a while. Let the building, and the surrounding neighborhood, fill in with more office workers. And please, try to view it from afar at some point: I just recently saw it on a morning TV shot from Brooklyn, and it had the same level of brilliance to it.

[Citytect]

It's pretty boring, in my opinion. And on the whole, the design seems poorly executed. When I've viewed it from across "Ground Zero" or similarly from a few blocks away in another direction, it always strikes me as a series of vertically stacked and mismatched "pieces" of a building - none of them particularly interesting. From the ground up, the first "piece" is the metallic base. Then there's a small "piece" above that where the glass begins and the white columns and gaps between rows of windows are clearly visible. Then the largest "piece" is the glass walls of the office floors. And finally, the lazy gap-toothed glass "crown" tops it off. There's no visual connectivity that pulls the "pieces" together.

My other problem with the building is that it looks unfinished.

[Alonzo-ny]

7wtc looks to classy to be in houston and i really dont understand why you thought it should go there? I like it for its facade but otherwise it isnt terribly interesting, but i do like it.

[pianoman11686]

New York Post Online Edition (http://www.nypost.com/business/7_wtc_deal_is_close_business_steve_cuozzo.htm)

7 WTC DEAL IS 'CLOSE'

MOODY'S TO INK LEASE

By STEVE CUOZZO

September 7, 2006 -- Moody's Financial Services will sign a giant lease at Larry Silverstein's new 7 World Trade Center possibly as early as today, sources said.

Asked to comment, Silverstein's representative, Howard Rubenstein, said last night, "I can confirm a lease is imminent."

The hotly anticipated deal is the one Silverstein has been waiting for. It means that about half of the gleaming, 1.7 million-square-foot tower will be snatched up less than nine months after it opened - a major vote of confidence in downtown redevelopment.

Moody's and Silverstein signed a non-binding term-sheet agreement in June. Although most term sheets result in signed leases, not all do; a widely touted term sheet with China's Vantone was scrubbed by Silverstein after the company failed to post a letter of credit.

None of the chief real estate brokers involved in the Moody's lease could be reached yesterday - Cushman & Wakefield's John Cefaly, Gus Field and Rob Lowe for Moody's and CB Richard Ellis' Stephen B. Siegel, Mary Ann Tighe and Simon Wasserberger for Silverstein.

But it was understood the long-term lease is for 600,000 square feet on floors 13-27 - possibly the largest new lease signed downtown since 9/11.

Moody's now occupies about half as much space at 99 Church St. nearby and will move into 7 WTC by next September.

The lease comes on the heels of a deal at 7 WTC with law firm Darby & Darby, which will move from Midtown and take 80,000 square feet, and smaller leases with N.Y. Academy of Sciences, Mansueto Media and Ameriprise.

Ever since Silverstein broke ground on 7 WTC in November 2002, some elected officials and media pundits have grumbled that the project - started with nary a tenant in sight - was a white elephant, and that its additional space would glut the downtown market.

But the vacancy rate in the area has actually tumbled from around 13 percent when Silverstein started work to about 11 percent now - and many believe it will soon drop below 10 percent for the first time since 9/11.

steve.cuozzo@nypost.com

Copyright 2006 NYP Holdings, Inc.

[STR]

Houston? You mean somewhere in the middle of this picture?

http://www.photohome.com/pictures/texas-pictures/houston/downtown-houston-4a.jpg

Hardly. If anything, I think the previous 7WTC much more closely resembled something you'd find in Houston.

I think he means Dallas. There IS a significant difference though. Dallas has put up some impressive and architecturally important skyscraper. Houston has not.
http://dallas-tx.tamu.edu/images/Skyline.jpg

[Scruffy88]

for the sake of argument
9/4
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c81/Scruffy88/DSC01633.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c81/Scruffy88/DSC01626.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c81/Scruffy88/DSC01625.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c81/Scruffy88/DSC01623.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c81/Scruffy88/DSC01608.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c81/Scruffy88/DSC01605.jpg

[LeCom]

Houston? You mean somewhere in the middle of this picture?

http://www.photohome.com/pictures/texas-pictures/houston/downtown-houston-4a.jpg

Hardly. If anything, I think the previous 7WTC much more closely resembled something you'd find in Houston.
I agree with what you're saying, but don't forget that several of Houston's significant buildings were designed by SOM as well.

[wns808]

for the sake of argument
9/4
...

Simply amazing. Can't wait for the other buildings on the main WTC site to complement 7

[aural iNK]

This building isn't going to look as good once occupied if the couple of floors there are any indication. Drywall, shades and the like will take from that nice blue hue it currently enjoys. Enjoy these shots while they last imho.

[ld876]

I hope once occupied it doesn't lose too much of the blue-hue. I think its a great building actually, no matter all the bashing it has received. WTC7 is in my view from midtown west, and its one of the best looking buildings.

On the 4th of July, when all the fireworks on the East River and Hudson were going off, they were reflecting perfectly off of WTC7, with all these waves of colors. I hadn't really seen anything similar from most other buildings. Thats when I really started liking the building. Good job on the glass choice.

[macreator]

No doubt about it, 7WTC's curtain wall is just fantastic. Otherwise, I'm not a big fan of the building's shape or crown.

Overall, I love the building, but if it had the Time Warner Center's glass I'd pass.

[LeCom]

A tourist attraction already?

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/5476/pict02387wtcbasetouristbusessmallzp3.jpg

[pianoman11686]

Ground Zero is, yeah. This building's right next to it. And it looks like the bus drivers have a nice, quiet place to park for a while.

[lofter1]

Interesting that they allow those busses to park or even drive along that little stretch as that street directly in front of 7 WTC is listed as "PRIVATE".

[LeCom]

Interesting that they allow those busses to park or even drive along that little stretch as that street directly in front of 7 WTC is listed as "PRIVATE".
Well, eventually it will turn into a continuous Greenwich Street. There is no way that one block worth of the street will remain private for long. And even if it is private, I don't see why they couldn't let some tourist buses stop there.

[lofter1]

Not exactly ... it seems that regular traffic will be routed to the east of the new triangular plaza -- that is if Greenwich St. is actually ever opened to regular traffic, something that remains to be seen (once the Security folks have their say).

Info at this POST (http://www.wirednewyork.com/forum/showpost.php?p=54939&postcount=724)

Note that the map of the plaza (2nd image) shows the extended Greenwich Street as a "Private Street"...Map of Plaza (with variations per seasons):http://www.lowermanhattan.info/construction/gallery/photos/WTC7_future_11.jpg

[pianoman11686]

The news we've all been waiting for:

New York Post Online Edition (http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/7_world_trade_bags_big_tenant_regionalnews_steve_c uozzo.htm)

7 WORLD TRADE BAGS BIG TENANT

By STEVE CUOZZO

September 11, 2006 -- Developer Larry Silverstein has officially landed his first big tenant for new 7 World Trade Center - Moody's Financial Services, which signed a lease for 600,000 square feet late Friday night, sources told The Post.

The largest new lease downtown since the terrorist attack means the gleaming new tower overlooking Ground Zero has now rented out about half its space only four months after it opened. Silverstein was widely criticized for putting up the tower without pre-signed tenants by those who feared it would stand empty and glut the downtown real-estate market.

Several earlier leases, including one to the law firm Darby & Darby, amounted to 200,000 square feet. But the much bigger Moody's lease was the one Silverstein needed to prove 7 WTC's appeal to big-space users.

Silverstein also fended off attacks by Mayor Bloomberg, who accused him of charging too high a rent. Silverstein was asking $50 a square foot at 7 WTC, but Bloomberg said he should lower it to $35, the rate for older buildings downtown.

steve.cuozzo@nypost.com

Copyright 2006 NYP Holdings, Inc.

[BPC]

Funny, I would have thought that the politicians would known more about the demand for, and pricing of, commercial real estate than a commercial real estate developer. That Bloomberg/Doctoroff et al were completely wrong on all points comes as something of a revelation.

[Strattonport]

I had the chance of seeing 7WTC today while checking out the observances around the site. It looked terrific in the sunlight.

[LeCom]

Not exactly ... it seems that regular traffic will be routed to the east of the new triangular plaza -- that is if Greenwich St. is actually ever opened to regular traffic, something that remains to be seen (once the Security folks have their say).

Info at this POST (http://www.wirednewyork.com/forum/showpost.php?p=54939&postcount=724)

Note that the map of the plaza (2nd image) shows the extended Greenwich Street as a "Private Street"...Map of Plaza (with variations per seasons):http://www.lowermanhattan.info/construction/gallery/photos/WTC7_future_11.jpg
I'm pretty sure that road segment is already open to regular traffic. But thing is, now it's pretty much a dead end and no one would ever go there but to reach 7 WTC, so very few cars are ever on that block.

And don't trust every render you seen especially of the WTC - one of my lessons learned. Sometimes you would just go up to them with a printout of some plan and be like "you sure it's supposed to say THAT on the plan?" and they go like "oo... oops... wow. Thanks for that. Please fix that in the original file, lemme write down the directory."

[Vengineer]

September 11, 2006

A Beauty. The First of Many.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/mynameisjacob/DSCN0524.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/mynameisjacob/DSCN0525.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/mynameisjacob/DSCN0526.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/mynameisjacob/DSCN0527.jpg

It was absolutely shimmering this afternoon, as if to reflect and provide the light of hope to the thousands below.

God bless America.

[BPC]

Wonderful photos. You have captured the way this building melts into the sky, something I have not seen before in a glass tower.

[Vengineer]

I just thought it was a significant photo opportunity considering it was Sept. 11th... I just was lucky the sky decided to cooperate.

[millertime83]

if anything, it belongs with the Time Warner Center

[ld876]

Interesting that they allow those busses to park or even drive along that little stretch as that street directly in front of 7 WTC is listed as "PRIVATE".

There goes all that security everyone was touting as the center of the WTC site.

I hate those buses though...I was going to class when I went to NYU a few years back and the tourists were taking pictures of us students, walking to class. I'd only been in NYC a year from Missouri, so I doubt I'd become a tourist attraction already! :eek:

[NYguy]

There's an ongoing exhibit at 7 WTC until Oct 7th...
http://www.buildthememorial.org/site/PageServer?pagename=hyman

[NYguy]

amny

Moody's Corp. signs biggest lease yet at 7 WTC

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
September 18, 2006

Moody's Corp. is renting more than one-third of the office space in 7 World Trade Center, the largest lease yet signed in the first building to be rebuilt after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Moody's signed a 20-year lease for 15 floors of the 52-story building, trade center site developer Larry Silverstein announced Monday. The company that provides credit ratings for investors and economic data will occupy 600,000 square feet of the 1.7 million square feet of available office space.

Silverstein's real estate company and four other tenants, including Ameriprise Financial and the New York Academy of Science, have also signed leases; just under half of the building is rented in a skyscraper that has been slow to lure tenants since it opened in May.

Silverstein rebuilt the original 7 World Trade Center, which collapsed after the twin towers on Sept. 11, 2001. He leased the twin towers six weeks before they were destroyed and agreed earlier this year to split rebuilding rights for five towers at ground zero with the site's owner, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

[antinimby]

See?
This is for all those naysayers that said this and the FT will have trouble filling up.
Fools proven wrong once again.
Build those towers and fast--so the tenants can move in, before JC snatches them up.

[aural iNK]

There's an ongoing exhibit at 7 WTC until Oct 7th...
http://www.buildthememorial.org/site/PageServer?pagename=hyman

I visited this exhibit on the 45th floor today and was impressed. The exhibit itself was average as I'd seen the photos many times before, but exploring 7WTC and taking in the view was wonderful. I highly recommend checking it out, and make sure to bring a camera.

[lbjefferies]

I was at 7 for the Calvin Klein afterparty last week. It was a very nice space.

And a very fun party. My memory is a little hazy.

[Peakrate212]

I like the building.

Sure beats the old 7 World Trade.

That was one ugly building.

[macreator]

There's an ongoing exhibit at 7 WTC until Oct 7th...
http://www.buildthememorial.org/site/PageServer?pagename=hyman

Wow, I'm so glad I checked this thread as I was unaware of this exhibit. I'm definitely going to jump on this opportunity to view Lower Manhattan from the 45th floor of 7 WTC before tenants begin to move in. Exhibit ends Oct. 7th.

I assume the exhibit is free.

[aural iNK]

Yes, it's free.

[NYguy]

September 23, 2006

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/67514481/medium.jpg_http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/67514487/medium.jpg


http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/67514504/medium.jpg_http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/67514517/medium.jpg


http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/67514563/medium.jpg


http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/67514563/large.jpg

[macreator]

I wish the lightbox up top was brighter. Bloomberg's top is a prime example of a well executed light box.

[stache]

Maybe they're watching out for the birdies.

[macreator]

Maybe they're watching out for the birdies.

I thought the whole birds flying into buildings that are lit up thing was a myth. I remember reading about a few years when the Empire State Building was darkened for a few weeks and even more birds than usual crashed into it.

[Jake]

^haha, hilarious.

I'm afraid it's true although I think it's only in effect during bird migration seasons. The last place I saw info on this was on the LMDC website. I've read somewhere else that 55 Water claims the title of most crashed into in this area.

[TREPYE]

I wish the lightbox up top was brighter. Bloomberg's top is a prime example of a well executed light box.

Unfortunately all it is is just a box, but what else would you expect from SOM. However it is a really well lit up box. The way this one lights up for some reason IMO looks a little more finer than the Bloomy Tower. I guess because this has like a bluish tint to it where as the Bloomy is just pale white. The are both nice, but 7 WTC is better.

[NYguy]

September 26, 2006

There's an ongoing exhibit at 7 WTC until Oct 7th
http://www.buildthememorial.org/site/PageServer?pagename=hyman

This was to be my third stop on a triple WTC afternoon (Tribute Center,
WTC exhibit at the Skyscraper Museum, and the 9/11 exhibit on the 45th floor
of 7). Being Tuesday however, the skyscraper museum wasn't open,
and both the Tribute Center and 7 WTC exhibit didn't open until noon (is this
New York?)

Anyway, it was good just getting to familiar territory - the air
above Downtown Manhattan. At just half the height, it still felt like being
at the top of the World Trade Center. The photos taken of artists' tributes
to 9/11 was nice. But the special part was just being at the WTC again.
It was a good idea to have the exhibit up there, overlooking ground zero, and
reacquainting us with the skies above NY.


1.

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/67581838/large.jpg


2.

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/67581854/large.jpg



3.

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/67581885/original.jpg


4.

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/67581974/large.jpg


5.

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/67581890/large.jpg


6.

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/67581924/large.jpg


7.

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/67582018/large.jpg


8.

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/67582054/large.jpg


9.

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/67582102/large.jpg


10.

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/67585166/original.jpg

[NYatKNIGHT]

Wow!

[lofter1]

Nice shots ...

3rd Pic from the top: the small greenish looking building at right-center (just to the left of the big blank tele-switching tower) is 40 Mercer ...

[Peakrate212]

#9 - Deutsch Bank.......crane has been installed.


Does that mean the black shrowded monolith is finally coming down?

[antinimby]

We can only hope.

[NYguy]

#9 - Deutsch Bank.......crane has been installed.

Does that mean the black shrowded monolith is finally coming down?

So says Pataki, (his will be done)

[TonyO]

NY Post

LARRY MIGHT HAVE BIG FISH ON HOOK

SEARCH IS OVER: As The Post reported yesterday, Google has set up shop - complete with handshaped chairs - at 111 Eight Ave.October 3, 2006 -- LARRY Silverstein had an intriguing response for NY1's Dominic Carter last week when Carter observed in an interview that the "glass is half full" at 7 World Trade Center.

Silverstein said it was "more than half" and dropped a remark that 1 million square feet were spoken for at the 1.6 million square-foot tower.

Since everyone knows that only 800,000 feet have been leased there - a remarkable enough feat, in light of predictions the project would long stand empty - just what did Silverstein mean?

A spokesman for the developer said he might have been referring to the fact that Moody's, which recently signed for 600,000 square feet as 7 WTC's largest tenant so far, has an expansion option and right of first refusal on an additional 120,000 square feet.

But marketplace sources hinted another deal might be aborning. At least one major company, international bank ABN Amro, is taking a good look at 7 WTC, and sources say it sent Silverstein a "proposal" last week.

ABN Amro now has offices in Midtown and Jersey City. It's known to want to consolidate the facilities, and is fishing around for a rare commodity in an ever tighter market - a 150,000 square-foot block somewhere in Manhattan.

A source familiar with ABN Amro's proposal regarding 7 WTC said it was "preliminary" and "a long way from substantive talks," but that the company "is interested" in the project.

The firm's real estate adviser, Jones Lang LaSalle's Peter Riguardi, could not be reached over the weekend.

[BigMac]

SkyShaper on Flickr:
http://static.flickr.com/60/229621548_1a232988f7_o.jpg

[BigMac]

Manzari on Flickr:
http://static.flickr.com/117/259218439_5f846e1a05_o.jpg

Timothy Schenck on Flickr:
http://static.flickr.com/107/251861336_9c42045bcf_b.jpg

[NoyokA]

I've changed my mind so many times on this building. It was seeing this building right outside of Century 21 right at dusk that really changed my opinion of this building to the positive. This building is a masterpiece! It is dignified and understated during the day and exciting at night. This is one of my favorites in the city and my favorite post-war tower in Lower Manhattan. I will be somewhat disheartened when it is overshadowed by the Freedom Tower and its neighborhors. The consolation is that those buildings have the potential to be masterpieces as well, further consolation is that thanks to the Performing Arts Center 7 WTC wont be obscured from many angles.

[pianoman11686]

For Science Academy, Move to World Trade Center Is Like Going Home

http://graphics10.nytimes.com/images/2006/10/30/nyregion/600_wtc_2.jpg
Last week, visitors toured the New York Academy of Sciences’ new home in 7 World Trade Center.
The space overlooks ground zero, about two blocks from the academy’s first location.

By DAVID W. DUNLAP
Published: October 30, 2006

With no public fanfare but many design flourishes, the New York Academy of Sciences, the first tenant on a full floor of the new World Trade Center, is settling into its space.

The move to the 40th floor of 7 World Trade Center is a striking departure for the academy, which had long been in an Upper East Side mansion. But it is also a homecoming. The academy, a nonprofit membership organization, was founded two blocks away from its new home in 1817.

“This is a circle,” said Hugh Hardy of H3 Hardy Collaboration Architecture, which designed the new space, working with a studio called 2x4.

The academy’s heritage is reflected in a 40-foot-long openwork screen in the reception area. It takes its form from the street patterns of downtown neighborhoods where the academy was located before going uptown to 2 East 63rd Street in 1949.

Its 70 employees moved downtown late last month.

Because a key purpose of the academy is to hold conferences, seminars and lectures, the heart of its headquarters is a 296-seat meeting room at a corner of the parallelogram-shaped building. The carpet pattern is a double helix. As in DNA.

The academy also promotes the rights of scientists. That role is graphically represented in a 72-foot-long mural based on Joseph-Nicolas Robert-Fleury’s 19th-century painting, “Galileo Galilei in Front of the Inquisition of the Vatican.” The image was stretched horizontally and is decipherable only when viewed at an angle.

Though the academy is not the first tenant at 7 World Trade Center, it was the first to rent space directly overlooking ground zero.

“I am not aware, honestly, of a single person who was frightened by the idea,” Ellis Rubinstein, the president, said.

Wendy Caruso, the academy’s human resources director, said four employees resigned before the move. They did not cite the location as a reason, she said, though it may have been involved. “No one yet has said they find it uncomfortable,” Ms. Caruso said. “What seems to bug people is all the tourists taking pictures.”

For now, the academy shares the 52-story tower with Ameriprise Financial; Silverstein Properties, the developers and owners of the building; and a studio for the architects designing Silverstein’s other trade center buildings. Moody’s Corporation; Mansueto Ventures, a publishing company; and Darby & Darby, a law firm, are to follow next year. The building is the first of what are to be five new trade center office towers, including the Freedom Tower.

The academy’s board was initially reluctant to sell the mansion and move to rented space, but was eventually won over. “Economically, it’s about equal for a space that’s twice as big,” said Thomas J. Kelly, the chief financial officer. Outfitting the new space cost about $9 million. The mansion sold for $31.25 million. Mr. Kelly would not disclose the rent.

With digital recording and projection equipment built into its new home, the academy hopes to broaden its reach beyond anything possible in the warren of cramped, antiquated rooms it occupied uptown.

“We skipped the 20th century,” Mr. Kelly said. “We went right from the 19th into the 21st.”

Copyright 2006 The New York Times Company

[lofter1]

For Science Academy, Move to World Trade Center Is Like Going Home

... The academy also promotes the rights of scientists. That role is graphically represented in a 72-foot-long mural based on Joseph-Nicolas Robert-Fleury’s 19th-century painting, “Galileo Galilei in Front of the Inquisition of the Vatican.” The image was stretched horizontally and is decipherable only when viewed at an angle.

Galileo Galilei in front of the Inquisition in the Vatican 1632.

http://www.myartprints.com/kunst/joseph_nicolas_robert_fleury/Galileo_Galilei_1015956.jpg

Artist: Joseph Nicolas Robert-Fleury (http://www.myartprints.com/a/robert-fleury-joseph-nico.html)
Year: 1847
Location: Paris, Louvre museum (http://www.myartprints.com/a/paris-louvre-museum.html)

www.myartprints.com (http://www.myartprints.com)

[pianoman11686]

New York Post (http://www.nypost.com/)

CITY'S LEASE TIFF

By STEVE CUOZZO

[...]

FLASH: Banking giant ABN Amro and Larry Silverstein are drawing up a term sheet for 160,000 square feet at 7 World Trade Center. If the preliminary agreement leads to a lease, it will mean 960,000 square feet of 7 WTC's 1.6 million feet are taken.

Neither Jones Lang LaSalle's Peter Riguardi, for ABN Amro, nor CB Richard Ellis's Stephen Siegel for Silverstein could be reached last night.

steve.cuozzo@nypost.com

Copyright 2006 NYP Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.

[Jake]

how nice of ABN AMRO, this move is funded by the salaries of all the people who asked for a raise in the last few years. I hope they take the floors next to the generators

[kliq6]

how nice of ABN AMRO, this move is funded by the salaries of all the people who asked for a raise in the last few years. I hope they take the floors next to the generators


former employee?

[Jake]

^heh, no, someone very familiar with how things work in their business. There are simply better and worse firms to work for and ABN AMRO despite having a nice outside image is not one of the better ones.

If there is one industry where it really PAYS to keep good people it is finance. Most companies understand this (Citigroup, Merrill Lynch) some do not (most notably Goldman).

[pianoman11686]

http://static.flickr.com/103/292227212_3bc50c91d2.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/109/292227210_1f70ff69d9.jpg

Soupflowers' photostream (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tulpen/)

[Kris]

November 10, 2006
Manhattan: World Trade Center Site Expands
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The boundaries of the World Trade Center redevelopment project were expanded yesterday by the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation to include the 7 World Trade Center parcel immediately to the north, across Vesey Street. This could eventually permit the reopening of Greenwich Street, between Vesey and Barclay Streets, as a two-lane southbound roadway. It is now a dead end, used for drop-offs at 7 World Trade Center. South of Vesey Street, Greenwich Street is to be recreated through the main trade center site as a four-lane southbound roadway. It was closed in the 1960s to make way for the trade center superblock.

[TonyO]

This could eventually permit the reopening of Greenwich Street, between Vesey and Barclay Streets, as a two-lane southbound roadway. It is now a dead end, used for drop-offs at 7 World Trade Center. South of Vesey Street, Greenwich Street is to be recreated through the main trade center site as a four-lane southbound roadway. It was closed in the 1960s to make way for the trade center superblock.

I think this is a good idea. Making every building impervious is not possible and they should re-open this street.

[macreator]

Isn't this old news? Remapping the streets through the site has been in every plan I've seen for the WTC since 2004.

[lofter1]

That little stretch of Greenwich in front of 7WTC was previously listed as "PRIVATE" ...

[GreenwichBoy]

7 Wtc

[Citytect]

It still looks unfinished to me.

[Derek2k3]

http://static.flickr.com/107/295524703_8c09172fa3_b.jpg
11-12-06
China Chas (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chaspope/)

[kliq6]

ABM deal is done, about 150,000 sf to consolidate Jersey City and Midtown staff

[ZippyTheChimp]

Nice photo, but I agree with Citytect.

Terrible transition from the base to the office section.

[antinimby]

ABM deal is done, about 150,000 sf to consolidate Jersey City and Midtown staffOh my god!

So ABM is bringing over their JC staff into 7?

How many are coming across the Hudson?

That's great news!

[kliq6]

maybe not all but about 200 for sure.

This tower is filling up quick. Also a new lease for 150 Greenwich is close as well, for about 200,000 sf of space

[NYguy]

The raw power of 7

November 12, 2006

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/70459847/medium.jpg


http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/70459847/large.jpg

[BigMac]

Downtown Express
November 24-30, 2006

Editorial Picture

http://www.downtownexpress.com/de_185/lucky7.jpg

Lucky 7

Seven World Trade Center, the only building destroyed on 9/11 to be rebuilt, had a little work done last Friday.

Downtown Express photo by Milo Hess

© 2006 Community Media, LLC

[TREPYE]

Seven World Trade Center, the only building destroyed on 9/11 to be rebuilt, had a little work done last Friday.

Downtown Express photo by Milo Hess

© 2006 Community Media, LLC

The last one to come down is the first one to come up.

[kliq6]

goes to show what no government involvement can do for Development

[TallGuy]

goes to show what no government involvement can do for Development

and no contrived public design 'contest'.

[TallGuy]

goes to show what no government involvement can do for Development

and no contrived public design 'contest'.

[wns808]

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/70459847/large.jpg

what happened to the windows on floor 13?

[TallGuy]

Daniel Libeskind and six of his goons visited to try and collect design fees for Freedom Tower.

[krulltime]

Manhattan: Dutch Bank at 7 World Trade


By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: December 22, 2006

Silverstein Properties announced yesterday that ABN Amro, an international bank based in the Netherlands, had signed a 15-year lease for three and a half floors at Silverstein’s 7 World Trade Center tower, opposite ground zero. The bank will move about 500 employees there from Midtown in late 2007 or early 2008. It is the second-largest tenant so far, after Moody’s Investors Service, in the 52-story building. The terms were not disclosed.


Copyright 2006 The New York Times Company

[macreator]

500 employees on 3 1/2 seems pretty tight, no? Aren't the floor's only like 40,000 sq. ft. each?

[stache]

Tiny cubicles.

[macreator]

Tiny cubicles.

Yup.

For a quick comparison, Google has 500 employees at 111 Eighth Avenue over 300,000 sq. ft. (read: huge common spaces)

That works out to 600 sq. ft. per employee while at ABN Amro they'll have 500 employees over 140,000 sq. ft. which works out to just 280 sq. ft. per employee. Quite less.

[stache]

Would that include space taken up by stairways etc.?

[NYguy]

Daniel Libeskind and six of his goons visited to try and collect design fees for Freedom Tower.

LOL. Did little Danny ever get his money? How refreshing it was to see him appearing with Pataki one last time, for old times sake. Now, may they both hit the road.

[BrooklynRider]

From a source at Silverstein: Liebskind was paid $360,000~ a while back and is off the project completely. He has nothing moe to do with it - NOTHING.

[Joelio]

Does anyone have any pictures of the lobby?

[antinimby]

^ There are many pics of the lobby.

Just go back in this thread.

[pianoman11686]

From a few days ago:

http://thumb14.webshots.net/t/59/559/8/16/24/2361816240099781014CbRNHg_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2361816240099781014CbRNHg)

http://thumb14.webshots.net/t/55/55/4/24/82/2054424820099781014vpoyUg_th.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2054424820099781014vpoyUg)

[ZippyTheChimp]

Sorry I had to delete all the posts, but this is getting silly. 7WTC is not even part of the complex, and now we have rebuild the twin towers posts here.

[jeffpark]

Yup.

For a quick comparison, Google has 500 employees at 111 Eighth Avenue over 300,000 sq. ft. (read: huge common spaces)

That works out to 600 sq. ft. per employee while at ABN Amro they'll have 500 employees over 140,000 sq. ft. which works out to just 280 sq. ft. per employee. Quite less.

its a lot less then "280 sq. ft. per employee",
becouse if you were ever involved in office leasing in you will know that there the is the term
here basic info form http://www.igdnyc.com/Question5.htm
"Rentable Square Feet: Includes space allocated for common areas such as lobbies, stairwells, hallways, bathrooms and mechanical areas.
Usable Square Feet: Usually, the space actually contained within the demised premises.
Every landlord in New York City calculates "Rentable Square Feet" differently. Landlords add a loss factor to the actual square footage to be occupied by the tenant. which includes a shared allocation of space for common areas such as lobbies, stairwells, hallways, bathrooms and mechanical areas. Most tenants are interested in "Usable Square Feet," the actual measurement of the space that the tenant will occupy. Based on the landlord’s RSF measurement, one can expect a minimum loss factor of 18-25% for a full floor & 30-40% for a multi tenanted floor."

now when you read in the paper that lets say in our case of ABN AMRO- Leasing 140,000 sf its the Rentable Square Feet not Usable sf

therfore in this case the usable will be 105,000 sf will come out to 210 sf per employee and not 280 sf and this is not even consduring taking out sf for lets say restrooms etc

[DMAG]

Either way, its more then the 4' X 4' cubicle I have in Nassau County. :p

[NYguy]

http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070118005827&newsLang=en

John Varvatos Announces Fall 2007 Fashion Show to Be Held at 7 World Trade Center

January 18, 2007

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--John Varvatos is pleased to announce that the Fall 2007 Men’s Collection will be presented in the new 7 World Trade Center building. The fashion show will take place February 5th at 6:00 p.m. on the building’s scenic 45th floor, with spectacular city views serving as the backdrop for the runway presentation.

John Varvatos is the first fashion designer to have a men’s runway show inside 7 World Trade Center.

Just north of the 16-acre World Trade Center site, this slender glass building marks both the entrance to the World Trade Center and the future of New York's downtown and is the first representation of redevelopment and renewal in lower Manhattan. John Varvatos is thrilled to support the revival and spirit of New York’s historic downtown.[u] “We take pride in the small role we are able to play in the reawakening of our downtown community, by providing exposure within the fashion industry,” says Mr. Varvatos.

Larry A. Silverstein, developer of the World Trade Center site said, “With its cutting edge design and magnificent views, 7 World Trade Center will provide the perfect backdrop for the modern and elegant designs of John Varvatos. We are delighted to host the Fall 2007 fashion show.”

About John Varvatos

Launched in 2000, John Varvatos lifestyle collection is comprised of John Varvatos Collection, John Varvatos * USA, Converse by John Varvatos - clothes for guys and girls, John Varvatos Eyewear, and John Varvatos SKIN and Fragrance. Varvatos has been recognized three times by the CFDA with an American Fashion Award for New Menswear Designer (June 2000) and Menswear Designer of the Year (June 2001 and June 2005). The collection is distributed internationally and sold in the five freestanding John Varvatos boutiques in the US.

[BigMac]

emily geoff on Flickr
January 6, 2007

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/163/347991427_ac6eb1519b_b.jpg

[krulltime]

^ So when are they going to put away that christmas ornament?

[Deimos]

^ So when are they going to put away that christmas ornament?

I was thinking more like Santa had a nice high-fiber diet...lol

[NYguy]

NY Post

HITS & MISSES
INTRODUCING THE MISS THINGS OF THE RUNWAY

By RAAKHEE MIRCHANDANI, TRACEY LOMRANTZ, and SERENA FRENCH


http://www.nypost.com/seven/02012007/photos/pulse057.jpg

MISS SIXTY: Label will show tonight at 7 World Trade. Pictured from the Miss Sixty fall collection: Felisha coat, $429, Allard dress, $169, and black leather boots, $275.


February 1, 2007 -- THIS weekend's kickoff to Fashion Week will focus on the style misses - Miss USA, Miss Universe and Miss Sixty.

While the two beauty queens will be walking separate runways, Miss Sixty will invite the Bryant Park crowd down to the revitalized area around Ground Zero tonight.

Five years after 9/11, the Italian fashion house chose the 56th floor of 7 World Trade, the first office building to be rebuilt in lower Manhattan, to showcase its fall collection. The company, known for its young, bold designs, hopes to make a fashion statement - and a political one.

The address is the city's first "green" building, pioneering rainwater collection for irrigating the public park outside, and using recycled materials in the construction process.

"It's a very glamorous place, very New York. And the collection is very luxurious. There are a lot of cocktail dresses and it's more sophisticated, and I like the idea of seeing chic New York in the dark," says Wichy Hassan, creative director for Miss Sixty.

"For me, that part of New York is really special. When I work to design the collection, I've always liked to go there, in the small downtown vintage shops. It's a part of New York that I love. And it's to support this part of the city."

Hassan says the new building is the perfect place for Miss Sixty's fall line, which is taking a turn away from its signature casual, denim looks and turning up the heat with sophisticated dress designs in silk, crepe and chiffon.

The brand also collaborated with Scott Pask, a Tony-winning set designer, to create a backdrop for the show that is inspired by the Manhattan skyline.

- Raakhee Mirchandani

[kliq6]

Either way, its more then the 4' X 4' cubicle I have in Nassau County. :p

Sorry you work out there, LI is a awful place to work

[BigMac]

MacRonin47 on Flickr
February 14, 2007
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/141/390752036_083bb20682_o.jpg

MikeMcD82 on Flickr
May 7, 2006
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/49/142111095_af7fc0dd5a_o.jpg

[Viktorkrum77]

Are there any renders or any pictures of a finished interior tenanting space?

As well, if any renders exist for Freedom Tower they'd be greatly appreciated, thanks!

[drcronex]

I walk by there several times a week and yawn at the shiny box.

So I am wondering, why weren't the diesel generators placed underground so the sidewalk level could be activated? The building is a walled-in monster. The North side is just plain dead at sidewalk level. No contribution to its environment...

So why the equipment on the ground floor and not in the basement or under the park or wherever?

[ZippyTheChimp]

^
Cooling

[Vengineer]

... and direct ventilation.

[kliq6]

Moody's to expand at 7 WTC
February 27, 8:11 am

7 World Trade Center Moody's Financial Services is expected to sign for two more floors at Silverstein Properties' 7 World Trade Center in the next few weeks. The deal would add approximately 80,000 square feet to the 600,000 square feet Moody's has already leased. The rent will reportedly be in the $60 per square foot range. Moody's plans to move into 7 World Trade Center this year. more [Post]

[kliq6]

NEW YORK CITY-Grubb & Ellis Co. has been pegged to manage 680,000 sf of Moody’s Corp. offices. The firm’s New York Management Services team will oversee 590,000 sf at the firm’s new headquarters location at 7 World Trade Center and 90,000 sf at 5 Harborside in Jersey City.
“This assignment reinforces Grubb & Ellis’ commitment to remain active for our clients throughout the entire construction and relocation process,” says John McGinley, vice president and director of New York Management Services. “We’re delighted we can leverage our expert skill sets at property and facility management to assist Moody’s in this ongoing project.”

Grubb will recruit and hire the management staff and help make the new headquarters facility. An estimate 1,700 employees will be moving into 7 WTC. In conjunction with Moody’s relocation team, Grubb will select vendors, guide the company through the interior construction of the space and aid the process of moving employees from other locations. Also, the team will help choose mechanical and electrical equipment and make a preventative maintenance program. Additionally, for both locations Grubb will execute operational and administrative components.

In June 2006, Moody’s signed on for 590,000 sf at Silverstein Properties’ 7 WTC, taking floors 12 through 26 of the 52-story, one-million-sf building. Other tenants, in the 60% occupied facility, include ABN Amro, which leased 140,000 sf in December, Darby & Darby PC and the New York Academy of Sciences.

Moody’s sold its headquarters building, 99 Church St. to Silverstein Properties and the California State Teachers Retirement System for $170 million in November. The majority of Moody’s employees will move from the 99 Church St. location to 7 WTC, beginning sometime this summer.

[millertime83]

I walk by there several times a week and yawn at the shiny box.

So I am wondering, why weren't the diesel generators placed underground so the sidewalk level could be activated? The building is a walled-in monster. The North side is just plain dead at sidewalk level. No contribution to its environment...

So why the equipment on the ground floor and not in the basement or under the park or wherever?


But you have to admit that it's an improvement of the former 7 WTC.

[wns808]

nice to see 7 WTC made the list of 10 most expensive buildings in NY

http://www.wirednewyork.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13260

I'm wondering what finishing touches still need to be made on 7?

[NYguy]

APRIL 8, 2007

The heavenly 7...

http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/76895649/medium.jpg


http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/76895650/medium.jpg_http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/76895651/medium.jpg


http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/76895649/large.jpg


http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/76895650/large.jpg


http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/76895651/large.jpg


http://www.pbase.com/nyguy/image/76895654/large.jpg

[kliq6]

World Trade Garners Two New Leases
By Katie Hinderer Email this story | Printer-friendly | Reprints

7 WTCNEW YORK CITY-Developer Larry Silverstein’s 7 World Trade Center now has 88,568 sf less to fill. Moody’s has extended its footprint in the 52-story, 1.6-million-sf building by taking an additional two floors for a total of 80,000 sf, and DRW Commodities has leased 8,568 sf.

Moody’s signed on for 590,000 sf last year though a 20-year lease. With the latest lease, Moody’s will occupy 670,000 sf on floors 11 through 28. The firm is expected to begin moving into its new space this June. As GlobeSt.com exclusively reported, at the beginning of March Grubb & Ellis was pegged to manage Moody’s new space and the move of an estimated 1,700 employees. Most of the employees will relocate from the recently sold headquarters at 99 Church St..

“The addition of two floors for Moody’s and the first tenant on the pre-built 34th floor continues a string of recent successes at 7 World Trade Center and for the overall Downtown commercial market,” says Silverstein. “Although the building only opened last May, we have secured commitments for nearly 1.1 million sf, which represents two-thirds of the building’s available space.”


DRW’s has taken space in the pre-built floor that is being marketed to small but growing firms. The company has an office at One North End here and in Chicago. Roger Silverstein of Silverstein Properties, Stephen Siegel of CB Richard Ellis and Simon Wasserberger of CBRE handled the transaction for Silverstein. Cushman & Wakefield’s John Cefaly and Gus Field represented Moody’s.

Other 7 WTC tenants include ABN Amro (140,000 sf), Ameriprise Financial (40,000 sf), Darby & Darby PC (80,000 sf), Mansueto Ventures (40,000 sf), New York Academy of Sciences (40,000 sf), Silverstein Properties (40,000 sf), and World Trade Center Design Task Force (40,000 sf).

[pianoman11686]

RENTS CRASH THROUGH ROOF

By LOIS WEISS

New York Post Online Edition (http://www.nypost.com/seven/04112007/business/rents_crash_through_roof_business_lois_weiss.htm?)

The law firm of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton is hot on 7 World Trade Center.

The industry is buzzing about a possible deal for around 450,000 feet that would effectively fill up the 52-story, Silverstein Properties-owned tower.

Cleary Gottlieb currently has roughly the same amount of space across from Ground Zero at the 2.1 million-foot One Liberty Plaza, as well as two smaller outposts in Midtown of around 10,000 feet each. The lease at One Liberty Plaza is up in 2010.

Barry Gosin and Moshe Sukenik of Newmark Knight Frank are representing the law firm, while CB Richard Ellis handles the agency for Silverstein Properties.

They all declined comment.

Cleary Gottlieb is said to also be looking at other buildings.

Yesterday, Silverstein announced that Moody's Corp. has agreed to occupy two additional floors at the tower totaling 80,000 feet, making its total commitment 670,000 feet.

Meanwhile, DRW Commodities has signed on for 8,568 feet on the tower's 34th floor.

Copyright 2007 NYP Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.

[BPC]

Remember when Deputy Mayor Dan Doctoroff was mocking 7 WTC for being unrented (while still under construction, mind you) and demanding that the remaining WTC sites be used for apartments? At what point does someone call this guy on how wrong he was?

[kliq6]

Remember when Deputy Mayor Dan Doctoroff was mocking 7 WTC for being unrented (while still under construction, mind you) and demanding that the remaining WTC sites be used for apartments? At what point does someone call this guy on how wrong he was?

He is not a real estate expert and knows nothing about it. This administration has been wrong on a few economic development issues including Downtown recovery. They so wanted the Olympics they tried to deter building there in order to get Hudson yards off the ground. Fact is HY is years away until subway and transportation access is opened up!

[Jasonik]

The movie "Perfect Stranger" features WTC 7.

[wns808]

7 WTC v2.0 turned out to be a real beauty.

I did see the previews of the movie "Perfect Stranger" having some scenes at 7 WTC, looks like a good movie.

[rogerick1970]

APRIL 8, 2007

The heavenly 7...

Its amazing that the Freedom will be as twice as tall as this:D

[finnman69]

one of my fav new curtainwalls.

[ZippyTheChimp]

Nice skin, boring building.

[TREPYE]

^ Yep, that is pretty much how exactly I feel about this tower and TWC for that matter. It would be nice if SOM could actually put these nice facades into a designs that are not so monotonous, rectangular and flat. Man do their designs bore you to tears! But it seems to be outside their imaginative capacity to do so. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that we will be getting much of the same in the Penn Station propsals that they are working on.:rolleyes:

[Eugenious]

Remember when Deputy Mayor Dan Doctoroff was mocking 7 WTC for being unrented (while still under construction, mind you) and demanding that the remaining WTC sites be used for apartments? At what point does someone call this guy on how wrong he was?

I've said this many time Doctoroff is a political appointy with zero real world experience in anything. He comes from money, he is a corporate raider and capital investment banker. The only reason he is around is because of Bloomberg. This guy has done nothing for the city, his plan for #7 line is falling apart. Everything this guy touches turns to dust. This is what happens when people are apppointed based on their personal relationship with the mayor and not based on their qualifications.

[kliq6]

7 WTC v2.0 turned out to be a real beauty.

I did see the previews of the movie "Perfect Stranger" having some scenes at 7 WTC, looks like a good movie.

Saw the movie, not good but good 7 wtc pictures

[Vengineer]

^ Yep, that is pretty much how exactly I feel about this tower and TWC for that matter. It would be nice if SOM could actually put these nice facades into a designs that are not so monotonous, rectangular and flat. Man do their designs bore you to tears! But it seems to be outside their imaginative capacity to do so. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that we will be getting much of the same in the Penn Station propsals that they are working on.:rolleyes:

I'm not a big fan of SOM but its not their lack of imagination that turns these buildings into boxes. Its usually the owners and developers of NYC who turn dynamic designs into lego blocks.

[TREPYE]

I'm not a big fan of SOM but its not their lack of imagination that turns these buildings into boxes. Its usually the owners and developers of NYC who turn dynamic designs into lego blocks.
Well, it would be intesresting to see (in SOM's case) what design they started with and what the owner/developer dumbed it down to.

[Vengineer]

I'm not sure if this is common knowledge but this tower was supposed to have a FT-esque spire. Pretty stupid.

[MikeW]

I think that everone forgets that artistic expression is well down on the list of priorities when these buildings get built. Simplicity and cost effectiveness of design and construction are much higher up. I've watched them put up some of the more interesting of the recently constructed buildings (BOA, Hearst, etc), and you can tell it must have been a bitch and a half to get everything properly designed, specified, fabricated, and erected. All that translates to $,$$$,$$$ (or more). Building a straight wall box is signficantly simpler and cheaper, and probably even functions better on an ongoing basis.

The flip side of the business case is that an interesting building may have a higher prestige factor and garner higher rents. But in a market like this, where the LL can practically ask anything they want, that probably isn't a compelling enough reason to drive the developers to go the extra mile.

I'm not a big fan of SOM but its not their lack of imagination that turns these buildings into boxes. Its usually the owners and developers of NYC who turn dynamic designs into lego blocks.

[TREPYE]

I'm not sure if this is common knowledge but this tower was supposed to have a FT-esque spire.

It isn't. So the design we ended up with is the the same one as was first proposed minus the "spire"?

[MidtownGuy]

I'm not a big fan of SOM but its not their lack of imagination that turns these buildings into boxes. Its usually the owners and developers of NYC who turn dynamic designs into lego blocks.

I agree with Vengineer. I used to think SOM were abysmally lacking in creativity but then I started checking out some of their designs for other
cities around the world and I was surprised.
Unless the NY developers are somehow pressured to do better, they will keep giving us boring boxes. Some of this stuff is so banal, that I personally consider them vandals.
I see New York moving towards an almost São Paulo-like glut of mediocre buildings that will drown out the really good stuff.

[lofter1]

I've been pondering this:

What is it about this particular generation of NY developers that is gving us (for the most part) such mediocre buildings? Or is this just a different version of what has come before?

Of course NYC has had periods of not-so-great buildings in the past. But with the economy booming it seems (as Midtown Guy has put it) almost an act of willful vandalism for developers to erect such banal structures.

[NoyokA]

For one, its much more expensive to build in the city today than it was when the city experienced its greatest architecture era circa 1880-1934.

[MidtownGuy]

They're making a lot more money off of them too, though.

I think it's more than just being more expensive to build. Everything else has gone up too, including the money they make from these projects.

A significant portion of this is lack of character, believe it or not. Good old fashioned greed. People were able to profit handsomely back in the days while at the same time giving something back to the city that made them.
Today's crop of developers seem to altogether lack that ethos. Add in a lack of planning and oversight by the city. People kvetch, for example, about a certain type of streetlamp and yet say nothing when 40 stories of ugliness rise above them. Of course, back in the days you also had guidelines, like mandated setbacks and such.
If the currrent state of affairs continues, New York will go to hell. We need an architectural oversight committee with frequently changing members from the worlds of architecture and design.

[jpdc]

Thats an impressive Building, must look great when the suns setting?

Just wondering, does any of you guys work in these buildings?

[pianoman11686]

@MidtownGuy:

I think it has more to do with than simply a lack of moral character. I think people were just as greedy back then, if not moreso, than today. These days, it's much less common to see a new major project get built without the developer making some sort of concession to the community, whether in the design/height category or by providing some sort of amenity. As you alluded to with the streetlamp example, I also think the priorities of a lot of these neighborhood groups are out of step.

Then of course, there are things like the intangibles. Back then, corporate headquarters were often about making a statement of grandeur/prestige (e.g. Woolworth, Chrysler, Irving Trust). These days, most corporations don't build their own skyscrapers; they rent from developers. And then you've got people like Trump, who might very well think their buildings are beautiful even if architecture buffs disagree. Aesthetics are, in the end, subjective.

[fanfan]

Never Forget pix
With the New York Academy of Sciences, Hugh Hardy returns to the World Trade Center, where he once renovated Windows on the World

by Joseph Giovannini
Interior Design -- 3/1/2007


http://interiordesign.net/articles/images/ID/20070301/idx070301_hh01.jpg
A decade later, H3 Hardy Collaboration Architecture founding principal Hugh Hardy returned to the World Trade Center to design the New York Academy of Sciences.
http://interiordesign.net/articles/images/ID/20070301/idx070301_hh02.jpg
At NYAS, reception serves as a break-out area.
http://interiordesign.net/articles/images/ID/20070301/idx070301_hh03.jpg
The hallway is lined with 2x4's digitally printed vinyl wall covering.
http://interiordesign.net/articles/images/ID/20070301/idx070301_hh04.jpg
Custom leather-upholstered chairs circle an ash Hans Wegner table.
http://interiordesign.net/articles/images/ID/20070301/idx070301_hh05.jpg
Behind the anigré-veneered reception desk, an MDF screen maps out downtown New York and pinpoints the academy's previous locations, including its 1817 founding place.
http://interiordesign.net/articles/images/ID/20070301/idx070301_hh06.jpg
A hallway features 2x4's anamorphic version of Galilée Devant le Saint Office au Vatican, an 1847 oil painting by Joseph Nicolas Robert-Fleury that's now at the Musée du Louvre in Paris.

http://interiordesign.net/articles/images/ID/20070301/idx070301_hh07.jpg
The 300-seat auditorium's custom wool broadloom represents DNA spirals.
http://interiordesign.net/articles/images/ID/20070301/idx070301_hh08.jpg
All workstation panels are wrapped in recycled polyester. Task chairs made from recycled components are 70 percent recyclable; for the nylon carpet tile, that figure rises to 100 percent.
http://interiordesign.net/articles/images/ID/20070301/idx070301_hh09.jpg
In an office, Arne Jacobsen chairs ring an Isamu Noguchi table.
http://interiordesign.net/articles/images/ID/20070301/idx070301_hh10.jpg
The view from the auditorium embraces City Hall and the Woolworth Building.
EXCEPT WHERE NOTED, PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARK LA ROSA


It was like a gentleman's club out of central casting. Founded in 1817, the New York Academy of Sciences later moved uptown to the Woolworth mansion, a 1911 building graced with carved mahogany paneling, leaded glass windows, and a marble facade worthy of Georgian London. The furnishings, shabby-genteel in a professorial way, conjured up visions of science discussed fireside, over brandy snifters and puffing pipes, by men wearing tweeds patched at the elbows. But the reality was that the mansion's small rooms balkanized the staff, limited outreach, hindered interchange about science, technology, and medicine, and contributed to a declining number of members—who have included no lesser lights than Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Graham Bell, and Albert Einstein.

Sometimes, gentrification is a good thing. A Vesuvian eruption in residential real-estate prices meant that the nonprofit could sell its five-story mansion, increasing the endowment. Then, NYAS president Ellis Rubinstein convinced his board that the extra funds could help the august organization enlist design itself to acquire a headquarters that would recharge and reposition the academy in a more active and activist role. Rubinstein's plan was rendered even more feasible by the coincidence that 7 World Trade Center—the first new structure at ground zero—was coming on line, gapingly empty. NYAS and Silverstein Properties struck a deal to make the academy the first lessee, setting a cultural standard.

For NYAS, founded two blocks away, the move represented a return to neighborhood roots—at 7 World Trade, the academy would be nested in its past as it moved toward the future. Hugh Hardy, commissioned for the 40,000-square-foot job, was returning to roots of his own. In 1996, Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates and designer Milton Glazer had renovated and expanded the legendary Windows on the World restaurant at the top of the first World Trade Center's north tower. Hardy already knew the skyline here. "At Windows, you felt you were flying over the city," he says. "But at the academy, on the 40th floor, you're still part of it. Also, at Windows, the building's exo-structure created narrow apertures. We designed the academy's whole perimeter so that everybody gets access to the views."
An abstraction of the skyline, his origamilike folded ceiling for Windows on the World was simultaneously a pragmatic way to gain height on the converted office floor below Warren Platner Associates's original 107th-floor restaurant. Building out the NYAS space, the recently formed H3 Hardy Collaboration Architecture clustered elaborate duct- work in order to create areas as high as 10½ feet. "It was a real challenge to work around the ducts to get those ceiling slopes," director of interior design Darlene Fridstein says.

Another challenge was inherent to the building, which was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill as an extruded parallelogram to fit the geometry of the site. H3 designed three banks of workstations, private offices, conference rooms, and even the cabinetry in shapes that echo the floor plate's. Along one of its long sides runs a "boulevard" that terminates at Rubinstein's office. Here, another corridor angles back toward reception and the public spaces.

Discretion can be the better part of design, and H3 kept the interior visually quiet, deferring to views that stretch as far as the Atlantic Ocean. Unlike at Windows on the World, where warm colors appeared throughout, bursts of color appear primarily in those two corridors at NYAS, courtesy of graphics studio 2x4's science-themed digitally printed wall coverings. An anamorphic version of an 1847 painting of the trial of Galileo stretches down one hall; along another, 21 oversize flower images represent the color spectrum.

Windows on the World was purely a hospitality project: the main dining room, plus banquet and private dining rooms and a bar. At NYAS, flexible communal facilities for meetings and events figure prominently in the program. H3, known for its visual wit, abstracted the DNA double helix for the capacious auditorium's carpet in red, blue, yellow, and black wool. During conferences, a portion of the teak-floored reception area doubles as a break-out space, set apart by a white latticework screen. It's this decorative detail that perhaps best tells the story of NYAS's transformation through design—representing the local street grid with the academy's previous locations marked.

Transplanted from the Woolworth mansion's garden, a bronze bust of academy member Charles Darwin looks on as a gilt-framed oil portrait of NYAS's founder, physician Samuel L. Mitchell, presides. A cluster of updated red wing chairs acknowledges both then and now, while the surrounding space capitalizes on the best realities of the present to reorient the institution toward a larger future. The directors now have at their disposal a spatial instrument for cultivating public programs and fostering the conversations that have always been fundamental to scientific advance.

[NYguy]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/13/realestate/commercial/13sqft.html?ref=yourmoney

An Open, Sunlit Space at 7 World Trade Center

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/05/13/realestate/13sqft.1.600.jpg

At far left, James G. Phillips, left, and Luc Massaux of TPG Architecture in the offices of Mansueto Ventures, which the two designed.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/05/12/realestate/13sqft.2.L.jpg

The open workspace aims to let in as much natural light as possible.


http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/05/12/realestate/13sqft.3.L.jpg

A small meeting area.


http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/05/12/realestate/13sqft.4.L.jpg

A cafeteria, with a conference room in the background.


By CLAIRE WILSON
May 13, 2007

WHEN Mansueto Ventures bought the magazines Inc. and Fast Company from the German publisher Gruner & Jahr two years ago, it immediately began polishing the two titles. The paper quality was improved, staff changes were made and the editorial content was sharpened, according to Mansueto, the new owner. The company also wanted its new offices in New York to project the same retooled image, by emphasizing that the magazines were no longer part of a huge global stable of mainstream publications on subjects ranging from politics to parenting to decorating.

“We wanted our new space to reflect our new ownership,” said John Koten, the chief executive of Mansueto Ventures. “We wanted something that could communicate that we are a more nimble company and no longer part of a big bureaucracy.” Mansueto Ventures is owned by Joe Mansueto, who also founded Morningstar Inc., the investment research firm. Mr. Mansueto paid $32.5 million for the two magazines.

On April 2, the publishing company and its staff of 190 moved into 40,000 square feet on the 29th floor of 7 World Trade Center. Mansueto had previously been in 39,000 square feet on a floor it had shared with the Meredith Corporation, a publisher of books and magazines like More and Family Circle, at 375 Lexington Avenue at 42nd Street.

Besides the developer, Silverstein Properties, and the offices of its team of architects from various firms that will be designing the buildings at Nos. 2, 3 and 4 World Trade Center, Mansueto is only the third tenant to move into 7 World Trade Center, which is part of the first phase of construction to be completed around the former site of the twin towers.

The company’s general manager, Kristine Kern, looked at 50 spaces around Manhattan before settling on the downtown site. The new space, according to Mr. Koten, fits in perfectly with the message the company sends its 1.44 million subscribers, the majority of them high-earning male managers and entrepreneurs.

“We are taking the advice we give to our readers, to be ahead of the trend, be pioneering and go where other people are afraid to go,” he said.

James G. Phillips, principal in the New York-based firm TPG Architecture, and Luc Massaux, TPG’s studio design director, designed the space, whose parallelogram shape is dictated by the unusual street pattern in the financial district. The center core construction of the tower, at the foot of Greenwich Street between Barclay and Vesey Streets, is column-free, making the raw floor a blank canvas for architect and tenant. Obtuse and acute angles set it apart from office towers with square or rectangular footprints, Mr. Phillips said.

“It makes the floor plan more dynamic,” he said.

Sweeping 360-degree vistas of New York dominate the space, whose exterior walls are all glass. “The mandate was to do nothing to interfere” with the view, Mr. Phillips said. “Just bring it inside.” Partitions were kept to a minimum to preserve the views and natural light. Seven conference rooms and 35 individual offices around the periphery have glass walls, with sliding glass doors framed with galvanized aluminum. Workstations for interns, which are away from the windows and around the inner core of the building, are equipped with stools to permit the most light and good views.

Mr. Koten wanted to use as few materials as possible and wanted to conserve resources when configuring the new headquarters. Seven World Trade Center is the first New York City office tower to receive a gold rating for environmental sustainability from the United States Green Building Council.

In the Mansueto offices, there is no dry wall, for example, and ceiling tiles are used only in the private offices and conference rooms. Ceilings are raw in the rest of the space and finished only with textured fireproofing materials, while most of the floor is bare concrete coated with an epoxy finish.

There are four communal copying and printing rooms on the floor, eliminating about 40 individual printers that staff members had previously used. That move cut down significantly on the use of ink and toner, according to Ms. Kern, the general manager.

Fewer partitions also create a sense of openness that was critical to the strategy behind the design. According to Mr. Phillips, the layout was meant to engender interaction among staff members. The space is divided into sections for three divisions: one for each of the two magazines and the third for corporate offices. Pale maple work cubicles designed by the Italian company Unifor at the center of each section were given less space in favor of communal areas. Those include conference rooms in a range of sizes — from the principal one that seats 28 to one with a high, colorful Parsons-style table and four aluminum stools.

Further economizing on individual space, employees’ personal gear will be relegated to the 200 high-school-style lockers soon to be installed inside space in the unfinished building core.

“Tremendous emphasis was placed on the sharing of knowledge, rather than on personal territory,” said Mr. Phillips, whose current projects include the New York headquarters for the music publisher EMI and the retail component of the Plaza Hotel. The company also designed the studio for NBC’s “Today” show.

The offices will also feature a high-tech innovation in publishing. Computer monitors show images of page layouts that change as the editors revise them. There are 40 screens on each wall. A third display of eight monitors is to be used as needed for different Web sites, including those of Fast Company and Inc.

As in most modern office renovations, the entire floor has WiFi access so staff members with laptops can move to impromptu meetings in casual seating areas scattered around the offices or in the conference rooms.

The cafeteria is the most popular gathering spot, near the elevators. Also serving as a reception area, it is marked off by a large carpeted circle with modern tables and chairs and a serpentine bench. A cool white marble bar, a wall paneled in dark wood and a wall of banquettes upholstered in deep olive fabric create an unusual counterpoint to the corner conference room, which hangs like a sleek glass box over ground zero and the first few beams of the Freedom Tower.

The space is ultramodern but somewhat retro, Mr. Koten said. It is the feel of the newsrooms in which he started his career and which has been lost since publishing went desktop, the “sense that something was being manufactured here, and that people were creating something,” he said.

________________________________________

http://www.nysun.com/article/54369

The City's Hottest Event Space? Try 7 World Trade Center

By GABRIELLE BIRKNER
May 14, 2007

Hundreds of gown- and tuxedo-clad partygoers, including Naomi Campbell and Donald Trump Jr., filtered into 7 World Trade Center Friday evening for a dinner and fashion show benefiting the charity Operation Smile. The guests made their way to the 52nd floor, which was painted black and adorned with large color photographs and gray floor-to-ceiling draperies for the occasion.

While the Grand Ballroom at the Plaza Hotel is closed for renovations, the top floors of 7 World Trade Center — a glass office tower rebuilt and reopened less than five years after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks reduced the original tower to rubble — are emerging as see-and-be-seen venues for fashion shows, charity lunches, and black-tie galas.

The building's chameleonlike spaces have been transformed into a Miami Beach-style nightclub with clusters of sleek, white couches and light installations for a Calvin Klein fashion show afterparty last fall, and into an urban garden filled with 5,000 red and pink roses for a Valentino fragrance launch in November. Tonight, an ornate runway will wrap around the 50th floor, custom-built for the Christian Dior Resort Fashion Show.

The editor of the event-planning magazine BiZBash, Chad Kaydo, has called 7 World Trade "the space of the year." A full floor there — the top three are the most often used for parties — rents for $25,000 a day, though Silverstein Properties, which owns the tower, has occasionally donated a space to schools and community groups to use for a meeting or a benefit. A fashion house, charity, corporation or school renting — or borrowing — the space is responsible for expenses such as food, beverages, lighting, music, and décor.

"This is a blank canvas, and you can just cater it to whatever you want to do," the events manager for 7 World Trade Center, Rebecca Shalomoff, said. "People say, all the time, ‘No one will ever be able to copy us.'"

Regardless of how the raw, airy spaces are dressed, their biggest draw, many say, is their sweeping 360-degree views of New York City and its surroundings.

The "mesmerizing" views were one of the things that pulled the spiritual leader of the SoHo Synagogue, Rabbi Dovi Scheiner, to the top-floor space, where the synagogue held its June 2006 fund-raising gala, which was attended by about 950 mostly young people. The venue's significance "in terms of the rebirth of downtown, which is what the SoHo Synagogue is all about" was another, Rabbi Scheiner said.

The rabbi, whose synagogue held its benefit at 7 World Trade Center just weeks after the tower reopened, said he was also attracted to the novelty of locale. "So many venues, they're beautiful spaces, but they're overused — everyone already has so many memories associated with them," Rabbi Scheiner said. "We wanted to set the trend instead."

[kliq6]

He may just keep one floor empty for this reason

[Adyton]

Smart marketing move on Silverstein's part. :D

Gives potential new WTC leaseholders for WTC7, WTC2, WTC3, WTC4 a "sample" of the views, the type of rentable floor space and what it would be like to be working in a Class A silver or gold LEED building! Brilliant marketing move for all 4 buildings!;)

[kliq6]

7 was Gold LEED, all three will be that atleast

[BrooklynRider]

Walked by the building along Vesey Street last night and the blue light did follow me - just as designed. Very cool.

[TREPYE]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/13/realestate/commercial/13sqft.html?ref=yourmoney

An Open, Sunlit Space at 7 World Trade Center



At far left, James G. Phillips, left, and Luc Massaux of TPG Architecture in the offices of Mansueto Ventures, which the two designed.



The open workspace aims to let in as much natural light as possible.


http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/05/12/realestate/13sqft.3.L.jpg



Like much of modernism it takes advatage of the views of other great eye catching buildings via ceiling to floor windows, but it does not return the favor.

[Derek2k3]

These were the first images released of what 7 WTC would be.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1237/782985744_e00e7afa0d_o.jpg http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1011/782985724_8f4b1da012_o.jpg

They weren't that far off.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1132/782985886_d9cfdfed16_o.jpg

[rogerick1970]

These were the first images released of what 7 WTC would be.

Personally I think its a gorgeous building:) It also looks very tall. Cant even imagine the impact the other towers will have.

[Lemonsoda]

Derek, wonderful shot that makes WTC 7 look positively ethereal. I wonder how the ESB would come off clad in such glass?

[MidtownGuy]

None the better.
The glass is nice, but why on the ESB??

[Lemonsoda]

MidtownGuy, just a mental exercise, I hope the sacrilegious tremors have abated already... but I'm really curious how the near perfect proportions of the ESB might be married with modern building practices. Just as I don't quite understand why, in the day of CNC milling and advanced materials, we can't have ornamented facades.

[BPC]

Two reasons: (a) because it does not make real estate developers any more money; and (b) because the architectural intelligentsia will heap scorn and derision on any building bearing an ornamental facade, labeling it (pick your fave) "Disneyesque," "Kitsch" and/or "Ye Olde New York." It is hard enough convincing a developer to part with a few extra bucks, without insulting him for the outlay.

[ablarc]

the architectural intelligentsia will heap scorn and derision on any building bearing an ornamental facade, labeling it (pick your fave) "Disneyesque," "Kitsch" and/or "Ye Olde New York."
Sad but true.

"Ornament is crime." --Adolf Loos, pioneer Modernist.

[Fabrizio]

Two reasons: (a) because it does not make real estate developers any more money; and (b) because the architectural intelligentsia will heap scorn and derision on any building bearing an ornamental facade, labeling it (pick your fave) "Disneyesque," "Kitsch" and/or "Ye Olde New York." It is hard enough convincing a developer to part with a few extra bucks, without insulting him for the outlay.

But aren't we beyond that? Isn't design in a new era?

It's "Disneyesque," "Kitsch" and/or "Ye Olde New York" if it's done poorly.

Was this scorned? http://www.emporis.com/en/il/im/?id=135767

Or this? http://www.emporis.com/en/il/im/?id=136233

IMHO The New York Times building could also be described as ornamented...in a new way. There lots of unnecessary, money burning stuff going on there.

Robert Stern creates a fanciful top to 15CPW and it's the most exclusive new residential building in NYC. Expensive design fillips created postive buzz and have paid off handsomely. Despite the controversy, in the end, I believe the same will be true for the Schnabel building on 11th.


--

[ZippyTheChimp]

Sad but true.

"Ornament is crime." --Adolf Loos, pioneer Modernist.Interesting that Morris Lapidus popped up in other thread.

His autobiography a jab at van der Rohe's "Less is more."

Too much is Never Enough (http://www.amazon.com/Too-Much-Never-Enough-Autobiography/dp/0847819787)

[BigMac]

From Flickr:

July 6, 2007:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1003/742659419_cf8a82a6f2_b.jpg

June 29, 2007:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1150/663364568_14a6facd27_o.jpg

March 17, 2007:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/181/424717450_2fce1eee1d_b.jpg

[Austin J. Tobin]

A beautiful building, truly.

[rogerick1970]

If the other buildings look anything like this one, the new WTC wil be extraordinary.:)

[BrooklynRider]

Nice photos Big Mac!

It really is a very nice building and I think the whole plaza, entrance and sodewalk lighting work very well at street level. The building is a very nice experience.

[ZippyTheChimp]

So is this me?

http://www.kidairy.com.au/img-media/content/KID_PROMO_517.jpg

Am I the only one who's very disappointed in this building?

Aside from the exceptional quality of the glass, it's boring. And what's with the transition from the base to the office floors? Looks incomplete.

Please don't mention the office space. I'm not talking about the utility, just the looks.

[BPC]

Well, since this is an all-glass building, the exceptional quality of the glass is not just a minor point. I love the way, on a sunny day, this building seems to just melt into the air. Other modern buildings would have overwhelmed the smaller but magnificent Verizon building next door, but 7 WTC actually highlights it, not just because of the glass but also because of the shape and placement of the building. For example, if you look up West Street from the South, you will see that the western wall of 7 WTC follows the building line of the West Street buildings from Battery Place to 90 West Street. (West Street curves west just north of that, so that the Verizon building actually juts out.) To me, Childs realized that the Verizon building was something special, and did his best to make 7 WTC highlight that fact.

[ManhattanKnight]

Am I the only one who's very disappointed in this building?



No. Considered in isolation, the glass is nice (and, from the inside, the windows work very well). But the building looks squat and awkward to me. A 52-story building should soar; this one doesn't. I detest the armored base and the lobby's tacky lighting and cheap detailing. Omitting a few rows of glass in the highest part of a curtain wall doesn't a top make. As for the inside, what's going on here (52nd floor ceiling)?

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/747/dscf4785aai0.jpg

[stache]

but only in the context of it being a basic background type building.