Revised design maintains elegance, addresses security concerns

A revised design for the Freedom Tower at the World Trade Center site will be revealed at a 10 a.m. press conference today. Maintaining the symbolic 1,776-foot height of the original design, the new tower will feature a smaller, cubic base -- the same size as the footprints of the original Twin Towers -- and will be set back further from West Street, alleviating security concerns raised about the earlier design.

Rising from its square base, the redesigned Freedom Tower will taper into eight tall isosceles triangles, forming a perfect octagon at its center, which will be topped by an observation deck and square glass parapet rotated 45 degrees from the base. From this will rise an illuminated mast, containing a television antenna, that will evoke the Statue of Liberty's torch, in keeping with the original Freedom Tower design.

View a slide show of the new design  here.

Night view, with memorial

While incorporating enhanced security requirements, the building will feature entrances on all four sides, making it open and accessible and connected to the community and street life that will surround it. These entrances will also provide views of and access to the adjoining memorial. Additionally, the new tower will serve as a model of energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, incorporating state-of-the-art energy-saving technology, environmentally friendly building materials, water conservation features, and ventilation systems to improve indoor air quality.

Other key elements of the original design will be retained, including 2.6 million square feet of office space, tenant amenity spaces, world-class restaurants, below-grade retail, and access to the PATH, subway, and World Financial Center.

More details about the design, as well as additional images and animations, will be available here on LowerManhattan.info after the conclusion of this morning's press event. Additional information is also available on the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation website.