Twin Towers 2 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Twin Towers II |
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Pictured: The proposed World Trade Center site model. The new Twin Towers stand beside the memorials, which would have used the surviving exterior panels of the original towers.
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| Former names | Plan of the People (original) World Trade Center Phoenix |
| Alternative names | Twin Towers 2, New Twin Towers |
| General information | |
| Type | Office, observation, communication |
| Town or city | Manhattan, New York City |
| Country | United States |
| Height | |
| Architectural | 1 and 2 WTC: 1,475 ft (450 m) |
| Antenna spire | 1 WTC: 1,858 ft (566 m) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 1 and 2 WTC: 115
3, 4, and 5 WTC: 12 7 WTC: 52 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Herbert Belton |
| Architecture firm | Team Twin Towers, Inca |
| Engineer | Kenneth Gardner |
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The Twin Towers II (also known as Twin Towers 2 or New Twin Towers) was a plan for a new set of twin skyscrapers in Manhattan, New York City. These towers would have been built at the World Trade Center site. They were meant to replace the original Twin Towers that were destroyed in the September 11 attacks.
The main idea was to build new twin towers that looked almost the same as the old ones. However, they would have been 115 stories tall, which is five floors taller than the originals. The plan also included a memorial above ground where the original towers once stood. This memorial would have used parts of the original towers. The site would also have had three smaller 12-story buildings. Architect Herbert Belton and engineer Kenneth Gardner designed this project, and it was supported by Donald Trump.
Contents
Why New Towers? (2001–2003)
After the September 11 attacks in 2001, many people talked about building new twin towers. A group called the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC) held a competition in 2002. They asked architects to create designs to rebuild the Manhattan skyline.
Four of the seven designs included twin towers, but none looked exactly like the originals. In 2003, the LMDC chose a design by Daniel Libeskind called "Memory Foundations." This meant the twin-tower ideas were not chosen. Many people, including architect critics and Donald Trump, were unhappy with this decision. The "Team Twin Towers" group, who designed Twin Towers II, couldn't finish their plan in time for the competition.
The Idea Appears (2004)
The plan for Twin Towers II first became public in 2004. The group behind it was called Team Twin Towers, Inc. It was made up of activists and designers. Engineer Kenneth "Ken" Gardner and architect Herbert Belton led the design. Belton had even worked on the original World Trade Center. Their spokesperson, Jonathan Hakala, had worked in the original North Tower.
Their design was called the "Plan of the People." It aimed to look just like the original Yamasaki design.
- The new towers would have a stronger steel structure, like a "tube within a tube."
- They would have bigger windows and better fireproofing.
- The memorial would be five stories tall, built from parts of the original towers.
- The names of the victims would be carved into granite.
Ken Gardner said the new towers would show "resolve, strength, and renewal." He believed seeing the towers return would inspire people. The North Tower was planned to have a tall mast, making it 1,888 feet high. This would have made it the tallest building in the world at the time. The towers were planned to be 112 stories tall.
Team Twin Towers wanted the government to change the rebuilding plans. However, the LMDC said they would stick with their chosen design. On February 18, 2004, Team Twin Towers showed off their model of the new twin towers at a hotel near the World Trade Center site. Jonathan Hakala said the original towers were "instantly recognizable landmarks." Many people who worked in the original towers wanted them back.
Later in February, Donald Trump spoke on CNN. He said he disliked the chosen design for the new main tower, calling it a "skeleton." He felt it was not right for the World Trade Center site.
Growing Support (2005–2007)
In 2005, the Twin Towers II project gained more attention. Donald Trump officially supported and sponsored the plan. Many people were critical of the chosen design for the new main tower, which was called the "Freedom Tower" at the time.
In May 2005, Trump spoke on TV about the Freedom Tower design. He called it a "terrible design" and said it was made by an architect who didn't have much experience with such large buildings. Trump said he wanted to see the World Trade Center rebuilt "stronger and maybe a story taller."
Other people also supported the new twin towers. Fernando Ferrer, a former leader in The Bronx, said the plan was "very interesting" and should be considered. He felt the new main building shouldn't look "cowardly."
Greg Manning, who worked in the original World Trade Center, wrote an article supporting Twin Towers II. He said that when he and his wife visited the site, they imagined the towers as they were. He believed that to truly honor those lost, the towers should return to the sky.
On May 18, 2005, Trump held a press conference. With engineer Ken Gardner and architect Herbert Belton, he showed the Team Twin Towers model. Trump said the Freedom Tower plan "looks like a junkyard." He believed that if the World Trade Center was rebuilt as a "skeleton," the terrorists would win. He suggested building a memorial park instead if tenants couldn't be found for the new design.
The final design for the "Freedom Tower" (now One World Trade Center) was shown on June 28, 2005. A large concrete base was added for security reasons. Construction of this tower began in April 2006. This made it very unlikely that the Twin Towers II project could ever be built on the site.
Later Discussions (2008–2009)
By 2008, some people were still upset that rebuilding the World Trade Center was taking so long. Even though the One World Trade Center and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum were being built, some still suggested stopping construction and building Twin Towers II instead. Ken Gardner said, "Seeing them go up could be as powerful as seeing them go down."
In July 2008, members of the Twin Towers Alliance, a group supporting the new twin towers, gathered in Central Park. They felt that the city was not listening to what New Yorkers wanted for the site. Margaret Donovan, an organizer, said, "We can still have the World Trade Center we deserve." She believed it wasn't too late.
Project Ends (2010)
After 2008, there was little news about the Twin Towers II project. Since One World Trade Center, Four World Trade Center, and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum have all been completed, it is very unlikely that the Twin Towers II project will ever be built at the World Trade Center site.
Ken Gardner, the project's engineer, later said he thought about voting for Donald Trump when he ran for President of the United States. Another architect, Bjarke Ingels, who designed the new Two World Trade Center, said he would have rebuilt the original World Trade Center if he could have. He felt they were a huge part of New York's identity.
See also
In Spanish: Twin Towers 2 para niños
