Opened 1970-73, destroyed: September 11, 2001, and standing rebuilt today, the Twin Towers were thought of by Winthrop W. Aldrich. Aldrichs' nephew, David Rockefeller planned a 70-story office tower within a $250 million complex. In 1967 the Empire State building was the tallest in the world, and the Port Authority was determined to change that. Ironically, real-estate star Lawrence Wien complained that a plane would hit the towers because they were so tall and unsafe. Clearly, the Port Authority went ahead and built the structures regardless of criticisms.
With $90 million worth of land from the 1 million cubic feet of landfill that had to be removed to build the towers the Port Authority created Battery Park City. After a 25-foot-tall bronze sculpture by Fritz Koenig was finished, the ribbon was cut on April 4, 1973. "At the official ribbon cutting ceremony on April 4, Governor Nelson Rockefeller (David’s brother) proclaimed triumphantly, 'It’s not too often that we see a dream come true. Today, we have'. |
For one year these 1,360 feet towers were the largest in the world, but were soon surpassed by the Chicago Sears tower. After the terrorist attacks, these majestic structures turned into "Ground Zero" a mourning site for the horrors seen on September 11th. However, with help from many willing citizens the city rebuilt more extravagant towers, showing that those who try to bring us down will only make us stronger.
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PENTagon
On Jan 15, 1943 the largest office building in the world was first opened, covering 35 acres of land.
From 1939-1940 the war department was finding itself short of office space. Gen. Brehon Somervell purposed that For $35,000,000, a huge furnished and landscaped building could be built to fulfill both the Army and the Navy's needs. The design is the star shape as a way of limiting walking distances while increasing space. It also is representation or symbol of the 17th century fortresses, clearly honoring architects of the past.
In the end, the 4 million square feet of building could provide space for forty-thousand men.
From 1939-1940 the war department was finding itself short of office space. Gen. Brehon Somervell purposed that For $35,000,000, a huge furnished and landscaped building could be built to fulfill both the Army and the Navy's needs. The design is the star shape as a way of limiting walking distances while increasing space. It also is representation or symbol of the 17th century fortresses, clearly honoring architects of the past.
In the end, the 4 million square feet of building could provide space for forty-thousand men.