Tag Archives: Manhattan

The World Trade Center in NYC

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Talk about construction! I was just in New York and walked by the World Trade Center building site. I couldn’t help but gasp at the enormous task for all involved.  The complex of buildings will replace the earlier complex of 7 buildings on the same site with the same name. The site is being rebuilt with six new skyscrapers,a memorial to those killed in the attacks(the 2 beautiful reflecting pools with granite edging with the names carved into it-so thoughtful in that you can place a flower in the name itself)) and a transportation hub.

In August 2012, One World Trade Center’s steel officially topped out at the nominal 104th floor, at a total height of 1,368 feet. The tower’s antenna was shipped to New York in November 2012; the first antenna section was hoisted to the top of the tower on December 12, 2012, and installed on January 15, 2013.

By March 2013, two sections of the antenna had been installed. The spire was expected to be completed on April 29, 2013, but weather delayed the delivery of the final pieces.On May 10, 2013, the final piece of the spire was lifted to the top of One World Trade Center, bringing it to its full height of 1,776 feet, and making it the fourth tallest building in the world. Port Authority Vice Chairman Scott Rechler said on September 9, 2014 that it will open this November.

The Four World Trade Center is on track for completion and occupancy by  the end of 2014. The Museum opened on May 21, 2014.The Three World Trade Center and the Transportation Center are also making progress and are set to be finished by around 2015. Two World Trade Center’s full construction has been placed on hold until tenants are found, but it is still expected to be completed before 2020.

 

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Amazing Antique Desk from Germany

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   And to think the guy who made this over two hundred years ago, did it with hand tools alone¦ It is at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.

Click on this link: The Roentgens Berlin Secretary Cabinet. It is absolutely incredible-click on the words,it will take you to youtube.

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FREE Grand Central Station Tour!

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I took a very quick trip to Manhattan last week and caught up with a good friend who knew about this tour. It was very good and I really recommend it if you are in New York! Here is an article I found about it:

Every Friday at 12:30, visitors gather to experience Justin Ferate’s free walking tour through Grand Central and the surrounding neighborhood. Domestic and international visitors, as well as local New Yorkers looking to learn about the neighborhood, will enjoy this walking tour.
Mr. Ferate’s enthusiasm and energy are as engaging as his knowledge about New York City. The tour features the Lincoln Building, as well as Grand Central Terminal. (Did you know that the statue of Lincoln inside the Lincoln Building is the original statue upon which the eponymous memorial in Washington, D.C. is based?) Primarily focused on history and architecture, Ferate does an excellent job setting the scene for the creation, evolution and eventual restoration of Grand Central Terminal.

Grand Central Terminal is one of New York City’s greatest architectural gems. Five to six million commuters pass through Grand Central daily, and while the amazing design might go largely unappreciated, many of the details make this volume of traffic possible. Mr. Ferate points out that the length of tiles throughout the terminal relate directly to the size of human arms, legs, and hands, making it easy for people to move throughout the area without collisions or other mishaps. He also reveals how impressive the restoration of the ceiling in Grand Central was by pointing out a spot left unrestored and is still black from pre-restoration cigarette smoke in Grand Central. Participants on the tour will also get a chance to discover the famous “whisper gallery” outside of the Oyster Bar, and Mr. Ferate takes participants by the hand and leads them to opposite corners to try it out themselves.

Justin Ferate does an outstanding job depicting the history of Grand Central, dispelling myths and misconceptions, and makes this educational tour fun and engaging.