World Trade Center Rebuild Almost Complete With Approval of 900-Foot Mixed-Use Tower

Plans have been approved for the development of 5 World Trade Center, in place of a building damaged on September 11 and eventually torn down.

2 minute read

February 15, 2021, 5:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Lower Manhattan

PlusONE / Shutterstock

The final piece of the rebuilt World Trade Center is now in place.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Board of Commissioners and the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation Board recently approved plans for the development of a 1.56-million-square-foot, 900-foot-tall tower designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) and developed by Brookfield Properties and Silverstein Properties.

"The proposal for the future 1.56 million gross square foot mixed-use building currently anticipates approximately 1.2 million square feet of residential space or 1,325 residential rental units – of which 25%, or approximately 330, would be permanently affordable. The building would also include approximately 190,000 square feet of office space," according to a Port Authority press release. "[T]he building would have a 12,000 square foot community facility space, as well as 55,000 square feet of public amenity space and 7,000 square feet of retail."

In addition to being the final development to rebuild from the damage done on September 11, 2001, the new 5 World Trade Center will be the first residential project on the World Trade Center campus.

Two articles, one by Jonathan Hillburg and the other by Diane Pham, provide additional insight into process that yielded these plans for 5 World Trade Center. Hillburg also notes that the General Project Plan (GPP) for the World Trade Center complex originally had the development of 5 World Trade Center targeted for office development. "[M]odifying the GPP will take approval from the LMDC, Empire State Development Board of Directors, the Public Authorities Control Board, and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development,' state and national environmental approvals, and more," report Hillburg.

Friday, February 12, 2021 in The Architect's Newspaper

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Man in teal shirt opening door to white microtransit shuttle with cactus graphics and making inviting gesture toward the camera.

Albuquerque’s Microtransit: A Planner’s Answer to Food Access Gaps

New microtransit vans in Albuquerque aim to close food access gaps by linking low-income areas to grocery stores, cutting travel times by 30 percent and offering planners a scalable model for equity-focused transit.

June 13 - U.S. Department Of Transportation

Group of people at table set ouf with picnic food on street during a neighborhood block party.

This City Will Pay You to Meet Your Neighbors

A North Kansas City grant program offers up to $400 for residents to throw neighborhood block parties.

June 13 - The Kansas City Star

Crowd gathered with protest signs on April 5, 2025 on steps of Minnesota state capitol protesting Trump cuts to social security and other federal programs.

Commentary: Our Silence Will Not Protect Us

Keeping our heads down and our language inoffensive is not the right response to the times we’re in. Solidarity and courage is.

June 13 - Shelterforce Magazine