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

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

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.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

6 hours ago - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

7 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

April 30 - Next City