Governor George E. Pataki joined World Trade Center Developer Larry A. Silverstein at 7 World Trade Center today to introduce Lord Norman Foster as the architect commissioned to design the third World Trade Center tower to be constructed by the Silverstein organization since the September 11th attacks.  In addition to announcing Lord Foster, Governor Pataki and Mr. Silverstein unveiled the timetable for the design and construction of “Tower Two,” which will have a 200 Greenwich Street address.
 
“The World Trade Center had a long history as an international center of commerce and after 9/11 there was a global outpouring of support and solidarity.   It is only fitting that one of the international community’s most esteemed architects should be chosen to join an already illustrious and international group of men and women working to rebuild and revitalize Lower Manhattan,” said Governor Pataki. “The selection of Lord Norman Foster to design Tower Two is just the latest signal that the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site is moving forward in achieving its destiny as a world-class central business district. We look forward to seeing his vision for the tower and to commencing construction on the remaining signature projects--the Freedom Tower and ‘Reflecting Absence,’ the memorial to our nearly 3,000 lost heroes this spring.”

Larry Silverstein said, “When I committed the rest of my working life to the World Trade Center, I vowed to build to the very highest architectural, environmental and life safety standards.  As he has proven time and again – from Hong Kong to London to New York City – Norman Foster understands how to design a bold urban icon while simultaneously enhancing the environment and quality of life of the building’s occupants.  There is no doubt that he will add yet another remarkable jewel in downtown’s skyline.”  
The 200 Greenwich Street building will be bounded by Vesey Street to the North, Fulton Street to the South, Church Street to the East, and a re-introduced Greenwich Street to the West. It will include 2.4 million square feet of office space and approximately 130,000 square feet of retail both at street level and as part of an underground concourse linking to the PATH transportation hub.
 
Lord Foster, the founder and chairman of Foster and Partners, is widely regarded as one of the world’s pre-eminent architects.  Founded in London in 1967, the company has a worldwide practice, with project offices in more than 20 countries. Over the past four decades the company has been responsible for a strikingly wide range of work, from urban master plans, public infrastructure, airports, civic and cultural buildings, offices and workplaces to private houses and product design.
 
His current and recent work includes the largest construction project in the world, Beijing Airport.  He has also designed the New German Parliament in the Reichstag in Berlin, the Millau Viaduct in France, the Swiss Re tower and the Great Court at the British Museum in London, the Hearst Headquarters tower in New York, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Research Centers for Stanford University, California, the redevelopment of Dresden Railway Station and a new high speed rail link in Florence. 
 
Both the Hearst Tower and 7 World Trade Center, which was designed by David Childs of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, are scheduled for completion in 2006 and both are expected to be certified as New York City’s first “green” skyscrapers by the U.S. Green Buildings Council.  Lord Foster’s 200 Greenwich Street tower, as well as Childs’ Freedom Tower, also are expected to achieve official green status.

According to Mr. Silverstein, another important factor in the selection of Lord Foster is his ability to skillfully and seamlessly blend large, street-level retail into his office projects.
 
“It is an honor and a tremendous responsibility to play a role in hastening the rebirth of the World Trade Center,” said Lord Foster.  “When Foster and Partners participated in the LMDC’s innovative design study in 2002, we viewed the renewal of the World Trade Center in part as the catalyst for the regeneration of all of downtown Manhattan.  The 200 Greenwich Street tower in particular is critical as its street level retail and direct connections to the WTC transit hub will reinvigorate the area with a humanity and a vitality that has been noticeably absent these past four years.”
 
Mr. Silverstein also outlined the following timetable for construction of the building:

• Design work, 2006-2007
• Excavation/slurry wall/foundation, 2007-2008
• Superstructure concrete up to ground level, 2008-2009
• Structural steel erection, 2009-2010
• Structural concrete tower core and slab, 2009-2010
• Curtain walls, 2009-2011
• Core and shell work, 2010-2011
• Building opening, 2011
 
Governor Pataki, Mr. Silverstein and Lord Foster were joined at the announcement by Sir Philip Thomas, the British Consul General in New York. 
 
Sir Philip said, “It is fitting that one of Great Britain’s greatest architects participate in the World Trade Center project.  Our countries have long shared a common bond, and our alliance has only grown stronger since September 11, 2001.  I am confident that Lord Foster will produce a stunning design to the credit of both of our countries.”