The genesis of the World Trade Center and its Twin Towers
The Editorial – April 4, 1973 marked a turning point in modern architecture and the iconography of Manhattan: the inauguration of the World Trade Center (WTC), universally known for its majestic Twin Towers. The inspiration for this global center, which would host a wide variety of offices and organizations, stemmed from the visionary mind of David Rockefeller, an influential businessman of the time. This ambitious project began to take shape in 1966, with the construction of the North Tower, and was completed in the early years of the following decade.
The World Trade Center stood majestically in the heart of Lower Manhattan, comprising a complex of seven imposing buildings, with the Twin Towers immediately recognized as its most distinctive symbol. In addition to the towering structures, the complex housed five other significant buildings. Among these structures was a 22-story hotel with 825 rooms, Building WTC 4, which housed various government agencies, WTC 5, the home of the US Commodities Exchange customs service, WTC 6, which hosted banks and the U.S. Customs House, and finally WTC 7, characterized by its distinctive red granite color, which housed the NYC Office of Emergency Management, the city’s emergency center. Additionally, a vast shopping center, the World Trade Center Mall, extended into the underground, connecting all these buildings via elevated or underground passageways.
On an average working day, the WTC was frequented by over 50,000 workers, with a weekly flow of visitors exceeding 200,000 people.
Extraordinary events
The Twin Towers, in particular, were the scene of numerous extraordinary events over the years. One of the most memorable moments was in 1974 when tightrope walker Philippe Petit walked between the two structures on a suspended wire over 400 meters high. Additionally, the towers became a cinematic icon, appearing in several films including “King Kong,” “Trading Places,” “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” and “Spider-Man.” It is interesting to note that the teaser trailer for “Spider-Man” was released before the September 11, 2001 attacks and depicted criminals trapped in a helicopter between the Twin Towers, an image that later caused significant controversy after the attacks.
The September 11, 2001 terrorist attack
The history of the World Trade Center is also marked by tragedy. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, resulted in the destruction of the Twin Towers and the loss of thousands of lives. The area had to be cleared of debris, and a competition was held for the design of a new complex, the New World Trade Center. The winning design, conceived by Daniel Libeskind, features a spiral form culminating in the 9/11 Memorial, a poignant commemorative monument opened in September 2011. This memorial consists of two square pools located precisely where the Twin Towers stood, with the names of the victims inscribed on their surfaces.
Discussions and debates on its impact on Manhattan’s urban planning
Despite its historical significance and architectural relevance, the World Trade Center has not been immune to criticism. From its early days, the project has sparked debates and controversies, with some viewing it as excessive interference in Manhattan’s traditional urban planning. Criticisms encompassed both the aesthetic aspect of the complex, deemed cold and alienating by some, and practical issues such as ventilation and accessibility of the vast outdoor plaza.
Despite the criticisms and tragedies that have marked its history, the World Trade Center remains an indelible symbol not only of the strength and resilience of New York City but also of the human capacity to rebuild and look to the future, even in the face of the greatest adversity.
Article also available in Italian language: Il 4 aprile 1973, l’inaugurazione del World Trade Center a Manhattan
