Talk about a great public space, the Winter Garden at the World Financial Center seems to have it all. A sudden and much welcomed break from the chaotic streets and hectic bustle of city life, Caesar Pelli’s amazing garden slows down the pace of a passerby’s day for just a second as one may steal a glance of the river, read under palm trees or relax on the grand marble stairs. This space is so meaningful that it was one of the first things rebuilt after the attack on the World Trade Center back in 2001. Yet, according to the New York Observer, Brookfield Properties, the owner of the World Financial Center, has proposed a redesign of the winter garden, including the removal of the beloved steps.
More about the proposal after the break.
Communities did not like this news; according to the Matt Chaban, “Some locals are concerned that the garden will lose its inviting nature and become another busy thoroughfare. Others are worried about sacrificing yet another link to the World Before 9/11, even if it is a recreated one.”
However, Brookfield has said that the plans are meant to revitalize the space and since the current Winter Garden had such a strong connection to the World Trade Center, with the new towers rising, it is fitting to establish a new connection. Plus, Brookfield’s plan includes a revamping of the entire center’s commercial and retail areas, which will be designed by Rafael Pelli, the son of the Winter Garden’s original architect.
Have you been to the Winter Gardens and experienced this public space? What do you think of the new proposal?
