Developers Scrap Plans For New “Windows on the World” atop 1 WTC

The view from the old Windows on the World (Photo: Flickr @seeareelem)

The New York Post reports that plans to include a Windows on the World-type restaurant in the new 1 World Trade Center building have been scrapped by the developers. The restaurant has been a part of the building’s blueprint since it was dubbed “The Freedom Tower.” The original WTC buildings boasted a top floor restaurant before they were destroyed in the 9/11 attacks. The initial plan called for a two-story eating establishment, but that was eventually downgraded to a single floor due to cost prohibitiveness.

The restaurant is being shelved entirely due to cost concerns. There is little efficiency in running such an operation and developers feared they would not be able to locate a restaurateur willing to handle the project, which looked likely to be a money-losing, in-the-red operation.

Port Authority executive director Chris Ward said, “These things are always money-losers. We think we can achieve a far better financial return given the [quality of the] space and avoid all the complexities.” Ward went on to remind us that the city is teeming with plenty of restaurants. However, plenty of New Yorkers would like the new World Trade Center buildings to be as similar to the originals as possible.

Do you think that the new World Trade Center should have a Windows on the World type restaurant just like the old Twin Towers had?

2 thoughts on “Developers Scrap Plans For New “Windows on the World” atop 1 WTC

  1. YES, YES, THE NEW FREEDOM TOWER SHOULD HAVE A RESTAURANT ON TOP.. IT WOULD SEEM TO BE THE TRAFFIC COULD HANDLE IT.

    PLEASE. I WOULD BE THE FIRST TO MAKE A RESERVATION.

    GIL YSAIS
    ARLINGTON, VA.

  2. They could put numerous resturants in each tower with killer views of the city and the memorial.

    Does not have to be all the way to the top.

    For example place a future resturant in Tower #2 facing the memorial plaza.

    Place a resturant in Tower #4 with a killer view of Brooklyn and the city.

    Place a resturant in Tower #1 with view of the whole harbor.

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