This will be Calatrava's Oculus
AS IT IS CALLED?
All the space built underground to receive the trains that come from New Jersey and connect with the New York subway lines is called an Interchange or World Trade Center HUB . Y Oculus it is like Calatrava has baptized the great central hall of the station. An immense space that outside has double spine, bird or large dinosaur shape . As you prefer.
WHAT'S HIS NAME?
"calatrasaurus" It has been called “junk” by New York Post critic Steve Cuozzo. He has been one of the hardest with the work, although he recognizes that one day he may become a “civic monument” , as Calatrava himself calls it.
"The Greatest Extravagance" that can be seen in the city repeat each other. "The cost of beauty is often high," excuses New York Magazine critic Justin Davidson, who wonders if we are facing "A waste or a beauty?".
What they do not doubt, or not much, is its functionality . It is designed to move on its huge columnless and completely white surface until 200 thousand people . Five or six times less than Penn Station , some point out, but with Penn Station there is no doubt that functionality was above beauty.
Brightness and clarity, the principles of the HUB
WHAT HAS BEEN INSPIRED?
In early 2004, Santiago Calatrava , in front of the square World Trade Center , in front of the ruins left behind after 9/11, drew a child releasing a white dove. With that symbol he convinced his clients and designed a building that he wanted to be a bird on the outside and a large public square on the inside.
When you stand inside the Oculus, the reminiscence is clear: Grand Central Terminal. Two twin balconies and stairs enclose the great room on the sides and Calatrava does not hide this inspiration. Central Station 42nd street it is his favorite building in New York and he has looked towards it to create this great hall that aspires to have the same passers-by, curious and admirers.
The architect also spoke last week, among foreign press -not Spanish-, of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan as inspiration or aspiration for his work. Because it will be a space to walk under cover, connecting several streets and full of shops around it (it has more than 100 shops, all already sold).
WHEN DO YOU OPEN?
The next March 3 opens partially. The corridors and some accesses will be opened to communicate the platforms of the New Jersey Path to the west of the World Trade Center plaza.
WHEN DOES IT REALLY OPEN?
In principle, it will open in parts and at the end of spring when everything is finished the official opening will be held. With the party and fanfare that the most expensive station in the world (more than 4,000 million dollars) deserves.
WHEN WAS IT GOING TO OPEN?
There have been many supposed dates. In 2015 it should have been working, but they only managed to open some of the Path platforms. The project that began to be built in 2004 has been surrounded by disagreements and misfortunes.
Current state of the Oculus
WHY HAS IT BEEN DELAYED?
"They have treated me like a dog," said Calatrava in the most famous article on the great problems of the Interchange in the Wall Street Journal. The megaproject has faced many challenges. From the super aspirations of the architect himself : In the initial project, the spines or wings were going to open every 11-S and they would let in the light at 10.28 in the morning , moment in which the second tower fell. The idea has remained in a long window in the space left by the two wings that will open every September 11 and the rest of the year will allow more light to enter. Although, if something can be highlighted about the Oculus, it is its luminosity and clarity.
Furthermore, during these 12 years of construction they have dealt with different investors. And with the great challenge of building without having to cut the subway line 1 that goes over the station, literally above the heads of visitors. Or leaving room for the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.
In 2012, the Hurricane Sandy flooded it and delayed the entire project . At the end of last year, water leaks from Tower 3 delayed it again. Even the 11-M attacks in Madrid, forced to reinforce the Oculus, and increase the "number of thorns" for security.
WILL IT BECOME AN ICON OF THE CITY?
will have to wait . The New York press seems very skeptical. But he recognizes its functionality and the impressive white space, luminous and ultralight.
Of course, it is evident that it will be a nerve center. Whether by force, by all those residents in New Jersey They have to go through there twice every day. Or by chance, by all those who, attracted by the 9/11 Memorial end up visiting it. But also out of pure curiosity and necessity: the more than 100 shops and restaurants that will open, at some point, this year are going to be a great focus of attraction.
There will be a Appel, an Eataly, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Victoria's Secret, Uno de 50, Camper... The chef Daniel Boulud will open another restaurant. There will be cafes, bars... It will be a meeting place, or that's what it wants to be. An underground public square where events and even concerts will be held.
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Projection of the interior of the exchanger
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