The Rebuilding of Ground Zero, Part 125

Today marks the end of the former Deutsche Bank building after years of delays, a deadly fire that resulted in two firefighters losing their lives when standpipes and other safety measures were not in place, and decontamination of the building that took much longer than expected.

The building had been damaged by falling debris from the South Tower on 9/11 and the LMDC took ownership of the property so that it could make room for the vehicle security center and another office tower for the WTC complex. It was an ongoing symbol of the failure to rebuild in a timely fashion.

Freedom Tower viewed from WTC Memorial

Good riddance.

Meanwhile, construction proceeds throughout Ground Zero and workers continue raising steel on the Freedom Tower/1WTC along with 4WTC, and Fiterman Hall is being built out as well. The Freedom Tower's glass cladding is being installed above the 25th floor level, and you begin to get a sense of how close the tower will resemble its sketches and elevation views.


The 9/11 Memorial and Museum construction continues as more trees are being planted in the memorial grove and the museum structures are being built out. The PATH transit hub is also underway.

Here's an overhead view of the construction at Ground Zero: