Winter Garden Atrium

The Winter Garden Atrium is a 10-story glass-vaulted pavilion on Vesey Street in New York City's World Financial Center. Originally constructed in 1988, and substantially rebuilt in 2002, the Atrium houses various plants, trees and flowers, and shops. The rear of the building opens onto the World Financial Center Plaza and the North Cove Yacht Harbor on the Hudson River.

Construction

The Winter Garden Atrium, along with the rest of World Financial Center, was designed by architect César Pelli in 1985. Completed in 1988 at a cost of $60 million, the Atrium was originally connected to the World Trade Center via a 400-foot (122 m) pedestrian bridge that spanned the West Side Highway.

eptember 11, 2001 Attacks

The Atrium was severely damaged in the September 11, 2001 attacks but was rebuilt during the first year of the Financial Center's recovery. [cite web|url=http://www.boston.com/news/packages/sept11/anniversary/wire_stories/0910_winter_garden.htm|title=Atrium damaged in Sept. 11 attacks to reopen|publisher=The Boston Globe|date=September 11, 2002] Reconstruction of the Winter Garden required 2,000 panes of glass, 60,000 square feet (5,400 m²) of marble flooring and stairs, and 16 40-foot (12 m) Washingtonia robusta palm trees at a cost $50 million.cite web|url=http://www.iup.edu/publications/iupmag/backissues/Sum03/ricclark.shtm|publisher=IUP Magazine|title=Dealer in Downtown's Future|date=Summer 2003] . Reopened on September 17 2002, the Winter Garden was the first major structure to be completely restored following the attacks. [cite web|url=http://newyork.construction.com/projects/02_TopForty/02_TopProjects35_WinterGardenRestoration.asp|title=Winter Garden Restoration|publisher=New York Construction] President George W. Bush was present at the reopening ceremony.cite web|url=http://www.iup.edu/publications/iupmag/backissues/Sum03/ricclark.shtm|publisher=IUP Magazine|title=Dealer in Downtown's Future|date=Summer 2003]

The Pedestrian bridge was destroyed in the same attacks and was replaced by windows facing the former site of the World Trade Center. [cite web|url=http://www.worldfinancialcenter.com/news/default.html#winter_garden|title=Winter Garden Reconstruction|publisher=The World Financial Center] .

Exhibits

Since its construction, the Winter Garden Atrium has hosted concerts and symphonies as part of the World Financial Center Series. Upon its reopening in 2002, the atrium held ballets, concerts, and a performance by the Big Apple Circus.cite web|url=http://www.wnyc.org/music/articles/6298|title=World Financial Center Series returns to Lower Manhattan|publisher=New York Public Radio, WNYC]

In the spring of 2003, an exhibit documenting the recovery process of the World Trade Center was installed by the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation in the Winter Garden. The exhibit included early designs of Libeskind's Freedom Tower. [cite web|url=http://www.renewnyc.com/news/DisplayStory.asp-id=52.asp|title="From Recovery to Renewal" Opens at the Winter Garden|publisher=Lower Manhattan Development Corporation|date=April 7, 2003] Later that year, the eight finalists in the competition for the new buildings had their designs unveiled and displayed in the atrium. [cite web|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A63643-2003Nov19.html|title=An Empty Space: Eight Finalists Chosen for Memorial at Trade Center Site|date=November 19, 2003|publisher=The Washington Post]

The Winter Garden continues to serve as a venue for art exhibits, music, and shows, as well as hosting movie screenings during the TriBeCa Film Festival.

External links

* [http://www.worldfinancialcenter.com/calendar/ Calendar of Events]

References