Austin J. Tobin Plaza

Austin J. Tobin Plaza
Company type	Public plaza
Industry	Public space
Founded	April 4, 1973; 53 years ago
Defunct	September 11, 2001
Fate	Destroyed during the September 11 attacks
Headquarters	New York City, United States
Area served	World Trade Center complex, Lower Manhattan

The Austin J. Tobin Plaza, also referred to as the World Trade Center Plaza, served as a significant public open space at the World Trade Center site from 1966 until its destruction during the September 11 attacks in 2001. Spanning , it held the distinction of being the largest plaza by area within New York City at that time.

Inaugurated on April 4, 1973, as an integral component of the original World Trade Center complex, it received its current name in 1982 to honor Austin J. Tobin. The plaza was home to prominent sculptures such as The Sphere and Ideogram. It suffered damage in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing before ultimately being destroyed in 2001.

Design and location

Dominating the plaza’s center was The Sphere, encircled by concentric rows of seating. The ground surface combined polished marble with granite, complemented by flowerbeds that were refreshed seasonally. Access points included 37 stairways, notably one linking the plaza directly to Vesey Street and 7 World Trade Center.

A proposed structure designed by Walker & Gillette intended for the plaza’s eastern boundary was abandoned due to disagreements over size constraints. Director Gary Beck praised the plaza as an "organically ideal performance venue" and ranked it among the finest public spaces across the United States, although some critics argued it lacked the distinctive character found in historic piazzas.

The plaza was surrounded on all sides by the seven buildings comprising the World Trade Center Complex. Adjacent major buildings included:

1 World Trade Center positioned on the west side along West Street
2 World Trade Center situated to the south
Marriott World Trade Center (3 World Trade Center) located at the southwestern corner nestled between the Twin Towers
4 World Trade Center, serving as New York’s commodities trading hub, positioned at the southeast corner bordered by Liberty and Church streets
5 World Trade Center, opposite 4 WTC between Church and Vesey Streets
6 World Trade Center on the northwest perimeter adjacent to Vesey Street

7 World Trade Center stood next to the plaza and was connected via stairways on Vesey Street (Survivors' Staircase). The nearby World Financial Center bordered the western edge of the plaza, while across Fulton Street near its eastern boundary, the Millennium Downtown New York Hotel incurred severe damage during September 11.

This prime location in Lower Manhattan established Austin J. Tobin Plaza as a focal point for both commercial activity and pedestrian circulation within the World Trade Center complex.

History

The initial plan for the World Trade Center was unveiled in early 1961, originally set along the East River. After substantial opposition, in December of that year, plans shifted to a 16-acre site in Lower Manhattan. The concept for the plaza took shape in January 1964 when architect Minoru Yamasaki showcased a model featuring a central reflecting pool and a single main entrance on Church Street. By May 1966, revisions by the Port Authority introduced entrances on all four sides along with an 80-foot-wide fountain at its core.

Construction of the plaza commenced on August 5, 1966, simultaneously with other structures within the World Trade Center project. Its support system consisted of substantial steel columns anchored into what was known as the "Bathtub," an underground enclosure extending beneath to bedrock, which also housed infrastructure including access to West Side Highway and the 1/9 subway line.

Officially opened on April 4, 1973, it was renamed in 1982 to commemorate Austin J. Tobin, who served as executive director of the Port Authority and played a pivotal role in realizing the towers.

Between 1998 and 1999, a $12 million refurbishment transformed the plaza: marble surfaces were replaced with gray and pink granite pavers; new benches and planters were installed; dining options expanded with restaurants and kiosks; outdoor seating areas were created; and trees were planted along entry points. Encompassing 5 acres, it remained New York City’s largest public plaza. Beneath it lay both the Mall at the World Trade Center and an underground concourse.

1993 bombing

On February 26, 1993, a van bomb planted by al-Qaeda operatives exploded in the underground parking garage beneath the plaza, resulting in six fatalities and injuring more than 1,000 individuals. The blast caused extensive damage to both the plaza and the adjacent communications center. In response to this incident, security protocols and fire safety systems were substantially upgraded.

A granite memorial fountain was unveiled on February 26, 1995, within the Plaza to commemorate those who lost their lives. Created by sculptor Elyn Zimmerman, the memorial is situated directly above the blast site and includes an inscription honoring the six victims while recognizing the broader effects of the attack.

Security

The plaza was under rigorous surveillance with security cameras installed on surrounding rooftops and streets as a preventative measure against potential terrorist threats. Following the 1993 bombing, a contingent of up to 300 security personnel was consistently deployed across the complex and plaza. Although the area frequently hosted public gatherings, security policies prohibited individuals from sitting on planters positioned between benches encircling the plaza.

Sculptures

The plaza showcased several significant sculptures and artworks. Among them was the World Trade Center Plaza Sculpture, designed by Masayuki Nagare, commissioned in 1970 and dedicated in 1972. This piece comprised two black granite pyramids measuring 34 feet in length, 17 feet in width, and 14 feet in height. The 1993 World Trade Center Bombing Memorial, a granite fountain by Elyn Zimmerman dedicated to bombing victims, was revealed in 1995. Additionally, Fritz Koenig’s bronze sculpture The Sphere, standing 25 feet tall, was also dedicated in 1972. Near the Marriott World Trade Center, visitors could find Ideogram, a stainless-steel artwork by James Rosati.

Destruction

During the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the plaza functioned as a key evacuation corridor at the World Trade Center site. Firefighters guided evacuees through the mall located beneath the plaza via the North Tower lobby, while many others escaped using the Vesey Street staircase connecting to Vesey Street.

When 1 and 2 World Trade Center collapsed, roughly 600,000 tons of debris were deposited onto the plaza, inflicting severe damage and igniting fires within the rubble. Both The Sphere and Cloud Fortress were recovered; however, Cloud Fortress was dismantled during recovery operations. Presently, The Sphere is displayed in Liberty Park.

The memorial dedicated to the 1993 bombing suffered extensive destruction, with only a small portion of its fountain remaining intact. Following its relocation to Battery Park in 2002, The Sphere was returned to Liberty Park at the World Trade Center site in 2016. It stands as the sole artwork from the original complex to have survived both attacks and subsequent recovery efforts.

Surrounding buildings and structures

All seven buildings of the World Trade Center Complex surrounded the plaza. On its west side along West Street, 1 World Trade Center was situated, while 2 World Trade Center occupied the southern perimeter. The Marriott World Trade Center (3 World Trade Center) was positioned at the southwestern corner between these towers.

At the southeastern edge of the plaza stood 4 World Trade Center, which served as New York's commodities trading hub and was bordered by Liberty and Church streets. Across from it lay 5 World Trade Center, located between Church and Vesey Streets, with 6 World Trade Center on the northwestern boundary along Vesey Street.

7 World Trade Center, located on an adjacent street, connected to the plaza via stairs on Vesey Street. The nearby World Financial Center, now known as Brookfield Place, flanked the west side of the plaza. Across Fulton Street at its eastern edge stood the Millennium Downtown New York Hotel, which incurred significant damage during the events of September 11.

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