Twin Towers 2
| Company type | Planned project |
|---|---|
| Industry | Architecture, Construction |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Founder | Herbert Belton, Kenneth Gardner |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | Manhattan, New York City |
Key people | Herbert Belton (architect), Kenneth Gardner (engineer), Randy Warner (producer) |
| Products | Skyscraper complex (proposed) |
The Twin Towers II—also referred to as Twin Towers 2, New Twin Towers, World Trade Center Phoenix, and the Michael W. Diamond Twin Towers—was a planned twin skyscraper complex intended for the World Trade Center site in Manhattan, New York City. This project sought to reconstruct the iconic Twin Towers that were lost in the September 11 attacks, aiming to restore the city’s historic skyline.
The architectural concept featured two towers closely resembling the original North and South towers designed by Minoru Yamasaki, but with an increased height of 115 stories—five levels taller than the originals—and included several design updates. A memorial above ground was proposed to occupy the exact footprints of the initial towers. Moreover, three new 12-story buildings were planned to replace the former Marriott World Trade Center (3), as well as 4 and 5 World Trade Center.
This development was conceived and executed by American architect Herbert Belton and engineer Kenneth Gardner.
Background (2001–2003)
Following the events of September 11, 2001, numerous proposals emerged for rebuilding twin towers on the site. In 2002, the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC) initiated the World Trade Center Site Memorial Competition, engaging seven architectural firms to restore Manhattan’s skyline. Although four submissions included twin towers, none replicated Minoru Yamasaki’s original design. Ultimately, LMDC selected Daniel Libeskind’s Memory Foundations plan in 2003, rejecting all twin-tower proposals. This choice attracted public criticism from figures such as architectural critic Herbert Muschamp and businessman Donald Trump. Notably, the Team Twin Towers design intended for submission was not completed before the competition deadline.
Initial emergence (2004)
In 2004, Team Twin Towers, Inc.—a coalition of activists and designers—emerged as a prominent proponent for rebuilding the original twin towers. The group was led by television producer Randy Warner alongside engineer Kenneth "Ken" Gardner and architect Herbert Belton, who had been involved with the original World Trade Center project. Their proposal, dubbed the "Plan of the People," aimed to faithfully replicate Yamasaki’s design while incorporating modern enhancements. Features included a steel exterior with a double-layer tube framework, reinforced columns, larger window openings, and improved fireproofing measures. The memorial component consisted of two five-story structures within the original tower footprints, constructed using both original and reproduced steel, with victims’ names engraved in granite. Gardner highlighted the design’s symbolic power and its potential to signify renewal.
The proposed towers were designed at 112 stories each, with the North Tower topped by a 500-foot mast reaching a total height of 1,888 feet—surpassing Taipei 101 and Petronas Towers to become both the tallest building worldwide and tallest twin towers at that time. Team Twin Towers actively urged officials to reconsider LMDC’s selection of Libeskind’s master plan. While Joanna Rose of LMDC reaffirmed their commitment to that plan, Warner suggested there remained room for dialogue prior to construction commencement.
On February 18, 2004, Team Twin Towers publicly displayed their architectural model near the World Trade Center site. Spokesperson Jonathan Hakala emphasized the original towers’ iconic significance. Additionally, Artie Vignapiano—a former Port Authority landscape planner involved during construction of the original towers—expressed strong support from many former workers for restoring them.
Later that month, Donald Trump appeared on Larry King Live, initially denying involvement but subsequently endorsing Team Twin Towers’ design. Trump criticized David Childs and Daniel Libeskind’s vision for One World Trade Center, describing it as inappropriate and skeletal despite his backing of developer Larry Silverstein’s efforts to proceed with construction.
Early development (2005–2007)
Public attention toward the project grew in 2005 when Donald Trump formally endorsed and sponsored it. Disapproval of the Childs-Libeskind Freedom Tower design, coupled with renewed allegations of favoritism involving former New York Governor George Pataki, helped increase backing for Trump's alternative proposal. In May 2005, Trump appeared on Hardball with Chris Matthews where he condemned the Childs-Libeskind design as "a terrible design" created by an architect lacking experience. He voiced a preference for a more robust World Trade Center, potentially taller, aligning with widespread public opinion.[1]
Fernando Ferrer, former Bronx Borough President, also expressed support for reconstructing twin towers, describing the concept as "very interesting" and stressing that the new landmark should avoid appearing "cowardly." Previously, Ferrer had promoted dispersing 10 million square feet of office space throughout New York City's five boroughs to mitigate risk and encourage economic expansion beyond Manhattan.[2] Ferrer's spokesperson criticized Mayor Bloomberg for not restoring sufficient critical mass at Ground Zero or expanding office space across the city.[2]
Greg Manning, a former employee of the original World Trade Center, publicly endorsed the Twin Towers II initiative in an op-ed for The New York Times. He highlighted the symbolic significance of returning to vertical construction at Ground Zero as a tribute to those who perished.[3]
On May 18, 2005, Trump hosted a press event at Trump Tower where he showcased the Team Twin Towers model alongside engineer Ken Gardner and architect Herbert Belton. Trump denounced the Freedom Tower concept as "the worst pile of crap architecture" and advocated for rebuilding a more formidable complex. Nevertheless, he recognized that ultimate authority rested with Larry Silverstein of Silverstein Properties, who held the site lease.[4] Trump also read from a letter by Libeskind distancing himself from the final design, which emphasized a memorial as its focal point.[4] Trump concluded by stating that erecting only a skeletal structure would signify "the terrorists win," suggesting a memorial park if tenants could not be secured.[4]
The finalized Freedom Tower design was revealed on June 28, 2005. To enhance security following concerns from the New York Police Department, a concrete base was incorporated in April 2005. The originally planned glass prism cladding for this base was later abandoned after criticism that it resembled a "concrete bunker."[5] Construction of the Freedom Tower commenced in April 2006, effectively ending the possibility of implementing the Twin Towers II project at that location.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Later development (2008–2009)
By 2008, growing dissatisfaction emerged over delays in reconstructing the World Trade Center. Although One World Trade Center (previously known as Freedom Tower) and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum were under construction, proposals were made to halt One World Trade Center's progress and instead pursue the Twin Towers II plan. Engineer Ken Gardner remarked that witnessing their construction could be as impactful as seeing their destruction.
Project discontinuation (2010)
Following 2008, no further progress or updates were made regarding the initiative. With the construction of One, Three, and Four World Trade Center, alongside the establishment of the memorial and museum, the likelihood of the Twin Towers II project moving forward diminished significantly. Architect Bjarke Ingels, who designed the revised plan for Two World Trade Center, conveyed a preference for reconstructing the original towers, highlighting their emblematic significance to Manhattan’s skyline.
External links
- Make New York New York Again – initial project website
- Team Twin Towers archived website – preserved archive of the original design team’s site
- The Twin Towers Alliance – group advocating for the project
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