Now they are a symbol recognized all around the world, but at one point the Twin Towers were sketches, pieces of steel, and the hard work of thousands of people making a big change happen.
The World Trade Center project was one of the most ambitious projects in all of American history and throughout the late ‘60s and early ‘70s New Yorkers saw how it came to life.
These images capture how the towers came to be and how they changed the city skyline, long before they became a memory.
1
Original render
The early architectural vision.
2
Excavation at site
Workers remove the old infrastructure to prepare the ground.
3
Working on tower 1
The distinctive exterior column already taking shape.
4
Manhattan skyline
Seen from afar, both towers are seeing rising above the city.
5
Sunset behind the towers
Catching the almost-evening light where you could see how tall they were.
6
The late construction phase
Almost nearing completion, you could see how they towered over the city.
7
Towers with a beautiful view
Golden hour paints them while they rise.
8
The foundation pit
Workers doing the hard work of rising the steel columns.
9
Aerial view of the towers
From above, you can clearly see how the skeletal forms take shape.
10
Towers almost done
Standing tall and unmistakable.
11
The base structure of tower 1
In the beginning it was still taking shape and expanding.
12
Preparing the construction site
The heavy machinery and materials surround the area.
13
Announcement of the new World Trade Center
A public notice that marked the beginning.
14
Steel skeleton in the making
The early core of what was about to be very big.
15
Ironworkers securing everything
Their precision kept the project moving.
16
Assembling the steel joints
These were massive components that connected it all.
17
Climbing cranes in action
These machines were also essential for building to such great heights.
18
Growing above the skyline
The north tower nearly finished and the south tower still going strong.
19
Towers at night
With the Brooklyn Bridge in the foreground, the towers are magnetic and full of light.
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