Work is progressing on the white marble walls and dome framework of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in the Financial District. Designed by Santiago Calatrava and developed by The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the structure stands by the intersection of Greenwich Street and Liberty Street on the elevated Liberty Park, and will serve as the new home for the long-established church that was formerly located to the west of the park’s footprint at 155 Cedar Street. Calatrava’s architectural concept for the church was inspired by Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia and Church of the Holy Savior of Chora. A painting of Jesus Christ will adorn the underside of the dome’s highest point.
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Photo by Michael Young
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Photo by Michael Young
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and One World Trade Center. Photo by Michael Young
From the intersection of Greenwich and Liberty Streets by the base of Four World Trade Center, the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church is surrounded by telescopic boom cranes and construction equipment. A series of steps and ramps lead people from street level to the top of Liberty Park. There is a final set of publicly accessible staircases currently being built that will wedge between the church and Liberty Street. Previous renderings depicted an arched cutout below this staircase with a doorway that might lead visitors underneath the church, possibly to an elevator for more direct ADA-compliant accessibility.
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Photo by Michael Young
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Photo by Michael Young
We can see the widely pleated marble walls on the northern and eastern elevations having reached the base of the dome. This transitions to the intricate jagged framework that will hold stone panels on the dome and where the Holy Cross attaches to the very top of the church.
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Photo by Michael Young
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Photo by Michael Young
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Photo by Michael Young
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Photo by Michael Young
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Photo by Michael Young
Metal clips are in position on the eastern and southern corners of the building in preparation for the installation of additional marble panels.
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Photo by Michael Young
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Photo by Michael Young
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Photo by Michael Young
Construction boards and fencing still surround the main entrance along Liberty Park, but it’s good to see progress well underway.
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Photo by Michael Young
Banners on the construction fence list a completion date for St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in 2021. YIMBY predicts this to be sometime toward the end of this year, though it would be triumphant to see the church open in time for the 20th 9/11 anniversary.
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One World Trade Center so powerful, I choosed on your photos: Thanks to Michael Young.
Yes,I know St. Nicholas is not even finished, but it sure seems in need of some gentle ( or gentile:) ) ‘aging’
First off, the photo with One World Trade Center in the background is nothing short of majesty. Lovely.
But, as for the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, I think it looks great. Though not as stunning and triumphant as some of the other World Trade Center structures, it still has the lovely feel that I get out of of all of the WTC–passion, freedom, and hope, among several others. So, I really like it. ☺
Great photography. The one with the sun makes St. Nicholas look like the center of the universe
Hagia Sophia? It appears to me the primary inspiration for this church are WW2 bunkers. Hideous.