Construction is getting close to completion on 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 reinforced concrete structure sits atop Liberty Park by the intersection of Greenwich and Liberty Streets. The ground floor of the religious facility is adjacent to the elevated park space and also rests on the roof of the vehicle security center for the subterranean ramps that run beneath the World Trade Center.
Work has continued to progress since our last update in November, with some unexpected changes. The pleated white marble panels from the western elevation facing Liberty Park have been taken off, revealing a glass-clad wall. At the same time, more sections have been enclosed in marble, notably the domed caps on the corners of the western face.
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
The clear glass façade follows the gently convex outline and is framed with white mullions. The assembly comes to a curved glass top, while the ceiling behind the envelope slops back down. Crews can be spotted through the glass working on all parts of the interior, including the main domed section of the church. The reasons for this departure remain unclear, though this transparent envelope will bring in a lot more natural light, especially in the afternoon.
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
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Photo by Michael Young
The cross on top of the dome has been removed again while workers continue to finish up the roof sections. Only a handful marble panels on various portions of the façade remain to be installed.
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
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Photo by Michael Young
The northern staircase remains closed off with the lower set of stairs clad with dark stone. Metal handrails, glass panels, and the rest of the stone finish should go in place in the coming weeks.
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Photo by Michael Young
It’s unclear as to when St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church will open to the public. YIMBY previously projected the completion of the church for this upcoming April, though it looks like it could be around the middle of the year.
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The marble panels on the western entrance facade will eventually be replaced, the building envelope was rush wrapped with acrylic panels to make the building appear complete for the September 11th anniversary lighting ceremony last year. The glass portion that was underneath the wrap had not been installed yet.
Quiet and beautiful, do not make loud noises in this place. From the gentle colors, and divine shapes enveloping them: Thanks to Michael Young.
The charm of a bomb shelter..
Sadly, a bomb shelter indeed.
Another Calatrava fiasco. Sadly his architecture will be dated by the time this project is complete.
My name is wnita Alison konteh I’m a senior citizen looking for a one-bedroom apartment
Yes wanita, this clearly has senior housing in it.
Clear glass would have been better, otherwise it looks like a windowless water tower tank.
That this little church had so much power over this construction site is downright criminal. And yes, it is another Calatrava boondoggle that is destined to leak and have other structural issues just as with all his other projects.
Another screaming argument for separation of church and state. Eminent domain was so appropriate in this case. This is a complete waste of a valuable public space.
The glass is a curious choice. It gives some nice sunlight inside, but it does look awkward from the outside. I would much rather have more panels.
The two domes on the west side make the main dome look cheezy by comparison. The radius-milled marble in the little domes is *so* much nicer than the awkward mosaic of flat panels on the main dome.