Work on the white marble and glass façade of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church is bringing the long-awaited project closer to completion 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 the eastern end of Liberty Park by the intersection of Greenwich and Liberty Streets. The ground floor rests on the elevated park space, which itself serves as the roof for the southern entrance and exit of the vehicle security center for the World Trade Center complex.
There have been several significant changes since YIMBY’s last construction update in mid-March. The main western façade has been enclosed in a pleated glass wall above the main entrance with additional marble panels attached to the metal framework. A secondary layer of glass is inlaid with a translucent grid of the same cross motif found on the square openings on the northern and southern sides 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
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Photo by Michael Young
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Photo by Michael Young
The cross has been installed atop the nearly finished dome once again and is illuminated at nighttime.
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Photo by Michael Young
The large banners that wrapped in front of the metal fencing and plastic barriers were removed, providing a better view of the front doors beneath the arched canopy, as well as the brick and stone pavement and surrounding landscaping.
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Photo by Michael Young
Only a few marble slabs have yet to be installed on the eastern profile, the two rounded corners of the facility, and around the base of the dome. On the north side facing the 9/11 Memorial & Museum is the staircase connecting Liberty Park to Liberty Street with metal hand railings attached parallel with the glass edge, and dark bricks on the landings.
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Photo by Michael Young
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Photo by Michael Young
A revised completion date has yet to be announced, but YIMBY estimates the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church will finally wrap up construction sometime later this year, maybe in time for the 21st anniversary.
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
This has turned out so much better than the renderings. The rounded corners and the beautiful windows make it more dynamic and aesthetically pleasing.
One World Trade Center is very beautiful tower, with sloped angle on exterior so attracted. About the cross was viewed at nighttime in touch of peacefulness, and look at a warm lighting: Thanks to Michael Young.
Why is the Port Authority building a church? I thought there was a separation of church and state in the United States (except when it involves a US Supreme Court decision).
It will replace the original church of the same name that was destroyed on 9/11 — the only house of worship, and only building outside the original World Trade Center complex, to be completely destroyed.
Needed, the patience of a saint.
seriously, who did the renderings?
The rise and fall of the roman empire was faster than this church.
This 2000s futurism design finally being completed in 2022 is actually lovely to see. This is true for a lot of the WTC site as it took so long to build out.
Agonizingly slow for sure but Calatrava’s design will in due course become a building recognized as a classic in the New York streetscape. Hopefully, that marble cladding glitch evident in the upper, left-hand area of the seventh photo will be noted on the punch list and corrected as necessary.
Great to see, since it was Judeo-Christian and western civilization, founded by the Greeks, that was targeted, 9/11.