santiago calatrava's greek orthodox church takes shape in new york

construction is progressing in new york at the site of the santiago calatrava-designed greek orthodox church. the project, which was first featured on designboom when it broke ground in 2014, topped out in 2016 with construction shutting down in 2017 as a result of financial setbacks. after years of delay, construction resumed in august 2020 with a targeted completion date set for fall 2021. the original church was destroyed during the september 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, with the new structure now forming an important part of the world trade center masterplan. located directly above the site’s vehicle security center within liberty park, the project neighbors towers by SOM, fumihiko maki, and RSHP, as well as calatrava’s transportation hub.

image © designboom

the new photos, taken by designboom, show the current status of st. nicholas greek orthodox church. many of the marble slabs that will adorn the building’s façades are already in place, with workers continuing to secure the panels. santiago calatrava has designed these marble elevations to gently glow after dark, standing as a beacon of hope for the site as well as the wider city. meanwhile, overhead skylights will illuminate the project’s interior, resulting in a evenly lit nave for holy services.

image © designboom

once complete, the church will be directly accessible from liberty park, while an elevator will provide an additional means of entry from street level. following the resumption of construction, the church hopes to open by the fall of 2021 — coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the attacks that saw the original church destroyed. you can follow the project’s progress via a live webcam installed above the site.

image © designboom

other projects built at the world trade center site since 9/11 include the transportation hub, also by calatrava, and the rogers stirk harbour + partners-designed 3 WTC, which opened in 2018. meanwhile, construction of one of the site’s last signature structures — the perelman performing arts center — is also underway. the performing arts center, designed by REX, is expected to open in 2023 and will be able to seat over 1,000 people in a flexible, state-of-the-art space. see all news relating to the world trade center masterplan on designboom here.