World Financial Center, NYC LEGO Model

rjb001 · #1 Posted: **Jul 27, 2011, 7:20 AM**

Announcing my first large-scale skyscraper complex LEGO model:
The World Financial Center in New York!

Image Credit: urt.parsons.edu

A few rough estimates-

Estimated Completion: March 2012- May 2012

Estimated Parts Total Count: 15,000- 20,000 pieces

~1/650 scale

I plan to first complete the the four main buildings of the complex digitally and then in the flesh... or ABS/polycarbonate plastic rather

After that, I will begin work on the remaining attaching lower floors which allow access to all four buildings and then the grounds.

Originally, I considered designing the complex in a pre-9/11 state so that I could attach it to my previously completed former World Trade Center model. However, after much consideration, I decided that post-9/11 would be best as it's been nearly ten years since and besides moving on, making the model in a present state will allow for possible future addition of the new World Trade Center complex. This decision was also based on the unavailability of copper colored bricks for the rooftops because like the Statue of Liberty, the roofs have oxidized and turned a color that is most closely resembled by LEGO's sand green color.

Here's what I have so far in LDD:

3 WFC

2 WFC

Both together though obviously not facing each other at the same angle as they will be when completed.

Images from my Brickshelf gallery

Buildings 1 & 4 will be finished digitally soon.

WTCguy · #2 Posted: **Jul 27, 2011, 2:08 PM**

Are you making the the Winter Garden? Can't wait till its finished!

UrbanImpressionist · #3 Posted: **Jul 27, 2011, 3:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WTCguy

Are you making the the Winter Garden? Can't wait till its finished!

Same question. The whole 8-9 story base including the big copper HVAC exhaust too I hope.

rjb001 · #4 Posted: **Jul 27, 2011, 4:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WTCguy

Are you making the the Winter Garden? Can't wait till its finished!

Yep! I'm still experimenting with physical bricks how it'll be done. Most likely I'll end up using a method that can't be replicated in LDD. And if it's clear enough, I'd like to add the details inside like the 16 palm trees and the stairs where the public can view the construction of the WTC.

DecoJim · #5 Posted: **Jul 27, 2011, 7:12 PM**

Your LDD looks good so far. BTW: That is a lot of "headlight bricks"!

rjb001 · #6 Posted: **Jul 29, 2011, 1:02 AM**

There are definitely a lot of headlight bricks! About 1,100 tan ones in those two buildings alone! Not to mention over 300 black ones underneath. I'll get some screenshots of underlying layers for you guys soon.

Does anyone know exactly what color the ziggurat rooftop of 4 WFC is? I'm assuming that it's also copper as the picture below shows signs of the green color of its neighbors appearing. I definitely don't think pearl gold would accurately represent the color here. Any tips/suggestions?

Image credit: pilotlist.org

WTCguy · #7 Posted: **Jul 29, 2011, 1:31 AM**

Looks brownish but idk

Sameh K. · #8 Posted: **Aug 16, 2011, 4:16 PM**

Hey Rocco, its me Sam from MOCpages, it looks good so far.

rjb001 · #9 Posted: **Aug 17, 2011, 6:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sameh K.

Hey Rocco, its me Sam from MOCpages, it looks good so far.

Welcome Sam! Great to see you hear!

marvelfannumber1 · #10 Posted: **Aug 17, 2011, 9:27 PM**

Interesting project. Have you planned to build the pedestrian bridges too

rjb001 · #11 Posted: **Aug 18, 2011, 6:12 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvelfannumber1

Interesting project. Have you planned to build the pedestrian bridges too

I'm planning on doing the two spanning west st: the north one (to the WTC) for sure. I'm not sure about the south one, however, because it basically ends in front of the pool where the Deutchse Building was deconstructed. If I do that one, it'll probably just terminate at the model's edge. That is, near the middle of the highway.

But aren't those bridges sort of temporary until the completion of the WTC? Does anyone know?

And as far as the bridge connecting 1 WFC to the rest of the buildings, I'll definitely do that one.

marvelfannumber1 · #12 Posted: **Aug 18, 2011, 2:37 PM**

"But aren't those bridges sort of temporary until the completion of the WTC? Does anyone know?"

Really? I'm suprised you thought of that. I would have expected them to reconstruct the north bridge and connect it to the freedom tower and kept the other one too rather than deconstructing it.

OptimumPx · #13 Posted: **Aug 18, 2011, 6:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjb001

I'm planning on doing the two spanning west st: the north one (to the WTC) for sure. I'm not sure about the south one, however, because it basically ends in front of the pool where the Deutchse Building was deconstructed. If I do that one, it'll probably just terminate at the model's edge. That is, near the middle of the highway.

But aren't those bridges sort of temporary until the completion of the WTC? Does anyone know?

And as far as the bridge connecting 1 WFC to the rest of the buildings, I'll definitely do that one.

The south bridge is actually an original pre-9/11 bridge...it didn't really go anywhere except to a parking lot around that small church. In the future it'll connect to the new Liberty Park.

The north bride looks temporary to me, just from how it appears and how it looks to have been built. I would think a much nicer bridge that complements the new 1 WTC will be built later, maybe after 1 WTC opens or when more of the site has been built.

KevinFromTexas · #14 Posted: **Aug 17, 2011, 1:45 AM**

Great job. This is why I love the WFC. I've always liked the different roofs. It's a good example of post-modern roof designs.

Flamesrule · #15 Posted: **Aug 18, 2011, 1:40 PM**

Amazing stuff, rjb001.

STR · #16 Posted: **Aug 19, 2011, 9:10 AM**

The south footbridge, the one that survived 9/11, is permanent. It will lead from the WFC to the park on top of the VSC/truck entrance to the WTC.

"Liberty Park"

The north footbridge is temporary. It will be replaced with an underground passageway connecting the WTC concourse to the WFC. It will lead to a new glass framed entrance along West St.

STR · #17 Posted: **Aug 19, 2011, 8:18 PM**

You can see it here, just east of the Wintergarden glass atrium. It will look like the overhyped 5th Ave Apple Store in GM Plaza. Glass cube held together with tension grids. There's a discussion about it somewhere over at WiredNY, but I have no idea where it is now. Brookfield wants to demolish the circular stairs that lead to the former north footbridge to the WTC, and replace it with the new grand entrance. Community groups are objecting, as the stairs serve as seating for the music performances held in the WFC. So...final details may vary.

OptimumPx · #18 Posted: **Aug 20, 2011, 3:18 PM**

According to this article the stairs will be saved, and a store or cafe will be opened beneath them to give a good front to the commuters making their way into the WFC.

On that note it says they still plan on building the glass box outside, and I assume they still have the same basic look in mind for it there.

(Brookfield Properties)

rjb001 · #19 Posted: **Aug 21, 2011, 7:04 AM**

Wow that'll be a nice addition to the model! Obviously there'll be multiple things that will be added/changed to the WFC complex because of the WTC construction. So I guess I could say this model's base won't be as accurate as possible until the WTC is finished.

Pretty much how Spencer's WTC is sure to undergo significant changes as certain aspects of construction aren't fully revealed until they are installed/completed.

rjb001 · #20 Posted: **Oct 9, 2011, 6:51 PM**

I know it's been awhile since the last update so I figure I should fill you all in...

I've had other smaller projects that I'd like to finish before I start this rather large one. I should be able to start it some time around December or January. Therefore, I'll have to push the completion date back to, say, March- May.