The Curse of Calatrava - Kelsey Reddekopp

T H E  C U R S E  O F     C A L A T R A V A

“Starchitect” Santiago Calatrava’s design for a new WTC Train Station has unsurprisingly caused much controversy however, the contention has reached unsettling levels. Located on quite possibly  the most controversial and emotionally charged properties in the world, New York City’s Ground Zero, the WTC station was intended to represent a bird in flight, a symbol of hope and future prosperity. The project was funded by the Port Authority with an initial budget of $1.94 billion USD. After many technical difficulties and delays Calatrava’s original design had to be altered extensively, the result is what critics call “the transformation from a bird in flight to a stagnant stegosaurus”.  The final and largest point of contention is the drastic budget increase, the project is now estimated to cost a whopping $3.94 billion. A sum of money the Port Authority is have difficulty justifying since the station isn't even considered