Did anyone here ever get to visit the World Trade Center? - Man on Wire (2008) Discussion

[–] jherbert-5 16 years ago

Hi,

Yes, I visited a number of times. We had a client in an adjoining building. I didn't think much of the stark architecture, especially the lobbies. Very cold and unwelcoming. The view from Windows on the World was obviously spectacular. The surrounding area was quite nice, with a mall and restaurants and a colonnade connecting the buildings and mall, which featured photographic exhibits and the like. One night we were having dinner with friends and we asked everyone where they'd been that day. One friend didn't say anything. When we asked he said simply: "the 53rd floor of the North Tower." We were stunned. We felt sheepish after our own heroic stories of watching it all from other buildings.

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[–] Honeysnout 16 years ago

I lived in NYC for nine years but only went to the top of the WTC once, for a job interview at Windows on the World in May 2000. I declined the job for another job, the job I had on 9/11. Now, I don't think if I had taken the job that I would have been there for the attacks, but I can't imagine losing all my coworkers and friends like that. I heard about the story of the chef, Michael Lomanaco, who went downstairs to pick up a pair of glasses and was in the shopping area when the first plane hit. I cannot imagine how it felt for him to look up and see his friends burning and not be able to do anything, and to know that he missed it by minutes.

On 9/11, I lived in lower Manhattan but I was lucky enough not to lose any family or close friends--my pregnant cousin got out. Unfortunately, many of my coworkers lost good friends, as our business had close ties to Windows on the World. A coworker was on the Staten Island Ferry when it happened and she watched as her best friend died and her fireman brother went in (he got out; the ferry was turned around). And then of course every "missing" person seemed to be a friend of a friend. A good friend was at the Marriott that day and had bodies fall right in front of him, through the atrium. He was incredibly traumatized. I read the story on this thread of the woman who was at the Hilton and I don't know how she got through it, seeing what she did. I don't know how any of us got through it, to be honest.

I managed to get down there two days later, before they set up all the roadblocks and checkpoints. I got to within a half block and took 20 rolls of film. I still can't get them developed. I won't go on about it, but of all the memorials, the twin blue lights were my favorite--simple and beautiful. But even those could only illuminate the gaping void left.

I seem to remember reading a lovely essay by Philippe Petit in the days after 9/11 looking back on his walk between the towers and what the loss meant to him and to everyone. I've been looking for it since seeing the film but I can't seem to find it. It was very touching. I think it helped a lot of people who looked to him for calming words in the wake of such a tragedy.

The thing is, Bob, it's not that I'm lazy, it's that I just don't care.

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[–] NJtoTX 16 years ago

I think I found the essay you were looking for.

My Towers, Our Towers
I walked a tightrope from one to the other--and I watched them die.

by Phillippe Petit
Saturday, September 13, 2003

http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110004010

Time till Inauguration: http://xrl.in/17cp

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[–] Honeysnout 16 years ago

Wow...thank you.

That was incredibly kind of you.

The thing is, Bob, it's not that I'm lazy, it's that I just don't care.

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[–] NJtoTX 16 years ago

I was certainly curious as well. This has been an exemplary thread and I'm glad to have contributed to it.

Time till Inauguration: http://xrl.in/17cp

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[–] pbertovich05 16 years ago

Its a shame. I never got to visit them and being younger I never realized that they were only around for a short time.

Stupid terrorists.

If they were rebuilt the security would be dreadful and no one would be allowed up top.

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[–] tbouks02 16 years ago

I've been to NYC many times in my life. Sadly, the only time I went to do all the touristy things the WTC was closed to the public. I went on a school trip just after the '93 bombing. I saw the Statue of Liberty, the UN, and the Empire State building. But I never got into the WTC.

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[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Sproketer 16 years ago

I not only visited them many times, I used the elevators, escalators, underground plaza, been to the observation deck, and went to the hotel for a convention just a few weeks before, and walked around just about every building around them. I knew them very well, and in the 1980's would be seen transferring on the elevators, delivering packages to the many financial firms inside like Bear Stearns. I can still see these places in my memory, down to what the bricks beneath my feet looked like in the plaza underneath, the shops, the outdoor plaza, and the subway stations on the 2 and 3, and E lines underneath. When the towers went down it was like watching all the people that I ever encountered inside get murdered at once. The total destruction of the towers was painful because I was very familiar with them as stuctures, like a town I was familiar with, but knowing all those people were being killed so horribly, well, I haven't gotten over it. Watching "Man On Wire" was a brief moment of total joy with anything having to do with the World Trade Center since 9/11/01.

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[–] gareth-g 16 years ago

My first experience of New York was when staying with friends in New Jersey (thank you Amybeth and Bonnie spielmeyer)in 1997. We took the Greyhound to the Big Apple and regardless of the numerous amounts of exposure to the imnage of the WTC in films, news and other media over the previous two decades plus, the sheer enormity of these colossal twins still made my jaw drop as we approached Manhattan as the moon rose and the entire island was lit up! The very next morning (along with two native New yorkers) we headed for the observation platform and I cherish the moments spent aloft. I returned to NYC for my honeymoon in May of 2001 and took my bride immediately to the observation platform, the experience was not diluted at all...the scale had to be seen to be believed..a genuine Modern Wonder of the World. My heart sank on them morning of 9/11 for the loss of life and the eradication of these titans of modern architecture and subsequently upon taking my son to New York in 2007 I could not explain to him the sheer scale of the towers and their impact on the South Manhattan skyline. A sad loss indeed......

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[–] Sproketer 16 years ago

That's hard to relate to people; just how BIG these buildings were when looking at them from two blocks away. They were truly a powerful sight.

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[–] ColinInLa 16 years ago

Beyond the sheer majesty of the view while standing atop the observation deck, I only have one clear memory of my one or two visits in the late seventies. As I recall, the elevator ride was fairly quick, considering the amount of distance traveled. When the doors opened and you left the car, the view was purposefully blocked. Written on the wall was something to this effect:"You are now standing one quarter mile in the sky." Then, an immediate turn to the left and the astounding view was revealed. At least those are my memories of the occasions. One couldn't help be moved by an experience like that.

--------------------
"Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana."

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[–] knxln 16 years ago

I visited in spring of 2000. What I remember most is that the view at the top was completely covered in fog/clouds, literally all you could see was a thick, brilliant white haze when you looked out, almost like a dream. The fog cleared later and the view was amazing. I also remember the wind outside on the roof was almost unbearable, I could barely open my eyes so it just makes Philippe Petit's walk seem all the more unbelievable to me.

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[–] Rabipelado 16 years ago

Wow, sounds like you knew the World Trade Center pretty well, west1800john. I would've loved the opportunity to explore and experience everything the complex had to offer and consider myself lucky for at least having once seen the Twin Towers from a distance (though I still regret not taking any pictures). I'm really glad to see that “Man on Wire” has been nominated for the Best Documentary Feature Oscar.

If I may ask a couple of questions:

1.) How exactly was the plaza laid out? I've noticed that some pictures show the plaza at street level (http://www.flickr.com/photos/23458044@N02/2372969247/sizes/o/in/set-72157604295594975/), while those of the pedestrian bridge leading into the second floor of 7 WTC (http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/7427/nycfotowtc77fw8.jpg) suggest it was elevated above them. Likewise with the towers' lobbies, I've seen shots with the lower-levels (which I assumed ran parallel to the underground mall) leading outside (http://www.flickr.com/photos/73409321@N00/1352490849/sizes/o/) and others of the mezzanines doing the same thing (http://z.about.com/d/manhattan/1/7/f/E/flickr-NoriakiGotoh-wtc-lobby.jpg).

2.) What did the interiors of the enclosed observation deck look like and what sort of things/activities were up there? Most photos and videos I've seen online either face the windows (http://www.eticketride.org/wpblog/wp-content/images/floor107.jpg), various hallways (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bstodd00/245067930/sizes/o/), or wide areas with neon lights (http://www.starcitymall.com/webcam/wtc/wtc_012.jpg).

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[–] Sproketer 16 years ago

In answer to question number 1, the plaza was above the street level on all sides, but higher depending on what side you were facing. On the east side and south side there was a few steps up, and on the west side it was one story above. The mall underneath connected to both WTC 1 and WTC2 buildings and had entrances either just at street level or above depending on what side of the buildings you were entering. I can't figure out where that shot was taken, but it might have been at another side of the complex that I usually never entered.

In answer to question 2, I forget what they had in the observation floor just below the outside observation deck, it's been many years, except the usual gift shop and the large windows that extended below the floor level so you could look down at a much further angle than you could imagine. I think there were translucent plastic displays by the windows indicating the landmarks one could see below. I had only been up there twice, sad to say. I do recall the elevator was big enough to carry a whole automobile, and would rise up so fast it would take your breath away!

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[–] Rabipelado 16 years ago

Thanks for answering my questions. It's pretty hard to find any media that describes/shows what the World Trade Center was like, so I appreciate learning more about it from people who have been there.

I'm not sure if it's the same spot where that shot was taken, but 1:34 of this clip from a 1982 Tom Hanks movie seems to face a similar angle in the tower: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IkuQouJqOA. I heard about the size of the elevators and another poster mentioned that jumping in them would send you up like Michael Jordan!

Do you know where in the complex these escalators where located (I've seen them briefly in a documentary and in various photos)?: http://www.flickr.com/photos/berkessel/109898902/. Also, what did the interiors of the New York Marriott World Trade Center Hotel look like? There doesn't seem to be any photos or videos of it online.

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[–] Sproketer 16 years ago

I haven't seen that scene from that film in many years. How funny is the acting? Anyway, it is accurate. That's what it looked like inside.

True, I remember wanting to jump up in the elevator as it dropped quickly.

The outside observation deck was a raised platform that did not extend to the edge of the building at all, so if Tom Hanks had jumped off from where he is seen, he would have only hit the top of the building a few feet down.

The esculators were inside on the lower level and were primarily for going down to the Path trains to New Jersey.

The interior of the Marriott looked like a smaller version of most hotels, nothing special. Dark wooden panels. There was a circular stairway in the center back that went up to a small resturaunt. looking to the left as you entered from the street was a gift shop and the hall to the ballrooms and the door to one of the towers. On the right was the front desk. I always remember that I sat inside the ballroom many times, on a weekend in August 2001, and a few weeks later debris fell through the ceiling of the ballroom and destroyed it and everything else.

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[–] karen-holt 16 years ago

"How funny is the acting?"

LOLOL - it's appalling!

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[–] Sproketer 16 years ago

Sorry if this is off topic, but I bet Tom Hanks was and is highly embarassed by the film "Mazes and Monsters" and would love it if someone would destroy all copies!

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[–] Rabipelado 16 years ago

Heh, that movie sure does seem to be of Ed Wood caliber (I only watched that clip for the interior footage of the World Trade Center...pity it wasn't used in a better film). Wow, that's pretty sloppy of the filmmakers to have Tom Hanks attempt to jump so far from the edge. Heh, somebody commented on YouTube that when/if Tom Hanks receives an Honorary Oscar the scene where he delivers the line, "J.J. what am I doing here?!" should be included in his montage of films.

Thanks for filling me in on the escalators' location and describing the hotel. I don't think I've seen any interior pics of the hotel, low-rise buildings, or original 7 WTC. I remember reading that the (confusing for some people) climax of "Trading Places" was filmed in one of the low-rise buildings, though. Speaking of films, I'm glad to see that Hollywood is re-inserting the Twin Towers into NYC skyline shots of period movies.

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[–] tennisagogo 16 years ago

They should rebuild the WTC Twin Towers exactly as they were. Nothing else will ever do. What better "screw you" to those who destroyed them than to put back what is now gone. They were gorgeous.

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[–] MartianTom 16 years ago

I visited in 1989 and took some photos, which you can view here:
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=366953284&albumId=765789

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[–] ebergi 16 years ago

I sure did. And visited all....I live in Italy and come to the Apple every two years or so...According to my American friends I am more a New Yorker tnan the majority of people who was born there. I love New York because I choose to love the Monster, the beautiful, fascinating, cruel and fulfilling Metropolis where everything happens, not may happen..but does happen...
I am from Rome, lived in Madrid, Paris, Buenos Aires, Vienna....and I mean lived...In NY I never stayed over a month, because if I stayed longer, I would never leave....
I don't want to waste everybodys time with my love poem for the City...I just wanted to remember my last visit one year before Armaggedon, my upcoming to the last floor and the breakfast at the TOP OF THE WORLD, my appointments in some of the offices, the strollng around the shops in the lobbies and the floors under citylevel...the Subways stations...the people....
This is all gone, and stupid politicians are arguing and miserabily discussing what to do (really trying to make the most money out of the Reconstruction)...But my memories are safe..It is my personal treasure...and I do not need photos to share..Share my feeling..I hope it comes through
Enrico Bergier
Rome
Italy
[email protected]

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[–] drgfreeuth 16 years ago

i visited the towers exactly one year before the tragic date. it was my first time to new york, and the day was full of iconic images; coming into grand central, rockefeller plaza, the flat iron building. but the most amazing part of the day was when we visited the world trade center. not the view from the observation deck, but the buildings themselves. my then boyfriend and i laid down in the middle of the plaza, looking up at the towers. im sure we looked ridiculous to the locals, but i had never seen anything like it, and it was the only way to take it all in. the buildings just went on and on into the sky, and i know it sounds hokey but you imagined they just went on forever. i'll remember that scene for the rest of my life, and i hope there is still a place for me to lie down at ground zero and see how far we have come.

all your base are belong to us

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[–] eyeroller00 16 years ago

I remember being on WTC Tower 2 roof late in 1986 and walking on the raised upper square inset (standard visitor tour with a push, it was optional) about 4 meters from the edge but at same level (quite visible therein) and looking over to WTC 1 (not exactly sure if on 1 or 2 but exactly as I remember it, I'd appreciate it if someone could remember exactly where along the inside rim of edge of roof)... seeing PP's signature and graphic of the wire between the towers just as depicted 87:47 minutes along. I have that photo I took somewhere. This beautiful documentary is a good excuse to search it out.

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