Silverstein Could Build 2 World Trade Without A Signed Tenant

FINANCIAL DISTRICT, NY — Silverstein Properties could start construction of the final World Trade Center tower without a signed anchor tenant, confirmed a company spokesperson.

Though a final decision has not been made, developer Larry Silverstein first told Bloomberg the firm could build 2 World Trade Center without a signed tenant, or "on spec."

"I think we're in an increasingly good spot, in a good position, to do that," Silverstein, the developer behind rebuilding much of Lower Manhattan's World Trade Center campus after the Sept. 11, 2011 terrorist attacks., said. "For all intents and purposes, it wouldn't be a bad idea to start on Tower 2 because it won't be finished until about 2022, 2023."

A spokesman for Silverstein Properties confirmed to Patch that the developer could kick-start construction before securing an anchor tenant, but that a final decision has not been made. The spokesman cited it is a possibility due to the success of leasing out other WTC towers and the state of the larger economy.

Following 9/11, 7 World Trade was built on spec because Silverstein felt it was "important to do something positive Downtown," according to the spokesman. The original 7 WTC built in the '80s also went up without a signed tenant, according to the spokesman, who added few developers are able to build without an anchor tenant.

Tower 2, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group, is the last building of the redevelopment of the World Trade Center campus. Once constructed, it will be the second tallest of the campus's towers rising 80 stories with 2.8 million square feet of office rental space.

Foundation construction was started at the building and, last summer, Silverstein and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey commissioned artists to paint a collection of murals on the sheds that house mechanical systems. Currently, the tower's location sits between the Oculus and Vesey, Church, and Greenwich streets.

South of the Oculus stands 3 World Trade, which opened last summer. Dey St. and Cortlandt Way also re-opened to pedestrians for the first time in decades.

Photo via Silverstein Properties Inc. of a 2 World Trade Center rendering