NEW YORK--Otis Elevator Company has been awarded a contract to install 32 elevators in 7 World Trade Center, the first building to be constructed as part of the redevelopment of Ground Zero in lower Manhattan. Otis is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation.
The new building will replace the original 7 World Trade Center that was destroyed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The project calls for a 52-story tower with 1.6 million square feet of office space. The office tower will include 29 passenger elevators and three service cars.
"Otis is proud to be among the first companies to help rebuild downtown Manhattan," said Ari Bousbib, president of Otis, "and proud once again to participate in a landmark project working together with our premier development and construction customers."
Scheduled for completion at the end of 2005, the building is owned by Silverstein Properties, which holds the exclusive lease to the land from the Port Authority. Tishman Construction Corporation is the general contractor. The building will occupy the city block bordered by Barclay Street on the north, Vesey Street on the south, Washington Street on the west and Greenwich Street on the east.
Otis was the elevator service company for 7 World Trade Center at the time of the collapse. Otis was also a part of the World Trade Center towers construction in 1971, when it installed 327 elevators and escalators, and serviced the equipment until 1994.
"The fact that Silverstein Properties, Tishman Construction and Otis - who built the original 7 World Trade - are working together once again is a great example of the value of long-term relationships," said Ray Moncini, president of Otis North and South America Area. "These companies have been associated with many iconic buildings over the years, and Otis is pleased to be a member of this team."
Participating in the construction of 7 World Trade Center is a landmark endeavor for Otis as it celebrates its 150th anniversary this year.
"The Otis story began in New York City, where Elisha Graves Otis first demonstrated the safety brake and installed the world's first passenger elevators. Since then, the people of Otis have helped shape the skyline of New York and other great cities of the world," Bousbib noted. "The people of Otis are looking forward to playing an important role in this historic reconstruction."
