The Oculus Turns 10

Ten years ago, the World Trade Center Oculus fully opened its doors with shops and dining spots on August 16, 2016. The Oculus is not just a transportation hub, but also home to several stores, events, historic spots and an architectural marvel that symbolizes the resilience of the World Trade Center campus. To join in on this celebration, we are sharing ten facts about the Oculus that you may not know, even if you regularly pass through the space.  

1. On average, up to 200,000 people walk through the Oculus every day. 

2. The structure was designed by renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, who wanted to evoke the image of a hand releasing a dove to symbolize hope. Calatrava also designed the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church that is located on campus. 

3.  Wedge of Light: The structure's orientation serves as a lasting reminder of the attacks of September 11, 2001. It is aligned with the sun’s solar angles each September 11, from 8:46 a.m., when the first plane struck, until 10:28 a.m., when the second tower collapsed. Its central skylight fits this alignment and washes the Oculus floor with a beam of light. 

4.  13,000 lighting fixtures have been replaced throughout the Oculus front and back of house with LED bulbs to increase energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint significantly by about 4,500 metric tons annually. 

5.  The Oculus stretches 160 feet tall from the floor to the skylight. The space is 350 feet long and 115 feet across at its widest point.   

6.  Approximately 11,500 tons of steel were used in the construction of the Oculus, and it was so specialized that only four firms in the world manufacture it (Rethinking the Future).   

7.  Did you know that the World Trade Center is so large and unique it has its own digital wayfinding tool? GoodMaps provides wayfinding to over 300 destination points on campus including points of interest, shops, dining, and attractions.  

8.  There are over 70 shops and dining spots located in the Oculus.  

9. Much of the Oculus is made of imported Italian Lasa marble. 40,000 square meters of Lasa marble was shipped from a quarry in Italy to build the Oculus floors and walls (Source). 

10. The Oculus is one of the largest transportation hubs in the world connecting 12 subways and PATH to New Jersey.