My memory of the towers is more personal. There were two restaurants on the top of One World Trade Center: A large one called Windows on the World, and a 40-seat, upscale, prix fixe restaurant called Cellar in the Sky. Cellar was the special place for my husband and I, for Valentine's Day and other special dates. So, when we got married, our wedding reception was at Cellar. Indeed, we tailored our wedding to be small enough to fit into it. Not only that, but our wedding dinner wound up setting their prix fixe menu for the restaurant for the next two weeks (minus the wedding cake)! I will always miss them.
That’s so lovely. I regret we never made it up…though I understand why our class field trips didn’t stop for lunch there. My grandmother used to tell the story of her visit to Windows on the World, some time in the 1980s. She was with friends and asked why they chose such ugly green curtains. Apparently, it was smog! I remember it being pretty thick when I was a kid, but it had already much improved by the time I arrived in 2005.
This is a beautiful reflection of so much complicated history. I grew up not far from there. My childhood sketches of "city" always included tall, twin towers to mark one end. I sketched the towers again in my architectural thesis, as a grounding icon seen all the way from the west side of Union Square. I'd moved away by 911 and didn't make it back until three years ago, surprised to learn how easily I was still brought to tears, crying the instant I rounded the corner and saw the new plaza, memorials and building. You've included so many details I've thought about over the years, architecturally, culturally, historically and emotionally. Always love your posts, and especially thank you for this one.
My memory of the towers is more personal. There were two restaurants on the top of One World Trade Center: A large one called Windows on the World, and a 40-seat, upscale, prix fixe restaurant called Cellar in the Sky. Cellar was the special place for my husband and I, for Valentine's Day and other special dates. So, when we got married, our wedding reception was at Cellar. Indeed, we tailored our wedding to be small enough to fit into it. Not only that, but our wedding dinner wound up setting their prix fixe menu for the restaurant for the next two weeks (minus the wedding cake)! I will always miss them.
That’s so lovely. I regret we never made it up…though I understand why our class field trips didn’t stop for lunch there. My grandmother used to tell the story of her visit to Windows on the World, some time in the 1980s. She was with friends and asked why they chose such ugly green curtains. Apparently, it was smog! I remember it being pretty thick when I was a kid, but it had already much improved by the time I arrived in 2005.
It was the late 80s and early 90s when we were there. Our wedding was October 24, 1992.
This is a beautiful reflection of so much complicated history. I grew up not far from there. My childhood sketches of "city" always included tall, twin towers to mark one end. I sketched the towers again in my architectural thesis, as a grounding icon seen all the way from the west side of Union Square. I'd moved away by 911 and didn't make it back until three years ago, surprised to learn how easily I was still brought to tears, crying the instant I rounded the corner and saw the new plaza, memorials and building. You've included so many details I've thought about over the years, architecturally, culturally, historically and emotionally. Always love your posts, and especially thank you for this one.
Thank you so much, Jennifer! I'm so glad this resonated with you, and thank you for sharing your personal reflections.
Exceptional piece. Thank you.
Thank you, PA!