News - Studio Daniel Libeskind sues Larry Silverstein
Posted by JoeVare, 15 July 2004

Studio Daniel Libeskind is suing Larry Silverstein for $843,750 (US) for his firm's work contentious work during the schematic design phase of WTC 1 / the Freedom Tower. The $843,750 number represents one quarter of an estimated 15% (Schematic Design) fee of a larger 01.5% of the total project budget, assuming that the total architectural fees would be $22,500,000 and the total construction costs would be $1,500,000,000.

There are a few ways to look at this. One is that Daniel Libeskind is using every possible means to defend his approved Master Plan against someone who has little regard for the process. Another is that he is just trying to get some respect for the process or that he is just looking for a share of the cash equivalent to his share of work.

Earlier this year I saw lectures by both Daniel Libeskind and David Childs. Childs (at Yale) spoke of the Freedom Tower design, showing analytic drawing after analytic drawing to justify his design. He spoke of the 1776 height and asymmetrical spire with disdain, hinting that both were still in play, specifically that the spire could not accommodate the transmission requirements of the tower. A few weeks later I saw Libeskind speak at the 92nd Street Y. He spoke of his dedication to the plan, saying that after all of the "star architects" had come and gone that he would still be there defending the master plan. In that context, it is hard to imagine any other reason than this defense for such an unpleasant lawsuit.

Update - Studio Daniel Libeskind sues Larry Silverstein
Posted by JoeVare, 06 October 2004

All that it took Silverstein Properties was $370,000 (US) to have Studio Daniel Libeskind withdraw its lawsuit. Afterwards everyone certainly sounded friendly enough, almost as if they hadn't been fighting about every piece of the design for months and months.

Larry Silverstein: "I am pleased that the mediation has produced a resolution to this dispute, and that both of us again can focus completely on the redevelopment of the World Trade Center."

Daniel Libeskind: "I am pleased that we have put these issues behind us so that we can move forward without distraction on the critical tasks ahead, which are so vital to our city and our nation."

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