November 30, 2016 – Skanska USA celebrated with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America at a topping out ceremony on Monday, November 28, at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine, representing the completion of the structural steel erection at the site. The original St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church was destroyed in the collapse of World Trade Center Tower Two during the September 11 terrorist attacks.
“The St. Nicholas National Shrine will be a place of remembrance and reflection, but also a symbol of the resilience of Lower Manhattan,” said Tom Webb, EVP and General Manager, Skanska USA. “For Skanska, this project represents the capstone of more than a decade spent rebuilding the World Trade Center site and greater Lower Manhattan. We couldn’t be prouder to be a part of this team.”
During the ceremony, a temporary cross was placed at the top of the structure, which will be replaced with a permanent cross when the project is completed in the second quarter of 2018. Nearly 200 Skanska USA employees have dedicated approximately 42,061 hours at the site to achieve this milestone. The restored St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church—the only house of worship destroyed on 9/11—will feature white marble on both the interior and exterior, which was imported from Greece and comes from the same quarry as the stone used to build and repair the Parthenon.
“We look around today, we see the triumph of human spirit and human mind that can overcome any tragedy,” said His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America. “Saint Nicholas will offer us the presence of God in our lives and in our city. Here, at this spot, we raise the Cross, which is a symbol of sacrifice and victory, and we offer prayers for the continued construction process
Skanska USA has had a continued presence at the World Trade Center site for decades, both on the original construction of the Twin Towers and in the revitalization and rebuilding of the area in the aftermath of the 1993 and 2001 terrorist attacks. Skanska predecessor companies played a key role in developing the infrastructure necessary to erect the original Twin Towers in the 1960s. Later, Skanska repaired the damage inflicted on the World Trade Center following the 1993 car bombing attack. Most recently, Skanska has worked on projects including the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, Oculus, PATH Hall and East-West Connector.
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine represents capstone of Skanska USA’s decades of work at World Trade Center site
Photos from the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine Topping Out Ceremony
- Download full press release here.
- Skanska USA team members celebrate the topping out of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine, representing the completion of the structural steel erection at the site.
- Skanska USA placed a temporary cross onto the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine during the topping out ceremony on November 28, 2016.
- The temporary cross that was placed on top of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the topping out ceremony on November 28, 2016.