I agree

https://www.replicabuildings.com/proddetail.php?prod=1052

​

This is a site that specializes in replicating buildings with incredible detail, mostly for architecture enthusiasts.

I like it.

I think it's a beautiful-looking building.

I did not.

I hope so.

HOB-WTC is much faster. It only takes 7 minutes to get to WTC and it has the best subway and light rail connections.

Or you could just take an express train.

With destination dispatch, you could use fewer elevators with better efficiency.

Easy solution. Make a separate entrance and dedicate two elevators to the observatory.

I don't think an observatory in a residential building is a terrible idea. Just incorporate a separate entrance and express elevators. 99 Hudson already has multiple banks of elevators.

But it's not the same.

I think 99 Hudson could be perfect for an observatory, especially as the top floors likely remain unsold and they have multiple banks of elevators. Perhaps, they could lock off two elevators exclusively to observatory visitors. Alternatively, 30 Hudson could work as it's an office building and has 36 elevators.

Why don't they do this? They could likely make more money from an observatory than from office rent.

I think a skyscraper observatory would be better. I think the developers of 99 Hudson should delist or buy back the top floor penthouses, and turn it into one big observatory. The views would be incredible and offer a viewpoint more similar to a helicopter.

Building a new subway line along JFK Blvd using cut-and-cover would be massively disruptive. TBM would be better.

>are you the pedestrian tunnel guy

Yes I am, and still believe that if money was no object, that would be a great idea. I see tons of people waiting in the Exchange Place and WTC stations for up to 20 minutes to literally spend four minutes on a train, meaning they could literally save nine minutes if there was just a walking tunnel to get between them. However, it would definitely cost an unrealistic amount of money and nobody would pay to walk the tunnel.

​

>honestly this is a pretty good idea. much more straightforward turnaround than hoboken, and obviously a more in-demand station (though not by a ton!), and ideally would allow for a more straightforward JSQ-33rd train on the weekends...

The best part of this idea is that it could revive HOB-WTC service on the weekend. I much prefer to go to WTC than 33rd Street as all the trains I could ever need are there.

This wouldn't require any new tunneling.

Not always. It depends on the post.

It would be a lot easier with this loop line once you take Harrison and Newark out of the picture meaning no drawbridges or Harrison station redevelopment issues to worry about.