Winter Garden at WFC Ready for Sept. 17 Opening

NEW YORK CITY-New York Governor George E. Pataki and New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg earlier today joined Brookfield Properties Corp. officials to mark the firm’s $50-million renovation of its World Financial Center Winter Garden: a 45,000-sf glass-enclosed space that was significantly damaged in the collapse of the World Trade Center towers. Brookfield president and CEO Ric Clark said the garden will reopen to the public on Sept. 17, and that the 22 retail shops and restaurants in the plaza are open or expected to open soon.

“In our goal to rebuild the Winter Garden after 9/11, we couldn’t hesitate and wait for a reasonable plan,” said Clark. “Today we have gathered to recognize the outstanding work of the trade unions, contractors and subcontractors, some from distant corners of the world, who have united and successfully undertaken the painstaking process of restoring the Winter Garden to its former glory from the brink of heart-wrenching destruction.”

“New York is a better place because everyone in this city is pulling for a brighter future,” said Pataki. “The reopening of this building is a symbol of that commitment for this area.” The Winter Garden, which first opened in 1988, is located at 220 Vesey St. between Two and Three World Financial Center.