The Oculus

The Oculus is the new architectural wonder, located in the World Trade Center area, in Lower Manhattan, New York

Oculus is home to 12 subway lines, the World Trade Center PATH station and dozens of retail stores, serving over a million people each week.

The main floor is packed with passengers, shoppers and visitors, as well as weekly programming, from farmers’ markets and art exhibitions to music performances and other events.

Oculus has access points throughout the 64-acre World Trade Center site, including private entrances to commercial office towers (One World Trade Center, 3 World Trade Center and 4 World Trade Center) as well as a connection to Brookfield Place via the West Concourse.

Oculus and the Transportation Hub are owned and operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

The Oculus was installed as part of the large World Trade Center project by Daniel Libeskind and designed by Santiago Calatrava. The white steel ribs of the structure reach up and out in a monumental movement that symbolizes a hand releasing a dove.

The orientation of the structure serves as a constant reminder of the attacks of September 11, 2001. It is aligned with the solar angles of the sun every September 11, from 8:46 a.m., when the first plane hit, to 10:28 a.m. .m. when the second tower collapsed. Its central skylight fits this alignment and diffuses the floor of the Oculus with a beam of light.