The World Trade Center Transportation Hub—known as the Oculus, designed by Santiago Calatrava—is an architectural work of art and arguably the world’s most beautiful mall.
The white, bare-boned winged sculpture, spanning 800,000 square feet, is impressive from both the inside and outside. It lets in copious amounts of light from the skylight and the steel rafters create a cathedral-like effect. Cantilevered balconies allow visitors to take in the expansive space (perfect for Instagram!) and marble floors are uncluttered without columns.
Still, the grand design was not without controversy. It took more than a decade and a whopping $4 billion for the hub to open; it was only meant to take five years and $2.2 billion.
Follow all of Curbed NY’s coverage of the WTC Transportation Hub here.