Why is the Freedom tower taking so long to build?
I’m not sure that it’s really that long relative to other projects of this size. Burj Dubai has been 3.7 years since groundbreaking, and it will be another 1.3 until opening. Shanghai financial center has been 10.8 since groundbreaking and it will be another 6 months. They were affected by the financial crisis in Asia, Tapei Financial Center took 7.0 years from groundbreaking to opening ceremony, The original World Trade Center in New York city took 5 years of planning and debate starting in 1961 until the groundbreaking. It took 4.4 years from groundbreaking until the first tower could be occupied, another 2 years for the second tower, and a total of 6.7 years from groundbreaking to ribbon cutting for the whole complex. None of these project had anywhere near the emotional turmoil associated with 9/11. Design selections take forever when there is this many people watching.
