New World Trade Center plans unveiled

Wider staircases and improved fireproofing are just some additions to a new building set to be built near the site of New York's former World Trade Center, according to Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail.

The paper claims that plans for a new 230m-high, 52-storey glass and steel office tower, scheduled to open in late 2005, will include stairs 20% wider than required, sturdier fireproofing and an antenna system to improve communications for firefighters and police in an emergency.

Architect David Childs of Skidmore Owings & Merrill and developer Larry Silverstein are reportedly using the building's plans as a model to create designs for the larger Trade Center site which is owned by the Port Authority of New York.

Sleeker and five-storeys taller than the smallest tower which collapsed during the September 11th terrorist attacks, the new building at 7 World Trade Center will be constructed on the site where one of the smaller buildings collapsed.