After 12 years of construction and a whopping cost of $4 billion, Oculus, the new World Trade Center Transportation Hub, finally opened to the public on March 3, 2016. Designed by the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, the Oculus has a sleek and modern exterior that consists of gigantic white ribs that interlock high above the ground. With this striking design, the Oculus instantly became a popular destination in the lower Manhattan.
The interior contains two underground floors. The upper floor houses the Westfield World Trade Center shopping mall with loads of shopping and dining options. The lower floor connects 12 subway lines and the World Trade Center PATH station. The Oculus has received mixed reviews: although it has been praised for the design, it has also been criticized for its high costs and extended delays.