New York City - The Oculus

The Oculus is one of the most visually striking additions to the World Trade Center complex. It opened in 2016 and cost $2 billion to build, making it the most expensive train station in the world. The exterior is made up of white beams that curve upwards, which are meant to look like a bird taking flight.







I took a few pictures before sunset of the Oculus, then did a quick walk around Lower Manhattan as it started to get dark. This is the view of Zuccoti Park, which was already covered with Christmas lights (we were there the week before Thanksgiving).



And a few blocks away was a pedestrian bridge that offered this view of the rush hour traffic.



And the view at the intersection of West Street and Albany Street:



I didn't realize it at the time I took that picture, but I was right by the hotel that we stayed at during our visit in 2006. This was the view from our hotel room, taken during a white-out blizzard. 



And then I headed back to the Oculus, so I could take a few more pictures (and to catch the subway). The Oculus is massive, and serves as both a transit station and a shopping mall.



The station serves 12 subway lines and also the PATH train to New Jersey. It's estimated that over 250,000 people use the station each day to commute to work.



And one last shot of the Oculus, looking up at the ceiling from the concourse.