How has Libeskind done it? He designed a superb competition-winning scheme but then it seemed to be sunk. The insurmountable combination of Childs, the owners\' architect, and Larry Silverstein, the developer, seemed to drive Danny underground. One had th

Freedom Tower Re-Played

But now, lo and behold, the Libeskind scheme, although amended, will definitely be identifiably there. Security factors have come to predominate, however, and also to be the excuse for amendment and amendment and amendment. Libeskind's masterplan has re-asserted the original street plan. The landscape architects, Peter Walker and Michael Arad, who won the competition to design the memorial to be where the twin towers once stood, have prevailed. Santiago Calatrava has been catapulted in to implement a new transportation hub, and Frank Gehry (who else?) will design a performing arts centre. Finally, and they couldn't be kept outside, Norman Foster, Richard Rogers and Fumihiko Maki of Japan are designing three totally new skyscrapers. There's a magic in New York, and only this city could have pulled it off and smile.