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Silverstein Denies Report 3 World Trade Center May Shrink From 80 Stories To 7

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Developer Larry Silverstein may put a lid on it.

3 World Trade Center was originally planned to be an 80 story skyscraper. According to a report in Crain's New York Business, Silverstein is now thinking about capping it at just seven stories.

Silverstein has been unable to secure at least one major tenant for the building, according to the report. Silverstein is looking for someone to pre-lease 400,000 square feet in the building. Amid the current financial climate, attracting that kind of tenant has proved challenging.

So Silverstein was reportedly thinking of turning it into a retail center.

If the building is capped at seven stories, the cap itself could be removed and construction could resume if a major tenant is found.

WCBS 880's Rich Lamb On The Story

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Silverstein, however, is shrugging off stories of the capping.

Port Authority executive director Patrick Foye is on board for the full 80 stories.

"We're rooting for and betting on Larry Silverstein getting those tenants. No one's made any money in this city betting against Larry," said Foye on Monday.

Silverstein said in a statement that he's 100 percent committed and determined to build 3 World Trade Center to the top as quickly as possible.

What do you think of a possible seven story World Trade Center? Sound off in our comments section below.

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