The collapse of the South Tower during the September 11 attacks tore a 24-story gash into the facade of the building . Steel and concrete protruded from the building for months afterward , which was eventually cleaned up . However , due to extensive contamination , Deutsche Bank decided that the 39-story ruin was to be taken down . During the cleanup and recover period , netting was placed inside gashes and holes to prevent collapse . The owner maintained that the building could not be restored to habitable condition , while its insurers sought to treat the incident as recoverable damage rather than a total loss . Work on the building was deferred for over two years during which the condition of the building deteriorated
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Deutsche Bank Building