Christopher Ward, executive director of the port authority, recently held meetings with several European companies in London. He is going to Asia later this year and also plans a trip to South America. He said: “Many people in Europe

are surprised to hear that we are already building and have reached 260 feet [79 metres] above street level, but it’s going well and we should finish by the fourth quarter of 2013.”

So far, the only tenant signed is the China Center, but Mr Ward said the authority was in discussions with the New York State Office of General Services and the US General Services Administration.

Rents are expected to vary, but Mr Ward expects the rates to settle at about $80 per square foot.