# Lower Manhattan Resilience 25 Years Later

> Lower Manhattan's 25-year rebuild honors 9/11 memories with new businesses and community resilience.
- Title: Lower Manhattan Resilience 25 Years Later · ABC7 New York
- Summary: Lower Manhattan's 25-year rebuild honors 9/11 memories with new businesses and community resilience. Lower Manhattan has grown to 70,000 residents while…
- Keywords: lower manhattan, 9/11, rebuilding, community resilience, o'hara's restaurant and bar, st nicholas greek orthodox church, american express, september 11, news, local, Lower, Manhattan
- Source: ABC7 New York — https://abc7ny.com/post/lower-manhattan-reflects-resilience-25-years-911-new-businesses-rebuilding/19858141
- Published: 2026-09-22T16:43:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: lower manhattan, 9/11, rebuilding, community resilience, o'hara's restaurant and bar, st nicholas greek orthodox church, american express, september 11, news, local
## Lower Manhattan's transformation
Lower Manhattan has undergone dramatic transformation in 25 years since the Sept. 11 attacks.
## Jessica Lappin's perspective
Jessica Lappin said 70,000 people now live in Lower Manhattan, a remarkable increase from 9/12 predictions.

> If I had told you on 9/12 that there would be 70,000 people living in Lower Manhattan today, you wouldn't have believed me. I wouldn't have believed me. It's quite remarkable.
## O'Hara's Restaurant and Bar
O'Hara's Restaurant and Bar opened in 1983 one block south of the World Trade Center and reopened seven months after 9/11.
## Mike Keane's recollection
Mike Keane recalled thinking he was gone when the towers collapsed on Sept. 11.

> We were getting ready for the day. Setting up.
## Keane's photo album
Keane keeps a photo album documenting the devastation and recovery, which he says is part of his identity.

> A lot of times the kids will look at the photo album we have here with some pictures from in here and see what happened to this building. And to look around now and see. This was. That place.
## Patches on the bar
The bar features 20 patches from fireman's shirts, now thousands from around the world.

> Patches from all over the world. Italy and Los Angeles and New Haven, Connecticut. And Wisconsin.
## St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church rebuilt four years after the South Tower collapsed in 2001.
## Father Vithoulkas' story
Father Andreas Vithoulkas became a priest after 9/11, now leading St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.

> Every time I walk in here, I just can't believe that I'm here. It's just incredible.
## American Express headquarters
American Express plans a 55-story tower at the World Trade Center site, expected to be completed in 2031.
## Key takeaway

Lower Manhattan has grown to 70,000 residents while preserving 9/11 memories through new businesses and community rebuilding efforts.