American Express announced plans to build a new state-of-the-art global headquarters at 2 World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. American Express will be the sole owner and occupant of the new building, which is expected to be completed in 2031.
“This is an investment in our company’s future, our colleagues and the Lower Manhattan community, reaffirming our deep commitment to the neighborhood we’ve called home for nearly two centuries,” said Stephen J. Squeri, chairman and chief executive officer of American Express. “Our new headquarters will be more than just a building. It will be a place for our colleagues to feel energized, inspired, and proud — a home for innovation, interaction and growth. We’re excited to work with our partners and local leaders to shape this exciting new era for American Express and Lower Manhattan.”
Spanning nearly two million square feet across 55 floors, the new American Express building will have capacity to host up to 10,000 colleagues across flexible and modern workspaces designed to inspire collaboration and creativity. It will feature more than an acre of outdoor space with several greenery-filled terraces and gardens and sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline. Designed with advanced smart-building technology and fully electric, energy-efficient systems, the project will pursue Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. Silverstein Properties is the developer, and Foster + Partners is the design architect for the project.
“The design of the American Express building is rooted in sustainability and well-being, to create a state-of-the-art environment that supports the company’s vision for the future,” said Norman Foster, founder and executive chairman of Foster + Partners. “A network of landscaped terraces and gardens provides generous outdoor spaces and contact with nature in the pursuit of a healthier and more desirable working lifestyle.”
Located at 200 Greenwich Street, the building will be developed on land owned by the Port Authority under a long-term ground lease. The development is expected to create over 3,200 direct and indirect construction-related jobs in New York City during the duration of the project, with an estimated contribution of approximately $5.9 billion to the City’s economy and $6.3 billion to the New York State economy overall.
“American Express’ investment to build its new headquarters in this landmark location is a powerful statement about the future of Lower Manhattan,” said Lisa Silverstein, chief executive officer of Silverstein Properties. “I can’t imagine a better partner to complete the World Trade Center campus than American Express, an iconic institution embodying the strength, resilience, and global significance of the project.”
American Express moved to its current headquarters at 200 Vesey Street in 1986. Construction is planned to begin in the spring of 2026, and American Express expects to begin welcoming colleagues to the new building in 2031. The company will retain its current headquarters at 200 Vesey Street until the completion of the project.
“Moving forward with the final commercial office building at the World Trade Center marks an important milestone for this campus and for the region,” said Kevin O’Toole, chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. “2 World Trade Center strengthens one of the country’s most significant centers of commerce and transportation and reflects the sustained focus required to advance projects of this scale.”
