American Express broke ground on new global headquarters at 2 World Trade Center (the American Express Tower), which will span nearly two million square feet and stand nearly 1,250 feet tall. The tower will be the final commercial building to complete the World Trade Center campus redevelopment
To celebrate the milestone, American Express executives and colleagues were joined by Lisa Silverstein, CEO of Silverstein Properties; New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani; Kathryn Garcia and Kevin O’Toole, executive director and chairman, respectively, of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Gary LaBarbera, president, Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, among other government officials and project and community partners.
“For American Express, this project is far more than a new headquarters. It is a reaffirmation of our belief in this city, our commitment to our colleagues, and our enduring connection to the community we have proudly called home for nearly two centuries,” said Denise Pickett, American Express President of Enterprise Shared Services. “Since our founding in 1850, New York has shaped who we are, and in turn, we have sought to contribute to its growth, vitality,and success. Today’s groundbreaking marks the next chapter in that shared story.”
Throughout the ceremony, speakers underscored the importance of the project, not only for American Express, but also for Lower Manhattan and New York City and State.
“As we approach the 25th anniversary of 9/11, starting construction of 2 World Trade Center is not just a significant step forward for Lower Manhattan, but it is also an inspiring demonstration of New York’s strength and resilience in the face of adversity,” Pickett said. “This investment by American Express in a new, state-of-the-art tower advances our shared goal of completing the restoration of the World Trade Center as a site that supports commerce, remembrance, culture, community, transit and tourism for all the world to see.”
Rising 55 stories, the new headquarters will feature flexible and modern workspaces and world-class amenities designed to foster innovation, collaboration, and well-being for colleagues. A defining feature of the headquarters is its expansive outdoor spaces with three greenery-filled terraces and six corner gardens meant to introduce nature into the vertical workplace rising 1,226 feet above Lower Manhattan.
Mamdani highlighted the opportunities the project will create for the city.
“I am proud to welcome American Express’s new global headquarters to Lower Manhattan. This is not just a sign of confidence in the future of our city – it is an investment in thousands of good jobs, the local economy, sustainability and the final piece of the rebuilt World Trade Center,” Mamdani said. “This project will continue to benefit New Yorkers for many decades to come.”
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 expects to begin welcoming colleagues to the new building in 2031.
“This is an important milestone for our city, American Express, and Silverstein Properties,” Silverstein said. “But it also symbolizes triumph, and what can be accomplished in this country following what happened here nearly 25 years ago.”
