American Express hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for its new global headquarters at 2 World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. The ceremony marked the recent construction start of the new American Express Tower, which will span nearly two million square feet and stand nearly 1,250 feet tall. American Express expects to begin welcoming colleagues to the new building in 2031.
The project represents a major long-term investment by American Express in Lower Manhattan, where the company has had a presence for more than 175 years. Founded in New York in 1850, American Express said the new headquarters reflects its continued commitment to the city, its employees, and the broader downtown community.
The new American Express Tower will be the final commercial building to complete the World Trade Center campus redevelopment. The building is expected to become a major addition to the Manhattan skyline and a key part of the next phase of Lower Manhattan’s commercial development.
American Express executives and colleagues were joined at the event by Lisa Silverstein, CEO of Silverstein Properties; Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Mayor of New York City; Kathryn Garcia and Kevin O’Toole, Executive Director and Chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; and Gary LaBarbera, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, along with other government officials, project partners, and community leaders.
Speakers at the ceremony emphasized the project’s importance for American Express, Lower Manhattan, New York City, and the World Trade Center campus. The development also carries symbolic significance as the final commercial tower in the rebuilt World Trade Center site.
The new headquarters is expected to support collaboration, innovation, and employee engagement for American Express colleagues. The company said the tower will be designed as a workplace where teams can come together, build partnerships, and support the company’s long-term customer-focused strategy.
The project is also expected to generate meaningful economic benefits for New York. The development is projected to create more than 3,200 direct and indirect construction-related jobs in New York City over the duration of the project.
American Express also cited an estimated economic contribution of approximately $5.9 billion to New York City and $6.3 billion to the New York State economy overall. Those estimates were based on an economic and fiscal impact analysis prepared by AKRF.
The groundbreaking also advances the completion of the broader World Trade Center redevelopment, which has been positioned as a center for commerce, remembrance, culture, community, transit, and tourism. Officials described the project as a milestone in the long-running effort to rebuild and restore the campus.
American Express is a global payments and premium lifestyle brand powered by technology. The company serves consumers, small and medium-sized businesses, large corporations, and merchants through its global network.
KEY QUOTES:
“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. 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. The new American Express Tower will be a place where ideas are sparked, partnerships are forged, and innovation thrives. It will bring together talented colleagues from across our company in an environment designed to inspire creativity, strengthen collaboration, and empower people to do the best work of their careers. Most importantly, it will reflect who we are as a company: forward-looking, customer focused, and committed to creating meaningful opportunities for future generations.”
Denise Pickett, President of Enterprise Shared Services at American Express
“This is an important milestone for our city, American Express, and Silverstein Properties. But it also symbolizes triumph, and what can be accomplished in this country following what happened here nearly 25 years ago.”
Lisa Silverstein, CEO of Silverstein Properties
“Today is a major milestone towards cementing the status of the World Trade Center campus as a premier location in our city for businesses from around the world to grow and thrive. From the union labor who will build this remarkable tower, to the thousands of American Express employees who will work here for generations to come, 2 World Trade Center will be a shining symbol of the resilience, excellence and opportunity that defines Lower Manhattan.”
Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York
“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. This project will continue to benefit New Yorkers for many decades to come.”
Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Mayor of New York City
“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. 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.”
Kathryn Garcia, Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
“Today’s groundbreaking for the final commercial tower at the World Trade Center is an important milestone in fulfilling a promise made 25 years ago to rebuild, to restore and to remember in the aftermath of 9/11. A new 2 World Trade Center, overlooking a magnificent memorial and museum and alongside a performing arts center, will strengthen one of our nation’s most important centers for commerce, culture and remembrance.”
Kevin O’Toole, Chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
“The groundbreaking at 2 World Trade Center represents a critical milestone for this project that not only represents a reinvestment into our city, but a commitment to creating thousands of good paying union careers for hardworking New Yorkers. This brand-new headquarters in Downtown Manhattan will not only represent a new chapter for American Express, but also for the tradesmen and tradeswomen who will now have the opportunities to pursue the middle class and support their families. Our members are eager to leverage their skills and craftmanship to help efficiently push forward this next step in successfully rebuilding the World Trade Center campus.”
Gary LaBarbera, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York
