American Express Begins New WTC Tower Project

 Twenty-five years after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks reshaped Lower Manhattan, construction has officially begun on 2 World Trade Center, the final commercial office tower planned for the World Trade Center campus.

The new headquarters for American Express will be a 55-story glass-and-steel skyscraper spanning approximately two million square feet. Designed with more than an acre of outdoor terraces and landscaped gardens, the tower will stand 1,226 feet tall and is expected to be completed in 2031.

The groundbreaking marks the final phase of commercial redevelopment on the site of the original Twin Towers, bringing to completion a project that has taken decades to realize.

“This has been a long journey,” said Lisa Silverstein of Silverstein Properties, the site’s developer since 2001. “This is the capstone for the World Trade Center.”

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the project is expected to create approximately 3,200 jobs and contribute an estimated $6 billion to the city’s economy. He also reflected on the significance of the location, describing it as “hallowed ground.”

State officials emphasized the broader importance of the development. Gov. Kathy Hochul said the tower will strengthen the World Trade Center’s position as a leading destination for global businesses while creating opportunities for workers and future generations.

Once completed, 2 World Trade Center will serve as American Express’ new headquarters and represent the final major commercial milestone in the redevelopment of the World Trade Center campus, symbolizing Lower Manhattan’s continued recovery, growth, and resilience.

(ABC News contributed to this report.)