American Express to Anchor 2 World Trade Center With 2M SF Global HQ Through 2031

Key Points

• American Express will build and fully occupy a 2 million-square-foot, 55-story headquarters at 2 World Trade Center
• Project to house up to 10,000 employees, with delivery targeted for 2031
• Developed by Silverstein Properties and designed by Foster + Partners

American Express is moving forward with plans to construct a new global headquarters at 2 World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan, marking the final commercial tower on the World Trade Center campus. The company will be the sole owner and occupant of the nearly 2 million-square-foot tower at 200 Greenwich Street under a long-term ground lease with the Port Authority. Construction is slated to begin in spring 2026.

What 2 Million Square Feet Means for the Office Market

At nearly 2 million square feet across 55 floors, the project represents one of the largest single-tenant office commitments in New York in years. The tower will accommodate up to 10,000 employees in flexible workspaces with more than an acre of outdoor terraces and gardens. The building will be fully electric and designed to pursue LEED certification. For landlords, this is a rare signal of long-term corporate conviction in Class A, transit-connected Downtown product.

What This Means for Lower Manhattan’s Recovery

The project is expected to generate more than 3,200 construction-related jobs and contribute an estimated $5.9 billion to New York City’s economy and $6.3 billion statewide. With American Express committing through at least 2031, the deal solidifies the final piece of the rebuilt World Trade Center complex. It also reinforces Lower Manhattan’s position as a premier corporate headquarters destination, even as hybrid work continues to reshape office demand.

What This Means for Silverstein and the WTC Campus

For Silverstein Properties, landing American Express completes a decades-long effort to fully commercialize the World Trade Center campus. The tower fills the last major development site at the complex and strengthens long-term ground lease revenue for the Port Authority. American Express will remain at its current headquarters at 200 Vesey Street until the new tower is complete. The company said the project is not expected to materially impact financial results. The broader takeaway is clear. Trophy, transit-oriented office assets backed by strong public-private partnerships are still attracting global corporate anchors, even in a cautious leasing cycle.