NEW YORK — American Express hosted a groundbreaking ceremony last week for its new global headquarters at 2 World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. To celebrate the milestone, American Express executives and colleagues were joined 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, Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, among other government officials and project and community partners.
[Photo above: Members of the American Express executive committee celebrate the groundbreaking of the new tower at World Trade Center.]
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.
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 employees to the new building in 2031.
The new American Express Tower will be the final commercial building to complete the World Trade Center campus redevelopment and a landmark addition to the Manhattan skyline.
Denise Pickett, American Express President of Enterprise Shared Services, reflected on the company’s over 175-year history in Lower Manhattan: “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.”
Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Mayor of New York City, 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. This project will continue to benefit New Yorkers for many decades to come.”
Kathryn Garcia, Executive Director of Port Authority, spoke about the role the new American Express Tower will play toward completion of the World Trade Center campus: “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.”
