American Express on Wednesday, Feb 25, 2026 announced plans to build a new global headquarters at 2 World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan, becoming the sole owner and occupant of what will be the final commercial office tower at the World Trade Center campus.

The 55-story building, to be developed at 200 Greenwich Street, will span nearly 2 million square feet and accommodate up to 10,000 employees. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2026, with completion targeted for 2031.

The company will remain at its current headquarters at 200 Vesey Street — its home since 1986 — until the new tower opens. American Express has operated in Lower Manhattan for nearly two centuries.

The project will rise on land owned by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey under a long-term ground lease. Silverstein Properties is serving as developer, and Foster + Partners is the design architect.

American Express did not disclose the cost of the project. An economic and fiscal impact analysis prepared by AKRF and dated Feb. 9, 2026, estimates the development will contribute approximately $5.9 billion to New York City’s economy and $6.3 billion to New York State’s economy overall. The project is expected to create more than 3,200 direct and indirect construction-related jobs during the development period.

Sustainability

According to the company, the tower will incorporate fully electric, energy-efficient systems and advanced smart-building technology, and will pursue Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. Plans call for more than an acre of landscaped outdoor terraces and gardens.

Chief Executive Officer Stephen J. Squeri described the development as a long-term investment in the company and Lower Manhattan. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the project would create thousands of union construction jobs and strengthen the state’s economy.

Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole said advancing the tower marks a milestone in completing the World Trade Center campus. New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani said the development represents an investment in union labor and working New Yorkers.

American Express said the headquarters project is not expected to have a material impact on its financial results.

Additionally, the project adds to a broader wave of large-scale headquarters investments, including the $2.5 billion renovation of the Federal Reserve’s Washington campus, underscoring continued institutional commitment to long-term office infrastructure.

Factsheet: American Express New Global Headquarters at 2 World Trade Center

Location: 200 Greenwich Street, Lower Manhattan, New York City

Owner & Sole Occupant: American Express

Development Overview

Building Height: 55 stories

Total Area: Nearly 2 million square feet

Employee Capacity: Up to 10,000

Completion Target: 2031

Construction Start: Spring 2026

Current Headquarters: 200 Vesey Street (occupied since 1986)

Site & Ownership Structure

Land Owner: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Land Arrangement: Long-term ground lease

Campus Context: Final commercial office tower at the World Trade Center site

Development Team

Developer: Silverstein Properties

Design Architect: Foster + Partners

Legal Advisor to American Express: Fried Frank

Economic Impact (AKRF Analysis, Feb. 9, 2026)

Estimated NYC Economic Impact: $5.9 billion

Estimated New York State Impact: $6.3 billion

Construction Jobs: 3,200+ direct and indirect jobs

Building & Sustainability Features

Fully electric, energy-efficient systems

Advanced smart-building technology

Pursuing LEED certification

More than one acre of landscaped outdoor terraces and gardens

Financial Disclosure

Project cost: Not disclosed yet

Company impact: Not expected to have a material effect on financial results