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Groundbreaking Launches Construction of 2 World Trade Center

The 55-story tower will become American Express’s global headquarters, completing the World Trade Center’s commercial buildout and signaling a new phase for Lower Manhattan.

Overview

  • The ceremonial groundbreaking took place on Thursday, July 9, 2026, and officials said it marks the official start of construction for the 2 World Trade Center site.
  • The building will rise about 1,226 feet across 55 stories and roughly 2 million square feet, with capacity for about 10,000 American Express employees and a targeted completion in 2031.
  • Silverstein Properties is developing the tower with Foster + Partners as design architect, and American Express will buy, occupy, and be the sole owner and tenant of the building.
  • The Port Authority owns the land under a long-term ground lease and has said the project will not receive financing or incentives from the Port Authority, the city, or the state.
  • Officials project roughly 3,200 construction-related jobs, multi-billion-dollar economic benefits during construction and operation, and the project closes a decades-long effort to finish the World Trade Center commercial campus after repeated delays.