New Construction Set for World Trade Center’s Last Tower

Nearly twenty-five years after the original twin towers fell, New York City’s final tower at the World Trade Center is poised to begin construction this spring, according to Governor Kathy Hochul.

Hochul announced the news alongside American Express, which recently stated that it aims to “enhance its long-standing commitment to Lower Manhattan by building a new state-of-the-art global headquarters at 2 World Trade Center.” This announcement comes from a company fact sheet released Wednesday.

The new building is expected to cover about 2 million square feet across 55 floors—approximately half the size of the Twin Towers. It will feature “flexible, modern workspaces meant to encourage collaboration and creativity” and will accommodate up to 10,000 employees. Additionally, there will be over an acre of outdoor area, which includes gardens and terraces with views of the Manhattan skyline.

Located at 200 Greenwich Street, this headquarters is intended to be custom-designed for the workplace experience of the future, according to American Express.

“This is an investment in our company’s future and in the Lower Manhattan community, demonstrating our commitment to a region we have been a part of for almost two centuries,” remarked Stephen J. Squery, Chairman and CEO of American Express. “Our headquarters will be more than just a building; it will serve as a source of energy and inspiration for our colleagues while fostering innovation and growth. We’re excited about collaborating with local leaders for this new chapter.”

The post-9/11 master plan, unveiled in 2003, included the construction of American Express’s headquarters at Two World Trade Center. The project aims for completion by 2031, marking three decades since the Twin Towers’ collapse.

Silverstein Properties is developing the tower in partnership with architects Foster & Partners. The project is projected to create over 3,200 construction jobs and contribute around $5.9 billion to the city’s economy, with an estimated $6.3 billion impact on the state’s economy.

“New York is the best place to do business, and we see companies of all sizes choosing to set up here for the long haul. World Trade Center II will add another iconic building to Lower Manhattan while providing thousands of well-paying union jobs, generating substantial economic benefits,” Governor Hochul stated. She is also campaigning for re-election this year.

“The last commercial tower at the World Trade Center signifies more than just investment; it embodies the importance of unions and the dignity of work,” New York City’s new mayor mentioned. “This project stands for countless union jobs that uplift families and strengthen communities. Our investments in New York should focus on those who construct the city—carpenters, electricians—all of whom contribute to building our skyline and economy.”

This initiative seeks to revitalize the site memorializing one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in U.S. history, in which al-Qaeda operatives crashed planes into the Twin Towers, resulting in 2,977 casualties.