American Express has published plans to build its new headquarters at 2 World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. The new headquarters is planned to feature 55 floors and be around two million square feet at its location. The company did not disclose the cost to build the new building, but disclosed that American Express plans to lease the land. Construction is expected to be completed in the year 2031.

The location where American Express plans to build its headquarters was once home to one of the twin towers that were destroyed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001. Around 3,000 individuals were killed in the 9/11 attacks, with a large majority of the deaths resulting from the World Trade Center attack by al-Qaida. In the aftermath, News Corp. and 21st Century Fox (before being absorbed into Disney) came forward to build at 2 World Trade Center with plans to build an 80-story skyscraper. Ultimately, issues with gathering the funding to build at the location, the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, and finding a tenant prevented a skyscraper from being built at 2 World Trade Center. This changed in 2026 when American Express published plans to build a skyscraper to house its new headquarters at this site.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul provided a statement regarding American Express’s plans for 2 World Trade Center, stating, “Building 2 World Trade Center will bring another iconic skyscraper to Lower Manhattan, create thousands of good-paying union jobs and provide billions in economic benefits to New Yorkers” (WABC-TV).

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of American Express, Stephen J. Squeri, spoke about the company’s plans in a press release, “This is an investment in our company’s future, our colleagues, and the Lower Manhattan community, reaffirming our deep commitment to the neighborhood we’ve called home for nearly two centuries” (American Express Newsroom).

Currently, 2 World Trade Center is home to a placeholder building with a beer garden and murals with a graffiti design. American Express will not receive funding from the state of New York, New York City, or the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to build the skyscraper. The company disclosed that the 55-story skyscraper will be able to accommodate up to 10,000 workers.