Financial services giant to relocate headquarters to 55-story tower at 200 Greenwich Street, with completion targeted for 2031
By Staff Writer | New York | February 26, 2026
Lower Manhattan — American Express will relocate its global headquarters to the long-awaited 2 World Trade Center, reviving plans for the final commercial tower in developer Larry Silverstein’s World Trade Center masterplan. The new skyscraper at 200 Greenwich Street will be designed by Foster + Partners and developed by Silverstein Properties, with construction expected to conclude in 2031.
The announcement marks a major milestone for the site, which has faced nearly two decades of design changes, tenant negotiations, and stalled momentum.
A New Headquarters at 2 World Trade Center
American Express will move from 200 Vesey Street—its headquarters since 1986—to the newly constructed tower at 200 Greenwich Street upon completion. The 55-story, curtain-wall skyscraper will span nearly 2 million square feet and accommodate up to 10,000 employees.
The site sits at the intersection of Church and Vesey Streets, adjacent to the Oculus, designed by Santiago Calatrava.
Under the agreement:
- American Express will be the sole owner and occupant
- Silverstein Properties will serve as developer
- The land is owned by the Port Authority under a long-term ground lease
Design Evolution: From Diamond Crown to Terraced Gardens
The latest proposal by Foster + Partners departs from its original 2006 concept, which featured a distinctive diamond-shaped crown. The updated design incorporates landscaped terraces and upper-level gardens—elements reminiscent of a later scheme developed by BIG.
“The design of the American Express building is rooted in sustainability and well-being, to create a state-of-the-art environment that supports the company’s vision for the future,” said Norman Foster, founder of Foster + Partners.
He added that a network of landscaped terraces and gardens would provide outdoor space and direct contact with nature, promoting a healthier workplace environment.
Renderings released by the firm indicate that the design remains subject to refinement.
A Long History of Architectural Shifts
The path to realizing 2 World Trade Center has been marked by significant changes:
- 2006: Silverstein selected Foster + Partners for the original tower design.
- 2015: Foster was replaced by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), which proposed a stacked-box design intended for media tenants including News Corporation and 21st Century Fox.
- 2016: Rupert Murdoch withdrew from the deal, stalling the project.
- 2020: Silverstein terminated BIG’s involvement and reinstated Foster + Partners.
- 2022: Updated Foster renderings were released without a confirmed anchor tenant.
- February 25, 2026: American Express formally secured its occupancy agreement.
The revived plan blends aspects of both architectural visions, combining Foster’s refined glass tower aesthetic with the terrace concept introduced during BIG’s tenure.
Economic and Civic Impact
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani framed the project as a significant economic milestone.
“The completion of the final commercial tower at the World Trade Center is more than an investment—it’s a testament to the power of union labor and the dignity of work,” Mamdani said in a statement. “This project represents thousands of good, union jobs that sustain families and strengthen our communities.”
Industry observers note that the commitment by a major financial institution provides long-term stability to the final undeveloped parcel of the World Trade Center complex.
Project Snapshot
- Project Name: 2 World Trade Center
- Address: 200 Greenwich Street, Lower Manhattan
- Developer: Silverstein Properties
- Architect: Foster + Partners
- Owner/Occupant: American Express
- Height: 55 stories
- Size: ~2 million square feet
- Capacity: Up to 10,000 employees
- Completion Target: 2031
Looking Ahead
The American Express relocation secures the final major commercial component of the World Trade Center redevelopment, more than two decades after the original masterplan was conceived. With construction now moving toward a defined timeline, 2 World Trade Center is poised to complete the skyline composition of Lower Manhattan’s rebuilt financial district.
