World Trade Center's final office tower will begin construction this spring

Construction on 2 World Trade Center is expected to start this spring and the building will become American Express's new headquarters, with completion slated for 2031.

Construction is expected to begin this spring on the final office tower at the World Trade Center, and the building will serve as American Express's new headquarters, officials announced. The project completes the long, often delayed redevelopment of the original 16-acre site that was destroyed in the Sept. 11 attacks. The plan has faced years of financing and design hurdles before securing an anchor tenant. American Express will own the building while leasing the land and says the deal does not involve tax incentives. Key details: - Construction is expected to start this spring for 2 World Trade Center. - The planned building is 55 stories and roughly two million square feet, at the site's northeastern corner. - The Norman Foster–designed tower is expected to accommodate up to 10,000 workers and will be fully occupied by American Express. - Completion of the project is expected in 2031. - The company declined to disclose the building's cost and said the project does not use tax incentives; messages requesting further financing details were sent to officials. - A nearby apartment replacement for another 9/11-damaged tower has no construction date announced. Summary: The announcement represents a physical and symbolic step toward finishing Ground Zero's long redevelopment and was presented by officials as supporting Lower Manhattan's economy. Construction is to begin this spring with a target completion in 2031, while details on financing and a neighboring residential project remain undetermined at this time.