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After decades of debate, New York's Two World Trade Center has finally broken ground. The start of construction work was officially marked in a ceremony on July 9 attended by New York City Mayor Zohran Mandami, along with executives from American Express and Silverstein Properties. The project is at last proceeding after developer Silverstein Properties secured American Express as the building's anchor tenant. The 2WTC site in Lower Manhattan had sat vacant for years while the building's design was repeatedly reimagined in an effort to lure a major tenant. The original 2006 concept by Foster + Partners was scrapped in favour of one by Bjarke Ingels Group. But that too was then dropped in favour of an updated Foster + Partners design, that is now being built. American Express will be relocating its headquarters from 200 Vesey Street to the new Two World Trade Center tower. In an earlier statement the firm said that the development is expected to create "over 3,200 direct and indirect construction-related jobs" in New York City. It added that the project would make an estimated contribution of approximately $5.9 BN to the city’s economy. Construction works are expected to complete in 2031. Speaking at the groundbreaking event, Mayor Mamdani said: "I am proud to welcome American Express’s new global headquarters to Lower Manhattan. This is not just a sign of confidence in the future of our city — it is an investment in thousands of good jobs, the local economy, sustainability and the final piece of the rebuilt World Trade Center. This project will continue to benefit New Yorkers for many decades to come.” You can learn more about the history of the Two World Trade Center project in our hit YouTube video. 📷 American Express / Foster + Partners