Silverstein May Have A Tenant To Launch Final World Trade Center Tower
American Express and Silverstein Properties are at the negotiating table, working out a potential deal that could result in a new skyscraper at 2 World Trade Center, The Real Deal reported.
Larry Silverstein has long planned the Financial District tower, which would complete his World Trade Center complex. However, the lack of an anchor tenant has caused Silverstein to struggle to get financing for the project.
Now a deal could be made in the coming weeks, TRD reported, citing anonymous sources.
“It’s their decision to make,” the source said of Amex.
Amex is headquartered in Brookfield Properties’ 200 Vesey St., which neighbors the World Trade Center complex.
“We are conducting a thorough assessment of our corporate headquarters located at 200 Vesey St., including the potential to refurbish our current space or relocate to another facility in Manhattan,” Amex told TRD in a statement.
The 93-year-old Silverstein wants 2 World Trade Center “done yesterday and wants it started in his lifetime,” another source told TRD.
Silverstein signed a 99-year ground lease with the Port Authority just six weeks before the 9/11 terrorist attacks that destroyed the Twin Towers.
His firm has since rebuilt the majority of the 16-acre mixed-use campus. The office space encompasses One World Trade Center, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, along with 3 World Trade Center, 4 World Trade Center and 7 World Trade Center. The complex also features the Oculus — a transportation hub and shopping mall — as well as a 9/11 memorial and museum.
Renderings for 2 World Trade Center by Foster + Partners were leaked two years ago but may have changed by now. The tower could be 3M SF or more, according to TRD.
Several tenants have considered anchoring the building, but eventually dropped out. That includes News Corp., Citigroup and Jane Street Capital.
CORRECTION, SEPT. 5, 4:20 P.M. ET: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that American Express also occupies 345 Park Ave. The story has been updated.
