New skyscraper rises at World Trade Center as Muslim mayor leads anniversary ceremony

Foster+Partners has started building the 2 WTC skyscraper, a 374-metre structure that will stand near the Freedom Tower and serve as American Express's headquarters, with a target finish date of 2031. The groundbreaking coincided with the annual remembrance ceremony at the memorial, where Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a Muslim who was nine years old during the attacks, became the first mayor of that faith to preside over the event, accompanied by Vice President J. D. Vance.

The ceremony was marked by a dispute as former mayor Rudy Giuliani condemned Mamdani's role, likening him to the attackers and claiming the mayor should not attend. The new tower is part of a broader redevelopment plan that includes green terraces and aims to reshape Lower Manhattan's skyline. Mamdani's tenure has been noted for a resurgence in tourism and a modest decline in crime, though challenges remain in housing and social services. The project reflects ongoing efforts to balance remembrance with urban renewal in the post-attack landscape.