American Express Company Building

The company's first New York headquarters was an 1858 marble Italianate palazzo at 55–61 Hudson Street, which had a busy freight depot on the ground story with a spur line from the Hudson River Railroad. It was the largest privately-owned building in the city. A stable was constructed in 1867, five blocks north at 4–8 Hubert Street. 

Now the J.J. Kenny/Standard & Poors Building, American Express has been headquartered in Lower Manhattan since its 1850 beginnings. The building exploited early advances in steel-frame construction, foundation engineering and wind bracing. East and west light courts are provided by the building's H-plan. The company invented the traveler's cheque in 1891, which led to the international network of American Express offices and services. The company was still headquartered in this building when the American Express card was introduced in 1858. Travel services are still conducted here.