Larry Silverstein finalized the deal to acquire a 99‑year lease on the Twin Towers on July 24, 2001.

Quick Scoop: When did Larry Silverstein buy the Twin Towers?

Core fact

  • Larry Silverstein, through Silverstein Properties, completed the acquisition (a 99‑year lease) of the World Trade Center complex, including the Twin Towers, on July 24, 2001.
  • The deal was valued at about $3.2 billion and represented the first time the World Trade Center passed from public (Port Authority) to private control.

How the deal came together

  • In January 2001 , Silverstein Properties submitted a bid of roughly $3.22 billion to lease‑purchase the World Trade Center.
  • Another firm, Vornado Realty, initially outbid Silverstein, but later withdrew in March 2001, which opened a short window for Silverstein to improve and finalize his offer.
  • Working with Westfield America (which took over the retail mall portion), Silverstein’s final proposal was accepted, and the lease was formally signed and closed on July 24, 2001.

Why “six weeks before 9/11” is often mentioned

  • Silverstein received the keys and official control of the Twin Towers only about six weeks before the September 11, 2001 attacks , which is why you often see his purchase described in that time-frame.
  • This short gap between the acquisition and the attacks has become a frequent point of discussion in documentaries, articles, and online forum threads about the World Trade Center and 9/11.

TL;DR: Larry Silverstein “bought” the Twin Towers by securing a 99‑year lease for the World Trade Center on July 24, 2001.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.