Empire, the Store, New York

The Empire State Building is a global destination, welcoming over 4 million visitors a year. The challenge for HMSHost was to position the building’s gift shop as part of the Empire State Building brand as it was being relocated from the 86th floor observatory to a 3000-square-foot space on the 80th floor. Here, visitors to the top have easy access to the store as they make their way down.

The store’s design was created to revolve around the building’s architecture and history. The renovated space offers a contemporary twist to art deco, incorporating the period’s quintessential turquoise color, prismatic flooring patterns and multi-faceted wall sconces.

Education is part of the experience, too. Visitors are exposed to facts and imagery about the building, beginning with a video presentation at the entrance. Contemporary graphics positioned on the storefront serve as an interactive backdrop visitors can incorporate into their personal photographs.

Dynamic wall treatments, museum-quality cabinetry, rich cherry wood and avenite fixture tops further define the environment, while stainless steel and glass incorporated throughout pay tribute to the landmark’s storied mystique.

Client: HMS Host Corp., Bethesda, Md.

Architect: David Lloyd Maron Architect, P.C., New York

Outside Design Consultants: Airport Design Group Inc., Charlestown, Mass.; Laundry Group, Baltimore, Md.

Photography: Peter Field Peck, New York