Retail Is Alive and Well in the Big Apple

ALWAYS AHEAD OF THE curve, New York City is once again helping to define the next iteration of retail excitement. From SoHo to NoMad to the Meatpacking District to Midtown, there is a palpable buzz of creativity in the air. Great retail always gravitates to trendy areas, and in the past year, the resurgence of new storefronts has further enhanced these fashionable communities.

From Gucci (shown) to Balenciaga to Assouline, New York continues to inspire creativity.

A total renovation this past February transformed the Gucci store at 63 Worcester St. into more than just a store but into a work of art. In referencing the 155-year-old landmark building’s background as a former pencil factory, the renovated space maintains its original tin ceiling, exposed brick walls and iconic cast-iron columns. It also recalls the area’s illustrious past as an eclectic center for the arts with a gallery like setting, complete with work by contemporary artists. Sleek chrome wall panels, Italian furniture and marble, plush carpeting and original wooden flooring beautifully reflect the Gucci aesthetic. The open, 10,000-square-foot environment was extended through an entire block from its primary entrance on Wooster Street to an entrance on West Broadway.

At 110 Greene St., Balenciaga converted a 116-year-old steel framed building into a showcase of “industrial chic.” The 10,000-square-foot space celebrates sustainability with a creative use of materials, including cut concrete blocks with original orange cut marks, water-stained floors and walls, concrete presentation tables and exposed plaster joints on unfinished walls. A synergistic layering of architectural elements boldly speaks to the design principles of the Balenciaga label.

Opened in May at 181 Madison Ave., a showroom for Poltrona Frau, the high-end Italian-based furniture brand, doesn’t disappoint with split-level presentation zones highlighting the company’s impeccable craftsmanship and innovative design. Known for its old-world workmanship and advanced use of technology, the New York flagship is an elegant addition to Madison Avenue’s furniture and design district.

New York continues as the engine for brand activation with the Assouline pop-up store on the corner of 62nd Street and Madison Avenue. The luxury publisher continues to broaden its brand appeal in major international cultural centers, delighting all who enter the space with a wide array of luxury books ranging from art and design to fine wine, high-end timepieces or travel. Books are faced out against a terracotta-colored backdrop in an environment enhanced by fine art pieces throughout.

Photography has taken center stage in the Meatpacking District in a multi-purpose store environment. Leica Camera opened a 3000-square-foot flagship offering a journey through top-of-the-line photographic equipment and an exhibition space in support of established photographers and a new generation of talent. Additionally, the Leica Akademie, located on the mezzanine level, provides workshops and learning sessions, while the Leica Library features books on art, history and photographic techniques. The space is a go-to destination for seasoned professionals as well as amateur devotees.
From iconic cameras to high-end furniture stores, New York continues as the setting to inspire retail design around the world.

PHOTO GALLERY (12 IMAGES)
PHOTOS: ERIC FEIGENBAUM, NEW YORK