Saks Plans New Store in Florida

Saks Fifth Avenue (New York) has announced plans to open a two-level 80,000-square-foot store in the Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota, Fla., by fall 2014. The new store will replace a smaller, pre-existing store in the mall, while a smaller location in Westfield Southgate (Sarasota, Fla.) is set to close once the new locale opens.

The offerings in-store will include the premier of Saks Fifth Avenue’s signature women’s shoe boutique, 10022-SHOE; an expanded space for the men’s collections; and an exclusive in-house restaurant. Janson and Goldstein (New York) is the design firm.

The design “highlights” – as revealed by Saks – will be a blend of glass, mosaic tiles, stone, hand-distressed Dutch wood and artisanal walls. Pieces from both national and local artists will be displayed amongst “highly coveted” furnishings, which will include wool Tibetan rugs. The exterior will consist of decorative metal screens and a porte-cochère intended for sheltered valet parking.