The new shopping mall in Battery Park City epitomizes the best of the best, with a number of luxury brands opening up shop there including Hermes, Gucci and Ermenegildo Zegna. Baroque Lifestyle takes a look
Manhattan has a new local retail hub where luxury is the name of the game. We’re talking about Brookfield Place, 250,000 square feet of retail therapy and dining options located at 250 Vesey Street in what used to be the World Financial Center. At a cost of an estimated $250 million, it’s been transformed into a sumptuous mecca of fashion and design just waiting to be explored.
There’s plenty to do at Brookfield Place, aside from shopping. This winter, gourmet foods and piping hot cocoa are on offer at the market, and the ice skating rink is in full swing, with plenty of people taking advantage of the great weather and spending time outside. For those who prefer a cosy atmosphere, there’s gourmet fare on offer at the upmarket French bistro, Beaubourg. And that is literally just a taste of what’s on offer.
When it comes to international luxury retailers, you will have your pick by the end of 2016. Currently there are the designer brands we already mentioned, as well as Bottega Veneta right next door to the local Tory Burch boutique. In December, Gucci, Drybar and Ermenegildo Zegna opened their doors, and the magnificent Hermès parfumerie will open on the ground floor come September (the mall has two floors).
We can’t wait for Hermès to open, as it’s being created by designer Denis Montel to resemble a stylish Manhattan penthouse complete with a sumptuous leather couch to relax in and even a kitchen table. Apparently the fabulous fantasy boudoir in the ‘apartment’ is quite luxurious, filled with exquisite fragrances, bath, body and hair products all lining wooden walls that have been cut into geometric shapes.
Another major opening that is eagerly awaited is the opening of a Saks Fifth Avenue department store specializing in men’s wear. The space was initially booked for a Joël Robuchon restaurant, but the chef pulled out, and Saks stepped in to offer fashionable men a great place to shop instead… 16,750 square foot of it. The store will open by spring 2017 and will specialize in ‘modern fashion’ as well as custom tailoring. It’s expected to offer a comprehensive, personalized experience, similar to what women enjoy in luxury stores worldwide, with personal shoppers, bespoke tailoring and a choice of both smart and casual clothing to suit every occasion.
To add to its popularity, Brookfield Place is also ideally located for those visiting New York. It’s located right opposite the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. The structure itself is an architectural delight, with a vast glass dome pavilion that was designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects.