What: The largest recent retail development in New York is set to open in Q2 2022

Why it is important: The whole proposal is based on creating communities with either DTC brands or low-key retailers, and this does not include department stores, even with their new formats.

Brookfield Properties threw the Manhattan West opening party in September 21, as the first phase of this 700,000 sqm mixed used development, located between 9th and 10th avenues and 31st and 33rd streets. This new project is filled in with a new retail proposition spanned on 24,000 sqm, including:

• 2 anchors: a 650 sqm Whole Foods (already open) and a Peloton store
• Wellness and lifestyle mixed retail spaces: a 450 sqm wellness centre, a 140 sqm skin treatment centre, the first stores of New Stand (a retailer mixing a newstand with tech gadgets and fashion accessories), Public Rec (athleisure), OPR Eyewear (hand-crafted eyewear), a 900 sqm NHL store, a Rothman’s menswear store,
• A wide array of F&B offerings: a 4000 sqm Citizen New York food hall, Life Wine and Spirit shop, and restaurants such as Danny Meyer, Zou Zou, Starbucks and others.

While some stores are already in operation, the retail proposition is set to be fully up and running within Q2 2022. It also aims to include a bank and a boutique hotel, in addition to green spaces and parks, next to 844 residential units.

Interestingly, there is no mention of any of the large American retailers, including those who recently developed community-oriented store formats, such as Nordstrom Local, Macy’s Market or Bloomie’s. The way retail is mixed into new property developments is also quite far from what can be seen in other parts of the world, which is surprising in a capital city such as New York.

EXCLUSIVE - Who’s Coming to Manhattan West